GEF Small Grants Programme: Country-Level Calls (Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya)

Enriched UN / Multilateral · Found: 2026-03-14 15:18

GEF/UNDP small grants for community-led environmental initiatives including chemicals and waste management. Max USD 30,000 per project. Annual recurring calls.

Source: https://www.undp.org/ghana/press-releases/2026-call-proposals-gef-small-grant-programme-ghana

Funding Details

Funder

GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF/UNDP)

Funding Goal

Community-led environmental initiatives including chemicals and waste management, sustainable fisheries, ecosystem conservation

Funding Amount

Maximum USD 30,000 per project (Ghana 2026); average USD 20,000-25,000 globally. Co-funding typically required (50%) (20.000 € – 30.000 €)

Deadline

Ghana 2026: 13 March 2026 (CLOSED). Tanzania Round 1: 22 January 2026 (CLOSED). Kenya, Indonesia, Vietnam: contact national coordinators (periodic)

How to Apply

Submit concept notes to national UNDP/GEF SGP coordinator in each country. Applications via country-level portals.

Target Region

Developing countries globally including Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Indonesia, Vietnam

Contact

Ghana: akosua.bireduaa.aninakwa@undp.org; Global: sgp.undp.org

Last Checked

2026-03-14 15:38

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Local registered NGO or CBO in eligible country (Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Indonesia, Vietnam)
• Valid registration certificates required
• Concept note aligned with GEF-8 strategic initiative areas

Project Scope

• Must address at least one GEF-8 strategic area (chemicals/waste management qualifies)
• Must demonstrate community participation and local ownership
• Must have clear environmental impact measurable at community level

Constraints

• Max USD 30,000 per grant
• Must be locally registered — international NGOs cannot directly receive
• Applications managed independently per country

Summary

World largest small grant scheme for community-led environmental action, operating in 137 countries. Chemicals and waste management strategic area explicitly covers plastics. Critical constraint: grants go to locally registered organisations, not Danish lead. Aligns with partnership model — org should support local partner NGOs to submit concept notes. Grant amounts USD 20-30k small but serve as proof-of-concept. Contact SGP national coordinators in Kenya, Indonesia, Vietnam. GEF-9 calls expected second half 2026.

Historical Context

Running since 1992, longest-standing small grant mechanism for environment. Currently Phase 8 (2022-2026). Country-level calls typically annual. Dedicated Plastic Innovation Programme sub-track within SGP. Competition varies by country; moderate to high success rates for well-targeted concept notes.

Why it was added

Grant scanner Tier B scan 2026-03-14

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