GEF Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI 1.0 & 2.0)

Enriched International · Found: 2026-03-10 22:16

ICI 1.0: $14.5M across 10 Indigenous-led initiatives in 12 countries ($1-2M per project). ICI 2.0: Heart of Conservation Initiative $22.5M budget. GBFF commits 20%+ of programming to IPLCs.

Source: https://thegef.org/what-we-do/topics/indigenous-peoples

Funding Details

Funder

Global Environment Facility (GEF)

Funding Goal

Direct funding to Indigenous Peoples' and local community (IPLC) organizations for Indigenous-led biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource management, and environmental stewardship initiatives. The Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) provides direct access agreements to support site-based conservation projects led by IPLCs, with an emphasis on biodiversity, climate change adaptation, and sustainable forest management.

Funding Amount

ICI 1.0: $14.5M across 10 initiatives ($1-2M per project). ICI 2.0 Heart of Conservation Initiative: $22.5M total budget. (1.000.000 € – 2.000.000 €)

Deadline

Rolling basis / GEF-8 cycle ends 2026; GEF-9 begins 2026-2030 (periodic)

How to Apply

Organizations submit expressions of interest; successful applicants enter direct access agreements with GEF. ICI is guided by a Global Steering Committee composed entirely of Indigenous leaders from grantee organizations. Contact GEF Secretariat or GEF Indigenous Peoples' focal point for more information.

Target Region

Global - across multiple countries and biomes. ICI 1.0 supported initiatives in 12 countries.

Contact

Tania Eulalia Martinez-Cruz, Indigenous Peoples' focal point; Sarah Wyatt, Senior Biodiversity Specialist at GEF Secretariat. Website: thegef.org

Last Checked

2026-03-15 12:39

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Must be an Indigenous Peoples' organization or local community (IPLC) organization
• Organization must be Indigenous-led with Indigenous governance structures

Project Scope

• Projects must deliver global environmental benefits (biodiversity, climate, etc.)
• Project must involve site-based conservation or IPLC-driven environmental work

Required Documents

• Submit expression of interest through GEF's established process
• Contact GEF regional focal points or Indigenous Peoples' focal point before applying

Constraints

• Free, Prior, and Informed Consent required for projects potentially affecting Indigenous Peoples
• GEF-8 cycle (2022-2026) for ICI 2.0 – check current replenishment cycle timing

Summary

The GEF Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI) provides direct funding to Indigenous Peoples' organizations (IPOs) and local community (IPLC) organizations for conservation-led environmental projects. ICI 1.0 secured $14.5M in direct access agreements across 10 Indigenous-led initiatives in 12 countries, with grants ranging from $1-2 million per project. ICI 2.0, launched in 2024 under the GEF-8 replenishment cycle (2022-2026), carries a $22.5M total budget through the Heart of Conservation Initiative and attracted over 800 expressions of interest in 2025. The thematic scope of ICI covers biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, sustainable forest management, protected area co-management, traditional knowledge integration, and natural resource management. Priority areas include site-based conservation projects led by IPLCs, sustainable direct financing for IPLC-driven environmental projects, capacity development for IPLC organizations, and integration of diverse knowledge systems. The GEF also works on reducing mercury use in artisanal gold mining, creating value chains for sustainably produced products, and co-management of protected areas. Eligible activities include site-based conservation, biodiversity management, climate adaptation projects, capacity building for IPLC organizations, integration of Indigenous knowledge systems, and empowerment of Indigenous women and youth. The GEF's work with Indigenous Peoples is guided by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and requires Free, Prior, and Informed Consent for all projects potentially affecting Indigenous Peoples. The program operates globally, supporting IPLCs across diverse geographic regions and biomes. ICI 1.0 supported organizations in 12 countries including examples from the Amazon, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Pacific, and Small Island Developing States. The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) has project examples from Brazil covering 6 million hectares across 15 Indigenous territories. Eligible applicants are Indigenous Peoples' organizations and local community groups that are Indigenous-led and have Indigenous governance structures. Organizations must be able to enter direct access agreements with GEF. A Global Steering Committee composed entirely of Indigenous leaders from grantee organizations guides the ICI. The Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group (IPAG) provides ongoing guidance to GEF on all matters relating to Indigenous Peoples. Funding is provided as direct access grants/agreements. ICI 1.0 provided $1-2M per project. The broader GEF family of funds, including the GBFF, allocates at least 20% of programming to IPLCs. GEF-9 (2026-2030) aims to allocate 10% of resources to civil society organizations including IPLCs. No co-funding requirements specifically mentioned for ICI, though GEF projects generally encourage leveraging.

Historical Context

GEF has been working with Indigenous Peoples since 1991. ICI 1.0 successfully secured $14.5M in direct access agreements across 10 initiatives in 12 countries in 2024. Due to success of ICI 1.0, GEF launched ICI 2.0 in 2024 as part of GEF-8. The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) aims to allocate at least 20% of programming to IPLCs. GEF-9 (2026-2030) aims to allocate 10% of resources to civil society organizations including IPLCs.

Why it was added

R13-RF3: Major indigenous peoples conservation fund with marine components

Sources

• https://thegef.org/what-we-do/topics/indigenous-peoples

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