Launch of the ProBioDev call for proposals
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As part of the Support Programme for biodiversity Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) active in developing countries (ProBioDev), the IUCN French Committee is launching a call for proposals to support projects in developing countries led by civil society partnerships. This initiative aims to support projects focused on biodiversity conservation and Nature-based Solutions, addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Since February 1st, 2024, the IUCN French Committee has been implementing the Support Programme for biodiversity Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) active in developing countries, known as ProBioDev. Over the span of three years, ProBioDev aims to enhance biodiversity in developing countries by empowering civil society action and strengthening the capacities and partnerships of CSOs.
Supported by a coalition of public and private partners, including the French Development Agency, the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), the Audemars Piguet Foundation for Trees, the Fondation de France, the Manthano Foundation, the Egis Foundation, and the Maisons du Monde Foundation, the programme also aims to support alliance strategies and the development of equitable and supportive partnerships to address biodiversity challenges in developing countries.
For this purpose, a grant initiative for meso-projects has been established. The first call for proposals is open from April 9th to May 26th, 2024. This call aims to support approximately ten field projects, offering grants ranging from €100 000 to €250 000 for a maximum duration of 24 months. Co-financing provided through these grants will represent up to 90% of the total project budget.
Projects must be carried out in a country eligible for official development assistance (ODA) according to the OECD DAC list (with a priority given to the African continent) and led by civil society partnerships. These partnerships must include a French civil society organization (CSO) and a local CSO registered in a developing country. The main objective of the project should be biodiversity conservation and/or Nature-based Solutions focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation, aligning with the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
All details regarding the call for proposals can be found in the competition regulations available on this page.
To respond to the call for proposals, the grant application form and its annexes must be completed in French or English and sent by email to probiodev@uicn.fr by May 26th, 2024 (11:59 PM CEST). Requests for clarification can be submitted until May 21st, 2024. To obtain further details, the IUCN French Committee is organising an online information session to address your questions regarding the call for proposals. To participate, please register using the following links:
- Here for the French session on April 25th at 3:00 PM (CEST)
- Here for the English session on April 26th at 3:00 PM (CEST)
CSOs eligible to respond to this call for proposals are invited to express their interest as soon as possible by sending an email to probiodev@uicn.fr.
Frequently Asked Questions :
(regularly updated based on clarification requests)
Absolutely! Partnerships, consisting of a French Civil Society Organization (CSO) and a local CSO, should also designate a project leader (primary contact) and a main partner. In the grant application, the local CSO has the option to serve as either the project leader or the main partner. Similarly, the French CSO has the same flexibility.
Exceptionally, partnerships may involve three CSOs, provided that the relevance of this collaboration, the complementarity of expertise and support, and the alignment with the project’s objectives are clearly demonstrated.
Yes, accordingly with the guidelines set out in the regulations, the partnership quality and coherence between two CSOs are essential criteria for project selection. It is important that the partnership between the local CSO and the French CSO is well established and relevant to the project you are planning to submit. We cannot match you directly with a French CSO. We do, however, encourage the formation of solid, complementary partnerships in which the added value of each organisation is clearly demonstrated.
We recommend that you carefully read the eligibility criteria for CSOs in the competition regulations, including the different statuses for French and local CSOs, in order to be fully eligible. As a reminder, the two CSOs making up the partnership must be independent, with their own governance. Thus, two branches of the same organization will not be eligible to form a partnership under this call for proposals.
No. The grants are awarded to CSOs established under the following legal statuses:
- For French CSOs:
- A French association operating under the law of 1901, or a non-profit association governed by the local law in Alsace Moselle involved in international solidarity actions;
- A trade union under French law (law of 21 March 1884), engaged in international solidarity actions;
- A French foundation recognised as serving the public interest, implementing international solidarity initiatives.
- For local CSOs:
- A non-profit association or non-governmental organisation, established in compliance with the prevailing national legislation of a country eligible for official development assistance (ODA), with autonomous governance, independent of national governments, the private sector and any international organisation.
Note : it is possible to involve other technical partners in the project, potentially through co-financing or transferring part of the funds to these entities or stakeholders for the implementation of specific project activities.
The projects main objective must be biodiversity conservation and/or Nature-based Solutions aswering specifically to climate change adaptation and mitigation challenges (in order to answer to at least one target of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework).
Projects must also contribute to improve living conditions for local populations.
Replay of the information session on the ProBioDev 2024 call for proposals
Documents to apply
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Annexes : Partnership commitment form and logical framework and budget templates
