GEF SGP Southern Africa Regional Workshop 2026: Apply for a Strategic Grant of Up to USD 100,000

The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme, is inviting eligible organisations to submit proposals to host and deliver the GEF SGP Southern Africa Regional Workshop 2026.

The regional workshop will take place in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 21 to 25 September 2026 and will bring together approximately 40 participants connected to the Small Grants Programme across Southern Africa and the wider GEF SGP network.

The selected organisation will be responsible for coordinating the workshop, participant travel, accommodation, conferencing, field visits, exhibitions, visibility materials and documentation. The maximum proposed budget is USD 100,000, and co-financing in cash or in kind is mandatory.

Applications must be submitted by 27 July 2026 at 23:59 Central Africa Time.

About the GEF Small Grants Programme

Established in 1992, the GEF Small Grants Programme supports community-led initiatives addressing global environmental and sustainable development challenges.

The programme focuses on areas including:

• Biodiversity conservation
• Climate change mitigation and adaptation
• Land degradation and sustainable land management
• International waters
• Chemicals and waste management

The Southern Africa Regional Workshop will create a platform for country representatives to review progress under Operational Phase 7, share lessons and good practices, discuss implementation challenges and strengthen cooperation as countries move forward with Operational Phase 8.

Workshop Participants and Countries

The workshop is expected to host 40 participants.

Represented Southern African countries include:

• Botswana
• Eswatini
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Seychelles
• South Africa
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

Additional regional and global GEF SGP representatives may also attend.

Main Objectives of the Workshop

The workshop will enable National Coordinators and other participants to:

1. Review progress and achievements under Operational Phase 7.
2. Examine results, challenges and lessons from country and project-level implementation.
3. Identify effective landscape approaches and good practices.
4. Strengthen peer learning through project site visits.
5. Support regional collaboration during the transition to Operational Phase 8.
6. Produce regional knowledge materials documenting results, impacts and lessons from Southern Africa.

Responsibilities of the Selected Organisation

The successful applicant will organise and manage several major components.

Participant Travel and Allowances

The organisation will arrange return economy air tickets and applicable daily subsistence allowances for participants travelling from outside Zimbabwe.

Accommodation and Conference Facilities

Applicants must obtain at least three hotel quotations in Harare during proposal development.

The selected organisation will be expected to:

• Book a suitable venue
• Arrange accommodation
• Coordinate participant check-in
• Prepare logistical and information materials
• Provide meals and refreshments where required
• Support workshop facilitation and daily logistics

Project Site Visits and Exhibitions

The programme includes visits to selected GEF SGP-supported projects in Harare.

The organisation will arrange transport for participants, coordinate exhibitions and provide catering and logistical support for participating grantees.

Visibility and Information Materials

Required materials may include branded clothing, diaries, brochures, banners, gazebos, exhibition furniture and a workshop backdrop.

Documentation

The organisation must produce:

• A workshop report
• A video documentary covering the workshop and site visits
• A Southern Africa publication presenting projects, OP7 results, impacts and lessons learned

The call places substantial emphasis on workshop documentation and the production of knowledge materials.

Grant Amount and Project Duration

The proposal budget must:

• Be prepared in United States dollars
• Not exceed USD 100,000
• Include detailed projected activities and expenses
• Include mandatory co-financing in cash, in kind or both

The grant period is six months, and the project must be completed by 31 December 2026.

Applicants should use the supplied GEF SGP proposal and budget templates. Although the standard generic template contains broader SGP guidance, applicants should follow the specific financial ceiling and conditions stated in this call.

Eligible Organisations

Eligible applicants must be registered organisations with the capacity to organise international workshops and produce professional knowledge products.

Eligible entities include:

• Civil society organisations
• National non-governmental organisations
• Non-governmental academic institutions
• Non-governmental educational institutions

Applicants must provide proof of registration or evidence that Private Voluntary Organisation registration is underway.

The following are not eligible:

• Individuals
• Private-sector companies
• Commercial entities
• National government institutions
• Regional government institutions
• Local government institutions

The applicant must demonstrate relevant experience, strong organisational capacity and a proven record aligned with the assignment.

Required Personnel and Experience

Applications must include CVs for three key personnel:

• A project manager with at least three years of project management experience
• A lead finance officer with at least three years of finance experience
• A monitoring and evaluation officer with at least three years of relevant experience

Applicants should also demonstrate experience in:

• Organising international workshops
• Providing logistical support
• Facilitating workshops
• Producing publications, videos and reports
• Managing knowledge products
• Working on relevant GEF SGP environmental themes

Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit:

• A completed GEF SGP proposal template
• A completed budget template
• Proof of organisational registration
• At least three partner or referee support letters
• CVs of key project personnel
• Evidence of previous publications, videos or workshop reports
• A list of board members with certified identification copies
• Signed minutes from the last two board meetings

Audited financial statements are considered an advantage.

Only one submission per organisation is allowed, and hard-copy applications will not be accepted. The complete application must be submitted electronically using the email address stated in the call documents.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

27 July 2026 at 23:59 CAT

Late proposals will not be considered. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

Conclusion

The GEF SGP Southern Africa Regional Workshop strategic grant offers an important opportunity for an experienced civil society, academic or educational organisation to manage a major regional environmental event in Harare.

The successful organisation will coordinate travel, accommodation, workshop delivery, field visits, exhibitions and professional documentation for a regional gathering of 40 participants. Applicants must demonstrate strong event-management experience, institutional capacity, environmental knowledge and the ability to deliver the assignment within a budget not exceeding USD 100,000.

Eligible organisations should complete the required proposal and budget templates and submit all supporting documents before 27 July 2026 at 23:59 CAT.

For further information and application requirements, CLICK HERE.

To download the proposal template, CLICK HERE.

To discover more grants opportunities, VISIT HERE.