UNDP Uganda ICCA-GSI Phase II Call for Proposals 2026: Up to $44,000 Grant for Indigenous and Community-Based Organisations

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Uganda, through the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP), has announced a call for proposals inviting eligible indigenous Ugandan non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), and civil society organisations (CSOs) to apply to become the National Catalytic Organisation (NCO) for Phase II of the Global Support Initiative to Territories and Areas Conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (ICCA-GSI).

This opportunity aims to strengthen the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conserving biodiversity, protecting ecosystems, promoting community-led environmental governance, and advancing the recognition of territories and areas conserved by local communities in Uganda. The selected organisation will receive a grant of up to USD 44,000 to implement a programme spanning approximately 25 months, beginning in November 2026 and continuing into 2028.

The call provides an opportunity for an eligible Ugandan organisation with experience in environmental conservation, community development, biodiversity protection, or Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ rights to contribute to a national initiative that connects local conservation efforts with broader environmental strategies and policy development.

Application deadline: 30 October 2026.

Overview of the UNDP Uganda ICCA-GSI Phase II Grant Opportunity

The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, implemented in Uganda by UNDP, supports community-based initiatives that deliver environmental benefits while improving the livelihoods and resilience of local communities. Through this call, the programme seeks a National Catalytic Organisation capable of coordinating and facilitating the implementation of Phase II of the ICCA-GSI initiative in Uganda.

The selected organisation will play a central role in establishing the strategic foundations of the initiative, supporting its implementation, strengthening local capacities, and promoting the recognition and registration of territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

The grant will support activities across two principal phases: an initial strategic foundation development phase and a subsequent national catalytic support phase. Together, these phases are intended to create a stronger national framework for community-led conservation and improve coordination among relevant stakeholders.

Key details of the opportunity include:

• Organising institution: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Uganda.
• Implementing programme: Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP).
• Opportunity: National Catalytic Organisation for Uganda ICCA-GSI Phase II.
• Grant amount: Up to USD 44,000.
• Implementation period: Approximately 25 months.
• Expected commencement: November 2026.
• Programme duration: Through 2028.
• Application deadline: 30 October 2026.
• Application contact: tenders.kampala@undp.org.
• Target applicants: Eligible indigenous Ugandan NGOs, CBOs, and CSOs.

Interested organisations should review the official call documentation and any accompanying application instructions before submitting their proposals.

Understanding the ICCA-GSI Initiative

The Global Support Initiative to Territories and Areas Conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, commonly known as ICCA-GSI, focuses on supporting territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

These territories and areas are important because communities often maintain traditional systems of resource management, cultural practices, and locally developed conservation approaches that contribute to biodiversity protection and ecosystem sustainability.

Community-conserved areas can include forests, wetlands, grasslands, watersheds, and other ecosystems managed or protected through community institutions, customary governance arrangements, and collective conservation practices.

Recognising these areas can help strengthen environmental protection while acknowledging the knowledge, leadership, and contributions of the people who depend on and care for them.

In Uganda, advancing this work requires coordination between community organisations, conservation practitioners, civil society, government stakeholders, and other institutions involved in environmental management and sustainable development.

The ICCA-GSI Phase II initiative is designed to help establish the strategic direction and national support structures needed to advance this work. The National Catalytic Organisation will serve as a key facilitator of these efforts, helping connect community-level conservation initiatives with national priorities and broader policy discussions.

Why the ICCA-GSI Initiative Matters

The initiative is significant for several reasons.

1. Strengthening community-led conservation

Indigenous Peoples and local communities frequently possess valuable knowledge about local ecosystems, wildlife, forests, water resources, and sustainable land management. Supporting their conservation efforts can help preserve biodiversity while reinforcing community ownership of environmental protection.

2. Improving recognition of conserved territories

Community-conserved territories may not always be adequately documented or formally recognised. Participatory mapping and support for ICCA registration can help make these areas more visible and strengthen the evidence available to support their recognition.

3. Promoting inclusive environmental governance

Effective conservation depends on meaningful participation by the communities affected by environmental decisions. The initiative seeks to strengthen the capacity of local organisations and communities to engage in planning, decision-making, and policy discussions.

4. Connecting local initiatives with national strategies

Community conservation projects can have greater impact when they are linked to broader environmental objectives. A national strategy can help identify priorities, coordinate stakeholders, and guide resources towards activities that contribute to long-term conservation outcomes.

5. Supporting sustainable development

Healthy ecosystems contribute to livelihoods, food security, water availability, climate resilience, and the well-being of communities. Strengthening community conservation can therefore contribute to environmental and development objectives simultaneously.

Grant Amount and Funding Support

Under Operational Phase 8 (OP8) of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, the selected National Catalytic Organisation will receive a grant of up to USD 44,000.

This funding is intended to support the organisation’s responsibilities throughout the implementation period, including strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, capacity development, conservation mapping, registration support, monitoring, evaluation, learning, and policy dialogue.

The grant ceiling is USD 44,000, meaning that applicants should not assume every proposal will automatically receive the maximum amount. The final funding arrangement will depend on the applicable selection and grant procedures.

What the Grant Is Intended to Support

The proposed programme has two connected phases, each with distinct responsibilities and expected activities.

The first phase focuses on establishing the strategic and analytical foundations necessary for implementation. The second phase focuses on providing sustained national support to community conservation actors and advancing the agreed strategy.

Depending on the approved work plan and the official application requirements, relevant activities may include:

• Conducting a national assessment of existing ICCAs and community conservation initiatives.
• Consulting stakeholders to identify priorities and opportunities.
• Developing a national strategy for ICCA-GSI Phase II.
• Strengthening the institutional and technical capacities of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• Supporting participatory mapping and ICCA registration processes.
• Coordinating with conservation organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
• Monitoring programme progress and reporting on results.
• Supporting evidence-based dialogue on national conservation policies.

Applicants should ensure that their proposed budgets are directly connected to the activities, outputs, and responsibilities specified in the official call for proposals.

Implementation Timeline: Two Phases of Work

The implementation period is approximately 25 months, starting in November 2026 and continuing through 2028. The call identifies two major phases.

Phase I: Strategic Foundation Development — 40 Days

The first phase will establish the strategic foundation for the national initiative. Over a 40-day period, the selected organisation will undertake assessments, consultations, prioritisation, and strategy development.

The purpose of this phase is to build a clear understanding of the existing conservation landscape, identify key stakeholders, and establish a practical framework for implementing ICCA-GSI Phase II in Uganda.

1. Conduct a National ICCA Baseline Assessment

A national baseline assessment will help establish the current situation concerning territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities in Uganda.

Such an assessment can provide information on existing community conservation initiatives, relevant organisations, conservation priorities, institutional arrangements, and potential gaps that need to be addressed.

A strong baseline can also establish a reference point for measuring progress during subsequent implementation.

2. Organise Stakeholder Consultations

Stakeholder consultations are intended to bring relevant actors into the strategy development process.

These may include Indigenous Peoples and local community representatives, community-based organisations, civil society organisations, conservation practitioners, technical experts, and relevant public institutions.

Consultations can help identify community priorities, practical implementation challenges, opportunities for collaboration, and the support needed to strengthen community-led conservation.

Meaningful participation is particularly important because the initiative concerns territories and areas conserved by communities themselves.

3. Prioritise Landscapes

Landscape prioritisation will help identify areas where coordinated support for community conservation may be particularly important.

This process can help inform strategic decisions, establish priorities, and focus limited resources on areas and activities with strong potential to contribute to the initiative’s objectives.

The official programme documentation should guide the criteria and methods used for prioritisation.

4. Develop the Uganda ICCA-GSI Phase II Strategy

The final major responsibility of the first phase is to develop the national strategy for ICCA-GSI Phase II.

The strategy is expected to provide direction for the subsequent implementation period. It should establish a coherent approach to national coordination, capacity strengthening, community support, mapping and registration, monitoring, and policy engagement in line with the programme’s requirements.

The first phase is therefore essential for ensuring that later activities are based on an understanding of the national context and informed by the perspectives of relevant stakeholders.

Phase II: National Catalytic Support — 24 Months

Following the strategic foundation phase, the selected organisation will facilitate the implementation of the Uganda ICCA-GSI Phase II strategy over 24 months.

This phase will focus on strengthening community-level capacities, supporting practical conservation activities, coordinating implementation, monitoring progress, and promoting national policy dialogue.

1. Facilitate Strategy Implementation

The National Catalytic Organisation will help translate the approved strategy into practical activities.

This involves supporting coordination, facilitating engagement among stakeholders, tracking implementation progress, and helping ensure that activities remain aligned with the agreed national priorities.

The organisation’s catalytic role is important because different communities and conservation actors may have different needs, levels of capacity, and institutional arrangements.

2. Strengthen the Capacities of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

Capacity strengthening is a central component of the initiative.

Indigenous Peoples and local communities may require different forms of support to document conservation efforts, manage projects, engage with institutions, participate in decision-making, and sustain conservation outcomes.

The selected organisation will help strengthen the capacities of IPLCs and relevant grantees in accordance with the approved strategy and programme requirements.

This work can contribute to more effective community participation, improved organisational practices, and stronger local ownership of conservation initiatives.

3. Support Participatory Mapping

Participatory mapping can help communities document the boundaries, locations, and characteristics of territories and areas they conserve.

When undertaken appropriately, this process can combine community knowledge with relevant mapping methods to improve documentation and support conservation planning.

Community participation is essential to ensure that mapping activities reflect local knowledge and are undertaken in a manner consistent with applicable programme requirements.

4. Support ICCA Registration

The initiative also includes support for ICCA registration.

Registration-related support can help eligible community conservation initiatives document relevant information and navigate applicable processes for recognition.

The exact registration procedures and eligibility requirements should be established through the official ICCA-GSI framework and relevant national arrangements. Applicants should avoid assuming that registration automatically confers any particular legal status or land rights.

5. Monitor, Evaluate, and Learn From Programme Results

Monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) will help track progress against programme indicators and assess whether activities are contributing to the intended outcomes.

The selected organisation will be expected to track relevant MEL indicators as part of implementation.

A structured monitoring approach can help identify implementation challenges, document achievements, support accountability, and inform adjustments where necessary.

Learning from implementation can also help stakeholders identify practices that may be useful for strengthening community-led conservation more broadly.

6. Advance National Policy Dialogue

The final key area involves advancing policy dialogue at the national level.

Policy dialogue can create opportunities for community representatives, conservation organisations, public institutions, and other stakeholders to discuss the recognition and support of community-conserved territories.

The National Catalytic Organisation will help facilitate these discussions and support the use of evidence and stakeholder experiences in conversations about conservation governance and related policy priorities.

This responsibility connects community-level experiences with wider discussions about biodiversity conservation, environmental management, and sustainable development.

Who Should Apply for the UNDP Uganda ICCA-GSI Phase II Call?

The call specifically invites eligible indigenous Ugandan organisations to submit proposals to serve as the National Catalytic Organisation.

The applicant categories identified in the announcement are:

• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs): Eligible indigenous Ugandan NGOs with relevant organisational capacity and a suitable connection to the initiative’s objectives.
• Community-based organisations (CBOs): Eligible indigenous Ugandan organisations rooted in communities and potentially positioned to support community participation and conservation initiatives.
• Civil society organisations (CSOs): Eligible indigenous Ugandan civil society organisations capable of contributing to the coordination and implementation of the programme.

The selected organisation should be able to undertake the responsibilities associated with national strategy development and implementation support.

The announcement does not provide a complete list of formal eligibility criteria, required registrations, minimum years of experience, staffing requirements, or mandatory supporting documents. These details should be checked in the complete official call documentation before an organisation submits its proposal.

Organisational Capacity Relevant to the Opportunity

Given the scope of work described in the announcement, applicants should carefully assess whether they can demonstrate the capacity to undertake the proposed responsibilities.

Relevant organisational strengths may include:

• Experience in biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, or sustainable natural resource management.
• Experience working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• Capacity to organise stakeholder consultations and facilitate participatory processes.
• Experience in strategic planning, project coordination, or programme implementation.
• Ability to support community organisations and strengthen local institutional capacity.
• Competence in monitoring, evaluation, learning, and results reporting.
• Ability to engage with relevant stakeholders and contribute to policy discussions.
• Sound financial management and administrative systems appropriate to the grant.

These are relevant areas for applicants to consider when preparing a proposal, not a confirmed list of mandatory eligibility conditions. The official call must be consulted to determine which qualifications and organisational requirements are compulsory.

Geographic Eligibility: Who Can Apply?

The announcement identifies eligible indigenous Ugandan NGOs, CBOs, and CSOs as the target applicants.

Accordingly, this opportunity is specifically directed towards eligible organisations in Uganda, East Africa.

It is not presented as a general international grant for individual applicants or organisations from any country.

Organisations based outside Uganda should not assume that they qualify. Similarly, individuals cannot apply in their personal capacity under the organisational categories specified in the announcement.

The announcement does not provide a detailed definition of the term “indigenous” in relation to applicant organisations. Interested organisations should therefore consult the official call documentation for the precise interpretation, documentary requirements, and any additional geographic or institutional eligibility conditions.

How to Prepare a Competitive Proposal

Although the announcement does not reproduce the full application guidelines, organisations interested in this opportunity can begin by reviewing their institutional readiness and developing a proposal that responds directly to the responsibilities outlined in the call.

The following steps can help applicants prepare.

Step 1: Review the Official Call Documentation

Obtain and read the complete call for proposals, including any downloadable application documents and annexes.

Pay particular attention to:

• Organisational eligibility requirements.
• Required registration or legal documentation.
• Proposal format and submission instructions.
• Required technical and financial documents.
• Budget limitations and eligible expenditures.
• Evaluation criteria and selection procedures.
• The designated submission method and deadline.

The announcement alone does not establish all these details, so applicants should not rely on assumptions when preparing their submissions.

Step 2: Assess Organisational Eligibility

Confirm that the organisation falls within an eligible category and meets the requirements set out in the official call.

The organisation should be able to demonstrate its legal or institutional status, relevant experience, operational capacity, and suitability for the proposed responsibilities, to the extent required by the application guidelines.

Step 3: Develop a Clear Technical Proposal

A technical proposal should explain how the organisation intends to deliver the responsibilities of the National Catalytic Organisation.

Depending on the prescribed application format, relevant areas to address may include:

• Understanding of the ICCA-GSI initiative and its objectives.
• Approach to conducting the national baseline assessment.
• Methodology for stakeholder engagement and landscape prioritisation.
• Approach to developing and implementing the national strategy.
• Plans for capacity strengthening and community participation.
• Proposed support for participatory mapping and ICCA registration.
• Monitoring, evaluation, and learning arrangements.
• Approach to coordination and policy dialogue.
• Implementation schedule and allocation of responsibilities.

Applicants should follow the official proposal structure rather than introducing sections that conflict with the prescribed format.

Step 4: Prepare a Realistic Budget

The grant ceiling is USD 44,000. The proposed budget should therefore be proportionate to the work plan and the implementation responsibilities.

A well-prepared budget should be clear, internally consistent, and aligned with the activities and outputs described in the proposal.

Applicants should verify which costs are eligible under the GEF Small Grants Programme and whether any specific financial templates or supporting documents are required.

The budget should not assume that the maximum amount will automatically be awarded.

Step 5: Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement Capacity

Because the programme involves Indigenous Peoples and local communities, the ability to facilitate meaningful participation is important to the proposed work.

Applicants should explain, where appropriate, how they would consult relevant stakeholders, incorporate community perspectives, facilitate collaboration, and communicate programme information effectively.

Evidence of previous participatory projects or community engagement may help demonstrate organisational suitability where such experience is relevant and permitted under the evaluation criteria.

Step 6: Establish a Monitoring and Learning Approach

The proposal should explain how the organisation would monitor activities and track progress against the relevant programme indicators.

Applicants should consult the official requirements to determine the required indicators, reporting schedule, documentation, and accountability arrangements.

A clear monitoring approach can help demonstrate that the organisation understands the importance of measuring results throughout implementation.

Step 7: Submit Before the Deadline

The stated application deadline is 30 October 2026.

Applicants should prepare the required documents well in advance and confirm the official submission procedure. They should not assume that sending an email to the contact address alone constitutes a complete application unless the official call explicitly specifies this method.

The announcement provides the following email address for enquiries and contact:

tenders.kampala@undp.org

Organisations should use this contact to seek clarification about the official application process when necessary and should follow the instructions in the complete call documentation.

Expected Impact of the National Catalytic Organisation

The selected organisation will have a role extending beyond the delivery of individual activities. Its responsibilities will contribute to establishing a coordinated national approach to the recognition and support of community-conserved territories and areas in Uganda.

The expected areas of contribution include:

Improved National Understanding of Community Conservation

A national baseline assessment can help establish a clearer picture of existing conservation initiatives, stakeholder involvement, and areas requiring further support.

Stronger Community and Organisational Capacity

Capacity-strengthening activities can help Indigenous Peoples and local communities participate more effectively in conservation planning, programme implementation, documentation, and engagement with institutions.

Better Documentation of Conserved Areas

Participatory mapping and registration support can contribute to better documentation of territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, subject to applicable procedures and requirements.

Improved Coordination Among Stakeholders

The national strategy and catalytic support role can help align the activities of community organisations, civil society, conservation practitioners, and other relevant actors.

More Informed Conservation Policy Dialogue

By connecting community-level experiences with national discussions, the initiative can help bring local knowledge and practical conservation challenges into policy dialogue.

The actual results will depend on implementation quality, community participation, stakeholder cooperation, available resources, and adherence to the approved strategy and programme requirements.

Important Considerations Before Applying

Before investing time in proposal development, prospective applicants should verify several important details.

First, confirm eligibility. The call is specifically directed towards eligible indigenous Ugandan NGOs, CBOs, and CSOs. Organisations should verify their status against the official criteria.

Second, obtain the complete application guidelines. The published announcement outlines the main responsibilities and funding limit but does not reproduce every formal application requirement.

Third, distinguish the grant ceiling from a guaranteed award. Funding is available up to USD 44,000; the announcement does not promise that every eligible applicant will receive funding.

Fourth, understand the implementation period. The programme combines a 40-day strategic foundation phase with a 24-month national catalytic support phase, within an overall period described as approximately 25 months.

Fifth, confirm the submission process. The contact email is provided in the announcement, but applicants should check the official documentation for the required submission format, attachments, and any additional instructions.

Sixth, plan around the deadline. The deadline is 30 October 2026. Applicants should allow sufficient time to review the requirements, prepare their technical proposal, finalise the budget, and assemble supporting documentation.

Official Application Information

The call for proposals was published by UNDP Uganda on 16 October 2026.

Organisations interested in applying should consult the official UNDP Uganda publication and download the full call documentation before preparing their submissions.

• Official organisation: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Uganda.
• Programme: Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme.
• Funding ceiling: USD 44,000.
• Application deadline: 30 October 2026.
• Contact email: tenders.kampala@undp.org.
• Official website: https://www.undp.org/uganda

Applicants should use the official UNDP Uganda website to locate the publication titled Call for Proposals: National Catalytic Organisation (NCO) for Uganda ICCA-GSI Phase II and review the associated downloadable materials.

Conclusion

The UNDP Uganda ICCA-GSI Phase II call for proposals presents an opportunity for eligible indigenous Ugandan NGOs, community-based organisations, and civil society organisations to contribute to community-led conservation and environmental governance.

Through a grant of up to USD 44,000 and an implementation period spanning approximately 25 months, the selected National Catalytic Organisation will support the development and implementation of a national strategy for territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

The assignment combines strategic planning, stakeholder consultation, landscape prioritisation, capacity strengthening, participatory mapping, ICCA registration support, monitoring and evaluation, and national policy dialogue. Together, these activities are intended to strengthen the recognition, coordination, and practical support of community conservation initiatives in Uganda.

Organisations with relevant experience and the capacity to coordinate a national initiative should review the complete official call documentation, verify their eligibility, and prepare their proposals in accordance with the stated requirements.

The application deadline is 30 October 2026. Interested organisations should begin their preparations promptly and use the official UNDP Uganda publication and designated contact address to confirm the application procedure and any additional requirements.

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