BEST 2.0+ promotes the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of ecosystem services, including climate change adaptation and mitigation, in the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Pacific, Polar and Subpolar, and South Atlantic regions. Local authorities and civil society organizations are invited to submit projects with focus on local development, biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem services. The maximum grants amount is €60 thousand over a period of 19 months. The deadline for the submission of concept notes is 22 October 2020. BEST 2.0+
Asia-Pacific
United Nations Institute for Training and Research — Disaster Risk Reduction Training Program for Women
The UNITAR Tsunami-based Disaster Risk Reduction Training Program for Women in Pacific Ocean countries focuses on building resilience and enhancing security of the region. The training program is designed to encourage participants to gain knowledge in Disaster Risk Reduction and develop a country DRR Plan with consideration of both natural and biological hazards. The program is open to anyone living inside and from Cook Islands, Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, or Vanuatu. Applications will be received until 20 October 2020. Link to UNITAR Women’s Leadership
Business Partnerships Platform — COVID-19 Recovery
The Australian Government calls for partnerships to help support COVID-19 recovery in Bangladesh, Nepal, Philippines, Timor-Leste and Tonga. The program seeks projects which create social impact in the following areas: green recovery (including tourism), economic opportunities (including agriculture, renewable energy), capacity building, and digitalisation. Selected projects will receive from A$100 thousand to A$500 thousand in funding to scale a business initiative for social impact. Businesses, social enterprises, investors, and organizations are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is 04 November 2020. Details here
Global Biodiversity Information Facility — Biodiversity Information for Development: Pacific
The Biodiversity Information for Development program aims to enhance capacity for effective mobilization and use of biodiversity data in support of decision- and policymaking for sustainable development in the Pacific region. GBIF offers support for four types of projects: (1) Regional biodiversity data mobilization to establish or strengthen international collaborations (maximum funding: €120 thousand for projects involving three or more countries); (2) National biodiversity data mobilization to respond to national priorities (maximum funding: €40 thousand); (3) Institution-level biodiversity data mobilization to mobilize biodiversity data relevant for sustainable development (maximum funding: €20 thousand); and (4) Data-use grants that build on existing relationships to provide data solutions that respond to a specific policy need (maximum funding: €60 thousand). Applicants must be legal entities such as government agencies, natural history museums, research institutes, universities, or NGOs located in the Pacific. Concept notes must be submitted by 26 November 2020. BID Pacific
United States Agency for International Development — Sustainable Coastal Fisheries Management in the Pacific Region
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) seeks applications for a Cooperative Agreement to address the drivers of illegal fishing that are degrading coastal fisheries and biodiversity in the Pacific Islands. The overall goal is to co-develop an activity to support sustainable coastal fisheries and protection of associated coastal and marine ecosystems in the Pacific Islands region and increasing the self-reliance of Pacific Island partners. USAID intends to provide US$15 million in total funding over a five year period. USAID encourages applications from potential new partners such as U.S. and non-US non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, universities, and international organizations. USAID will not accept applications from individuals. The closing date for applications is 19 October 2020. Link
BIOPAMA — Rapid Response Grants
The Rapid Response Grants aim at increasing the resilience of protected areas and local communities’ livelihoods facing the risks and difficulties of the global COVID-19 pandemic in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. Any grant requested under this call for proposals must be no more than € 50 thousand. Funding is intended for enhanced management and governance of protected or conserved areas, recovery of protected and conserved areas, and maintaining the livelihoods of local communities whilst effectively contributing to protected areas management. Applications can be submitted on a rolling basis until 31 December 2020. Click here
EPIC-N — Workshop: Increasing Climate-Resilience and Sustainability
EPIC-N, in partnership with the UN Environment’s Global Adaptation Network and START, offer a learning workshop on increasing climate-resilience and sustainability in Asian countries. The workshop aims to strengthen capacities for adaptation and resilience by forming key partnerships between city officials and local universities. The learning process requires pairs of candidates (at least one person from a local university and at least one person from a local municipal/city government within the same area). The training will be conducted in English. The deadline for application submissions is 15 September 2020. Link to Epic Asia
World Wildlife Fund U.S. — Professional Development Grants
WWF-US offers Professional Development Grants (PDGs) to help mid-career conservationists pursue non-degree training to upgrade their knowledge and skills. These trainings can include short courses, certificate trainings, or conferences among other training opportunities. Mid-career conservation professionals from select WWF-US priority countries (listed in the announcement) must meet the eligibility criteria to be considered for a grant. Applicants may request up to US$6,500. The next application deadlines are 01 November 2020 and 01 February 2021. About WWF Professional Development Grants
East-West Center — Asian Development Bank: Japan Scholarship Program
The Asian Development Bank – Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) provides support for Master’s degree study in Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Oceanography, and Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences (among other fields of study) at the University of Hawai‘i. The scholarship program is intended for students from developing member countries of the Asian Development Bank. After completing their studies, scholars are expected to return to their home countries to share their new knowledge to promote socio-economic development. The application deadline for the 2021-2022 academic year is 01 December 2020. Link
Earth Journalism Network — Asia-Pacific Story Grants
The Earth Journalism Network makes reporting grants to support the production of in-depth stories that highlight previously untold threats to global biodiversity, or explore new conservation-based solutions in the Asia-Pacific region. Story ideas that uncover corruption, address the safety of environmental defenders, and call out state and business practices that are impacting negatively on the environment and the lives of local communities are particularly welcome. Eligibility for funding extends to journalists (online, print, television) and other expert media practitioners with a track record of reporting on environmental issues. Grants are up to US$1,500 for in-depth stories using innovative and investigative approaches. The deadline for applications is 28 August 2020. Asia-Pacific Story Grants