The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Jordan is inviting non-governmental organizations to submit project proposals for the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) – Eighth Operational Phase (OP8), which funds local solutions to global environmental problems. This is an opportunity for local societies to secure funding (up to $50,000) for projects that promote environmental protection and sustainable human development.
At a Glance
- Opportunity Type: Grant Program
- For: Experienced and credible local NGOs/Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Jordan
- Key Benefits: Up to $50,000 USD in grant funding per project
- Application Deadline: December 14, 2025
- Location: Jordan (Local initiatives/projects)
Grant Program Overview
The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) was launched in 1992 to encourage local initiatives, enabling communities to directly address and find realistic solutions to their local environmental problems. The program provides financial and technical support for community-level activities that align global environmental priorities with national and local needs, emphasizing transparent and participatory planning and execution. The maximum duration for a funded project is 18 months.
Environmental Priorities
Projects must address at least one of the following five core environmental priorities:
- Protection of Biodiversity: Focusing on natural reserves, sensitive forest ecosystems, and the sustainable use of biodiversity essential for agriculture.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Avoiding Land Degradation: Treating degraded soil areas and protecting soil in sensitive zones.
- Protection of International Waters.
- Mitigation of Chemical Pollution: Focusing on chemical pollution and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
Types of Projects Supported
Within the priorities above, the SGP supports projects under the following activities:
- Pioneering Projects: Initiatives with new ideas, applying appropriate technologies, feasibility studies, and encouraging replication of successful models.
- Capacity Building: Training and technical support for societies to conduct local activities aligned with SGP priorities.
- Monitoring and Analysis: Supporting research and study centers in monitoring existing projects, documenting successful projects, and extracting lessons learned.
- Networking, Policy, and Information Dissemination: Projects related to sharing successful project information, networking, advocacy, and participating in policy correction.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicant Organization Requirements
The grant is available to Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs). Individuals, for-profit entities, and governmental institutions (e.g., municipalities, ministries) are not eligible.
Organizations must meet the following criteria:
- Experience and Credibility: Must demonstrate transparency, democracy, local community acceptance, and prior experience in the field.
- Representational Status: Must be a local community or a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).
- Collaboration: Must coordinate with other local partners (e.g., local committees, private sector, municipalities, women’s associations, etc.).
- Reporting Capacity: Must be capable of writing progress and financial reports and proposing project evaluation methods.
- Priority: Priority is given to small local societies. Large societies or branches of international organizations must work through local partner societies.
Project Requirements
- Grant Value: Must not exceed $50,000 USD.
- Project Duration: Must be between 6 and 18 months.
- Focus: Must address one of the stated environmental priorities.
- Local Impact: Must meet urgent local needs, contribute to sustainable human development, and help reduce poverty.
- Strategy: Must adopt innovation, be replicable, and employ appropriate (environmentally friendly) technology.
- Social Factors: Must consider the role of women and be sensitive to gender and social differentiation.
- Monitoring: Must include a plan for monitoring and evaluation.
How to Apply
The funding process involves five main stages, beginning with the submission of project proposals.
- Obtain Forms: Contact the National Coordinator to obtain the guidelines and specific grant application forms.
- Prepare Proposal: Complete the project proposal document according to the required template and include all necessary documents. The maximum limit requested from the program must be $50,000.
- Submit: Send the complete proposal via email by the deadline.
- Application Deadline: December 14, 2025
- Submission Email: offers.jo@undp.org
- National Coordinator Contact (for information): Eng. Anas Khasawneh, Anas.khasawneh@undp.org
About the Organizer
The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) is a program launched at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The SGP’s goal is to support the efforts of local communities and civil society organizations in addressing environmental degradation.
