Global ICCA Support Initiative (ICCA GSI) Phase 1 (top-up)

The Global ICCA Support Initiative (in short, GSI) is a multi-partner initiative delivering grants and other forms of support to Indigenous Peoples and local communities through the UNDP-implemented GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP).  

As one activity under the overall GSI, the proposed project is expected to include a collaboration among members, honorary members and partner communities of the ICCA Consortium (www.iccaconsortium.org) at the global level, with a focus on at least three regions including Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

To this end, SGP is calling for proposals from competent not-for-profit organisation(s) to ‘Establish a rapid response facility to provide support to environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs) protecting and defending Indigenous peoples’ and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs) otherwise known as territories of life’ for the period Nov 2023-Nov 2024. Grant funding available for the activity is up to a maximum value of US $150,000. A collaboration between one or more competent and qualified non-for-profits are also encouraged in case of comparative advantages and field presence across different regions. 

The specific objectives: 

1. In close collaboration with the ICCA Consortium, management and administration of a rapid response facility to provide support to environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs) protecting Indigenous peoples’ and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCAs) otherwise known as territories of life during the period 15 Nov 2023- 30 Nov 2024. The rapid response facility is expected to include (i) a governance and management structure for the proposed facility in support to EHRDs and ICCAs; as well as (ii) an administrative disbursement mechanism to provide legal and other timely support funds to EHRDs and ICCA custodians (either to members of the ICCA Consortium, and/or other affected Indigenous Peoples and local communities).

 2. Conduct coordinated actions between collaborating organizations in the rapid response facility which may inter alia include: (i) exchange visits between defenders of territories of life and their supporting community-based and non-governmental organisations; (ii) supporting the ICCA Consortium’s regionalization process and new Strategic Plan under preparation for the period 2024-2028; and (iii) peer learning, capacity-building and networking at the sub-regional and regional levels between defenders of ICCAs, territories of life and other EHRDs.