Download Rules and Regulations for the Small Grants Application here

What is the Small Grants Program?

The ICAA Small Grants Program (SGP) is an effort designed to finance capacity development for indigenous people, as well as their organizations, through a public application process. It aims to contribute to improving management and conservation of indigenous territories, which constitute nearly 20% of the Amazon forest. The SGP will also promote building alliances between diverse actors involved in the conservation and sustainable management of indigenous lands, strengthening indigenous organizations’ role in decision making, and promoting the conservation and sustainable management of the natural resources on their lands.

Where will it be implemented?

The SGP will be implemented in the Amazonian regions of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.

What Activities will be financed?

The program seeks to strengthen the institutional management of indigenous organizations, and will finance activities such as training in administration, monitoring, and sustainable finance management, as well as the development of strategies and working plans, communication tools, travel that promotes knowledge sharing, and participation in events which shape conservation and development decision-making in the Andean Amazon.

What type of activities will not be financed?

The program will not finance any type of campaign or political demonstration, construction activities, fundraising activities, activities that may have potential negative environmental consequences, or the purchase of vehicles, fertilizers, chemicals, or medicines.

Grant amounts and Time Scale

The SGP will disburse a total of $600,000 USD, awarded through a competitive process for projects ranging from $5,000 USD to $50,000 USD, from a 6-24 month period, depending on the nature of the proposal.

Who can apply?

The SGP will support organizations that work to benefit indigenous peoples and territories in the Amazonian regions of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The applicants can be indigenous organization or networks, non-governmental organizations, universities and research institutions, all legally established, that can work independently or are partnered with an indigenous organization or network.

How to apply to the SGP:

SGP resources will be awarded through a grant application process. The application rules and procedures are available here and in the following ICAA partners’ offices:

· Bolivia: Fundación Protección y Uso Sostenible del Medio Ambiente (PUMA).

 
Tel: (591-2) 214-1495 Calle Miguel de Cervantes 2977, Sopocachi. La Paz – Bolivia
 

· Colombia: Fundación Natura Colombia.

 
Tel: (57-1) 245-5700 Carrera 21 N39 - 43, A.A. 55402 Bogotá D. C. – Colombia
 

· Ecuador: Rainforest Alliance.

 
Tel: (593-2) 243-2087 Hidalgo de Pinto 805 y Mariano Echeverría, sector Quito Tennis. Quito – Ecuador
 

· Perú: Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental.

 
Tel: (51-1) 441-9171 Prolongación Arenales 437, San Isidro. Lima 27 - Perú
 

Important Application Dates:
· August 26th: Call for letters of intention

· September 15th: Evaluation results

· September 22nd-October 3rd: Training workshops

· November 4th: Call for complete proposals

· December 12th: Announcement of results

· January 2009: Negotiation and signing of agreements

Evaluation Criteria:
Technical Criteria:

• New activities, activities administered in several countries, and that are consistent with the aims of ICAA
• Include participation of and distribution of benefits to indigenous women and/or youth
• Generation of positive, sustainable, and tangible impacts

Administrative criteria:

• Organizational capacity to administer funds
• Institutional Experience
• Cost effective and cost realistic

For more information about SGP, contact:
Martha Puga mpuga@spda.org.pe
Manager of Small Grants Program
ICAA Support Unit
Oficinas de la Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental (SPDA)
Prolongación Arenales 437, Lima, Perú Tel: (51.1) 441 9171