CFAs: Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Environments (RISE) Grants Challenge
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The RISE Grants Challenge offers an ambitious opportunity for organizations working at the intersection of environmental sustainability and gender equality.
This year’s RISE Grants Challenge, stewarded by IUCN with support from USAID and Norad, seeks to fund projects grounded in community‑driven conservation work—from marine and terrestrial Indigenous‑managed lands to areas conserved through other effective area‑based measures.
The total pool of funding stands at USD 600,000, with individual grants ranging between USD 200,000 to USD 300,000 for project durations of 12 to 18 months. This financial window invites strategic, impactful proposals that weave an integrated approach to safeguarding communities and ecosystems.
Implementation must occur within one of twenty-three eligible countries spanning Africa, Asia, and the Americas. These include Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, Peru, the Philippines, Republic of Congo, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, United Republic of Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia. Projects should focus their efforts within no more than two or three sub‑counties or comparable local administrative areas to ensure relevance and depth of impact.
The opportunity is open to a wide range of legally registered entities—from local grassroots collectives to international NGOs, Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, women‑led enterprises, faith‑based organizations, academic and research institutions, and even private sector firms pursuing strictly non‑profit objectives. Partnerships are a central requirement, as all proposals must include at least one organization that is an IUCN Member, a previous RISE grantee, or a former Global EbA Fund grantee, reflecting a demand for proven experience and shared credibility.
This is more than a call for funding; it’s a call for solidarity, innovation, and partnership. The RISE challenge presents a powerful pathway for organizations to contribute to a globally shared mission: the integration of gender justice and sustainability at the frontline of conservation.
