About

The Nagao Wetland Fund (NWF) provides financial support to strengthen wetland conservation efforts in developing countries across Asia and Oceania.

The fund prioritizes projects focused on the conservation, restoration, and wise use of wetlands, along with communications, education, and public awareness initiatives, as well as training programs for park rangers and staff working in wetland education centres, all aligned with the goals and targets of the Convention’s Strategic Plan 2025–2034.

The Nagao Wetland Fund is designed to support small- to mid-scale projects that contribute to national priorities under the Convention on Wetlands. Each approved project can receive up to USD 30,000, with only one project per country funded each year. Given the limited resources of the fund, the number of projects selected annually depends on their quality, relevance, and proposed budget. The fund is intended to play a catalytic role and does not replace the need for larger-scale funding required for long-term wetland conservation and sustainable use.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include local governments, researchers, non-governmental organizations, and local communities from countries classified as Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC). Applicants from countries that are not yet Contracting Parties to the Convention but have formally expressed their intention to join may also apply, although preference is generally given to current members. Proposed projects must be identified as national priorities and demonstrate clear alignment with the targets of the Strategic Plan 2025–2034. All applications must be submitted using the official “Request for Funding” template, which requires both a comprehensive project description and a summary form endorsed by the relevant Administrative Authority or National Focal Point. Projects should be designed for completion within a one-year timeframe, with careful budget planning to ensure that costs related to equipment and salaries do not typically exceed 20 percent of the total budget unless properly justified. Applicants are encouraged to engage with the Secretariat during the proposal development phase and to submit draft proposals early for feedback ahead of the deadline.