About

The GEF Small Grants Programme 2.0 (SGP 2.0) in Sri Lanka supports community-led biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration initiatives that strengthen sustainable livelihoods and improve community well-being. Implemented by Conservation International, with the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund serving as the Executing Agency and the IUCN Sri Lanka Country Office as the National Executing Agency, the programme seeks to strengthen the capacity and participation of local civil society actors in environmental conservation and decision-making. Funding is available for projects that contribute to the conservation of threatened species and ecosystems through activities such as restoration of degraded forests and forest lands, improved biodiversity-friendly management of landscapes outside protected areas, identification and management of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and initiatives that generate tangible livelihood benefits for local communities. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting women, youth, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, and other marginalised groups. Grants of up to USD 60,000 (approximately LKR 19.7 million) are available for projects implemented within the programme’s target landscape, spanning the districts of Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Galle, and Matara, from the Central Highlands towards south-western Sri Lanka.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community-based organisations (CBOs), Indigenous Peoples’ organisations, women’s organisations, youth organisations, and other civil society organisations operating within the programme’s target geographic area in Sri Lanka. Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and community engagement, with proposed projects contributing to both local development priorities and broader national and global environmental objectives. Priority will be given to initiatives that promote inclusive conservation approaches, strengthen local participation in environmental governance, and deliver measurable benefits to women, youth, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, and other underserved or marginalised communities.

Post Date: September 10, 2026