About

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund is inviting proposals from qualified organizations or consortia to lead the update of the ecosystem profile for the Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot.

CEPF is a global partnership supported by leading international development and conservation institutions and is dedicated to strengthening civil society’s role in conserving the world’s most biologically important and threatened regions.

This assignment focuses on revising the ecosystem profile to reflect current conservation priorities and climate change challenges across the hotspot. A central component of the work will be identifying and prioritizing ecosystem-based adaptation actions that can be led by civil society organizations. These actions are expected to strengthen resilience to climate change while safeguarding critical ecosystem services that island communities depend on for their livelihoods and well-being.

The overall goal of the program is to reduce the vulnerability of island populations by ensuring the protection and sustainable management of ecosystems that support climate resilience. By mobilizing the expertise and local knowledge of civil society organizations, the initiative aims to advance practical ecosystem-based adaptation solutions in the target countries and generate lessons that can be replicated across other island nations, particularly Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries.

The updated ecosystem profile will cover all four countries within the Madagascar and the Indian Ocean Islands hotspot and will address terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems. While the analysis will consider the hotspot as a whole, applicants are expected to recognize the diversity of political, ecological, and social contexts across countries and propose flexible engagement strategies. These may include a mix of in-person consultations, virtual discussions, remote engagement, and desk-based research, depending on opportunities, data availability, and local capacity.

Applicants are required to clearly explain how stakeholder consultations will be conducted in each country and how civil society perspectives will be integrated into the analysis. Although the profile will provide a comprehensive assessment of biodiversity and climate issues across the hotspot, it will not predetermine the final investment strategy or future grant allocations, allowing flexibility in how findings are ultimately applied.

The total funding available for this assignment is USD 150,000, inclusive of all management and indirect costs. The anticipated implementation period runs from 1 March to 30 November 2026, providing a defined timeframe for research, consultation, analysis, and delivery of the updated ecosystem profile.

Eligibility

CEPF welcomes proposals from a wide range of qualified entities, including non-governmental organizations, private consulting firms, and universities. Consortia are permitted, provided one organization is designated as the lead and assumes responsibility for coordination, reporting, and financial management. Importantly, organizations involved in preparing the ecosystem profile will remain eligible to apply for future CEPF grants during the subsequent investment phase, ensuring continuity and long-term engagement in biodiversity conservation efforts across the hotspot.

Post Date: December 26, 2025