The IUCN GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program 2026 offers civil society organisations up to:

US$300,000

to scale or replicate proven environmental solutions.

The programme is supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

RTI International serves as the executing organisation.

Unlike many small environmental grants, the CSO Challenge Program is not primarily looking for completely new project ideas.

It focuses on:

Existing environmental solutions with demonstrated results that are ready to scale or replicate.

Successful organisations can receive direct grant funding alongside:

• Technical assistance
• Mentoring
• Capacity development
• Knowledge exchange
• Peer learning
• Increased visibility
• Networking opportunities

The programme supports environmental solutions across five strategic areas:

1. Community-based management of threatened ecosystems and species
2. Sustainable agriculture, fisheries and food security
3. Low-carbon energy access
4. Chemicals and waste management
5. Sustainable urban solutions

The 2026 programme was organised through regional calls.

For organisations in:

Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific and Oceania

applications opened on:

1 September 2026

and closed on:

15 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC.

Therefore, as of 18 September 2026, this application window is:

CLOSED.

Organisations that submitted before the deadline should monitor their application and official programme communications.

Other CSOs interested in future opportunities should monitor IUCN, GEF and the official CSO Challenge Program portal for subsequent calls or programme developments.

IUCN GEF CSO Challenge Program 2026 Key Facts

Item	Details
Programme	GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program
Funder	Global Environment Facility
Implementing Agency	IUCN
Executing Organisation	RTI International
Programme Investment	US$10 million from GEF
IUCN/RTI Co-funding	US$4.5 million
Maximum Grant	US$300,000 per organisation
Maximum Project Duration	24 months
Target Applicants	Civil Society Organisations
Main Purpose	Scale and replicate proven environmental solutions
Africa Call Opened	1 September 2026
Africa Deadline	15 September 2026, 23:59 UTC
Current Status	CLOSED
Application Languages	English, French or Spanish
Youth-Led Organisations	Encouraged
Women-Led Organisations	Encouraged
Indigenous Peoples	Encouraged
Local Communities	Encouraged
New Untested Concepts	Not the programme's primary target
Previous GEF SGP Grantee Required	No

1. What Is the GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program?

The GEF Small Grants Program Civil Society Organisation Challenge Program is a global initiative designed to identify and scale successful environmental solutions developed by civil society organisations.

It forms part of the broader:

GEF Small Grants Program.

The GEF Small Grants Program has supported community-based environmental initiatives for decades.

According to the official programme documentation, since its establishment in 1992, the broader SGP has delivered more than:

US$838 million

to nearly:

30,000 community-based projects

across:

136 countries.

The CSO Challenge Program introduces a different approach.

Rather than limiting funding to the smaller amounts traditionally associated with the core Small Grants Program, selected organisations can receive:

Up to US$300,000.

This larger funding size is intended to help proven environmental solutions move beyond their existing scale.

2. Who Funds the CSO Challenge Program?

The programme is supported by the:

Global Environment Facility — GEF.

The GEF provided:

US$10 million

for the programme.

IUCN and RTI International provide an additional:

US$4.5 million in co-funding.

This brings significant resources to the programme's broader four-year implementation.

The programme was officially launched in June 2026 during the:

8th GEF Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

3. Who Implements the Programme?

The programme is:

Implemented by IUCN

and:

Executed by RTI International.

IUCN serves as a GEF Implementing Agency.

Its role includes helping the programme identify and strengthen high-impact environmental initiatives led by civil society.

RTI International supports programme execution and the grants-management process.

4. How Much Funding Is Available?

Winning organisations can receive:

Up to US$300,000 in direct grant funding.

Projects can run for up to:

24 months.

However, funding is only one part of the support package.

Selected organisations can also receive technical and institutional support designed to help their environmental solutions expand.

5. What Additional Support Do Winners Receive?

Selected CSOs can receive support beyond the direct grant.

This includes:

Technical Assistance

Organisations can receive specialised assistance to strengthen their projects and impact.

Mentoring

Selected organisations can receive tailored guidance.

Capacity Strengthening

Support can help organisations improve their ability to manage and scale successful environmental programmes.

Knowledge Exchange

Participating CSOs can share experiences and approaches.

Peer-to-Peer Learning

Organisations can learn from other environmental CSOs operating in different contexts.

Increased Visibility

Successful initiatives can gain broader exposure.

Partnerships

The programme can help organisations connect with:

• Other CSOs
• Governments
• Donors
• Private-sector organisations
• Potential investors

This makes the programme more than a conventional grant.

6. Six Winners Per Regional Call

The programme uses a competitive selection process.

IUCN states that:

Six winners

and:

Six finalists

will be selected from each of the programme's four calls.

Winning organisations can receive grants of up to:

US$300,000.

Finalists may not receive the same direct grant funding but can still benefit from programme recognition and participation in its community of practice.

This creates opportunities for:

• Knowledge exchange
• Networking
• Collaboration
• Visibility

Both winners and finalists are also expected to receive support in developing case studies using IUCN's:

PANORAMA methodology.

7. What Type of Project Is the Programme Looking For?

This is one of the most important eligibility considerations.

The CSO Challenge Program is not primarily looking for:

A brand-new environmental idea that has never been tested.

Instead, the programme targets environmental solutions that have:

Already demonstrated impact.

The organisation should now be ready to:

Scale

or:

Replicate

the solution.

Applicants therefore need evidence showing that their existing approach works.

8. What Does Scaling Mean?

Scaling means increasing the reach or impact of an existing environmental solution.

For example, an organisation may already operate a successful community waste-management programme in one city.

The programme could potentially help the organisation expand the approach into:

• More communities
• More cities
• More regions

Another organisation may have successfully restored a threatened ecosystem in one location.

Scaling could involve expanding the approach across a larger landscape.

The central question is:

Has the solution already demonstrated enough success to justify expansion?

9. What Does Replication Mean?

Replication means taking a successful environmental approach and applying it in another appropriate location or context.

For example, a community-led biodiversity conservation model that works successfully in one region could potentially be adapted for another region.

Replication requires more than copying activities.

Applicants should understand:

• Why the existing solution worked
• Which elements can be transferred
• Which elements need adaptation
• Whether the new location has appropriate conditions

The programme aims to support environmental solutions capable of producing broader global environmental benefits.

10. Five Strategic Priority Areas

Applicants must work within at least one of five strategic areas.

1. Community-Based Management of Threatened Ecosystems and Species

This area can include initiatives involving:

• Biodiversity conservation
• Ecosystem protection
• Habitat restoration
• Community conservation
• Threatened species
• Indigenous conservation approaches

Projects should demonstrate meaningful environmental benefits.

2. Sustainable Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Security

This area focuses on environmentally sustainable approaches to food systems.

Potential initiatives can involve:

• Sustainable agriculture
• Sustainable fisheries
• Food security
• Community-based food systems
• Sustainable land management
• Environmentally responsible production

The proposed solution should have demonstrated environmental value.

3. Low-Carbon Energy Access

Projects can focus on expanding environmentally sustainable energy solutions.

This can involve:

• Clean energy access
• Community energy solutions
• Low-carbon technologies
• Renewable-energy approaches

Again, the programme is interested in solutions that have already demonstrated impact.

4. Chemicals and Waste Management

This priority can include solutions involving:

• Waste reduction
• Recycling
• Circular economy
• Plastic pollution
• Chemicals management
• Community waste systems

The programme can support solutions ready for wider replication or scaling.

5. Sustainable Urban Solutions

This priority is particularly relevant to organisations working in cities.

Examples can include:

• Urban nature-based solutions
• Urban biodiversity conservation
• Ecological restoration
• Green infrastructure
• Blue infrastructure
• Community-led urban climate adaptation
• Circular economy
• Urban waste solutions
• Sustainable neighbourhoods
• Community agriculture
• Urban food systems
• Citizen environmental stewardship

11. Who Can Apply?

The programme targets:

Civil Society Organisations — CSOs.

Eligible organisations can include qualifying:

• Local CSOs
• National CSOs
• Regional CSOs
• International CSOs

Applicants need to satisfy the programme's organisational and geographic requirements.

The programme particularly encourages participation involving:

Youth

Women

Indigenous Peoples

and:

Local Communities.

12. Can NGOs Apply?

Yes.

Eligible NGOs that meet the definition and requirements for participating civil society organisations can apply.

However, being a registered NGO is not enough.

The organisation needs a relevant environmental solution with:

A proven track record.

The project should be ready for:

Scaling or replication.

13. Are Community-Based Organisations Eligible?

Eligible community-based civil society organisations can participate where they meet the programme requirements.

This is particularly relevant because the programme is designed around locally led environmental action.

The wider GEF Small Grants Program has historically focused heavily on community-based environmental initiatives.

14. Are Youth Organisations Encouraged?

Yes.

The programme specifically encourages participation from organisations and initiatives involving:

Youth.

This reflects the programme's broader goal of increasing representation among groups that can be underrepresented in environmental funding.

15. Are Women-Led Organisations Encouraged?

Yes.

Women-led organisations and initiatives with strong participation from women are specifically encouraged.

The programme aims to strengthen inclusion within civil society-led conservation.

16. Are Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Encouraged?

Yes.

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities are an important priority.

The programme recognises that these communities often manage important ecosystems and possess valuable environmental knowledge.

Their solutions can nevertheless remain underfunded or under-recognised.

17. Do You Need to Be a Previous GEF Small Grants Program Grantee?

No.

Previous participation in the GEF Small Grants Program is not a requirement.

Former SGP grantees are welcome to participate.

But organisations that have never received an SGP grant can also apply if they satisfy the programme requirements.

18. Can IUCN Members Apply?

Yes.

IUCN Member organisations are encouraged to apply where they satisfy the eligibility requirements.

Being an IUCN Member does not remove the need to meet the programme's normal criteria.

19. Geographic Structure of the 2026 Calls

The programme was structured around regional calls.

The first round targeted:

Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia.

Its deadline was:

7 August 2026 at 23:59 UTC.

The subsequent regional call covered:

Africa

Latin America and the Caribbean

Asia-Pacific

and:

Oceania.

That call closed:

15 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC.

20. Can Nigerian Organisations Apply?

Nigeria falls within the African regional context.

Eligible Nigerian civil society organisations could therefore participate in the Africa call provided they satisfied all programme requirements.

However, the important issue now is timing.

The Africa call deadline was:

15 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC.

As of:

18 September 2026

the official programme portal states:

Deadline has passed.

Therefore, a Nigerian organisation that did not submit before the deadline cannot submit a new application under this particular 2026 regional window.

Interested organisations should monitor the official programme for future calls and related GEF funding opportunities.

21. What Makes a Strong Project for This Programme?

The strongest proposals need to demonstrate that the organisation is not simply requesting money for ordinary operations.

The environmental solution should have:

Demonstrated Results

There should be credible evidence that the approach works.

Environmental Impact

The initiative should address a genuine environmental challenge.

Innovation

The approach should demonstrate meaningful innovation.

Scalability

The solution should be capable of reaching more people, ecosystems or locations.

Replicability

There should be potential to adapt the solution elsewhere.

Organisational Capacity

The CSO should be capable of managing the proposed scale-up.

Inclusion

Strong involvement of communities and underrepresented groups can be particularly relevant.

22. What Would Not Fit the Programme Well?

A proposal may be weak if it consists primarily of:

An untested idea

with no existing evidence.

Likewise, simply saying:

"We want to plant trees"

would not demonstrate the required level of evidence, innovation or scaling potential.

Applicants should instead be able to show:

• What has already been implemented
• What results have been achieved
• Why the solution works
• What has been learned
• How the grant would increase impact
• Where the solution could be replicated
• What additional environmental benefits would result

23. Programme Duration

Projects supported through the CSO Challenge Program can run for up to:

24 months.

Applicants therefore need to design a scaling or replication strategy that can achieve meaningful results within approximately two years.

This requires realistic:

• Activities
• Timelines
• Milestones
• Budgets
• Outputs
• Outcomes

24. Is Co-Funding Required?

Applicants should carefully review the official Guidelines for Applicants for the applicable call rather than assuming a co-financing requirement from other GEF programmes.

The CSO Challenge Program has its own:

• Guidelines
• Eligibility conditions
• Concept Note
• Selection process

Applicants should follow these documents rather than general GEF grant requirements.

25. Application Languages

The 2026 programme portal allowed proposals to be submitted in:

English

French

or:

Spanish.

This makes the programme accessible to a broad range of civil society organisations across the participating regions.

26. How Applications Were Submitted

Applications were submitted through the programme's:

Online grants portal.

Applicants needed to prepare and submit the required:

Concept Note

and other required information.

The programme provided:

• Concept Note template
• Applicant Guidelines
• French documents
• Spanish documents
• Programme information

Applicants were expected to follow the official forms and instructions.

27. Technical Support for Successful Organisations

Winning CSOs receive more than money.

Technical support can include assistance with:

• Tracking results
• Environmental risk management
• Social risk management
• Programme design
• Private-sector engagement

This is particularly valuable for organisations attempting to move from a successful local project toward a larger programme.

Scaling can create new:

• Financial risks
• Management challenges
• Environmental risks
• Partnership requirements

Technical assistance can help organisations manage that transition.

28. Capacity Building

The programme also provides capacity-development support.

IUCN previously identified areas such as:

• Business development
• Innovation
• Risk management
• Leadership
• Communication

as relevant forms of support.

These capabilities can help organisations become stronger beyond the lifetime of the grant.

29. Knowledge Sharing and Peer Learning

Knowledge exchange is another major component.

The programme aims to create opportunities for participating organisations to learn from each other.

This includes:

• Communities of practice
• Peer learning
• Knowledge products
• Case studies
• Awareness activities

Successful environmental solutions can therefore generate lessons that benefit organisations outside the original project area.

30. PANORAMA Case Studies

Winners and finalists can receive support to develop case studies using IUCN's:

PANORAMA methodology.

PANORAMA is used to document and share successful conservation and sustainable-development solutions.

This helps organisations explain:

• The challenge
• Their solution
• Key success factors
• Lessons learned
• Replication potential

The knowledge generated can help other organisations adapt proven solutions to new contexts.

31. Why the Programme Is Different From Ordinary GEF Small Grants

The CSO Challenge Program differs from the traditional core GEF Small Grants Program in several important ways.

Core SGP	CSO Challenge Program
Smaller traditional grants	Up to $300,000
Strong national-level delivery	Global/regional competitive calls
Community environmental action	Proven solutions ready to scale
Country-based opportunities	Regional/global competitive model
Project support	Grant + technical support + capacity building
Local impact	Strong emphasis on replication and scaling

The Challenge Program is therefore particularly suited to organisations that have moved beyond the earliest stage of developing their solution.

32. How Many Organisations Will Be Selected?

IUCN states that each of the programme's four calls is expected to select:

Six winners

and:

Six finalists.

This means competition is significant.

Applicants need to demonstrate not only that their work is worthwhile but that it represents a particularly strong opportunity for environmental impact at greater scale.

33. How to Prepare for a Future CSO Challenge Call

Although the September 2026 regional call has closed, interested organisations can use the time to strengthen their readiness.

Step 1: Document Your Existing Solution

Prepare evidence showing:

• Activities completed
• Communities reached
• Environmental results
• Lessons learned

Step 2: Quantify Environmental Impact

Use credible data.

For example:

• Hectares restored
• Waste diverted
• Species protected
• Emissions reduced
• Households gaining clean energy
• Farmers adopting sustainable practices

Only use indicators appropriate to your project.

Step 3: Build a Scaling Strategy

Explain what additional funding would allow you to do.

Step 4: Identify Replication Opportunities

Determine where the solution could work beyond its existing location.

Step 5: Strengthen Organisational Systems

Review:

• Governance
• Financial management
• Monitoring
• Safeguarding
• Risk management

Step 6: Monitor Official Calls

Follow the programme's official channels for future funding rounds.

Is the IUCN GEF CSO Challenge Program 2026 Still Open?

No.

This is particularly important because older funding posts may still circulate online.

For:

Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific & Oceania

the deadline was:

15 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC.

The official CSO Challenge Program portal currently displays:

NOW CLOSED

and:

Deadline has passed.

The earlier Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia call is also closed.

Therefore, as of 18 September 2026, organisations should not be told that they can still submit an application under these 2026 calls.

IUCN GEF CSO Challenge Program 2026 Summary

Category	Details
Programme	GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program
Funder	Global Environment Facility
Implementing Agency	IUCN
Executing Organisation	RTI International
GEF Investment	US$10 million
IUCN/RTI Co-Funding	US$4.5 million
Individual Grant	Up to US$300,000
Project Duration	Up to 24 months
Africa Call	Closed
Africa Deadline	15 September 2026
Nigeria	Included in relevant African regional call, subject to eligibility
Main Applicants	CSOs
Previous SGP Funding Required	No
IUCN Members	Can apply if eligible
Youth/Women/IPLC Participation	Strongly encouraged
Application Languages	English, French, Spanish
Main Requirement	Proven environmental solution ready to scale or replicate

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program?

It is a GEF-supported programme implemented by IUCN to identify and scale high-impact environmental solutions developed by civil society organisations.

How much funding is available?

Winning organisations can receive:

Up to US$300,000.

How long can projects last?

Up to:

24 months.

Who funds the programme?

The programme is supported by the:

Global Environment Facility.

Who implements it?

IUCN is the implementing agency.

RTI International is the executing organisation.

How much did GEF invest in the programme?

The programme has:

US$10 million in GEF funding.

Is there additional co-funding?

Yes.

IUCN states that the programme also has:

US$4.5 million in co-funding from IUCN and RTI.

Can NGOs apply?

Eligible civil society organisations, including qualifying NGOs, can participate.

Can Nigerian NGOs apply?

Eligible Nigerian CSOs were able to participate through the African regional call.

However, that application window has now closed.

What was the Nigeria/Africa deadline?

15 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC.

Is the programme still open?

No.

The official programme portal currently marks the relevant regional call:

NOW CLOSED.

What environmental areas are supported?

The programme covers five strategic areas:

1. Community-based management of threatened ecosystems and species
2. Sustainable agriculture, fisheries and food security
3. Low-carbon energy access
4. Chemicals and waste management
5. Sustainable urban solutions

Can I submit a completely new idea?

The programme is designed primarily for existing environmental solutions with proven results that are ready for scaling or replication.

Do I need to have received a previous GEF grant?

No.

Previous GEF Small Grants Program participation is not required.

Can previous GEF SGP grantees apply?

Yes.

Former grantees are welcome to participate if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Can IUCN Member organisations apply?

Yes.

Eligible IUCN Member organisations are encouraged to apply.

Are youth organisations encouraged?

Yes.

Youth participation is specifically encouraged.

Are women-led organisations encouraged?

Yes.

The programme encourages participation from and involvement of women.

Are Indigenous Peoples eligible?

Eligible Indigenous Peoples' organisations and initiatives involving Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities are strongly encouraged.

How many winners are selected?

IUCN states that:

Six winners

will be selected from each of the four calls.

Are finalists also selected?

Yes.

Each call is expected to have:

Six finalists.

What else do winners receive?

Support can include technical assistance, mentoring, capacity development, peer learning, knowledge exchange, visibility and networking.

Where should organisations monitor future calls?

Organisations should monitor the official CSO Challenge Program, IUCN and GEF channels for verified announcements.

Final Takeaway

The IUCN GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program 2026 represents a significant funding opportunity for civil society organisations with environmental solutions that have already demonstrated results.

The programme provides successful organisations with:

Up to US$300,000

in direct grant funding.

Projects can run for:

Up to 24 months.

But the programme goes beyond funding.

Winning organisations can also receive:

• Technical assistance
• Mentoring
• Capacity building
• Peer-to-peer learning
• Knowledge exchange
• Visibility
• Partnership opportunities

The programme covers five major environmental areas:

Community-based management of threatened ecosystems and species

Sustainable agriculture, fisheries and food security

Low-carbon energy access

Chemicals and waste management

and:

Sustainable urban solutions.

For Nigerian and other African organisations, the 2026 regional call was particularly relevant.

However, timing now matters.

The deadline for:

Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific & Oceania

was:

15 September 2026 at 23:59 UTC.

As of 18 September 2026, the official programme website confirms:

The deadline has passed.

Therefore, this specific 2026 call should no longer be promoted as an open funding opportunity.

Organisations that submitted applications should monitor official communications concerning the selection process.

Those that missed the deadline can still use the programme as a guide for preparing for future opportunities.

The key lesson is particularly important:

Do not wait until a grant opens before developing evidence of impact.

The CSO Challenge Program rewards solutions that have already demonstrated results.

An organisation should therefore continuously document:

• Environmental outcomes
• Beneficiary reach
• Community participation
• Innovation
• Lessons learned
• Scalability
• Replication potential

For organisations working on environmental solutions in Nigeria and elsewhere, building this evidence now can make them considerably better prepared when the next suitable IUCN, GEF or related environmental funding opportunity becomes available.