Environmental and Social Impact Grant - 2026
Ends on
Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Grant
WWF’s Russell E Train Education for Nature Program (EFN) invites proposals focused on collaborative capacity building related to (i) environmental and social impacts and risks of development projects on ecosystems and their services and (ii) enhancing inclusive conservation and sustainable development. The Environmental and Social Impact Grant aims to provide competitive financial support to teams and institutions working in Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar focusing on enhancing capacities to address environmental and social impact assessment capacity building needs with an emphasis on local communities and local practitioners.
The capacities to achieve social, environmental and governance standards are still inadequate in many countries. International institutions and non-governmental organizations often rely on consultants to fill this gap, fulfilling requirements for due diligence, but not creating local ownership and therefore making implementation more difficult. Collectively strengthening capacities of country systems is crucial in ensuring ownership and accountability.
This approach involves taking into account environmental and social risks while putting in place both direct mitigation measures and adaptation measures that are attuned to the long-term vision of inclusive conservation and sustainable development. In the last 30 years, EFN has been at the forefront of advancing research, training, and education through the provision of funds to individuals and institutions to address critical challenges facing biodiversity conservation in Africa, Latin America, and Asia. WWF recognizes the urgency to continue strengthening institutional mechanisms and abilities to advance contributions of national institutions, local communities and organizations, and youth, who often are ill-equipped to drive and achieve the goals of addressing environmental and social impacts. With support from Charlotte Bingham, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Grant seeks to build capacity and empower communities to achieve development objectives and inclusive conservation with projects that robustly address environmental and social issues.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria to be considered for a grant:
- Organization must be legally registered in an eligible country (Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar).
- Teams or organizations must have a track record in capacity building related to environmental and social impacts, application thereof to local activities related to conservation and development; and ability to monitor results.
- Organization must submit all required documents by the application deadline.
- Organization must complete all grant activities before December 2027.
- The proposals must include active learning, practical skill components, mentoring and/or field-based learning activity that build skills and knowledge for local stakeholders, institutions and networks. Priority is given to local organizations that focus on addressing challenges of development that affect ecosystems and their services and enhancing sustainable development and conservation.
Selection Criteria
Project proposals will undergo a rigorous and competitive selection process and scored based on a set of criteria including, but not limited to the following score areas:
- Proposed objectives and goals - the proposed work demonstrates an understanding of the rationale, the proposed activities are feasible within the proposed work plan, and the budget is realistic.
- Project impact – both short- and long-term impacts as well as far-reaching outcomes on environmental and social sustainability beyond proposed timeframe whilst taking into consideration a risk assessment; Contribution to capacity development and ecological and social outcomes.
- Project measurability - the proposed initiative has measurable outcomes and outputs.
- Project scalability and transferability - the proposed activities can be scaled to context specific and are replicable.
- Collaborations - projects that enhance partnerships with a clear outline of each stakeholders’ role in delivering the proposed objectives
The call for applications will close on April 15, 2026 by 11:59 PM US Eastern Time
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For all inquiries and questions about Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Grants, please contact efn@wwfus.org