Category Archives: News

What’s that aroma? Minister Habeck experiences reforestation in Kenya!

In a recent visit to Kenya, German Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, Robert Habeck, met with Help Self Help Centre, an NGO managing an IKI Small Grants funded reforestation project active in the Mount Kenya region. NGO representative, Lucy Muiruri, explained to the German minister how essential oils can help revitalize degraded land. With a budget of less than 90,000 euros, the organisation planted more than 150,000 indigenous trees through the IKI Small Grants project to restore the habitat for wildlife and trained over 1,300 members of the community in reforestation.

Forests act as natural carbon sinks that benefit the climate. The project creates an incentive not to cut down trees for firewood, as the local community is shown how tree parts can be used to make products. The planted trees produce essential oils, tea-like leaves or dyes for the paint industry and therefore serve as an additional source of income for the local population.

German Minister Habeck next to NGO HelpSelfHelp Centre representative, Lucy Muiruri explaining how essential oils help to reduce deforestation — German Minister Habeck and Lucy Muiruri, representing HelpSelfHelp Centre, as she explains how essential oils help to reduce deforestation © GIZ Kenya

The project by the organisation HelpSelfHelp Centre serves as a model for integrating community involvement in forest restoration efforts. It highlights the significant role of local communities in achieving sustainable outcomes. The approaches and lessons learnt are shared with other reforestation initiatives in Kenya.

With international support and local participation, projects like these can pave the way for sustainable environmental and economic development. Minister Habeck emphasized the importance of such projects in addressing the dual challenges of poverty and climate change.

Project impact

As the first funded project has been very successful, Help Self Help Centre has now received a second round of funding from IKI Small Grants. The team will extend its reforestation activities with the new funding.

What’s that aroma? Minister Habeck experiences reforestation in Kenya!

Minister Habeck’s visit concluded with a pledge to continue fostering partnerships and supporting similar initiatives to ensure that reforestation efforts not only restore ecosystems, but also improve the livelihoods of local communities.

Around 40% of the community forest association members trained in reforestation are women. — Around 40% of the community forest association members trained in reforestation are women © Help Self Help Centre

Links:
Community-driven regeneration of native forests at Mount Kenya | IKI Small Grants

Community driven regeneration of native forests in Kenya | PANORAMA

Help Self Help Centre (HSHC) – Ending poverty and environmental degradation

About the organisation

Help Self Help Centre is a Kenyan development agency, registered in 1993. Its mission is to work with smallholder farmers and the food and chemical industries to eradicate poverty and environmental degradation through sustainable management of natural resources. The organisation replants native trees that have a commercial value for local people. With this the organisation wants to protect and recreate original natural forests that address the habitat requirements of local wildlife. It further aims to plant commercial relevant tree species and ensure that communities protect those trees.

About IKI Small Grants

IKI Small Grants, implemented by the German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), funds local actors which are the driving force for change and essential for effective climate and biodiversity action worldwide. It is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI), which is jointly commissioned by three German Federal ministries. IKI Small Grants fosters bottom-up solutions while strengthening capacities of local actors.

Questions about applying to the 6th Call for Proposals? Join IKI Small Grants info sessions

On Tuesday 7th January and Monday 13th January 2025, IKI Small Grants is offering morning and afternoon online consultation sessions to provide guidance on filling in IKI Small Grants applications for the 6th Call for Proposals.

Organisations that have created an account and are about to submit their application are welcome to join either of the online consultation sessions to assist with their application process.

The sessions help potential applicants understand how to correctly complete the application form for their organisation to ensure they meet IKI’s guidelines and requirements.

Details

📅 Dates: 07.01.2025 & 13.01.2025

⏰ Times: Morning session between 9:00-10:00 CET and afternoon session between 16:00-17:00 CET

🖥️ Links:

Select the date for the morning 9:00 – 10:00 CET time slots

7th January 2025

13th January 2025

Select the date for the afternoon 16:00 – 17:00 CET time slots

7th January 2025

13th January 2025

The sessions walk applicants through the specifics of filling in the IKI Small Grants application and elgibility check.

The sessions also provide opportunities for addressing any queries applicants have. The team at IKI Small Grants is also available at iki-small-grants@giz.de if you are encountering problems or have any questions.

Questions about applying to the 6th Call for Proposals? Join IKI Small Grants info sessions

Jennifer Morgan announces new round of small-scale funding for local organisations at COP29 in Baku

Eligible organisations can now apply for funding of up to 200,000 euros on the Applications page of the IKI Small Grants website until 15th January 2025.

At the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Jennifer Morgan, Germany’s State Secretary and Special Envoy for International Climate Action, kicked off the 6th Call for Proposals of the IKI Small Grants programme on 18th November 2024. This announcement reinforces Germany’s commitment to local action in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. Eligible organisations can now apply for funding of up to 200,000 euros on the Applications page of the IKI Small Grants website until 15th January 2025.

Local actors close to people affected most

Part of Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI), IKI Small Grants provides funding and capacity building support to local organisations in countries eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA). The programme focuses on supporting and promoting innovative, localised approaches to the climate and biodiversity crises.

“I have been working a lot with civil society organisations my whole life and I know how much they can achieve in impact with comparatively small amounts of funding,” Morgan said during her speech at the COP29 in the German Climate Pavilion. “Germany supports local actors and organisations with funding for their local solutions. They are at the frontline of climate change and biodiversity loss and close to the people affected most.”

Up to €200,000 in funding for project ideas

The newly announced call for proposals is open to not-for-profit organisations and select private entities with non-profit objectives. Eligible applicants must have operated for at least three years and demonstrate sound financial and organizational structures. Projects must address one or more of the IKI’s key funding areas:

Funding amounts range between €60,000 and €200,000, with project durations spanning one to two years. Morgan encouraged new project applications, saying, “Get your ideas flowing, we are very much looking forward to receiving innovative concepts and project ideas.”

In addition to financial support, IKI Small Grants also works with recipient organisations, equipping them with the skills and resources to scale their impact.

Part of the IKI DNA

Jennifer Morgan announces new round of small-scale funding for local organisations at COP29 in Baku

Morgan highlighted the importance and impact of the IKI Small Grants approach, stating, “We hear about the need for local action, and this is also part of the IKI’s DNA. In the past five years, IKI Small Grants has provided funding for projects and 125 NGOs and institutions in over 50 countries. They are essential actors of change.”

The application process is open now, with interested organizations required to send in their application by 15 January, 2025. Shortlisted applicants will then submit detailed project proposals by 12 March, 2025. Selected projects will begin implementation in early 2026.

For further details and application guidelines, visit the application page on the IKI Small Grants website.

IKI Small Grants: 6th call for proposals now open

Up to 200,000 euros in funding now available for climate and biodiversity action by local organisations worldwide

Local organisations in ODA-eligible countries can apply until 15^th January 2025.

The international call for proposals by IKI Small Grants addresses regional, national, and local organisations based in ODA-eligible countries (except for current and potential EU member candidates, other than Ukraine). They are invited to apply directly for funding for local or regional climate and biodiversity action and projects. IKI Small Grants provides funding of between EUR 60,000 and 200,000 and is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Government.

Organisations can apply on the applications page of the IKI Small Grants website.

IKI Small Grants: 6th call for proposals now open

Ambitious project proposals should focus on one or more of the following IKI funding areas:

The selected organisations are accompanied and supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, which implements the IKI Small Grants Programme on behalf of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the Federal Foreign Office (AA) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).

Effective small-scale projects for climate and biodiversity action worldwide

Five calls for proposals have already been implemented, and 120 projects by local organisations in over 50 countries have been selected so far. These actors are essential as agents of change. They are at the frontline where climate change and biodiversity loss show the greatest impact. Besides financing, organisations and actors receive support in building their role as strong actors. For example, in Nepal, reforestation efforts by various IKI Small Grants projects have restored 5,000 hectares of woodland; around the size of the country’s capital, Kathmandu.

csm_20231211_21161_Indien_Jagannath_Jena_klein_be7fa347f3

In Colombia, local organisation Fundación Con Vida managed to reforest 12 hectares of wetlands as part of an IKI Small Grants project with native tree species in swamps that are home to manatee, pumas and jaguars currently under threat of extinction. Organisations ready to make an impact are invited to step forward and apply and contribute to the shared goal of local climate action for global change.

Further information including the funding information and application guidelines can be found at https://iki-small-grants.de/application/

From excess to energy: su-re.co’s biogas initiative for agriculture in Bali and Flores

See the su-re.co videos on their work with IKI Small Grants empowering local farmers with biogas in Indonesia

In the lush landscapes of Bali and Flores, where agriculture shapes daily life, farmers have faced challenges that threaten both their livelihoods and the environment. The reliance on firewood for cooking has led to deforestation, household air pollution, and health problems. However, a project led by su-re.co, with funding from Germany’s IKI Small Grants programme, is changing this narrative.

The project: clean energy and sustainable agriculture

The biogas initiative, launched by su-re.co (Sustainability and Resilience Co), started in 2021 with less than 50,000 euros in funding from IKI Small Grants, part of Germany’s International Climate Initiative, and installed more than 40 biodigesters across rural areas in Bali and Flores. These systems convert livestock waste into biogas for cooking and organic fertilizer for farming. The project not only addresses environmental concerns for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, but also enhances the livelihoods of farmers by reducing energy costs and improving crop yields.

Through IKI Small Grants, su-re.co received support for implementing and scaling this innovative solution. The funding also allowed for developing training programmes, market connections for farmers, and advocacy with policymakers.

Transforming farming and everyday living

Farmers like Komang Mertayasa, a cacao farmer in Jembrana, Bali, have experienced the benefits of cutting use of firewood and chemical fertilisers. “I used to collect two piles of firewood, now I only need half that amount,” he shares. Now, with biogas, the household can cook with the clean energy generated from the digester. “First, I collect the cow dung,” he explains, “Then I add water and mix it well. It goes in the biogas digester inlet, and after it produces gas, I’ll use that to cook.”

The day after filling the digester, Komang then uses and collects the bio-slurry waste and uses it as fertiliser. “For my cacao and coconut trees,” he adds. “It reduces costs, so I can save money.”

Impacting the community

The programme has also fostered community collaboration. Farmers share knowledge on maintaining biodigesters and growing crops more sustainably. “Currently, I’m the only one benefitting from this in the village,” says Komang. “My friends want this too!”

Su-re.co’s work goes beyond individual households. By engaging with cooperatives and policymakers, the initiative is creating a ripple effect. Local authorities have visited villages to witness the impact, spurring discussions on scaling biogas adoption nationwide. The organization is also exploring opportunities to replicate the model in other regions.

Building resilience and sustainability

This project highlights the power of combining innovation, education, and grassroots action to address environmental and social challenges. By empowering rural communities, su-re.co and IKI Small Grants demonstrate how sustainable solutions can transform lives through local climate and biodiversity action.

For more information on this project, visit the IKI Small Grants project page.

Videos from our work in Nepal now streaming on YouTube

IKI Small Grants presents a series of new videos from ongoing projects in Nepal streaming on our YouTube channel and on the project’s pages. The videos illustrate the innovative and sustainable methods the small organisations use to tackle the challenges of deforestation, sustainable cooking and invasive species.

From firewood to electric cooking

“Promoting electric cooking in Nepalese households” features the project implemented by People, Energy and Environment Development Association (PEEDA), in Nepal’s Baiteswor rural municipality. An estimated 70 per cent of Nepalese households cook with firewood. However, use of traditional wood-fuelled cookstoves is one of the main causes of indoor air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Nepal. As women are the primary users of cookstoves, traditional means of cooking severely impact women’s health and well-being. Not only does the traditional approach pose a risk to health. Extracting firewood puts pressure on forests due to deforestation and loss of soil fertility. The project promotes using electric stoves to provide cleaner, healthier, and cooking with less pollution to 500 households in the municipality. At the same time, cooking with electricity is less time-consuming, helping to empower women and promote equality in Baiteswor’s communities.

Cooking with biogas in Tulsipur

“Clean energy initiatives in Dang District, Nepal” also promotes clean energy for households in rural areas in Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City. Besides firewood, the Nepal’s rural population uses cow dung cakes for cooking and heating. Wildlife Conservation Nepal (WCN) is working on installing up to 200 biogas plants, a sustainable source of cooking and heating. Thanks to the installations, emissions are already decreasing and the ease on forests burden has opened the path for reforestation. Up to 5,000 households benefited from trees planted on 100 hectares of community forest. A further 200 households benefit from reduced soil nutrient depletion, relevant as drought is one of the major threats in the region. To promote further awareness on climate change and mitigation strategies, a new radio programme started in coordination with Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City, broadcasting educational content on climate action for the local population.

Transforming thorns into manure for livelihoods

Forest conservation is at the heart of the project “Managing invasive species in community forests in Nepal” in Chitwan National Park. The local NGO Forest Resources Studies & Action Team is working on the challenge of managing Invasive Alien Plant Species (IAPS), a growing burden in many of Nepal’s community forests. Species such as Mikania micrantha, Chromolaena odorata and Lantana camera compromise biodiversity and ecosystems and people’s access to forest resources. Chitwan National Park represents 13% of Nepal’s forest area, and Forest Resources Studies and Action Team works together with local community forest user groups (CFUGs) to turn IAPS into manure for agriculture. So far, Forest Resources Studies and Action Team and other IKI Small Grants projects in Nepal have together restored 5,000 hectares of community forest, an area that equals approximately the size of the country’s capital, Kathmandu. Through methods and tools in line with local people’s traditions and ecosystem, the project also works to reduce the use of chemicals.

IKI Small Grants projects at the UN Ocean Decade Conference 2024

Two impactful projects supported by IKI Small Grants were prominently featured at the recent UN Ocean Conference, highlighting innovative approaches to biodiversity conservation and community empowerment. Under the motto “The ocean is not only the cradle of life, it holds the keys to an equitable and sustainable future”, the Ocean Decade Week took place in Barcelona, Spain 8^th – 12^th April 2024, hosted by the Spanish government. Among the many activities happening around the city, the Ocean Decade Conference was the highlight of the week, bringing together projects, communities and partners all around the world to evaluate the progress of the decade. In the framework of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), the year 2024 marked the fourth year of implementation. Under the leadership of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC/UNESCO) on behalf of the United Nations System, the Ocean Decade has already catalysed more than 350 national and regional projects, and formalised close to 100 contributions of financial resources to work towards the Ocean Decade Challenge.

Representatives from Sea Sense in Tanzania and Reef Check Malaysia shared their experiences, showcasing the vital role of local initiatives in achieving global ocean sustainability goals by directly engaging with communities, addressing local environmental and social issues, and implementing sustainable practices. These grassroots initiatives, supported by IKI Small Grants, are vital for translating global ocean sustainability goals into actionable local solutions.

IKI Small Grants projects at the UN Ocean Decade Conference 2024

Bridging biodiversity and gender equality in Tanzania

Dr. Lindsey West, Technical Advisor for Sea Sense, attended the conference to present the project “Empowering female fish workers for participatory coastal management in Tanzania”, an initiative that tackles the intersection of biodiversity loss and gender inequality in Tanzania. Their work aligns well with Challenge 2 of the Ocean Decade Challenge (Protect and Restore Ecosystems and Biodiversity) and emphasizes the human dimensions of ocean sustainability. Her contributions to the Challenge 2 White Paper discussions were well-received, leading to her invitation to participate in the final review.

West participated in various events focusing on Ocean Literacy and transdisciplinary approach, two of the main concepts of the Vision 2030 Outcomes Report. The sessions underscored the necessity of “understanding our individual and collective impact on the ocean and its impact on our lives”, she said.

Two key takeaways for West were the evolution of ocean literacy and its role in promoting sustainable practices, and the empowerment of women in ocean sciences. Additionally, she is aiming to contribute to the Vision 2030 process and engage with UNESCO to enhance Sea Sense’s impact.

West also showcased the importance of IKI Small Grants by discussing how the IKI Gender Strategy and Guidelines have guided Sea Sense’s projects. This endorsement highlighted the significant support IKI Small Grants provides in advancing gender equality and biodiversity conservation.

Empowering local communities in Malaysia

Adzmin Fatta, Programme Manager for Reef Check Malaysia, shared insights on their “Coral restoration toolkit for community-based action at the east coast of Sabah” project, funded by IKI Small Grants. His presentation emphasized a science-based approach to empowering local communities in marine conservation, aligning with Ocean Decade Challenge 1 (Ocean Literacy).

Before the main conference, Fatta attended a satellite event at the Institut De Ciencies del Mar, where he participated in a session on global ocean literacy initiatives. The event provided valuable insights into various efforts aimed at enhancing ocean literacy among different stakeholders, including an initiative that engaged surfers in plastic cleanup efforts and also featuring Reef Check Malaysia’s approach.

During the conference, his presentation underscored the importance of involving indigenous and local communities in marine biodiversity conservation. The White Paper for Challenge 2, which incorporated these aspects, received positive feedback and will be revised based on inputs from the conference.

The conference provided networking opportunities. It was “a good reassurance that everyone is doing their part to contribute to a global effort”, Fatta affirmed. He was able to attend the conference thanks to capacity building funding by IKI Small Grants.

The participation of Sea Sense and Reef Check Malaysia in the UN Ocean Conference, facilitated by IKI Small Grants, underscores the critical role of community-based initiatives in global ocean conservation efforts. Both Dr. Lindsey West and Adzmin Fatta demonstrated how local action, supported by international funding and strategic guidance, contribute significantly to the Ocean Decade Challenges. Their testimonies highlighted the importance of integrating human dimensions into ocean sustainability and showcased the tangible impacts of IKI Small Grants in fostering innovative and inclusive conservation practices.

Tuesday online consultations for 5th call for proposals

Over three Tuesdays, IKI Small Grants is holding Online Consultation Hours to address queries or concerns about the application process for the 5th call for proposals. On 20th and 27th February, and on 5th March between 9-10am CET and 4-5pm CET, these sessions offer an opportunity for potential applicants to ask questions on application procedures, program prerequisites, and any other related matters. All organisations interested in submitting an application or that have created an account are welcome to join the consultation as an aid for their application process.

The Online Consultation Hours are over three Tuesdays in February and March, providing a platform for organisations to engage directly with the IKI Small Grants applications team. Whether they require support navigating application requirements or simply need further insights into programmes, the team is here to provide guidance.

Details:

📅 Dates: 20.02.2024, 27.02.2024 & 05.03.2024

⏰ Times: 9:00-10:00 and 16:00-17:00 CET

🖥️ Links:

Select the date for the 9:00 – 10:00 CET time slots

20th February 2024

27th February 2024

5th March 2024

Select the date for the 16:00 – 17:00 CET time slots

20th February 2024

27th February 2024

5th March 2024

IKI Small Grants understands the importance of a well-informed application process and is dedicated to ensuring our organisation’s journey is as seamless as possible.

For urgent questions, organisations can contact IKI Small Grants at iki-small-grants@giz.de.

Weekly info sessions for budget submissions to the 5th Call for Proposals

On Friday 23rd February, Friday 1st and Thursday 7th March, IKI Small Grants is holding morning and afternoon online sessions to provide guidance on filling in the budget section of IKI Small Grants applications for the 5th Call for Proposals. Organisations that have created an account and are waiting to submit are welcome to join the budget information sessions as an aid for their application process.

The sessions equip potential applicants with the knowledge needed for the budget templates and give guidance on how to properly fill in the revenue template to ensure alignment with IKI’s guidelines and requirements.

Details:

📅 Dates: 23.02.2024, 01.03.2024 & 07.03.2024

⏰ Times: Morning session between 9:00-10:00 and afternoon session between 16:00-17:00 CET

🖥️ Links:

Select the date for the morning 9:00 – 10:00 CET time slots

23rd February 2024

1st March 2024

7th March 2024

Select the date for the afternoon 16:00 – 17:00 CET time slots

23rd February 2024

1st March 2024

7th March 2024

The sessions walk applicants through the specifics of the IKI Small Grants budget template, best practices and what to bear in mind when filling out the revenue template.

The sessions also provide opportunities for addressing any queries applicants have. The team at IKI Small Grants is also available at iki-small-grants@giz.de if applicants are encountering problems or have questions

5th Call for Proposals now ready for applications until 13 March 2024

Small organisations in ODA-eligible countries can apply for funding for climate and biodiversity projects. The IKI Small Grants call for proposals is open until 13 March 2024.

This international call for proposals addresses small regional, national, and local organisations based in ODA-eligible countries (except for current and potential EU member candidates, other than Ukraine).

They are invited to apply directly for funding for local or regional climate and biodiversity projects. IKI Small Grants provides funding of between EUR 60,000 and 200,000 and is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Government.

Local initiatives and solutions for global challenges

Ambitious project proposals should focus on one or more of the following IKI funding areas:

Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions
Adaptation to the impacts of climate change
Conserving natural carbon sinks with a focus on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
Conserving biological diversity

We further explicitly encourage projects which:

Support action on the ground to contribute to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030
Promote a just transition of economies towards decarbonization including fair social change especially for vulnerable groups
Strengthen networks, knowledge sharing and cooperation of organisations working on climate change and biodiversity related issues
Develop and promote use of climate smart technologies
Contribute to awareness raising and education regarding climate change and biodiversity
Engage in cross-sectoral and multi-stakeholder cooperation
Support implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Small-scale projects on climate and biodiversity action worldwide

Under the IKI Small Grants programme, many projects are to be selected in the coming years via international calls for proposals and funded with up to EUR 200,000 each. Four calls for proposals have already been implemented, and more than 120 projects in over 50 countries have been selected so far.

Further information including the funding information and application guidelines can be found at https://iki-small-grants.de/application/