Ceiba’s Conservation Partners are trusted local leaders with whom we have long-term collaborations to advance conservation in biodiversity-rich regions. One pathway into this network is through multi-year support from this grant, which helps launch locally led projects with strong conservation and community outcomes.
The Seeds of Sustainability Fund is intended to stimulate or catalyze projects that address biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental inequality.
They support the following kinds of applicants and projects:
- small to medium-sized organizations
- community-led programs, or occasionally projects led by a single person
- conservation that emphasizes equitable community involvement
- projects that connect with UN Sustainable Development Goals and CBD Biodiversity Targets
- bottom-up over top-down approaches
- projects in the tropics, in areas of high and/or threatened biodiversity
- projects where a small amount of funding can make a big difference
- projects with a minimum duration of 4 months and a maximum of 2 years
Proposals for *first-time applicants* of Seeds of Sustainability funding should link to one of the following focus areas:
- Protection, conservation, and anti-poaching of over-exploited species (terrestrial or marine):
- Species population monitoring and recovery plans; protection of nesting, breeding, or spawning sites; alternative livelihood programs to reduce hunting or fishing pressure; enforcement support and reporting systems; bycatch reduction strategies
- Habitat protection and restoration focused on corridors and habitat connectivity (terrestrial or marine):
- Reserve establishment and management, assisted regeneration, habitat restoration, connectivity assessments, etc…
Levels of Support
The level of funding applicants may request depends on their level of partnership.
*First-time applicants: Anyone applying for the first time to for a Seeds of Sustainability grant may request up to $5,000 maximum.
Conservation Partners: First-time grant recipients who demonstrate successful completion of their project, may be invited to join our Conservation Partner network and be eligible to apply for $10,000 (or more) annually. Continuation of funding depends highly on the ability to demonstrate tangible conservation outcomes that align with our Conservation Priorities after each funding cycle.
Eligibility
Only organizations that meet the following eligibility criteria may apply for a Seeds of Sustainability grant:
- Small non-profit organizations, indigenous community groups, schools or small universities, individuals, and other types of local organizations/associations, except those engaged primarily in religious or political activities, are eligible to apply.
- Projects must be carried out in a country within the tropics, and align with at least one of Ceiba’s Conservation Priorities.
- Non-profits must be able to provide documentation of their non-profit status. Schools and other types of organization/associations must provide a document that shows the constitution or establishment of this entity. Other types of applicants including individuals must be able to provide a letter of support from a community leader, government entity, supervisor, or other person not directly involved in the project.
- Individual applicants must demonstrate that they have already committed some resources (funds, labor, materials) to initiate their project.
- Only small organizations are eligible (with total annual budgets <$500,000).
Application Process
Applicants must first complete the Eligibility Check using the button above. If you meet the criteria, you will then be directed to the application link
To apply:
- Complete the Eligibility Check
- Complete the online application form. Applications must be in either English or Spanish. You may start your form and return to it later. To help you prepare your application before entering text into the online form, you may download the questions and content guidelines in PDF format.
- Prepare your budget using the form provided and upload it with your application.
- Upload supporting documents (see eligibity requirements above).
For more information.