The path to selection and the funding that follows
The Call for Proposals follows a two-stage approach. Applicants will submit a Concept Note, after which shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a Full Proposal.
As part of the Concept Note stage, the Innovation Facility today offers the opportunity for project managers and entrepreneurs to submit details of their project as a first-step in the application process.
Following the review of Full Proposals, it is expected that up to six projects will be selected for the Innovation Facility grant funding.
Successful applicants will receive grants ranging from EUR 750,000 to EUR 1.5 million. Selected projects will also be required to contribute at least an additional 25% of the grant amount to the total project costs during the grant period.
The grant funding period will be a maximum of 24 months, ending by June 30, 2027, and is intended to support projects to achieve carbon standard registration and mobilise private sector investments and support, via the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM). Following the completion of the funding period, projects are expected to continue with the implementation of project activities without the support of the Innovation Facility.
Who can apply?
Applications will be accepted from a wide range of organisations involved in the design, development, and implementation of high-quality, scalable nature-based projects for carbon markets, such as Local or international non-governmental organisations (NGOs); Indigenous Peoples (IPs), and Local Community (LCs) organisations; private project developers; forestry and agricultural companies; cooperatives; and others with the relevant expertise.
All applicants must be willing and able to work closely with national stakeholders, Indigenous Peoples and their traditional authorities, and local communities. For any project, consent and all required authorisations from all levels of government is necessary.
Every applicant must demonstrate relevant competence, technical and financial capacities, and have a track record of managing comparable projects with robust environmental and social safeguards during implementation.
