Deadline Date: June 21, 2026
The Forest Conservation Fund (FCF) provides financial support to eligible organisations and individuals engaged in the protection, management, and restoration of natural forest areas through community-driven and conservation-focused initiatives.
The opportunity is focused on legally registered organisations or eligible individuals residing in the country of the forest area, excluding government agencies as grantees, and requiring third-party financial auditing of conservation-related expenditures, along with strict compliance on fund usage strictly for conservation purposes.
The programme supports protected or conservation-designated forest areas of at least 500 contiguous hectares of natural forest land, with clear boundary demarcation and recognition of conservation status, and prioritises projects that implement forest protection, biodiversity monitoring, ecosystem restoration, native species reintroduction, community engagement, sustainable livelihood development linked to conservation, legal support for indigenous and local tenure rights, and operational management activities including staffing, audits, and project overheads.
The Forest Conservation Fund (FCF) is designed for community-based organisations, NGOs, private companies, research institutions, universities, religious entities, or individuals, provided they are legally registered and operating within the country of the conservation site, while government bodies are not eligible to serve as grantees. Applicants must ensure annual third-party financial audits of conservation spending, maintain transparency in fund allocation, and demonstrate that funds are used exclusively for conservation activities rather than profit generation.
Eligible project areas must consist of natural forest ecosystems with limited non-native species presence, must not involve new plantation of non-native species, and should be formally recognised as conservation or social forestry areas with intent for long-term protection. Additionally, the forest must meet a minimum size requirement of 500 contiguous hectares and must have visible demarcation at entry points or boundaries to ensure clear identification and protection of the site.
Funding under the FCF may be used for a wide range of conservation activities including the development and implementation of biodiversity and social monitoring systems, participation in broader landscape conservation efforts, payment of land-related fees or permits, staffing and operational support, contracting third-party management services, ecological restoration using native species, and reintroduction of native fauna.
The programme also supports initiatives that strengthen conservation outcomes through community-based income generation, both within and outside the project area, as long as these activities align with conservation goals, as well as legal assistance for securing community or indigenous land tenure over conservation areas.
Applicants are encouraged to design integrated conservation strategies that combine ecological protection with community participation and long-term sustainability, ensuring that conservation areas are effectively managed, monitored, and protected while contributing to broader environmental and social benefits.
For more information, visit FCF.
