GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program

Aug 25, 2026 | Global Environment Facility and International Union for Conservation of Nature
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Supported by IUCN and GEF, this program helps civil society organizations scale and replicate innovative conservation solutions that deliver global benefits for people and the planet.

About the Program

IUCN and the GEF have launched the SGP CSO Challenge Program - a new global program to identify, reward and support high impact innovative environmental approaches and solutions spearheaded by civil society organizations and actors.The program welcomes submissions from CSOs working in one of 5 strategic areas:
  1. Community-based management of threatened ecosystems and species
  2. Sustainable agriculture and fisheries, and food security
  3. Low-carbon energy access
  4. Chemicals and waste management
  5. Sustainable urban solutions
Amplifying the power of CSO-led environmental solutionsCivil society organizations (CSOs) and local communities live and operate on the front lines of climate change, species loss, land degradation, and other environmental crises. Their ideas, innovations, and on‑the‑ground work are essential to addressing these challenges, yet they are often underfunded and underrecognized.The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has supported community-led conservation action through the GEF Small Grants Program (GEF SGP). The SGP CSO Challenge Program builds upon the success of the GEF SGP, and provides larger individual grants of up to $300,000 USD and tailored packages of support. The program targets CSOs that have sufficient technical and organization capacity and a demonstrated record of achievement and impact and that are seeking funding to support further growth, replication, scaling and impact.