GEF Small Grants Programme Malawi — Operational Phase 8 Call for Project Proposals

Who can apply

• Eligible nonprofit organisations registered in Malawi
• Organisations with at least three years of relevant experience
• Organisations with proven experience working with communities
• Organisations proposing community-based environmental initiatives
• Organisations able to demonstrate strong community involvement in the proposed project
• Organisations implementing eligible projects in the programme’s designated geographic areas

Focus areas

• Biodiversity conservation
• Community-based conservation of threatened ecosystems and species
• Land degradation
• Climate change
• Low-carbon energy access
• Renewable and sustainable energy solutions
• Chemicals and waste management
• Sustainable urban solutions
• Environmental conservation
• Community livelihoods
• Gender equality
• Social inclusion
• Community-led environmental action
• Sustainable natural resource management

Requirements

• The applicant must be an eligible nonprofit organisation registered in Malawi.
• The applicant must demonstrate at least three years of relevant experience.
• The applicant must demonstrate proven experience working with communities.
• The proposed project must demonstrate strong community involvement.
• The project must address one or more eligible environmental priorities including biodiversity, land degradation, climate change, or chemicals and waste.
• The project should contribute to improved community livelihoods and promote gender equality and social inclusion.
• Projects must normally target Mzimba, Rumphi or Nkhata Bay.
• Projects under the sustainable urban solutions initiative may target Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe or Mzuzu.
• The proposed project duration must not exceed 24 months.
• The requested grant must be between US$5,000 and US$75,000.
• The proposal must use the standard GEF Small Grants Programme project proposal format.
• The proposal must align with the Malawi GEF SGP Operational Phase 8 Country Programme Strategy.
• Late submissions will not be considered.

Application steps

• Open the official UNDP Malawi GEF Small Grants Programme OP8 call page.
• Download and review the Call for Project Proposals.
• Download and review the Malawi OP8 Country Programme Strategy.
• Download the official GEF SGP project proposal template.
• Download the official project budget template.
• Confirm that the organisation meets the Malawi registration, experience and geographic eligibility requirements.
• Develop a community-based project aligned with one or more OP8 environmental priorities.
• Demonstrate strong community participation and expected environmental, livelihood, gender and social-inclusion benefits.
• Prepare the proposal using the standard GEF SGP format.
• Prepare the project budget within the US$5,000–US$75,000 funding range.
• Submit any clarification questions by 20 October 2026.
• Email the completed proposal and required documents to smallgrants.mw@undp.org.
• Submit the complete application by 30 October 2026.