BirdLife International in Indochina, in its role as the Regional Implementation Team (RIT) for CEPF in the Indo-Burma Hotspot, invites Letters of Inquiry (LoIs) from non-government organisations, community groups, and other civil society organisations.
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is designed to safeguard Earth’s biologically richest and most threatened regions known as biodiversity hotspots. CEPF is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation.
BirdLife International in Indochina, in its role as the Regional Implementation Team (RIT) for CEPF in the Indo-Burma Hotspot, invites Letters of Inquiry (LoIs) from non-government organisations, community groups, and other civil society organisations.
This is the third call for LoIs issued by BirdLife and CEPF for the Indo-Burma Hotspot. The deadline for receipt of LoIs is 17:30 (Hanoi time) on 30th September 2010 but applicants are encouraged to submit prior to the deadline, in order that review and processing of their applications can begin sooner. This call for LoIs covers the four countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, and addresses gaps in the current CEPF investment portfolio.
Please note that, for all applications under the 2010 call for proposals, preference will be given to projects that demonstrate significant co-financing and a leading role for local civil society organizations. Also, applications that address priorities identified in National Tiger Recovery Programmes are particularly encouraged.
Strategic Direction 1. Safeguard priority globally threatened species in Indochina by mitigating major threats
Investment Priority 1.1 Identify and secure core populations of 67 globally threatened species from overexploitation and illegal trade
BirdLife and CEPF invite proposals that address the following globally threatened species: (i) Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus bubalis; (ii) Eld’s Deer Cervus eldii;(iii) Hog Deer Axis porcinus; (iv) Tiger Panthera tigris; (v) Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus;(vi) Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis;(vii) Delacour’s Leaf Monkey Trachypithecus delacouri; (viii) Indochinese Silvered Langur T. germaini; (ix) Red-shanked Douc Pygathrix nemaeus; (x) Grey-shanked Douc P. cinerea; (xi) Black-shanked Douc P. nigripes; (xii) Western Black-crested Gibbon Nomascus concolor; (xiii) Northern White-cheeked Gibbon N. leucogenys; (xiv) Southern White-cheeked Gibbon N. siki; (xv) Green Peafowl Pavo muticus; (xvi) White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni; (xvii) Giant Ibis Thaumatibis gigantea; (xviii) White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis; (xix) Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris; (xx) Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus; (xxi) Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis; (xxii) Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata; (xxiii) Siamese Crocodile Crocodylus siamensis; (xxiv) Asian Giant Tortoise Manouria emys; (xxv) Painted Terrapin Callagur borneoensis; (xxvi) Striped Narrow-headed Softshell Turtle Chitra chitra; (xxvii) Mekong Freshwater Stingray Dasyatis laosensis; (xxviii) Giant Freshwater Stingray Himantura chaophraya;(xxix) Marbled Freshwater Stingray H. oxyrhynchus; (xxx) White-edged Freshwater Whipray H. signifier; (xxxi) Giant Catfish Pangasianodon gigas; (xxxii) Giant Dog-eating Catfish Pangasius sanitwongsei; (xxxiii) Freshwater Sawfish Pristis microdon; (xxxiv) Jullien’s Golden Carp Probarbus jullieni; (xxxv) Laotian Shad Tenualosa thibaudeaui; and (xxxvi) Asian Arowana Scleropages formosus.
Investment Priority 1.5 Conduct research on 12 species for which there is a need for greatly improved information on their status and distribution
BirdLife and CEPF invite proposals that address the following globally threatened species: (i) White-eyed River Martin Eurychelidon sirintarae; (ii) Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmeus; and (iii) Edwards’s Pheasant Lophura edwardsi.
Strategic Direction 2. Develop innovative, locally led approaches to site-based conservation at 28 key biodiversity areas
Investment Priority 2.1 Establish innovative stakeholder-based conservation management and caretaking initiatives at 28 key biodiversity areas
BirdLife and CEPF invite proposals that address the following sites: (i) Mekong River from Stung Treng to Lao PDR; (ii) Sekong River in Cambodia; (iii) Sesan River in Cambodia; (iv) Srepok River; (v) Upper Lao Mekong; (vi) Mekong from Luang Prabang to Vientiane; (vii) Mekong from Phou Xiang Thong to Siphandon; and (viii) Siphandon.
Investment Priority 2.2 Develop regional standards and programs that address overexploitation of biodiversity and pilot at selected sites
Any projects that directly address this Investment Priority are encouraged.
Strategic Direction 3. Engage key actors in reconciling biodiversity conservation and development objectives, with a particular emphasis on the Northern Limestone Highlands and Mekong River and its major tributaries
Investment Priority 3.1 Support civil society efforts to analyze development policies, plans and programs, evaluate their impact on biodiversity and ecosystem services, and propose alternative development scenarios and appropriate mitigating measures
BirdLife and CEPF invite proposals that specifically address the following issues: (i) hydropower development in the lower Mekong basin; (ii) agricultural land concessions along the Mekong River and its major tributaries in Cambodia; and (iii) unsustainable fisheries management along the Mekong River and its major tributaries, with a specific emphasis on designation of fish sanctuaries.
Investment Priority 3.2 Support initiatives that leverage support for biodiversity conservation from development projects and programs
Any projects that directly address this Investment Priority are encouraged.
Investment Priority 3.3 Conduct targeted outreach and awareness raising for decisionmakers, journalists, and lawyers
BirdLife and CEPF invite proposals that specifically aim to: (i) raise awareness about potential social and environmental impacts in the Mekong Delta arising from hydropower development upstream; and (ii) integrate the results of CEPF projects into plans and policies related to the Northern Highlands Limestone of Vietnam.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-governmental organisations, community groups, private enterprises, and other civil society applicants may apply for funding. Organisations must have their own bank account and be authorised under relevant national laws to receive charitable contributions. Government-affiliated enterprises or institutions are eligible only if they can demonstrate that the enterprise or institution (i) has a legal personality independent of any government agency or actor; (ii) has the authority to apply for and receive private funds; and (iii) may not assert a claim of sovereign immunity.
Within the broad swathe of eligible entities, as described above, those that most exemplify civil society and can build civil society capacity are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications that include civil society actors with limited capacity that may not otherwise be eligible or able to apply (for example, community groups) are also encouraged. Further, individuals are encouraged to work with civil society organisations to develop applications, rather than to apply directly. Anyone who is uncertain of their eligibility or likelihood of receiving funding from CEPF should contact the BirdLife International RIT at
cepf-rit@birdlife.org.vn
Grants cannot be used for: (i) purchase of land, involuntary resettlement of people (including displacement of land uses), or activities that negatively affect physical cultural resources, including those important to local communities; (ii) activities adversely affecting Indigenous Peoples or where these communities have not provided their broad support to the project activities; or (iii) removal or alteration of any physical cultural property (including sites having archaeological, palaeontological, historical, religious, or unique natural values). Proposed activities must observe all other World Bank safeguard and social policies:
http://go.worldbank.org/WTA1ODE7T0
Completed LoIs for core grant projects over US$20,000 should be sent as an e-mail attachment to
cepfgrants@conservation.org. Receipt of the application will be acknowledged by e-mail, and it will be forwarded to the appropriate team member. Applicants will be contacted thereafter as to how to proceed. Questions or concerns during this process can be sent to
cepfgrants@conservation.org
Completed LoIs for small grant projects of US$20,000 or less should be sent as an e-mail attachment to
cepf-rit@birdlife.org.vn. Receipt of the application will be acknowledged by e-mail, and it will be forwarded to the appropriate team member. Applicants will be contacted thereafter as to how to proceed. Questions or concerns during this process can be sent to
cepf-rit@birdlife.org.vn
Please note that hard copy LoIs are not acceptable.
Further information and assistance can be obtained from:
CEPF-RIT, BirdLife International in Indochina, N6/2+3, Lane 25, Lang Ha Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: +84 (0)4 3514 8904 Ext. 28; Fax: +84 (0)4 3514 8921.
(Source: BirdLife International in Indochina, 16/8/2010)