Bahamian NGOs invited to apply for up to USD 75,000 in climate action grants

Bahamian organizations can now apply for climate action grants of up to USD 75,000 under a new funding cycle of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) — the first since the GEF SGP deepened its partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) globally.

UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Kishan Khoday announced the funding opportunity during a Meet and Greet event with local NGO partners at the Baha Mar Hotel in Nassau on Wednesday morning. The event was attended by representatives of the Bahamas Protected Area Fund (BPAF), Smart and Strong Sisterhood (SASS), Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG), FEM STEM Bahamas, Bahamas National Trust (BNT), and The Nature Conservancy.

Dr. Khoday explained that Bahamian NGOs, community-based organizations (CBOs), and academic institutions can submit project proposals between November 9 and December 9. Selected projects will address at least one of four thematic areas: community-based conservation of threatened ecosystems and species; sustainable agriculture, fisheries, and food security; low-carbon energy access co-benefits; and local-to-global coalitions for chemicals, waste, and water management.

UNDP/GEF SGP Senior National Coordinator for The Bahamas, Deon Stewart, announced that smaller planning grants of up to USD 5,000 will also be available to support pilot project studies, data collection, and proposal development. He said the UNDP/GEF SGP will host workshops to assist interested organizations with the proposal preparation and submission process.

Highlighting the strengthened UNDP-GEF collaboration, Dr. Khoday said the new structure allows UNDP to serve as both the executing and implementing agency for the SGP worldwide. He described it as a step forward in advancing climate and ecosystem resilience under UNDP’s strategic plan.

“SGP’s work on the ground widens the base of UNDP climate partnerships in the field, where real challenges are felt and pragmatic solutions are generated,” Dr. Khoday said. “Importantly, this development also paves the way for upscaling GEF SGP projects by leveraging complementary UNDP projects and donor resources.”

He commended Bahamian partners for their innovative and impactful climate initiatives, reaffirming UNDP’s commitment to supporting The Bahamas’ climate resilience and development goals through strategic partnerships.

UNDP’s cooperation with The Bahamas began in July 1974, marking over five decades of collaboration in climate adaptation, disaster risk resilience, and debt management, with financial backing from India. Plans are now underway to expand development assistance in the months ahead.

Since 2009, the UNDP/GEF SGP has awarded more than USD 2.9 million in grants to 44 local NGOs in The Bahamas, matched by an equal amount in co-financing — totaling USD 6.4 million for community climate projects. Globally, GEF SGP investments have exceeded USD 400 million, with co-financing doubling the overall value of support provided to NGOs worldwide.