CIVIL SOCIETY AND GOVERNANCE
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) in the Caribbean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot
The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI), in its capacity as the Regional Implementation Team (RIT) for the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for the Caribbean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot, is managing a US$6.9 million grant fund to support civil society’s contribution to biodiversity conservation in eleven Caribbean islands for 2010-2015.
What is the fund?
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. The goal of the CEPF is to support the work of civil society in developing and implementing conservation strategies, as well as in raising public awareness on the implications of loss of biodiversity. More information on CEPF can be found at www.cepf.net.
What is being funded?
CEPF has launched a Caribbean islands programme given the importance of biodiversity conservation in the region. The livelihoods of Caribbean people are highly dependent on the natural resources and biodiversity of the region that are used in agriculture, fishing, tourism, and other economic and cultural practices. The rich biodiversity of these small islands is also providing critical ecosystem services, such as food production, water supply, disaster prevention, climate regulation and resilience. The biodiversity is also of great ecological importance, and the islands of the Caribbean have been identified as a global hotspot for biodiversity with numerous endemic, rare and threatened or endangered ecosystems and species.
CEPF’s niche for investment in the Caribbean Islands Hotspot is outlined in the Ecosystem Profile (see full document in English, French and Spanish) which presents an overview of the hotspot in terms of its biological importance, climate change impacts, major threats to and root causes of biodiversity loss, socioeconomic context and current conservation investments. It identifies the strategic directions and investment priorities as well as 45 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) and six conservation corridors covering 28 KBAs as priorities for funding support (see maps of the Caribbean islands biodiversity hotspot).
The Ecosystem Profile was formulated through a participatory process that engaged over 200 stakeholders representing more than 160 civil society, donor and governmental organisations and institutions throughout the Caribbean region.
Who is eligible for funding?
Civil society organisations from 11 countries eligible to receive CEPF support can apply. The countries are: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, as signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity and World Bank client countries. In addition, the Bahamas and Barbados will be priorities for CEPF investment because of their eligibility to receive Global Environment Facility (GEF) funds specifically. The Greater Antilles nations of Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic are of highest priority for CEPF investment as they have the highest priority KBAs.
How can you apply for funding?
CANARI will be opening rolling calls for proposals over the next few years and inviting letters of inquiry (LOIs) from non-governmental organisations, community groups, universities and other civil society organisations. Applicants can apply for small grants (US$ 20,000 or less) or for large grants (between US$ 20,000 – US$ 1 million).
How does CANARI support civil society?
As the RIT, CANARI provides support to potential grantees from civil society to identify suitable projects to address the CEPF strategic directions and investment priorities, to develop proposals and to complete the application process. CANARI will also provide mentoring support to grantees, conduct monitoring and evaluation of projects and assist with reporting.
Tips for preparing a CEPF letter of inquiry
See what the CEPF Secretariat, the Regional Implementation Team (RIT) and the Regional Advisory Committee for CEPF (RACC) will be looking for when reviewing a CEPF letter of inquiry for both small and large grants.
Tips for preparing a CEPF letter of inquiry in English, Spanish and French.
Before submitting a letter of inquiry, applicants are encouraged to discuss proposal ideas and eligibility with the CANARI Regional Implementation Team who can be contacted at cepf-rit@canari.org. Or contact:
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