Protected areas for nature and people

The small grants program is intended for local associations and organizations that contribute to nature protection and involvement of local communities in decision-making processes in protected areas in our region, and are aimed at improving cooperation between local communities and protected areas.
 
We invite you to apply and support protected areas and the rights of local communities!
 
Who can apply?
Non-governmental and non-profit organizations, civil society organizations (e.g. environmental associations, youth associations, women’s associations, mountaineering associations, local media) that have the status of a legal entity, will implement the project themselves and operate in Albania (on the territory of NP Sebenik-Jabllanice), Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Serbia (on the territory of NP Tara and NP Đerdap) can apply for participation in the program.
 
What activities do we support?
The project proposal may include the following activities, in and around the protected areas (current, in the process of protection or planned):

Decision-making

1. Support to the establishment of joint decision-making bodies/platforms in a protected area (e.g. socio-economic forums, stakeholder’s councils, etc.);
2. Facilitate the community understanding of the decision making processes, as well as their rights and obligations in the decision-making process;
3. Supporting activities to ensure that the decision-making process affecting local community is transparent, participatory and involves a significant number of stakeholders;
4. Improving of existing and advocating for development of new regulations / policies / practices related to involvement of local communities in protected areas management;

Management planning

• Design and testing of innovative channels for counselling and involving the public in decision-making processes;
• Creating a “simplified” guide through management plan(s) with information on the opportunities for public involvement in decision-making processes;

Communication between protected areas and local community

• Establishment of sustainable communication channels between local community and protected areas;
• Establishment of a mobile information unit for members of the local community located in remote and inaccessible areas and for elderly people and people with disabilities;
• Development of new technologies and digitalisation that improves better and easier communication and information;
• Creating mechanisms for resolving and preventing misunderstandings (conflict resolution) between the PA and the local community members and/or groups;

Education

1. Support in development of volunteering and internship program in and around protected areas;
2. Volunteering camps / activities facilitating community engagement and outreach (especially ones that includes vulnerable groups in the area);

Economic development

1. Developing programmes that helps involve community member as interpreters of natural and cultural heritage;
2. Mapping / support to the branding of homemade products in and around protected areas;

Equal opportunities

1. Providing education and training for employees of protected areas and local community members in matters of transparency, non-discrimination and equal opportunities;
2. Cooperation with organizations and institutions dealing with vulnerable social groups.

The list of these activities is not final, other activities that contribute to the objectives of the PA4NP II project and are based on the principles of nature protection are acceptable. You can find more details about the activities in Guidelines for the Support Program for the Environmental Protection NGOs.

 
Program Budget
The available fund for financial support of the projects is EUR 39,000, which will support 13 organizations in the region, with a maximum amount of EUR 3,000 per organization.
 
How to participate in the program?
1.      Get to know the program in more detail and apply!
Please download Guidelines for the Support Program for Civil Society Organizations for the enhancement of community engagement in Protected Areas Management, with supporting documentation:
 

• For applications from Albania (for activities in NP Shebenik-Jabllanice)
• For applications from Bosnia and Herzegovina
• For applications from North Macedonia
• For applications from Serbia (for activities in NP Tara and NP Đerdap)

and send filled project documentation electronically to the following e-mail:

natureforpeople@wwfadria.org
 

2.     Resolve all your doubts regarding this call

All questions related to the call for applications can be asked by email at:

natureforpeople@wwfadria.org

Applications are submitted in the local languages, and the costs of translating the application into English are paid by WWF Adria and are not included in the budget of the grantee.
 
Receipts of your project documentation will be confirmed by WWF Adria by email. After the selection process is completed, ALL applicants will be informed about the results.
 
Deadlines
The call for project applications is open from November 30, until December 21, 2021 at 4.00 p.m. The duration of the projects is max 6 (six) months, and it must be completed by August 15, 2022.
 
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR APPLICATIONS!
 
The project “Protected areas for nature and people” is implemented by WWF Adria, with the financial support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). 
*WWF reserves the right to cancel or postpone this call for proposal, any time prior to 21.12.2021.