Global EbA Fund Grants 2026 for Ecosystem-based Adaptation Projects in Developing Countries (Up to USD 500,000)

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Applications are open for Global EbA Fund Grants 2026. The Global EbA Fund aims to create an enabling environment for the implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) to enhance the resilience of vulnerable communities and ecosystems to the impacts of climate change.The Global EbA Fund has been operational since 2020 and supports innovative initiatives that create enabling environments for the uptake, scaling, and mainstreaming of the EbA approach.

The Global EbA Fund invites proposals that demonstrate collaborative and innovative approaches to advancing EbA by addressing systemic barriers to scalability and contributing to global learning and policy dialogue. Initiatives that strengthen enabling environments and embed EbA into national frameworks to unify strategic climate, biodiversity, land and development priorities are welcome.

Two Global EbA Fund Grants funding windows:

1. Global EbA Fund Small-size Grants Call for Proposals

The Global EbA Fund invites innovative and catalytic proposals that address systemic barriers for EbA scaling by enhancing institutional and technical capacities, quality data and evidence generation, learning networks, and investment readiness.

Aligned with the IKI Strategy up to 2030 –specifically its focus on socio-ecological transformation through technologies, business models, or climate friendly infrastructure– the Fund invites proposals that address critical EbA gaps.

While the primary geographic focus on this call is on ODA-eligible SIDS and LDCs, applications from other ODA-eligible countries will be considered where the proposal demonstrates exceptional ambition and unique opportunities to scale EbA.

Focus Areas

To align with this scope, proposals should focus on:

Overcoming upstream barriers for EbA uptake and scaling: addressing institutional and technical capacity constraints, improving evidence generation, and fostering systematic knowledge exchange and learning.
Clear adaptation chain: proposals must be grounded in a detailed impact chain analysis that identifies climate hazards and risks, addresses socioeconomic and ecological sensitivity (including maintaining or enhancing ecosystem services), and builds adaptive capacity to reduce overall vulnerability and climate risk –delivering tangible benefits for both people and nature.
Social and environmental considerations: integration of gender responsiveness; respect for Indigenous Peoples’ rights and local participation; and adherence to environmental and social safeguards, equitable benefit-sharing, and the prevention of maladaptation.
Robust sustainability and exit strategies: demonstrating long-term viability, local ownership, or institutional continuity beyond the Fund’s investment lifecycle.

Initiatives focusing on the following topics are encouraged:

Investment readiness and project pipeline preparation: designing investable, scalable concepts tailored for large-scale climate financing.
Innovative technologies for EbA: adapting and/or scaling tested technological solutions across specific socio-ecological systems to inform practitioners and decision makers.
Applied and functional research: deploying targeted and practical research to resolve specific barriers to EbA implementation and investment.
Synergies with other EbA or Nature-based Solution (NbS) initiatives: aligning with existing related initiatives and facilities to capitalise on operational synergies and expand co-funding pathways.

Funding and duration

Grant Size: each grant up to USD 250,000
Submission Window: 28 September to 26 October, 2026
Project Duration: up to 24 months

Eligibility Criteria for Global EbA Fund Small-size Grants

Only the following types of organisations are eligible for review:

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
International non-governmental organisations (INGOs)
Intergovernmental organisations (IGOs)
Community-based organisations (CBOs)
Indigenous People’s Organisations
Universities and other academic institutions
Research institutes and think tanks
Private sector companies
Consortia of organisations that promote collaboration and greater impact around EbA. Government entities can be a part of the consortia as long as they do not receive funding from the Global EbA Fund. However, applications submitted on behalf of a consortium should clearly define the lead agency, the “Applicant Organisation”, as detailed in the application template. This organisation, if successful, would be the responsible contract party.

The Fund will consider private sector applicants under certain conditions. No funding can be provided for sector-specific obligations nor compensatory or replacement measures, for-profit activities, etc. Overall, common public interest will be a top priority.

Only project concepts that meet the following criteria will be considered for review:

Must qualify as “Ecosystem-based Adaptation“ (Please ensure your project ultimately aligns with EbA Qualification Criteria & Quality Standards).
Must have catalytic and innovative potential to create enabling environments for EbA.
Clearly identifies the climate impacts it is aiming to address and clearly describes how they will be addressed.
Falls under a maximum of 1 Strategic Objective and a maximum of 2 Action Pillars of the Global EbA Fund.
Project is Global, Thematic, or otherwise targets only ODA-eligible countries.
Proposed budget of up to USD $250,000 for Small-Size Grants.
Project duration of up to 24 months.
Project must be built / based off existing work.
Clearly demonstrates how results will be maintained and developed after the funding period.
Must partner with local institutions and organisations.
Lead applicant and partner organisations are well-grounded in the proposed area(s) of work, have previous similar experience, and are inclusive of local communities, Indigenous Knowledge, and gender perspectives.
Lead applicant and partner organisations must be legally recognised entities.
Lead applicant must comply with and fill out the Due Diligence requirements of the Global EbA Fund.

Expected Outcomes

A successful project will:

Facilitate strengthening the enabling environment to promote EbA uptake and investment –mainly in SIDS and LDCs.
Facilitate EbA scaling in highly vulnerable countries through catalytic small grants.
Strengthen locally led EbA interventions and document replication pathways through targeted knowledge management and exchange.
Enhance technical and institutional readiness to unlock policy uptake, build investment-ready concepts, and narrow the adaptation finance gap.
Expand the network of EbA expertise among practitioners across diverse sectors and geographies through dedicated projects, contributing to a global community of practice.

How To Apply for Global EbA Fund Small-size Grants

Applicants for the Small-Size Grants must submit the following documents with their proposal:

Click Here To Apply

On 28 September 2026, the link to submit proposals to the Online Portal will be shared on the Small-Size Webpage.

Application Deadline: 28 September to 26 October, 2026.

2. Global EbA Fund Medium-size Grants Call for Proposals

Global EbA Fund Medium-size Grants Focus Areas

The call focuses on unlocking broader systemic change for scaling EbA, with proposals encouraged in three areas:

Innovative finance solutions for EbA, including investable business models, stronger climate finance pipelines and mobilisation of public and private investment.
EbA for human development and security, supporting climate resilience in fragile and conflict-affected contexts through community-led, conflict-sensitive approaches.
Stronger synergies across climate, biodiversity and land agendas, positioning EbA as a practical mechanism for connecting implementation across the Rio Conventions while generating evidence to inform future policy.

Funding and duration

Grant Size: each grant up to USD 500,000
Submission Window: 12 October to 16 November 2026
Project Duration: up to 24 months

Eligibility Criteria for Global EbA Fund Medium-size Grants

Only the following types of organisations are eligible for review:

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
International non-governmental organisations (INGOs)
Intergovernmental organisations (IGOs)
Community-based organisations (CBOs)
Indigenous People’s Organisations
Universities and other academic institutions
Research institutes and think tanks
Private sector companies
Consortia of organisations that promote collaboration and greater impact around EbA. Government entities can be a part of the consortia as long as they do not receive funding from the Global EbA Fund. However, applications submitted on behalf of a consortium should clearly define the lead agency, the “Applicant Organisation”, as detailed in the application template. This organisation, if successful, would be the responsible contract party.

Only project concepts that meet the following criteria will be considered for review:

Must qualify as “Ecosystem-based Adaptation“ (Please ensure your project ultimately aligns with EbA Qualification Criteria & Quality Standards).
Must have catalytic and innovative potential to create enabling environments for EbA.
Clearly identifies the climate impacts it is aiming to address and clearly describes how they will be addressed.
Falls under a maximum of 1 Strategic Objective and a maximum of 2 Action Pillars of the Global EbA Fund.
Project is Global, Thematic, or otherwise targets only ODA-eligible countries.
Proposed budget of up to USD $250,000 for Small-Size Grants.
Project duration of up to 24 months.
Project must be built / based off existing work.
Clearly demonstrates how results will be maintained and developed after the funding period.
Must partner with local institutions and organisations.
Lead applicant and partner organisations are well-grounded in the proposed area(s) of work, have previous similar experience, and are inclusive of local communities, Indigenous Knowledge, and gender perspectives.
Lead applicant and partner organisations must be legally recognised entities.
Lead applicant must comply with and fill out the Due Diligence requirements of the Global EbA Fund.

Expected Outcomes

A successful project will:

Facilitate strengthening the enabling environment to make changes towards EbA uptake and investment.
Facilitate the scaling of EbA implementation, particularly with the focus of the three aforementioned key topics.
Strengthen locally led EbA interventions and document replication pathways through targeted knowledge management and exchange.
Improve technical and institutional capacity to support policy uptake, investment-ready concepts and financing strategies.