IKI Small Grants Programme 2027 for Local Climate and Biodiversity Projects (Up To EUR 200,000 Funding)

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Applications are open for IKI Small Grants Programme 2027. IKI Small Grants is a global funding and capacity development programme that supports impactful local and regional initiatives focused on climate and biodiversity action. It is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Government.

The IKI Small Grants Programme is part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI), offering financial and capacity-building support to local organisations implementing climate action and biodiversity conservation projects. The programme strengthens civil society engagement, promotes locally adapted approaches, and fosters organisations as agents of change in climate and environmental action.

The thematic focus of this call for proposals is Nature-based Solutions (NbS). NbS refers to an integrated approach that the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) defines as “actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, providing human wellbeing and biodiversity benefits”. NbS is an umbrella concept covering approaches such as ecosystem-based adaptation, ecosystem-based mitigation, restoration and other ecosystem-based approaches.

IKI Small Grants Programme Objectives

Support national and local organisations in ODA-eligible countries to implement climate and biodiversity projects.
Encourage civil society engagement and development of locally adapted solutions.
Strengthen organisational capacity, professional networks, and long-term sustainability.
Promote projects that contribute to climate adaptation, mitigation, and biodiversity conservation.

Focus Areas

Project proposals must focus on one or more of the following IKI funding areas:

Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions
Adaptation to the impacts of climate change
Conserving natural carbon sinks with a focus on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
Conserving biological diversity

Please note: The thematic focus of this call for proposals is Nature-based Solutions.

Funding Details

Maximum grant: EUR 200,000, corresponding to the organisation’s average annual revenue.
Project duration: 12–24 months, with projects beginning first quarter of 2027 or later.
No follow-up financing is intended.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be a not-for-profit organisation or private company pursuing strictly non-profit objectives within the proposed project.
Be legally based and registered in an ODA-eligible country.
Have been operational for at least three years.
Demonstrate an average annual revenue of EUR 60,000–500,000 over the last three years.
Maintain dedicated accounting staff, internal and external control mechanisms, and compliant accounting systems.
Implement projects directly, with no consortia or regranting permitted.