WWF Environmental and Social Impact Grant 2026 (Up to US$15,000 )

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Applications are open for WWF Environmental and Social Impact Grant 2026. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), through its Russell E. Train Education for Nature Program (EFN), has opened applications for the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Grant 2026.

This competitive grant supports institutions and teams in Kenya, Tanzania, and Madagascar working to strengthen local capacity in environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and promote inclusive conservation and sustainable development.

Through this grant, WWF aims to strengthen country systems, empower local institutions and communities, and ensure environmental and social risks are addressed with mitigation and adaptation measures aligned with long-term conservation and sustainable development goals.

Supported by philanthropist Charlotte Bingham, the grant seeks to build enduring institutional capacity rather than short-term consultancy outputs.

Focus Areas

Proposals must emphasize collaborative capacity building and active learning. Key focus areas include:

Developing Skills, Standards, and Good Practices
- Hands-on training and case studies
- Practical application of ESIA tools
- Addressing institutional gaps in managing environmental and social risks
- Promoting nature-based solutions
Engaging Diverse Stakeholders
- Gender mainstreaming
- Inclusion of indigenous peoples and local communities
- Multi-sector engagement
Fostering Professional Networks
- Strengthening collaboration among conservation professionals
- Partnerships with environmental lawyers, urban planners, journalists, and ESIA practitioners
- Regional cooperation and information exchange
Strengthening Institutional Governance
- Addressing governance challenges in conservation and infrastructure projects
- Enhancing cumulative impact assessment capacity
- Promoting strategic-level planning and cooperation

Projects must include active learning components, such as mentoring, field-based training, and practical skill-building for local stakeholders and institutions.

Benefits

The Environmental and Social Impact Grant provides competitive financial support for:

Institutional capacity building
Professional training and mentoring
Community-based learning initiatives
Collaborative conservation and development efforts

Grant Details

Applicants may request up to US$ 15,000 with strong budget justifications

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify, applicants must:

Be legally registered in Kenya, Tanzania, or Madagascar
Demonstrate a proven track record in capacity building related to environmental and social impacts
Show experience applying impact assessment tools to conservation and development activities
Demonstrate ability to monitor and report measurable results
Submit all required documents before the deadline
Ensure all project activities conclude before December 2027
Include active learning, mentoring, and practical field-based components

Priority will be given to local organizations addressing ecosystem-related development challenges and advancing sustainable development.

Selection Criteria

Proposals will undergo a rigorous and competitive review process. Evaluation will consider:

Proposed Objectives and Goals
- Clear rationale and understanding of the issue
- Feasible work plan
- Realistic and justified budget
Project Impact
- Short- and long-term environmental and social outcomes
- Risk assessment integration
- Contribution to institutional capacity development
Measurability
- Clear outputs and measurable outcomes
Scalability and Transferability
- Potential for replication and adaptation in similar contexts
Collaboration
- Strong partnerships
- Clearly defined roles for stakeholders
- Projects demonstrating strong institutional partnerships and practical skill-building will be highly competitive.