Bahamian organizations can now apply for climate action grants of up to $75,000 under a new funding cycle of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP), marking the first round since GEF SGP strengthened its global partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). UNDP Resident Representative Dr. Kishan Khoday announced that NGOs, community-based organizations, and academic institutions in The Bahamas can submit project proposals from 9 November to 9 December. The announcement was made during a Meet and Greet event in Nassau with several local partners, including the Bahamas Protected Area Fund, Smart and Strong Sisterhood, Organization for Responsible Governance, FEM STEM Bahamas, Bahamas National Trust, and The Nature Conservancy.
The grants will support projects covering at least one of four thematic areas: community-based conservation of threatened ecosystems and species; sustainable agriculture, fisheries, and food security; low-carbon energy access and co-benefits; chemicals and waste management; and water conservation. In addition, smaller planning grants of up to $5,000 will be available to help organizations conduct feasibility studies, gather information, or receive proposal development support. UNDP/GEF SGP will also hold workshops to assist applicants in preparing their project proposals.
Dr. Khoday emphasized that the enhanced UNDP/GEF SGP cooperation deepens collaboration on climate and ecosystem resilience, which are strategic priorities under UNDP’s plan. He noted that the initiative expands UNDP’s climate partnerships on the ground, enabling pragmatic local solutions while creating opportunities to upscale GEF SGP projects through complementary UNDP programs and donor resources. The initiative positions SGP as a platform to strengthen local climate action and foster innovative solutions.
Since its inception in 1974, UNDP has partnered with The Bahamas on climate, disaster risk resilience, and debt management, marking over 52 years of cooperation in 2026. The UNDP/GEF SGP program in The Bahamas has granted more than $2.9 million to 44 local NGOs since 2009, matched by an equal amount in co-financing, totaling $6.4 million in support of climate projects. Globally, GEF SGP investments exceed $400 million, with co-financing effectively doubling the total value of grants to NGOs, highlighting the scale and impact of this ongoing climate initiative.
