# GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program From Global Environment Facility, run by IUCN. Listed on naturefunding.org, a free directory of nature restoration and conservation funding where every fact is read from the funder’s own page or the organisation that runs the programme for it. - Status, as of 2 November 2026: No call open now. The last call we found has closed; check the funder’s page for the next round. - How to apply: Apply directly - Amount: Up to $300,000 USD - Who can apply: NGOs - Where: GEF SGP-eligible recipient countries (Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East, Oceania and Europe) - Rounds: Fixed rounds with deadlines - Co-funding required: No - Run by: IUCN (https://www.iucn.org/) - Restoration approach (our classification): Community conservation and Sustainable land use - Last checked: 2 November 2026. Every quote below was read on or after this day. How to apply, who can apply and where are our categories, from the funder’s words; the quotes are below. - Listing: https://naturefunding.org/p/gef-sgp-cso-challenge/ - Funder’s programme page: https://csochallenge.org/ Summary in naturefunding.org’s own words: Global GEF and IUCN programme giving larger grants to civil society organisations that scale or replicate proven environmental solutions, including community-based management of threatened ecosystems and species, through regional calls. ## The facts, in the funder’s words **GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program, how to apply:** Apply directly. When a call is open, eligible applicants apply to the funder or the organisation running the call. > “Applications can be submitted https://csochallenge.org/. only through the program website” Source: https://csochallenge.org/uploads/SGP_CSO_Concept_Guidance_For_Applicants.pdf, checked 2 November 2026. Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/gef-sgp-cso-challenge/#access **GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program, amount:** Up to $300,000 USD > “The program provides grant funding of up to $300,000 USD” Source: https://csochallenge.org/uploads/SGP_CSO_Concept_Guidance_For_Applicants.pdf, checked 2 November 2026. Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/gef-sgp-cso-challenge/#amount **GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program, where:** GEF SGP-eligible recipient countries (Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East, Oceania and Europe) > “Projects must be implemented in GEF SGP-eligible recipient countries” Source: https://csochallenge.org/uploads/SGP_CSO_Concept_Guidance_For_Applicants.pdf, checked 2 November 2026. Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/gef-sgp-cso-challenge/#geography **GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program, who can apply:** NGOs > “Eligible applicants are local, national, regional, or international civil society organizations (CSOs)” Source: https://csochallenge.org/uploads/SGP_CSO_Concept_Guidance_For_Applicants.pdf, checked 2 November 2026. Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/gef-sgp-cso-challenge/#applicant_types **GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program, rounds:** Fixed rounds with deadlines > “The deadlines for each regional Call for Proposal will be announced at their official launch.” Source: https://csochallenge.org/uploads/SGP_CSO_Concept_Guidance_For_Applicants.pdf, checked 2 November 2026. Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/gef-sgp-cso-challenge/#window **GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program, co-funding required:** No > “Co-funding is not required but is strongly encouraged and strengthens the proposal.” Source: https://csochallenge.org/uploads/SGP_CSO_Concept_Guidance_For_Applicants.pdf, checked 2 November 2026. Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/gef-sgp-cso-challenge/#co_finance_required **GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program, run by:** IUCN > “IUCN and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) welcome submission of proposals to the GEF Small Grants Program CSO Challenge Program” Source: https://csochallenge.org/uploads/GEF%20SGP%20CSO%20Challenge%20Overview.pdf, checked 2 November 2026. Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/gef-sgp-cso-challenge/#administered_by ## The call ### 2026 regional calls for proposals Call page: https://csochallenge.org/ **GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program, 2026 regional calls for proposals, status:** Not clear from the page > “The deadlines for each regional Call for Proposal will be announced at their official launch.” Source: https://csochallenge.org/uploads/SGP_CSO_Concept_Guidance_For_Applicants.pdf, checked 2 November 2026. Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/gef-sgp-cso-challenge/#call-2026-regional-calls-status **GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program, 2026 regional calls for proposals, deadline:** Not found on the call page Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/gef-sgp-cso-challenge/#call-2026-regional-calls-deadline Condition: Deadlines are announced at the launch of each regional call. ## What the funder asks grantees to report **GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program, reporting:** Not found on the pages we read Cite this fact: https://naturefunding.org/p/gef-sgp-cso-challenge/#reporting ## How to cite naturefunding.org, “GEF SGP CSO Challenge Program”, checked 2 November 2026, https://naturefunding.org/p/gef-sgp-cso-challenge/. Data CC BY 4.0. Quotes are the funder’s words; cite the funder’s page for them. ## Something wrong? Report a problem: https://github.com/Restoration-Scope/rs-naturefunding/issues/new?title=Problem+with+GEF+SGP+CSO+Challenge+Program&body=Listing%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fnaturefunding.org%2Fp%2Fgef-sgp-cso-challenge%2F%0A%0AWhat+is+wrong+%28deadline%2C+amount%2C+eligibility%2C+link%E2%80%A6%29%3F%0A%0A%0AWhere+did+you+see+the+correct+information%3F+A+link+to+the+funder%E2%80%99s+own+page+helps+most.%0A&labels=listing-problem Funders can correct their listing: https://github.com/Restoration-Scope/rs-naturefunding/issues/new?title=Funder+correction%3A+GEF+SGP+CSO+Challenge+Program&body=Listing%3A+https%3A%2F%2Fnaturefunding.org%2Fp%2Fgef-sgp-cso-challenge%2F%0A%0AYour+name%2C+role+and+organisation%3A%0A%0AWhat+should+change%2C+and+the+page+on+your+website+that+says+so%3A%0A%0AWe+change+a+listing+only+after+confirming+it+on+your+own+website.+Listings+can%E2%80%99t+be+bought.%0A&labels=funder-correction