Grant Opportunities

Call for Proposal

The BESF first Call for Proposals is open from 29 August 2024 through to 29 September 2024. This competitive process will award grant funding for initiatives that support environmental conservation and sustainability in Barbados.

We will be utilising an online Grant Management Platform to manage our entire grant-making programme, including the submission of applications to our competitive Call for Proposals. The platform allows users to submit applications, upload supporting documentation, track the status of their applications, and communicate with the BESF Secretariat. To submit an application, click the button below to register and apply.

Submit Application

Resources

Strategic Priority Areas

The BESF’s 1st Call for Proposals will be an open call. However, to be eligible, project themes should be aligned with the below strategic areas:
  • Biodiversity conservation and management.
  • Disaster risk management.
  • Climate resilience through mitigation and adaptation.
  • Renewable and non-renewable natural resource management including fisheries.
  • Forestry, tourism and agriculture.
  • Marine, coastal and terrestrial protected areas (PA).
  • Ocean and coastal research.
  • Integrated solid waste management.
  • Integrated water resources management.
  • Green and blue economy initiatives.
  • Sustainable livelihoods and human well-being.
  • Renewable energy

Within these project themes, BESF will also support projects related to the cross-cutting themes below:

  • Financial tools, mechanisms and instruments.
  • Environmental standards and legislation.
  • Capacity building.
  • Knowledge management.
  • Research.
  • Environmental education and stewardship.
  • Communications, outreach, public relations

Principles of the BESF Grant-Making Framework

BESF Grant-Making Framework is governed by the principle that the project selection is carried out through competitive and transparent processes. In particular, it will be guided by the following: 

  • BESF call for proposals are fair competitive process.
  • An independent Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) ensures technical decisions for each of BESF’s Programs.
  • BESF applies a transparent process of allocation of funding.
  • Grantees are accountable to BESF Board of Directors.
  • BESF will support capacity building in local organisations.
  • The Grant-Making Framework will evolve in function of BESF own evolution.

Who can apply?

Non-profit organisations

Community-based organisations

Private sector

Students and Postdoctoral Researchers

Government

Academia

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a registered institution.
  • Have minimum financial management and reporting demonstrable capacity.
  • Have a vision and mission aligned with BESF Strategic Plan.
  • Have a proven track record in project implementation.
  • Have an institutional bank account for financial support.
  • Have been in operation in Barbados for more than two years and have managed similar projects for large grants only

Application steps

The application will involve a two-stage process.

Stage 1:

  • Screening (due diligence): based on the review of the applicant's institutional information.
  • Selection of Concept Notes: applicants submit Concept Notes that are reviewed and filtered by the TAC

Stage 2:

  • Design, selection and grant approval: the TAC requests the preparation of a Full Proposal. This document will be developed by the entity that submitted it, with the technical guidance of the BESF Secretariat.

Grant Size and Duration

The BESF will award grants in three tiers: Small, Medium, or Large as follows:

Grant Size Grant Amount (BBD)
Small Up to $50,000
Medium $51,000- $100,000
Large $101,000 – $300,000

Students and Postdoctoral Researchers can apply for small grants of up to $10,000 or $30,000 BBD, respectively.

Grants will typically be awarded for a maximum of a 2-years, and up to 3-years in special cases.