Africa Regional Democracy Fund

Description

1) Objective

This program will support organizations working on wildlife conservation to assist local communities living in and near wildlife-protected areas, including both farmers and herders, to develop their capacity to actively engage in the preservation of wildlife and Niger’s natural heritage.

• Objective 1: Amplify the voices of the locals who remain a marginalized group in wildlife-protected areas.
• Objective 2: Promote the welfare of local communities with diversified means of livelihoods and/or the provision of basic infrastructure.
• Objective 3: Engage local communities in the fight against violent extremist organizations and traffickers.

Project activities could include the following:
– Advocating with government institutions to consider local communities’ needs.
– Establishing a surveillance system to create a safe environment that promotes tourism.
– Creating diversified income generating activities to reduce dependance on agricultural production.
– Establishing information-sharing networks between GoN and local communities to report suspected VEO and poaching activities.
– Using local knowledge to improve wildlife protection policies and programs.
– Amplifying the voice of marginalized groups, especially women.
– Supporting women-led groups working on environment issues to reverse desertification.
– Raising awareness of conservation laws and the law’s benefits for both farmers and herders.
– Basic infrastructure construction for local communities, including health facilities, water sites (wells, boreholes,) and marking cattle passageways for transhumant herders.

2) Eligibility

Eligible are Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations; Public and private educational and environmental institutions.

3) Location

Actions must take place in Niger.

4) Budget

Awards may range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $250,000.

5) Application

Application must be submitted by 25 July 2023.