Congo Basin Forest Fund The Congo Basin Forest Fund was established in June 2008, as an initiative of the African Development Bank, the UK and the Central Africa Forests Commission (COMIFAC). Its aim was to mobilise resources to finance activities and projects aimed at promoting the equitable and sustainable use, conservation and management of the Congo Basin forests and ecosystems for poverty alleviation, sustainable social-economic development, regional cooperation and environmental conservation. A total of $165 million has so far been pledged to the Fund, entirely from the UK and Norway.Eligibility for financing is limited to COMIFAC member countries: Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Sao Tome & Principe. The CBFF governing council provides strategic direction and oversight of the Fund, and ensures broad donor and stakeholder participation, while a Reference Group acts as a forum for consultations. The secretariat is based in the African Development headquarters. Bank’s Areas for CBFF grant funding are intended mainly to be those that slow the rate of deforestation, reduce poverty amongst forest dwellers, and contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions while maximising the storage of carbon. Key thematic areas are: Forest management and sustainable practice. Livelihoods and economic development. Monitoring, assessment and verification. Benefits from carbon markets and payment for ecosystem services. Capacity-building in REDD; in monitoring, assessment and verification; and in sustainable forest management. Two calls for grant proposals have so far been made, the first in 2008 and the second in 2009–10. As well as central and local governments, NGOs, civil society organisations, community-based organisations, research and training institutions, regional, sub-regional and sectoral organisations,and private sector institutions are all eligible to apply. Concept notes are submitted to the secretariat in response to calls for proposals; the secretariat can also provide assistance to applicants to develop full project proposals. Final approval is by the Governing Council. A few examples of projects funded include: Alternatives to mangrove destruction for women's livelihoods in Central Africa (Cameroon; $0.38 million, approved 2009). Civil society and government capacity-building within the REDD framework (DRC, $4.26 million approved, 2011). Improving beekeeping and reforestation around the Bagandou forest, Central African Republic ($0.35 million approved, 2011).
Congo Basin Forest Fund The Congo Basin Forest Fund was established in June 2008, as an initiative of the African Development Bank, the UK and the Central Africa Forests Commission (COMIFAC). Its aim was to mobilise resources to finance activities and projects aimed at promoting the equitable and sustainable use, conservation and management of the Congo Basin forests and ecosystems for poverty alleviation, sustainable social-economic development, regional cooperation and environmental conservation. A total of $165 million has so far been pledged to the Fund, entirely from the UK and Norway.Eligibility for financing is limited to COMIFAC member countries: Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Sao Tome & Principe. The CBFF governing council provides strategic direction and oversight of the Fund, and ensures broad donor and stakeholder participation, while a Reference Group acts as a forum for consultations. The secretariat is based in the African Development Bank’s headquarters. Areas for CBFF grant funding are intended mainly to be those that slow the rate of deforestation, reduce poverty amongst forest dwellers, and contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions while maximising the storage of carbon. Key thematic areas are: Forest management and sustainable practice. Livelihoods and economic development. Monitoring, assessment and verification. Benefits from carbon markets and payment for ecosystem services. Capacity-building in REDD; in monitoring, assessment and verification; and in sustainable forest management. Two calls for grant proposals have so far been made, the first in 2008 and the second in 2009–10. As well as central and local governments, NGOs, civil society organisations, community-based organisations, research and training institutions, regional, sub-regional and sectoral organisations,and private sector institutions are all eligible to apply. Concept notes are submitted to the secretariat in response to calls for proposals; the secretariat can also provide assistance to applicants to develop full project proposals. Final approval is by the Governing Council. A few examples of projects funded include: Alternatives to mangrove destruction for women's livelihoods in Central Africa (Cameroon; $0.38 million, approved 2009). Civil society and government capacity-building within the REDD framework (DRC, $4.26 million approved, 2011). Improving beekeeping and reforestation around the Bagandou forest, Central African Republic ($0.35 million approved, 2011).
acp_redd_funding_opportunities_final.docx