UNDP GEF SGP OP7 Indigenous Peoples Fellowship Initiative Programme 2024: (Deadline 15 August, 2024)

Applications are open for the UNDP GEF SGP OP7 Indigenous Peoples Fellowship Initiative Programme 2024. The GEF SGP OP7 Indigenous Peoples Fellowship Initiative Programme aims to provide proactive mentoring and capacity-building for indigenous fellows to work with SGP and youth regional focal points.

Proposed activities for the IP fellows include:

• improved SGP grant-making in line with the international best practices of rights-based approaches as recognized by the CBD, UNFCCC, UNCCD, and vertical funds (GEF, GCF).
• Facilitating access by Indigenous Peoples to international climate finance.
• strengthening connection and partnerships between the SGP, UNDP, and relevant regional and/or international indigenous networks, foundations, and NGOs.

Grant

• Grant allocation for this initiative is US$75,000, and an 18-month project (fellowship) duration. 

Eligibility

• Open to any local CSOs, NGOs or community-based groups interested in conserving and restoring the environment while enhancing people’s livelihoods and well-being.

The 2024 Africa Region Fellow is required to fulfil the following terms and conditions:

• 12–18-month fellowship (may extend to 2-years and will be determined in consultation with the IP fellows as part of the development of an individual workplan.)
• Support the full and effective involvement of IPs in the implementation of the UNFCCC’s nationally determined contributions (NDCs)
• Access by Indigenous peoples to international climate finance, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the implementation of the UNFCCC 2015 Paris Accord
• Establishing national networks of Indigenous peoples and community conserved areas and territories (ICCAs)
• Promoting Indigenous peoples’ partnerships through the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030)
• Refining methodologies for monitoring and evaluation (M&E), including free, prior and informed consent (FPIC)for Community-Based REDD+ (CBR+)
• Participation of Indigenous Peoples in the negotiations and implementation of the CBD post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)
• Engagement with National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs regarding the role of Indigenous peoples s land governance in adapting to climate change
• Implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)
• Engagement with the Inter-governmental Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) regarding the incorporation of traditional knowledge (TK)Partnership and programme for Indigenous Peoples as part of the UN Decade on Water and Global Conference (2023)
• Support for nomadic peoples in arid and semi-arid areas, as well as transhumant peoples in mountainous conditions, including for Community-Based Adaptation (CBA)
• Developing Indigenous and community engagement with the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)
• Support indigenous and customary fisher-folk who live across national boundaries
• Sharing national experiences with normative and legal frameworks, including the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP)
• Strengthen the network between SGP and the Indigenous Peoples network in Ethiopia and in the African region.

Application

Email the following addresses to obtain the Terms of Reference (ToR) and application form for the nomination process. Email: dejene.biru@undp.org. All filled application forms must be submitted to: dejene.biru@undp.org by August 15, 2024.

For more information, visit GEF SGP OP7 Indigenous Peoples Fellowship.