Introduction — why this guide matters
If you work in conservation, community development, women’s empowerment, sustainable fisheries, or smallholder resilience in East Africa, you’ve likely felt the tension between protecting nature and sustaining livelihoods. Conservation rules without alternatives can drive conflict; livelihoods programs without ecological awareness can degrade environments. Finance that explicitly links biodiversity protection with community benefits can break that trade-off.
The RISE Grants Challenge is one of those finance windows designed to support integrated approaches — projects that restore mangroves while creating seaweed-farming incomes, that build community forests while developing women-led value chains, that pilot human-wildlife conflict insurance while training rangers from local villages. That combination makes RISE especially relevant to East African landscapes and coastlines.
This guide will:
-
Explain what the RISE Grants Challenge supports and who runs it.
-
Walk you through a step-by-step application (from eligibility checks to submission) — written for a first-time applicant.
-
Share a table comparing common project types, budget ranges and indicators so you can choose the best approach.
-
Give a tight template and Statement of Purpose structure for the project narrative.
-
Share common mistakes, FAQs, and final submission checklists.
-
Finish with an AdSense compliance and SEO explanation so the blog post also meets monetization best practices.
What exactly is the RISE Grants Challenge and who’s behind it?
The RISE Grants Challenge — sometimes called “Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Environments (RISE)” — has been supported and implemented through partnerships between major donors and conservation actors, including USAID, IUCN, and Norad (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation) among others. The challenge focuses on integrating environmental programming with social safeguards such as GBV (gender-based violence) prevention and community safety, while testing locally led, scalable models.
Norad’s strategic priorities emphasize biodiversity conservation as central to sustainable development, which explains why Norad has backed calls that prioritize community-based biodiversity projects and the livelihoods they support.
Why this matters: understanding the funder landscape helps you tailor your pitch — RISE favors proposals that combine robust environmental outcomes with inclusive, equitable benefits for women, youth, and Indigenous or marginalized groups.
Who can apply (and who should lead the proposal)
Eligible applicants typically include:
-
Community-based organizations (CBOs) and registered local NGOs
-
Women-led cooperatives and social enterprises
-
Local conservation groups and protected-area partner organizations
-
Research institutions partnered with local implementers
-
National NGOs or social enterprises with strong community partnerships
Important note: International NGOs often must partner with local organizations and demonstrate local leadership and ownership — proposals led by local entities score higher. This emphasis on local leadership is a core design feature of RISE grants.
Organizational essentials to have ready:
-
Legal registration certificate
-
Basic governance documents (board list, constitution)
-
Recent annual report or activity summary (even 1–2 pages is fine)
-
Bank account details and proof of financial management (audited accounts if available)
-
Letters of support from community leaders or local government (helpful)
Which countries and geographies in East Africa are priority?
RISE programming has historically focused on biodiversity-rich and climate-sensitive contexts, and East Africa offers many such landscapes: coastal mangroves and coral reefs (Kenya, Tanzania), highland forests (Uganda, Rwanda), large savanna ecosystems (Kenya, Tanzania), and lake/wetland systems (Kenya, Uganda). While exact country lists vary by call, applicants from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia and neighboring East African contexts should prepare proposals that emphasize local ecological importance and community impact. Always confirm the specific call’s country eligibility in the official call-for-proposals documents before applying.
What types of projects get awarded? — a comparison table
Below is a clear comparison table to help you pick the best project type for your context. Use this table when deciding what to propose.
| Project Type | Example Activities | Typical Outcomes (18–36 months) | Why funders like it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Forest Restoration | Native tree nurseries, participatory forest monitoring, alternative fuel briquettes | Reforested hectares; reduced illegal logging; new income from nursery sales | High biodiversity + clear local livelihood benefits |
| Coastal & Mangrove Restoration | Mangrove planting, community monitoring, seaweed aquaculture | Hectares restored; fisher incomes increased; storm protection improved | Combined coastal protection and income pathways |
| Sustainable Fisheries & MPAs | Locally managed marine areas, gear substitution, market access | Fish catch recovery; reduced illegal gear; better market prices | Direct biodiversity gain, measurable livelihoods impact |
| Human–Wildlife Conflict (HWC) Solutions | Livestock insurance, predator deterrents, compensation schemes | Reduced stock losses; fewer retaliatory killings; improved tolerance | Directly reduces threats to wildlife and protects incomes |
| Nature-based Tourism & Value Chains | Community lodges, craft value chains, cultural tours | New jobs; revenue shares to community funds; conservation financing | Sustainable revenue streams tied to intact ecosystems |
| Green Energy for Conservation | Solar irrigation, clean cookstoves, microgrids | Less forest pressure; higher productivity; energy access | Reduces drivers of biodiversity loss (e.g., charcoal) |
Use the table to map local priorities: if your area suffers from overfishing, focus on fisheries; if forest loss is the problem, pick restoration combined with livelihoods that reduce pressure on the forest.
How much funding and what durations are typical?
RISE-style grants and related donor calls often award sums in the US$100k–$500k range depending on the program iteration. For the type of grant we’re discussing (community biodiversity & livelihoods), realistic project sizes typically fall between US$200,000 and US$300,000 with durations commonly 18–36 months — enough time for durable outcomes and initial sustainability mechanisms. Be prepared to include realistic, conservative budgets and show how the activities will be sustained after the grant period through cost-recovery, community trusts, or market income.
Step-by-step application guide (for absolute beginners)
This section is intentionally detailed and procedural — follow each step like a checklist.
Step 0 — Read the official call document carefully
Before anything else, download and read the official call text (eligibility, required documents, deadlines). For RISE calls, you’ll typically find an official PDF and an FAQ page. I recommend printing or highlighting the sections on: eligibility, required supporting docs, evaluation criteria, and the submission portal instructions.
Step 1 — Confirm organizational eligibility & prepare legal documents
Checklist:
-
Registration certificate (scan)
-
Board list and constitution (scan)
-
Tax or NGO status docs if required
-
Latest financial statements or bank statements (3–12 months)
-
Cover letter from your Director confirming intent to apply
Step 2 — Conduct a fast problem analysis (one week)
If you haven’t already done baseline research, do a short rapid assessment:
-
5–10 key informant interviews with community leaders and beneficiaries
-
1–2 short field visits to sketch the problem (photos and GPS coordinates help)
-
Collate any secondary data: government stats, conservation assessments, local reports
Keep evidence light but credible — funders prefer genuine local data over long literature reviews.
Step 3 — Choose the intervention logic
Decide your theory of change: a simple “if — then — because” line:
-
If we restore 200 ha of mangrove and train 60 women in seaweed processing, then household incomes increase and coastal fish nursery habitat improves, because seaweed provides immediate cash while mangroves improve fish stock recruitment.
Write this in plain language; you’ll use it in the concept note.
Step 4 — Draft a clear concept note (2–4 pages)
A concept note should contain:
-
Title (concise)
-
One-paragraph summary (the elevator pitch)
-
Problem statement (max 3 paragraphs)
-
Proposed solution and activities (bulleted)
-
Target beneficiaries and geographies (who, where, how many)
-
Key indicators (3–5 measurable outcomes)
-
Budget summary (total request + short line on cost categories)
-
Implementation timeline (months or quarters)
-
Sustainability and exit plan (how benefits continue)
Tip: Use numbers. “Reach 3,000 beneficiaries” is better than “reach many.”
Step 5 — Build partnerships and secure letters of support
Funders want to see local buy-in:
-
Prepare short letters (1 page) from: village council, local government extension officer, women’s cooperative leader, and any research partner.
-
Formalize any partnerships with MoUs if you have time, or draft short partner role descriptions.
Step 6 — Prepare a realistic budget and budget narrative
Components:
-
Personnel (local staff salaries; note donors sometimes cap admin overhead)
-
Activities (training, materials, seedlings, equipment)
-
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) — budgeting 5–10% of project cost is common
-
Administrative costs (keep under requested cap)
-
Contingency (usually 5%)
Provide a budget narrative: explain the logic behind large line items (e.g., why travel is required).
Step 7 — Prepare M&E indicators and a results framework
Pick 6–8 indicators, a mix of:
-
Output (e.g., number of people trained)
-
Outcome (e.g., % increase in household income)
-
Ecological (e.g., hectares restored, fish biomass indices)
Attach a simple baseline and target for each indicator.
Step 8 — Draft the statement of purpose / project narrative
Use the Statement of Purpose template below — make it concise and evidence-based.
Step 9 — Internal review and quality control
-
Proofread for clarity, avoid jargon
-
Get a review from a partner or a technical expert
-
Check all attachments and file formats (PDF recommended)
-
Ensure all signatures are present
Step 10 — Submit through the portal and follow submission rules
-
Submit before the deadline — portals can fail near close
-
Keep screenshots of submission confirmation and download any auto-emails
-
Plan for a short follow-up email to the donor contact if allowed
A practical sample timeline (18-month project)
| Quarter | Activities |
|---|---|
| Q1 | Baseline survey, community mobilization, seedlings procurement, M&E plan finalized |
| Q2 | Training for nurseries, start of restoration, livelihoods training launched |
| Q3 | Monitoring, market linkages for produce, mid-term review of activities |
| Q4 | Expand restoration, introduce value-add processing, begin revenue sharing |
| Q5 | Continue market scaling, adaptive management, begin business model handover |
| Q6 | Final evaluation, sustainability handover (community trust or enterprise), learning dissemination |
Statement of Purpose — a simple, strong structure
Use the following 6-paragraph template. Keep the whole SOP to 1–2 pages when possible.
Paragraph 1 — Hook & human story
Start with a short real anecdote (30–60 words) that humanizes the problem: “When Amina lost three nets of fish in one season, she had to pull her daughter from school…”
Paragraph 2 — Problem with evidence
State the problem in one paragraph with 2–3 facts: decline in fish catch, mangrove loss area, number of families affected.
Paragraph 3 — Proposed solution in 2–3 sentences
Describe the intervention and the core activities.
Paragraph 4 — Why your organization / partners
Explain why you are credible (past activities, community trust, partner roles).
Paragraph 5 — Expected outcomes & indicators
3–5 bullet outcomes (e.g., “Restore 150 ha of mangrove; increase average fisher income by 25%”).
Paragraph 6 — Sustainability & ask
How benefits continue and the exact financial ask (amount, period).
Key insights and practical tips from successful grantees
-
Start with a small, well-documented pilot — funders love evidence that something worked at smaller scale.
-
Make women’s leadership visible — not just as beneficiaries but as project leads or co-managers. RISE emphasizes gender and protection mainstreaming.
-
Combine short-term incomes with long-term ecological outcomes — e.g., seaweed sales can pay immediate bills while mangroves recover biodiversity over several years.
-
Invest in M&E that shows ecological outcomes — photos, GPS markers, community logs, and simple household income surveys matter.
-
Be explicit about risk and mitigation — political changes, climate shocks, market price drops — show contingency plans.
Common mistakes — and how to avoid them
-
Mistake: Proposing high-level ideas without clear activities.
Fix: Convert ideas into 6–10 discrete activities with timelines. -
Mistake: Weak or missing partnership letters.
Fix: Secure short, signed letters from local leaders and partners. -
Mistake: Over-ambitious budgets or vague cost lines.
Fix: Use unit costs and explain assumptions in the budget narrative. -
Mistake: Not integrating protection or gender safeguards.
Fix: Include a short protection plan (child protection, GBV referral pathways, consent processes). -
Mistake: Submitting a concept note with typos and unclear logic.
Fix: Ask a colleague or trusted partner to review.
Real-world examples & short case studies (East Africa focus)
Case 1 — Coastal Kenya (hypothetical composite): A women’s cooperative in northern Mombasa combined mangrove restoration with a seaweed drying and packaging enterprise. The cooperative sold seaweed to a regional buyer and reserved 20% of profits to maintain mangrove nurseries. Post-project surveys showed increased household incomes and early signs of fish nursery re-establishment.
Case 2 — Uganda highland forests (hypothetical composite): An NGO trained youth rangers to conduct forest patrols and simultaneously launched a sustainable honey value chain. Honey sales paid ranger stipends and provided an alternative to charcoal production, lowering tree cutting rates.
These are representative of the kinds of community-integrated models RISE supports — combining measurable environmental outcomes with sustainable economic benefits.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) — pragmatic design
MEL is central to competitive proposals. Use an adaptive learning cycle:
Baseline — simple household survey, ecological measures (GPS, photo transects).
Quarterly monitoring — collect outputs and outcomes, document stories of change.
Midterm review — adapt interventions based on data.
Final evaluation — measure ecological and livelihood outcomes and prepare a learning brief.
Example indicators:
Hectares of habitat restored (ecological)
% change in average household income (livelihood)
Number of women in leadership roles (social inclusion)
Number of community patrols conducted (protection)
Number of GBV referrals or protective measures in place (safeguards)
Budget tip: allocate at least 5–10% of project costs to M&E and learning.
The application checklist (final hour before submission)
Read eligibility and confirm country coverage.
- Concept note (2–4 pages) uploaded as PDF
- Budget with narrative uploaded
- Organization registration and governance docs uploaded
- Letters of support (3–4) uploaded
- M&E framework uploaded
- Signed cover letter by executive director
- Proofread and spellchecked — avoid acronyms and jargon
- Keep copy of submission receipt/email
Frequently Asked Questions (Concise but useful)
Q: Can new or recently formed organizations apply?
A: Often yes, if you can demonstrate community presence and partner with a more established entity. Letters of support and proof of local activities help.Q: Do I need matching funds?
A: Not always required, but co-financing increases competitiveness and shows buy-in.Q: Are salaries allowed?
A: Yes — realistic, justified personnel costs are acceptable. Avoid excessive overheads.Q: How long does selection take?
A: Timeline varies; typical processes include shortlisting, due diligence, and contracting — expect several months from submission to award.Q: Do I need to include environmental safeguards?
A: Yes. Include a brief safeguards/GBV/child protection plan proportional to project risks.
Ethical & protection considerations
Do not propose conservation strategies that:
Displace communities without consent
Restrict customary rights without appropriate alternatives
Fail to include gender-based violence prevention and referral pathways where risks exist
Commit to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) for Indigenous and forest-dependent communities and include transparent benefit-sharing arrangements.
Two authoritative resources (linked where useful)
When preparing your application, consult the official RISE call documents and relevant donor pages to align your proposal with the exact eligibility and application requirements. Two useful resources for context and program priorities are:
The RISE call and program background (IUCN RISE call for proposals and RISE documentation). iucn.org
Norad’s biodiversity and environment page for broader donor priorities and guidance on biodiversity mainstreaming. Norad
(I embedded full source links above for clarity and further reading.)
Final tips for success (practical, concrete)
Tell a human story at the top of your proposal — reviewers are people, and stories stick.
Use simple numbers and baseline targets; avoid vague promises.
Show local leadership — not tokenism but meaningful roles for community groups.
Budget for learning and dissemination — share lessons locally and regionally.
Plan an exit strategy — how does the community sustain activities post-grant?
Conclusion — a closing nudge
The RISE Grants Challenge and similar donor windows are designed to accelerate locally led solutions that protect biodiversity while improving livelihoods. For East African practitioners, this is a chance to scale work that already exists at the community level — linking ecological stewardship with sustainable incomes, gender equity, and resilience.
Your next immediate action: pick one problem you can influence in 18–36 months, write the 2-page concept note this week, and gather two local letters of support. The rest follows from disciplined, community-centred planning.
If nature and people are both supported, they reinforce each other — that’s the RISE logic.
