The BMU is launching a new programme supporting local climate and nature conservation projects in developing countries and emerging economies. The programme is specially tailored to small projects.

The Federal Environment Ministry (BMU) is launching a new programme supporting local climate and nature conservation projects in developing countries and emerging economies. The programme, "Capacity Building and Finance for National and Local Action on Climate and Biodiversity" (CBF), is specially tailored to small projects – a first in the history of the BMU’s International Climate Initiative (IKI). The funding criteria focus on social issues of structural change and empowerment of women. The BMU is making up to 30 million euros available to the CBF programme for a period of six years. The German organisation GIZ, Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, is in charge of implementation.

With the new small project fund, the BMU is reaching out to and supporting implementation partners operating on a smaller scale than in other projects. This allows the ministry to help small innovative ideas achieve breakthrough, while also strengthening municipalities and regions. The small project programme is divided into two lines of funding. The projects of small, local non-profit organisations can receive grants of up to 125,000 euros. The other funding line strengthens national and regional funding institutions, so that they can improve domestic and regional funding structures for climate action and biodiversity at local level. The first call for project proposals is planned for this year.

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