The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) grant decision-making process is based on the evaluation of proposals in accordance with the objectives and strategies of the Fund and the relevant ecosystem profile.

Grants of $20,000 or less

In Indochina, grants of up to $20,000 will be awarded by BirdLife International in Indochina Regional Implementation Team (RIT) under a small grants program. Decisions will be made by the RIT based on financial and programmatic reviews and discussions with applicants. The RIT team may conduct site visits with applicants and assist with the development of their plans, including the formation of partnerships, as well as conduct an external review process.

The RIT will also coordinate with the CEPF Secretariat for submission to the CEPF Working Group if an award is proposed to Conservation International. The completed Letter of Inquiry forms will be sufficient as proposals for all grants of this size. The RIT will award grants of $20,000 or less on a regular schedule, inform applicants about its decisions, and document the awards as part of its regular reporting to the CEPF Secretariat.

Grants of more than $20,000

For grants in this category, a two-stage decision-making process is used. The RIT will perform an initial screening and coordinate external peer review based on the Letter of Inquiry. If the Letter of Inquiry is favourably reviewed, the applicant will be invited to submit a full Project Proposal application and to respond to a Financial Questionnaire. The RIT will assist applicants in addressing questions regarding the logical framework approach to developing projects or the overall application form.

The RIT will lead the review of LoIs and proposals, which may include consulting with other knowledgeable sources such as international and local NGOs, appropriate government officials, CEPF donor partners in the hotspot, other donors, academics, and other experts (List of Technical Review Group members). After a thorough, coordinated review of project merits, the RIT will forward a summary and recommendation to the CEPF Secretariat, in order that they can reply directly to applicants. Applications involving Conservation International, or for > US $250,000, are required to undergo additional external review.