2025/2026 ABS Small Grants Project
The SCBD is offering small grants to support the operationalization of legal frameworks and systems for access and benefit-sharing for 2025/2026 the biennium
At COP-MOP 5, Parties adopted the capacity-building and development action plan for the Nagoya Protocol (decision NP-5/3) and requested the Secretariat to continue to facilitate capacity-building and development activities to support the effective implementation of the Protocol as well as to support opportunities for compiling and sharing lessons learned and good practices and make them available through the ABS Clearing-House.
With the generous support of the governments of Denmark and Japan, through the Japan Biodiversity Fund, the Secretariat is launching a project to provide small grants as part of its capacity-building and development programme to support the operationalization of legal frameworks and systems for access and benefit-sharing for the 2025/2026 biennium.
The small grants project builds on the outcomes of the Global Capacity-building Workshop on Operationalizing Access and Benefit-sharing National Frameworks under the Protocol held in Bonn in October 2024, with funding from the Japan Biodiversity Fund, Germany, the European Union, Denmark, and the ABS Capacity Development Initiative.
The overall programme aims to support practical efforts to advance the achievement of Goal C and Target 13 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by providing small grants to translate the Protocol into effective and efficient actions that make ABS and the objectives of Protocol a reality. Those interested in participating in the small grants project are invited to submit their application before the deadline as per table below and are strongly encouraged to join the following webinars for each of the three focus areas to learn more about their topic of interest and how to apply for funding.
The programme consists of three focal areas:
1. Communicating user-friendly ABS procedures, in partnership with the Nagoya Protocol HuB
More information available at: https://www.cbd.int/abs/smallgrantsproject/procedures.shtml
Deadline to apply: 30 April 2025
2. Improving ABS information systems and standard operating procedures
More information available at: https://www.cbd.int/abs/smallgrantsproject/informationsystems.shtml
Deadline to apply: 30 May 2025
3. Developing and implementing community protocols and improving access to traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources and benefit sharing
More information available at: https://www.cbd.int/abs/smallgrantsproject/communityprotocols.shtml
Deadline to apply: 30 May 2025
Those interested in participating in the ABS Small Grants Project are invited to submit their application before the respective deadlines indicated above. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend the upcoming webinars for each of the three focus areas to learn more about their topic of interest and the application process for funding. Selected applications will be further elaborated into detailed project documents in collaboration with the Secretariat and will serve as a basis for receiving the funding.
Webinars
1. Improving ABS information systems and standard operating procedures
Date:8 April at 9 a.m. (EDT) -Language: English - Register here
2. Communicating user-friendly ABS procedures, in partnership with the Nagoya Protocol HuB
Date: 9 April at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) - Language: English - Register here
3. Developing and implementing community protocols and improving access to traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources and benefit sharing
Date: 10 April at 9 a.m. (EDT) - Language: English - Register here
Date: 10 April at 2 p.m. (EDT) - Language: Spanish - Register here
Date: 11 April at 9 a.m. (EDT) - Language: French - Register here
The outputs and outcomes of the funded projects will be documented and disseminated through in-person workshops, webinars, and side events as well as in the ABS Clearing-House, with the aim to share best practices and lessons learned.
