FAO Supporting AFR100 Programme Direct Beneficiary Grants: Funding Forest and Landscape Restoration
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the German government, has opened applications for the Supporting AFR100 Programme Direct Beneficiary Grants (DBG) in 2026. This program offers funding from USD 5,000 to USD 50,000 to local organizations focused on restoring degraded landscapes across several African countries. The initiative is part of the larger AFR100 program, which aims to restore millions of hectares of land in Africa while promoting economic growth and environmental health.
The Supporting AFR100 Programme is designed to empower local groups and communities actively involved in restoring damaged lands and managing natural resources sustainably. By providing direct financial support, the program aims to strengthen locally led restoration efforts, build climate resilience, improve biodiversity, and create sustainable livelihoods.
About the Supporting AFR100 Programme
The FAO is implementing the Supporting AFR100 Programme with funding from the Government of Germany. Its main goal is to boost forest and landscape restoration projects led by local communities in specific African regions. The program supports community-based organizations and local actors who are already working to heal degraded lands and manage natural resources in a sustainable way.
Currently, the program is active in the following countries:
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Togo
- United Republic of Tanzania
By backing these grassroots restoration efforts, the program seeks to create healthier ecosystems, increase the ability to withstand climate change impacts, improve food security, and generate economic opportunities for local populations.
Funding Details and Objectives
The Direct Beneficiary Grants offer financial support ranging from a minimum of USD 5,000 to a maximum of USD 50,000. These funds are intended for practical restoration projects that can show clear positive results for both the environment and the local communities. Grants will be given in the local currency equivalent.
The primary objectives of the Direct Beneficiary Grants scheme are to support organizations that are actively involved in:
- Restoring Degraded Lands: Bringing back the health and productivity of land that has been damaged.
- Enhancing Community Resilience: Helping communities better cope with environmental and economic challenges.
- Improving Livelihoods: Creating better economic opportunities for people through sustainable practices.
- Promoting Sustainable Land Management: Encouraging methods of using land that protect its long-term health.
- Strengthening Restoration-Based Value Chains: Developing economic systems around restoration activities.
- Supporting Biodiversity Conservation: Protecting the variety of plant and animal life.
- Increasing Ecosystem Productivity: Boosting the natural output and services of ecosystems.
- Encouraging Climate Adaptation and Mitigation: Helping communities adjust to climate change and reduce its causes.
The program acknowledges the critical role local communities play in restoring landscapes and protecting natural resources. Therefore, the funding is structured to reinforce local leadership and ownership of restoration projects.
Eligible Activities for Funding
Organizations can apply for funding for a wide array of restoration-related activities. These include, but are not limited to, the following categories:
Tree Planting Initiatives
Projects that focus on planting trees, both in areas with no trees (afforestation) and in areas where forests have been removed (reforestation). These efforts aim to heal damaged lands and improve the overall health of ecosystems.
Agroforestry Projects
Activities that combine trees with farming systems. This approach can lead to increased farm productivity, greater biodiversity, and improved resilience to climate change for agricultural lands.
Soil and Water Conservation
Initiatives designed to protect and manage soil and water resources. This includes projects for erosion control, watershed management, water harvesting techniques, and implementing sustainable soil management practices.
Community Nurseries
Support for establishing or strengthening local nurseries that grow quality seedlings. These nurseries are essential for providing the necessary plant material for restoration projects.
Biodiversity Conservation
Projects dedicated to protecting native plant and animal species, restoring natural habitats, conserving important ecosystems, and improving the connections between different ecological areas.
Restoration-Based Livelihood Activities
Developing income-generating projects that are directly linked to restoration efforts. These activities aim to boost local economies while simultaneously protecting natural resources.
Sustainable Value Chain Development
Projects focused on building and improving economic chains related to restoration activities. This helps create sustainable market opportunities for products and services derived from restoration work.
Importance of the Grant
Across Africa, vast areas of land suffer from degradation due to unsustainable farming, deforestation, climate change, and loss of biodiversity. Restoration efforts are increasingly seen as a key solution to these widespread problems. The AFR100 Programme supports local solutions that can bring about significant positive changes.
These grants can help improve food security by making land more productive. They also increase a community’s ability to handle the effects of climate change. Restoration efforts can bring back essential ecosystem services, create green jobs, and support farming methods that are good for the environment. Furthermore, these projects can strengthen rural economies and protect precious water resources. By investing directly in local groups, the program ensures that restoration projects are led by the communities they serve and are well-suited to local conditions.
Who Should Apply?
This funding opportunity is particularly well-suited for a variety of local organizations. This includes:
- Community-based organizations
- Environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Conservation groups
- Agroforestry associations
- Farmer cooperatives
- Rural development organizations
- Natural resource management committees
- Restoration-focused cooperatives
- Biodiversity conservation groups
Organizations that have a proven track record of carrying out restoration activities in the program’s target countries are strongly encouraged to submit an application.
Application Process
Before starting the application, it is crucial for all potential applicants to carefully read the official Applicant Guidelines. This ensures that all eligibility requirements are met.
Organizations should take the following steps:
- Confirm Eligibility: Make sure your organization meets all the criteria outlined in the guidelines.
- Review Guidelines: Read the Applicant Guidelines thoroughly to understand the program’s expectations.
- Prepare Documentation: Gather all necessary documents and information required for the application.
- Develop Project Proposal: Create a clear, realistic, and detailed project proposal that outlines your planned activities.
- Demonstrate Impact: Clearly explain how your proposed activities will contribute to landscape restoration and community resilience.
- Submit Application: Submit your complete application before the specified deadline.
Key Benefits for Grant Recipients
Organizations that are successful in their application will gain several advantages:
- Grant Funding: Access to funds ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 50,000 to support their projects.
- Locally Led Initiatives: Support for projects that are driven and managed by local communities.
- Strengthened Resilience: The opportunity to enhance the ability of communities to withstand environmental and economic shocks.
- Improved Livelihoods: The capacity to develop and improve economic opportunities for local people through restoration work.
- Contribution to Goals: A chance to contribute to both national and continental restoration targets.
- Increased Impact: The ability to achieve greater positive environmental and social outcomes.
- Enhanced Restoration: Support for improving the effectiveness and success of ecosystem restoration efforts.
- Agency Support: Assistance from a well-respected United Nations agency.
Important Dates
The application period for the Supporting AFR100 Programme Direct Beneficiary Grants has specific key dates:
Application Opening Date
May 22, 2026
Application Deadline
June 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM (GMT)
It is advisable for applicants to submit their proposals well in advance of the deadline. This helps to avoid any last-minute technical problems that could prevent submission.
For those ready to apply, the application portal can be accessed via the provided link.
Further Information
Organizations that need clarification on any aspect of the grant opportunity can reach out to the program team. Contact can be made via email during the application period at: [email protected].
Prospective applicants should always refer to the official Applicant Guidelines to ensure they meet all requirements before submitting their proposals. The Supporting AFR100 Programme offers a valuable chance for local organizations across Africa to secure funding that can help restore damaged landscapes, improve livelihoods, and build a more sustainable future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Supporting AFR100 Programme Direct Beneficiary Grants?
It’s a funding program by the FAO, supported by Germany, that provides grants to local organizations for forest and landscape restoration projects in specific African countries.
How much funding is available through these grants?
Grants range from a minimum of USD 5,000 to a maximum of USD 50,000, to be disbursed in local currency equivalents.
Which countries are eligible for this program?
The program is currently active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Togo, and the United Republic of Tanzania.
What types of activities can be funded?
Eligible activities include tree planting, agroforestry, soil and water conservation, community nurseries, biodiversity conservation, and developing restoration-based livelihoods and value chains.
