Local Organizations in Africa Can Apply for Forest Restoration Grants Up To $50,000 in 2026

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with support from the German government, is offering grants to local organizations in Africa. These grants are part of the Supporting AFR100 Programme and aim to help with forest and landscape restoration projects. The goal is to improve the environment, make communities more resilient to climate change, boost biodiversity, and create better ways for people to earn a living.

About the Supporting AFR100 Programme

The Supporting AFR100 Programme is a joint effort by the FAO and the German government. It focuses on helping local groups that are already working to restore damaged land and manage natural resources in a sustainable way. This program is currently active in several African countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Togo, and the United Republic of Tanzania. By backing these local efforts, the program hopes to build healthier ecosystems, increase resilience to climate impacts, improve food availability, and generate economic opportunities for people living in these areas.

Funding Details

Through the Direct Beneficiary Grants (DBG) mechanism, eligible organizations can apply for funding between USD 5,000 and USD 50,000. The grant amounts will be given in the local currency equivalent. These funds are meant to support practical projects that can be measured and show positive results for both the environment and the local economy.

Objectives of the Grants

The main goals of these grants are to support organizations that are:

• Restoring land that has been damaged.
• Making communities stronger against environmental challenges.
• Improving the ways people make a living.
• Promoting the careful use of land.
• Building up businesses related to restoration.
• Protecting different forms of life in nature.
• Making ecosystems more productive.
• Helping with efforts to adapt to climate change and reduce its effects.

The program understands that local people are key to restoring landscapes. Therefore, the funding is designed to give them leadership and ownership of these projects.

Eligible Project Activities

Organizations can request funding for many different types of restoration work. Some examples include:

Tree Planting

Projects that focus on planting trees to bring back forests and improve the health of the land. This includes efforts to start new forests and regrow existing ones.

Agroforestry Projects

Activities that combine trees with farming. This can help make farms more productive, increase the variety of plants and animals, and make farming systems better able to handle climate changes.

Soil and Water Conservation

Initiatives that work on protecting soil and water resources. This can involve stopping soil erosion, managing water sources like rivers and streams, collecting rainwater, and using farming methods that keep soil healthy.

Community Nurseries

Setting up or improving places where seedlings are grown. These nurseries provide the plants needed for restoration projects and help support local efforts.

Biodiversity Conservation

Projects aimed at protecting local plant and animal species, restoring natural homes for wildlife, and keeping ecosystems healthy. This also includes efforts to connect different natural areas.

Livelihood Activities Linked to Restoration

Projects that create ways for people to earn money by being involved in restoration work. These activities help local economies grow while also protecting natural resources.

Sustainable Value Chain Development

Developing and strengthening the systems that support restoration-related products and services. This can create more economic chances for local communities.

Importance of the Grant

Across Africa, large areas of land have been damaged by farming practices, cutting down too many trees, climate change, and loss of nature. Restoration is seen as a key way to fix these problems. The AFR100 Programme supports local solutions that can improve food security, make communities more resilient to climate change, bring back natural services, create jobs, support farming, improve rural life, protect nature, and ensure better water resources. By giving money directly to local groups, the program makes sure that restoration efforts are led by the community and fit the local situation.

Who Should Apply?

This grant is especially suitable for:

• Groups made up of local community members.
• Non-profit groups focused on the environment.
• Organizations that work on conservation.
• Groups involved in growing trees with crops.
• Associations of farmers.
• Organizations working on rural development.
• Groups that manage natural resources.
• Cooperatives focused on restoration.
• Organizations dedicated to protecting nature’s variety.

Organizations that have already shown they can do restoration work in the target countries are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Steps

Before starting, applicants must read the official Applicant Guidelines carefully to make sure they meet all the requirements. Organizations should:

1. Check if they are eligible.
2. Read the Applicant Guidelines completely.
3. Get all the necessary documents ready.
4. Create a clear and realistic plan for their project.
5. Show how their planned activities will help with restoration and make communities stronger.
6. Submit their application before the deadline.

Key Benefits

Organizations that are successful will receive:

• Funding between USD 5,000 and USD 50,000.
• Support for restoration projects led by local people.
• A chance to make their communities more resilient.
• The ability to improve livelihoods through restoration.
• A contribution to national and continent-wide restoration goals.
• A greater positive impact on the environment and society.
• Better results in restoring ecosystems.
• Support from a well-known United Nations agency.

Important Dates

• Application Opening Date: May 22, 2026
• Application Deadline: June 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM (GMT)

It is recommended to submit applications before the deadline to avoid any last-minute technical problems.

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