By Enefola Chris Ugbede | Enterprise Support Africa (ESA)
If your organisation works on biodiversity conservation across West Africa, the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) has opened a call worth your attention.
CEPF is inviting Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) for small grants supporting conservation work across the Guinean Forests of West Africa Biodiversity Hotspot — one of the region’s most ecologically significant areas.
What the Call Supports
The funding is aimed at:
- Protecting and managing priority Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) and the ecological corridors linking them
- Strengthening data on threatened species and ecosystems
- Advancing conservation action for threatened species and ecosystems
Worth noting: projects focused solely on threatened tree species are not eligible under this particular call.
Funding Available
Up to US$50,000 per project
Earliest expected award timeframe: November 2026
Who Can Apply
- Non-governmental organisations
- Community groups
- Universities
- Small private enterprises
Individuals cannot apply directly — anyone without an eligible organisational structure would need to partner with a civil society organisation to develop and submit an application.
Organisational Requirements
Applicant organisations must:
- Hold their own bank account
- Be legally authorised under relevant national law to receive charitable contributions
Government-owned enterprises or institutions can apply only if they have independent legal personality, the authority to apply for and receive private funds, and cannot claim sovereign immunity. Applications can also come from a consortium of partners, provided one lead organisation is clearly identified and each partner’s role is spelled out.
Key Dates
- Opened: July 23, 2026
- Deadline: August 31, 2026
APPLY HERE : https://www.cepf.net/grants/open-calls-for-proposals/gfwa-small-grants-cfp-july-2026
Why the LOI Stage Matters
Because this call moves through a Letter of Inquiry stage before full proposals, the strength of your LOI determines whether you’re invited to develop a complete application at all. A vague description of “conservation activities” won’t cut it — CEPF is looking for a sharp fit with specific KBAs, a credible organisational structure, and a clear line between the activities proposed and measurable conservation outcomes.
Need Support with Your LOI or Proposal?
Structuring a compelling LOI, clarifying consortium roles, or building out the fund allocation and impact case for the full proposal is exactly where Enterprise Support Africa (ESA) can help. Our grant readiness support, proposal development, and application advisory services are built to help organisations present their strongest possible case at every stage of a call like this.
Reach out to the ESA team today and let’s help strengthen your CEPF application.
Disclaimer: This opportunity has been compiled from publicly available sources. Enterprise Support Africa (ESA) is not the original author of this opportunity and is not affiliated with the organisation offering it. Details such as deadlines and eligibility can change, so please verify all information directly with the official source before applying.