1. What is an Expression of Interest?
A LifeWeb Recipient Expression of Interest is a submission by a potential recipient partner that provides an overview of protected area funding priorities. An Expression of Interest can articulate funding priorities on a comprehensive scale for a national protected area system, or a project scale for one or more protected areas based on national planning.
Expressions of Interest are submitted using a specific template, available for download here:
www.cbd.int/lifeweb/recipients/.
Expressions of Interest meeting the eligibility criteria
(question 6) are posted on this website to invite financial support from donors.
3. What countries can submit Expressions of Interest?
Developing countries and countries with economies in transition that are parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are invited to submit Expressions of Interest.
4. Who should submit Expressions of Interest?
Submissions should be made by a CBD focal point, specifically the National Focal Point or the Focal Point for the CBD Programme of Work on Protected Areas. Submissions can also be made by indigenous or local community groups, accompanied by an endorsement letter from a Focal Point. A list of Focal Points for the Programme of Work on Protected Areas is available at:
www.cbd.int/protected/focalpoints/.
A downloadable list of CBD National Focal Points is available at: www.cbd.int/doc/lists/nfp-cbd.pdf
5. Can NGOs submit Expressions of Interest?
LifeWeb Expressions of Interest must be submitted either directly by National Focal Points to the CBD or by an indigenous or local community groups with the endorsement of a Focal Point (see question 3). This is to ensure that projects are consistent with national protected area priorities and related national planning efforts. LifeWeb encourages NGOs to work collaboratively with governments to develop Expressions of Interest and implement projects. In accordance with
Decision IV/18 of the COP, LifeWeb also encourages the development and implementation of Expressions of Interest in consultation with members of national intersectoral committees established to advance implementation of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas.
6. What information must submitters provide on the project’s budget?
The CBD Secretariat asks submitters to the LifeWeb to indicate the following information, using the template provided here:
www.cbd.int/lifeweb/recipients/.
- The total amount of funding required for the project;
- The total amount of funding that is already secured (or anticipated);
- The total amount of funding requested from additional donor partners;
Additionally, submitters are requested to provide information on the financial sustainability of the project (i.e. indicate institutional commitment and/or sustainable financing mechanisms), and are invited to submit as annex a sustainable financial plan. For more information on protected area sustainable finance, please go to the following website:
www.cbd.int/lifeweb/resources/.
7. What projects are eligible to receive funding through the LifeWeb Initiative?
All Expressions of Interest submitted to the LifeWeb clearing house must:
- Focus on initiatives that will advance implementation of the CBD Programme of Work on Protected Areas.
- Be consistent with priorities defined in national protected areas planning in accordance with the CBD Programme of Work on Protected Areas.
- Be submitted by a CBD Focal Point (the National Focal Point or the Focal Point for the Programme of Work on Protected Areas), or an indigenous or local community group with an endorsement letter from a CBD Focal Point.
In accordance with
Decision IV/18 of the COP, LifeWeb encourages development and implementation of Expressions of Interest in consultation with members of national intersectoral committees established to advance implementation of the CBD Programme of Work on Protected Areas.
For more information on criteria, please see here:
www.cbd.int/lifeweb/recipients/.
8. What is the probability and average time to reach a match with a potential donor?
It is difficult to estimate the probability and average time to reach a match. It depends on the type, strength and quality of the project submission, as well as the thematic interest and geographic focus of donors.
9. Can Expressions of Interest be submitted in languages other than English?
Expression of Interest templates are available in French, Spanish, and English, and submissions can be made in any UN language. Any additional documents provided as attachments can also be in languages other than English. This said, the CBD’s LifeWeb cannot arrange translation for all documents submitted, and therefore it is useful to keep in mind the accessibility of the information provided to donors.
Click here to download the Expression of Interest templates and for more information on how to submit.
10. Can one country submit more than one Expression of Interest?
Yes, more than one Expression of Interest may be submitted per country. Especially when submitting a comprehensive, national scale Expression of Interest outlining financing needs for the national protected area system, a country may also wish to submit smaller scale Expressions of Interest for high priority projects at the sub-national level. Countries which submit a national scale comprehensive Expression of Interest and other project scale Expressions of Interest should clearly indicate how the Expressions of Interest relate, i.e., which is the “umbrella submission”, which are components of the comprehensive umbrella submission, and the link between the different project scale submissions if there is more than one. LifeWeb is working with a diversity of donor partners, who have a diversity of capacity and foci, so different scale opportunities are relevant to different donor partners. Please also note that a single Expression of Interest can include several protected area projects components.
In addition, countries may coordinate within their regions to present a large scale submission of regional priorities.
11. Is there a deadline to submit an Expression of Interest?
No. An Expression of Interest (project proposal) can be submitted at anytime. There are no deadlines for submissions to the LifeWeb Clearing-House.
12. What are some common factors that will help secure donor support?
Common characteristics of submissions to CBD LifeWeb that have been funded include:
- Strategy: The Expression of Interest is based on a national biodiversity strategy and/or action plan for the protected area system.
- Consistency: The priorities profiled in the Expression of Interest are consistently conveyed to multiple donors, including through ongoing development cooperation channels, and at high levels.
- Leverage: Some aspects of the Expression of Interest are supported by another partner(s), creating opportunity for counterpart funding and greater profile.
- Coordination: When you are approaching a donor partner, let us know. SCBD are able to help by sending reinforcing messages, in support of your efforts.