Federal Environment Grants

The purpose of Amendment 000002 is to revise the Funding Opportunity Announcement to revise Section I.B. Area of Interest 1 - General Requirements Item 11. - Definition of Project Progress Cells (PPCs) and Project Completion Cells (PCCs).

This funding opportunity provides financial support to state governments for projects that conserve and recover threatened and endangered species within their jurisdictions.

This funding opportunity provides financial assistance to state, Tribal, and local governments in EPA Region 3 to develop and improve wetland protection programs that enhance wetland health and increase wetland areas.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations involved in the rescue and care of sick or injured marine mammals, as well as those responding to stranding events and conducting related scientific research.

The United States Agency for International Development in Vietnam (USAID/Vietnam) is seeking applications from qualified entities to implement the "USAID Reducing Pollution" activity. The overall objective of this activity is to reduce environmental pollution in targeted areas through a collective impact approach. The USAID Reducing Pollution project supports Vietnam’s efforts to address environmental pollution challenges in targeted areas through a collective impact approach. Working in close partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA), the project will demonstrate clear connections between environmental benefits and other social benefits, including public health, employment, and sustainable economic growth. COLLECTIVE IMPACT APPROACH A collective impact approach addresses complex challenges by mobilizing diverse actors to collaborate, identify ways to solve a shared problem, and take action based on their roles and comparative advantages. The USAID Reducing Pollution project will follow the collective impact framework to strengthen networks of local organizations, government, private sector, and academic institutions working together to prevent, mitigate, and reduce environmental pollution. SUPPORTING A PORTFOLIO OF COLLECTIVE IMPACT INITIATIVES The project will facilitate a broad consultative process with local government officials, community leaders, local organizations, and motivated businesses to identify 5-7 priority collective impact initiatives that reflect strong political will, community leadership, and engagement from private sector partners to address environmental pollution challenges. Preliminary consultations have identified air pollution and ocean plastics as areas of focus. GRANT-MAKING TO VIETNAMESE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS To foster Vietnamese leadership in addressing environmental pollution, the project will make grants to a local organization to serve as the “backbone” for each collective impact initiative. These backbone organizations will serve as the local leaders for each initiative by building public support, advancing policy, leveraging additional funding, and designing and implementing targeted awareness and behavior change campaigns. Additional small grants to local research institutions and community-based organizations will provide targeted support for complementary research and advocacy efforts. EXPECTED RESULTS Through the Reducing Pollution project, USAID expects to attain the following results: 1) 5-7 collective impact initiatives launched, including air pollution and ocean plastics; 2) Grants awarded to one backbone organization to lead each initiative; 3) Capacity of backbone organizations and local actors strengthened to advance collective impact initiatives; 4) Sustainable funding mechanisms identified to strengthen long-term effectiveness of collective impact initiatives; and 5) New policies and guidance developed to support the 2020 Law on Environmental Protection and create a stronger enabling environment for addressing environmental pollution challenges.

Nature crimes, criminal forms of logging, mining, wildlife trade, land conversion, and associated criminal activities, as well as crimes associated with fishing, pose serious threats to the environment and to national security. They undermine the rule of law and fuel corruption. They also spread disease globally, drive species to the brink of extinction, and rob governments, indigenous peoples, and local communities of their natural resources and legitimate revenue. The goal of this program is to increase global grassroot civil society engagement in addressing nature crimes. To advance the policy goal described above, OES seeks one or two lead implementing partners to form consortia with grassroots civil society organizations across various countries to deploy community-led approaches that address global nature crime trends. By taking advantage of the valuable knowledge offered by these partners, OES aims to strengthen their efforts to expose nature crimes, hold perpetrators accountable, reduce profits from these crimes, and support the environment and local livelihoods.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Villages/Corporations, and Native Hawaiian Organizations for preserving and promoting their cultural heritage and traditions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public health departments and their partners to improve their ability to identify and manage environmental health risks using data-driven strategies.

This funding opportunity is designed for organizations in specific CESU regions to assist the U.S. Army in managing and rehabilitating training lands at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield in Georgia, while promoting environmental sustainability and military readiness.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to communities for assessing and planning the redevelopment of contaminated properties, particularly in underserved areas, to promote environmental health and economic revitalization.

This grant provides funding to state and local organizations for projects that preserve and promote the maritime heritage of the United States through education, historic property restoration, and the transmission of traditional maritime skills.

The Public Diplomacy Section (PD Spain) of the U.S. Embassy Madrid and U.S. Consulate General Barcelona welcomes proposals for creative, engaging projects that line up with PD Spains main objectives.That includes: Promote citizen participation in the fight against the climate crisis and facilitate better knowledge of the policies and actions of the United States in this area. Ensure that Spanish and /or Andorran students know the United States as a destination for their training, for summer work programs and for learning English. Promote security and defense alliances between the United States and Spain and the Atlantic Alliance (NATO). Communicate the importance of Spain being the venue for the 2022 NATO Summit, the role that Spain plays within NATO and the strategic concept of NATO in the near future. Explain the value of initiatives dedicated to women, peace and security. Support the areas of entrepreneurship, innovation and STEM to increase economic opportunities for young people in Spain and / or Andorra. Increase knowledge about how to do business in the US and highlight the role of Spain and Andorra in the global digital economy. Expand the reach of media literacy and support the media education programs of Spanish institutions with useful and accurate tools to increase understanding of false information and other tactics, to render misinformation campaigns targeting Spain ineffective. Communicate about the common values that the United States, Spain and the EU share and about the promotion of respect for human rights, democracy and the need for democratic changes in places like Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, the power of the law against impunity, privacy, international order based on common rules, and a fair playing field. Encourage collaboration between Spanish and /or Andorran and American organizations that share the defense of human rights. Explore topics such as the rights of LGBTQI + community, racism, sexism, and the rights of people with disabilities. Promote the rights and equality of women, ethnic and religious minorities, the LGBTQI + community, refugees and migrants, people with disabilities and other marginalized populations in Spain and / or Andorra. All programs should ensure they promote diversity and inclusion. Please be aware that projects funded through this APSmustinclude an American element.That could involve a connection or partnership between Spanish and/or Andorran and American organizations or institutions.For example, an American expert could take part, in person or virtually, in your project.Activities might highlight or examine shared values between Spain and/or Andorra and the United States, national interests, etc.You may incorporate a U.S. approach or method you have learned about to addressing an issue or challenge facing your community, institution, or profession. Grant activities may take any number of forms, including academic competitions, cross-border exchanges, conferences, workshops, courses, curriculum development, exhibits, hackathons or app development, online projects, mock trials or moot court competitions, simulations and role-playing activities (e.g., Model Congress, Model United Nations), performances, or other activities. Project timelines should start no earlier than December 1, 2021, and start no later than September 30, 2022, with all activities being completed no later than December 2023. All activities and your evaluation or assessment of the project should be completed within 18 months of starting the project.

This funding opportunity supports innovative projects aimed at advancing electric vehicle technology and battery development, particularly for teams that include diverse stakeholders and focus on safety, cost reduction, and environmental justice.

This funding opportunity is designed for partners of the Great Rivers Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to conduct research on groundwater nitrate modeling in the Illinois River Basin, addressing critical water quality and ecosystem health issues.

The U.S. Embassy Gaborone of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a Trash to Treasure program. The project will enable women waste collectors to access valuable business and life skills through a unique set of training and mentorship through a joint business and empowerment model, providing these women with skills and resources to make lasting change in their lives. Women in Botswana have a vital role in the waste value chain ranging from informal waste collectors and street sweepers to community recycling leaders. They have great potential to increase the amount of waste collected and recycled and to reduce the amount waste in the environment, especially plastic pollution However, due to gendered structural barriers, women usually lack opportunities and resources to realize their full potential in the waste sector and commonly face gender discrimination and even violence. The From Trash to Treasure project recognizes the critical role Botswana women play in the informal sector, filling gaps in service delivery, particularly in waste management. The project will help advance gender equality and economic security through the creation of green jobs in the waste sector. A comprehensive approach will enable women waste collectors to access business knowledge and valuable life skills that they wouldnt otherwise receive. The program combines a unique set of training, mentorship, as well as a joint business and empowerment model that provides women with skills and resources to make meaningful and lasting change in their lives. The proposed project includes the following activities: Enhance the capabilities and leadership of women waste collectors by providing specialized training in leadership, solid waste management, health and safety protocols, and entrepreneurial skills. This strategic empowerment will enable them to confidently engage with local government entities and the tourism sector, fostering formal partnerships that can lead to the growth and formalization of their waste management enterprises. Train women waste collectors to recycle waste materials and incorporate recycled materials into their production processes. This initiative will not only mitigate environmental impacts, but also promote resource conservation and demonstrate the potential for a circular economy in Botswana. The project aims to train at least 50 women waste collectors from Botswana on leadership, gender equality, solid waste management, health and safety, and business / entrepreneurial skills. The project will also cover waste management and recycling practices. It will also build capacity of women by training local women on business entrepreneurial and financial skills, allowing them to create quality products to be sold to tourists domestically, creating sustainable livelihoods.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to the National Association of Counties Research Foundation to strengthen partnerships between county governments and the Department of Defense, enhancing military readiness through improved land management and conservation practices.

This funding opportunity supports new entrepreneurs in small businesses by providing resources for their career development and research efforts, helping them grow their skills while advancing innovative health-related technologies.

This program provides funding to local communities and groups to improve public understanding and engagement in pipeline safety and infrastructure issues.

This program provides funding for innovative partnerships that help reduce poverty through economic growth in developing countries, focusing on initiatives like infrastructure resilience and women's entrepreneurship.

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (OES) announces an open competition for organizations (see eligibility information in C.1) interested in submitting an application to manage the National Adaptation Plan Global Network (NAP GN). NAP GN was created in 2014 to accelerate national adaptation planning and action in developing countries. This is done by: i) facilitating peer learning and exchange; ii) supporting national-level action; and iii) generating, synthesizing, and sharing knowledge. NAP GN will expand its offerings to developing countries for planning, implementing, and financing NAP processes. NAP GN support from planning to implementation contributes to the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE). PREPARE is a whole-of-government effort to help more than half a billion people in developing countries adapt to and manage the impacts of climate change by 2030. PREPARE includes overarching goals to build capacity to mainstream adaptation into policies, programs, and budgets as well as to unlock finance to support adaptation action, both of which will be advanced by this project. In addition, NAP GN supports the OES Bureau goal and objectives: • Bureau Goal 2: Mitigate threats to the global environment, ocean, health, and space that jeopardize security and the prosperity of the United States. • Bureau Objective 2.1: Strengthen U.S. and international partners’ capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to health, climate, environment, space, and ocean security threats. • Bureau Objective 2.2: Support global action to effectively implement the Paris Agreement by reducing net greenhouse gas emissions and enhancing resilience to climate change. A.2. Problem Statement As countries grapple with increasing climate change impacts, national adaptation plans (NAPs) are critical to enhance coordination, set policy priorities, mobilize resources, and allocate support to achieve countries’ adaptation goals. Formally established in 2010 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the NAP process enables least developed and developing countries to identify and address their medium- and long-term priorities for adapting to climate change. The objectives of the NAP process are to reduce vulnerability, increase resilience and integrate climate change adaptation into development planning and budgeting processes. While countries have made significant progress in developing NAP, many struggle to translate those plans into implementation and attract finance. OES seeks to address challenges least developed and developing countries face in translating NAPs into implementation and attracting finance for NAP processes. Relatedly, financing institutions struggle to identify bankable projects ready for investment. Preparing investment plans utilizing priorities from existing NAPs and adaptation strategies could help bridge this gap. A.3. Project Goal Least developed and developing country governments will accelerate implementation of their NAPs, with a particular emphasis on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to address their unique climate vulnerabilities. A.4. Objectives Objective 1: Support 4-6 countries to prepare country investment plans that support NAP implementation. Activities must include, but are not limited to: • Launch a call for support for countries to express interest in preparing investment plans. • Provide 4-6 short-term technical assistance activities (of which at least 2 must target SIDS) focused on preparing investment plans and other critical proficiencies for implementation of NAPs. Objective 2: Further accelerate NAP implementation efforts in at least 6 additional countries. Activities must include, but are not limited to: • Facilitate at least 2 peer learning activities and exchange events (of which at least 1 must target SIDS). Objective 3: Create knowledge products and tools to improve understanding of NAP planning to implementation processes. Activities must include, but are not limited to: • Prepare at least 2 knowledge products such as briefing notes, guidance, reports, or webinars to share lessons and concrete experiences on translating plans to implementation including preparing investment plans and attracting finance. The above list of activities is indicative and not intended to be exhaustive, and the State Department, Office of Global Change (EGC) encourages the applicant to generate and submit in this proposal additional, innovative approaches to achieve the goals and objectives of this grant. A.5. Expected Outcomes Expected outcomes of this project include: 1. Accelerated development of adaptation investment plans and finance of national adaptation processes in 4-6 developing countries. 2. Enhanced capacity of at least 2 SIDS on national adaptation planning processes to address their unique vulnerabilities. A.6. Performance Indicators The project will monitor and report on performance indicators that are specific, measurable, achievable, reasonable, and time bound. Reporting on outcome results will be required under each programmatic report due under this grant. The project should include all relevant standard climate indicators with reporting targets and cumulative targets for the end of project from this list: • EG.11-1 NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAINED IN CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION SUPPORTED BY USG ASSISTANCE • EG.11-2 NUMBER OF INSTITUTIONS WITH IMPROVED CAPACITY TO ASSESS OR ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE RISKS SUPPORTED BY USG ASSISTANCE • EG.11-3 NUMBER OF LAWS, POLICIES, REGULATIONS, OR STANDARDS ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION FORMALLY PROPOSED, ADOPTED, OR IMPLEMENTED AS SUPPORTED BY USG ASSISTANCE • EG.11-4 AMOUNT OF INVESTMENT MOBILIZED (IN USD) FOR CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION AS SUPPORTED BY USG ASSISTANCE • EG.11-5 NUMBER OF PEOPLE SUPPORTED BY THE USG TO ADAPT TO THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE • EG.11-6 NUMBER OF PEOPLE USING CLIMATE INFORMATION OR IMPLEMENTING RISK-REDUCING ACTIONS TO IMPROVE RESILIENCE TO CLIMATE CHANGE AS SUPPORTED BY USG ASSISTANCE • GNDR-8: NUMBER OF PERSONS TRAINED WITH USG ASSISTANCE TO ADVANCE OUTCOMES CONSISTENT WITH GENDER EQUALITY OR FEMALE EMPOWERMENT THROUGH THEIR ROLES IN PUBLIC OR PRIVATE SECTOR INSTITUTIONS OR ORGANIZATIONS See the proposal instruction section for more information and the Annex for indicator definitions to aid in the selection of appropriate indicators. Additionally, EGC welcomes NAP GN to develop, as applicable, a limited number of custom indicators as necessary to the capturing of the range of accomplishments and outcomes of this project. Please submit any, proposed custom indicators and corresponding disaggregates in the submission of this proposal. A.7. Key Considerations At least $500,000 of this award must benefit Small Island Developing States. Countries of implementation for this award may include: Albania; Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; The Bahamas; Bangladesh; Barbados; Belize; Benin; Bhutan; Botswana; Brazil; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cabo Verde; Cambodia; Cameroon; Chad; Chile; Colombia; Comoros; Cook Islands; Costa Rica; Cote d’Ivoire; Democratic Republic of Congo; Djibouti; Dominica; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; Egypt; Equatorial Guinea; El Salvador; Ethiopia; Federated States of Micronesia; Fiji; Gabon; The Gambia; Georgia; Ghana; Grenada; Guatemala; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Honduras; India; Indonesia; Iraq; Jamaica; Jordan; Kenya; Kiribati; Kyrgyzstan; Laos; Lebanon*; Lesotho; Liberia; Libya; Madagascar; Malawi; Malaysia; Maldives; Mali; Marshall Islands; Mauritania; Mauritius; Mexico; Mongolia; Morocco; Mozambique; Nauru; Namibia; Nepal; Niger; Nigeria; Niue; Pakistan; Palau; Panama; Papua New Guinea; Paraguay; Peru; Philippines; Rwanda; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Saint Lucia; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Senegal; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; Solomon Islands; Somalia; South Africa; Suriname; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Thailand; Timor-Leste; Togo; Tonga; Trinidad and Tobago; Tuvalu; Uganda; Ukraine; Uruguay; Uzbekistan; Vanuatu; Vietnam; Yemen; and Zambia. Any additional countries will require prior approval by the Department of State. *The implementer must obtain written approval from OES prior to providing any funding that may benefit Lebanon. A.8. Substantial Involvement OES anticipates awarding a cooperative agreement. The distinction between grants and cooperative agreements revolves around the existence of “substantial involvement.” Cooperative agreements require greater Federal government participation in the project. OES will undertake reasonable and programmatically necessary substantial involvement. Substantial involvement areas can include, but are not limited to: • Active participation or collaboration with the recipient on preparing call for support. • Collaboration on selection and/or review of project beneficiaries. Specific areas of substantial involvement will be dependent upon the objectives of the proposal and outlined in the final Agreement. The final determination on award mechanism will be made by the Grants Officer.