Funding Opportunity Notice – 2023-2024 Secondary Investments
Background:
The PACT was formally established as a Statutory Board in January 1996 after the passing of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust Act, No. 15 of 1995; with legislative amendments being made in 2003 and 2015. The PACT is managed by a Board of Directors that is comprised of Government agencies, non-government organizations and individual experts. The general function of the Trust, according to the 2015 amendment, is to contribute to the sustainable management and development of Belize’s natural and cultural assets for the benefit of Belizeans and the global community, both now and for future generations.
Description:
The PACT Secondary Investments modality aims to maximize the reach of the intended objectives of PACT’s Conservation Investment Strategy 2023 – 2026 by supporting general protected areas management, operations, and creating enabling conditions outside of priority areas identified under the strategy. Support may include management processes and institutional strengthening tools for Protected Area managers as well as relevant conservation projects or initiatives that promote conservation, enhancement and protection of Belize’s natural resources as well as contribute to the sustainable development of Belize’s National Protected Areas System (BNPAS).
For the 2023 – 2024 fiscal year, PACT shall make available under this funding window a total of BZD 250,000 for Secondary Investments. Applications are available year-round subject to the availability of funding. An investment ceiling shall not be fixed for secondary investments, however, an investment shall be guided by its own merits and recommended based on its contribution to site level and national level plans and strategies. Applications are received and screened by the PACT Conservation Investment Department. Completed and eligible applications are submitted to the PACT Executive Director or Board of Directors (dependent on the funding request amount) within 6 to 8 weeks from the date of submission.
Specific Eligibility for Secondary Investments are as follows:
- Potential recipients include Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) involved in conservation, protected areas management, or climate adaptation registered under the NPO Act 2023 and in good standing; Government Agencies involved in the conservation, management, promotion and development of natural resources.
- Co-management organizations who are ineligible to access funding via PACT Targeted Investments (Connect, Connect+, Government Allocation under CIS 2.0);
- Beneficiaries should be primary stakeholders of the National Protected Areas System and/or communities surrounding Protected Areas.
- Compliance with Environmental and Social safeguards as outlined in PACT’s Environmental and Social Management Framework and associated policies.
Activities to be considered for funding this fiscal year include:
- Projects supportive of Protected Areas Management and Conservation
- Initiatives supporting Protected Areas Planning
- Promotion and Development Initiatives supporting Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity Protection
- Initiatives supporting Environmental Education and Awareness/Outreach Initiatives
- Initiatives supporting Community Development around Protected Areas
Investment Applications are completely or partially excluded from funding should any of the following ineligible activities be identified.
- Funding for private organizations which are organized for profit.
- Core Costs for government agencies.
- Investment requests for areas/initiatives where other PACT investments already exist.
Secondary Investment Applications will be completed online using PACT’s Information Management System. Prior to developing a proposal, a brief description of the project scope should be submitted, via email, to the Conservation Investment Manager at cimanager@pactbelize.org. The scope should outline the linkage to activities considered for funding, main objectives, and indicative budget. Once received, the scope will be reviewed and if it determined to be in-line with PACT’s activities for funding or priorities, PACT will invite the entity to submit a full proposal via its online system where the application form, activities, budget breakdown, and required documentation are to be completed and submitted. For reference, a word version of the application is available online at pactbelize.org.
At minimum, the applicant will be required to submit the following documents when submitting a full proposal:
- Completed Environmental and Social Risk Screening Procedure (Screening Tool will be provided separately, and should be uploaded to the online platform once completed.)
- Copy of NGO registration, Memorandum of Association, Articles of Association (1st time applicants)
- Letter of endorsement from a regulatory Agency (For investments to be implemented in legally declared sites)
- Letters of commitment for cash counterpart and in-kind contributions from the applicant and other organizations indicating details and value of contributions.
- Any other documentation as deemed required by PACT.
Note: Other Terms and Conditions may apply.
For further information on PACT eligibility details, application process, and screening procedures or more general conservation financing information contact PACT’S Conservation Investment Manager via email.
