Restoration Return Grants

Restoration Return Grants is sponsored by G20 Global Land Initiative. This award supports community-led ecosystem restoration initiatives that have a high return for people, their lands, and livelihoods. Projects from all countries are eligible, and the call is open to organizations of all sizes for activities at the community level.

During the Saudi Arabian presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20), the leaders of the G20 launched the Global Initiative for Reducing Land Degradation and Enhancing Conservation of Terrestrial Habitats (henceforth referred to as G20 Global Land Initiative). The G20 Global Land Initiative has a global ambition of 50% reduction in land degradation by 2040.

To ensure the effective implementation of this goal, an Initiative Coordination Office was established at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Moreover, the G20 Global Land Initiative is also leading the Land Challenge of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. The G20 Global Land Initiative is undertaking a series of activities around the world to promote land restoration at scale.

These include sharing and showcasing best practices, working with the private sector to see restoration as a business opportunity, working with civil society to promote advocacy for land restoration, and working with global universities to build largescale capacity for restoration.

As part of its activities, the G20 Global Land Initiative is interested in supporting selected field restoration projects undertaken by civil society organizations with a view to promote community action for land restoration. The estimated grant amount is USD 17,000, in alignment with the upcoming UNCCD COP17. 1.

Land restoration would mean improving land cover or land productivity and as such could involve reforestation, afforestation, sustainable agriculture, waste management avoiding land contamination, clean-up of contaminated land, avoiding waterlogging, rewetting of peatlands and improving soil quality. 2.

Ecosystem restoration work in any of the landscapes forests, grasslands, drylands, rangelands, croplands, peatlands, mangroves, soil, tundra and wetlands could be supported. 3. The restoration work can take place anywhere in the world, not limited to G20 member countries.

Priority consideration will be given to submissions of civil society organizations from developing and least developed countries. 4. Both proposed and ongoing projects may be considered for support, though preference will be given to ongoing operations.

5. The funds may be utilized for expanding the area of restoration, improving techniques, use of new technology, providing technical assistance, conducting capacity building programmes or documentation of lessons learnt and communication of progress. Funds may also be used for a combination of the above.

6. Organizations must have an annual budget greater than USD 25,000 to be eligible. The funding should be used to upscale and elevate planned or ongoing efforts.

Stand-alone projects solely depending on this grant will not be considered for support. 7. Multi-year support can be considered based on demonstrated progress of implementation of the project.

8. Organization must be accredited with UNCCD. If you are not yet accredited, please apply for UNCCD accreditation before you submit the Grant application.

You can still apply to the grant if your accreditation is still in process. More information can be found here . 10.

Please note that only organizations are eligible for consideration, not individuals. See more information on the G20 Global Land Initiative website: https://g20land. org/grants-programme/ (or updated link) For more information/support on the form please contact: g20grants@unccd.

int The application deadline for the Restoration Returns Grant has been extended until 11:59 PM CEST, 20 September 2025. Stay informed about the latest updates on the Restoration Returns Grant by subscribing to our newsletter: https://g20land. org/newsletter/ Section 1: Organizational Information Name of Organization * Enter the official name of your organization as it appears in legal documents or certificate certificates.

Country * Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua & Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Ascension Island Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory British Virgin Islands Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Caribbean Netherlands Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French South Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island And Mcdonald Island Honduras Hong Kong SAR China Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao SAR China Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Korea North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestinian Territories Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Islands Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Réunion Saint Helena Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and South Sandwich South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka St.

Barthélemy St. Martin St.

Pierre & Miquelon Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria São Tomé & Príncipe Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad & Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Turks & Caicos Islands Tuvalu U.S. Virgin Islands US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States of America (USA) Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City Venezuela Vietnam Wallis And Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Website Include the URL for your organization’s official website (even if it is currently under construction).

Full name of the primary contact person * Provide the complete name of the individual who will act as the primary point of contact for this application. Email address of the primary contact person * Phone number of the primary contact person (including country code) Provide the contact number in international format, including the country code. For example: +1 for the USA or +55 for Brazil.

Name of the secondary contact person If you have an alternative point of contact, provide their full name here. This ensures someone else can assist if the primary contact is unavailable. Email address of the primary contact person Phone number of the secondary contact person (including country code) Provide their phone number in international format, with the correct country code.

Is your organization legally registered as a non-profit? * If you’re not sure, please check your organization’s registration documents. Yes No If your organization is legally registered as a non-profit, what is the registration number * Enter the official registration number from your legal documents.

Official registration document to be uploaded at the end of the form. Date of Establishment of your organization. * Section 2: Operational Information Is your organization accredited with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)?

* The accreditation with UNCCD is a requirement for eligibility. If you are not yet accredited, please apply for accreditation before submitting this form. You can apply for this grant even if your accreditation is still pending, it won't affect your application.

You can find more information on the accreditation process below: * https://www. unccd. int/convention/partners/civil-society-organizations/accreditation-guidelines Yes, my organization is accredited with UNCCD No, my organization is not accredited with UNCCD Applied for UNCCD accreditation and awaiting response If you recently applied for UNCCD accreditation, please indicate the date of the application.

How big is your organization? * Indicate the number of staff and other personnel involved in your organization. 1-5 personnel 6-20 personnel 20-50 personnel 50+ personnel How many years has your organization been in operation?

* State the total number of years your organization has been active. 0 to 3 years 4 to 9 years 10+ years Does your organization perform an annual audit? * Yes No Does your organization have written accounting policies and procedures?

* Yes No Please introduce your organization in two sentences, emphasizing its mission, key activities, and the unique aspects that set it apart. * Section 3: Project Information Name of the project * Provide a clear and descriptive name for the project you’re applying for funding Website(s) for the project (please include any relevant links) What is the primary objective of the land restoration project?

* Restoring native vegetation Rehabilitating degraded agricultural land Improving soil quality Improving water resource management Restoring wildlife habitat and biodiversity Removing invasive plant species Reestablishing ecological functions and processes Reforesting or afforesting degraded areas Enhancing ecosystem resilience to climate change Engaging community in land stewardship and education Other (please specify below) Please provide a clear description of the project's primary objective (500 words max) * 0 / 500 What is the secondary objective of the land restoration project?

* Restoring native vegetation Rehabilitating degraded agricultural land Improving soil quality Improving water resource management Restoring wildlife habitat and biodiversity Removing invasive plant species Reestablishing ecological functions and processes Reforesting or afforesting degraded areas Enhancing ecosystem resilience to climate change Engaging community in land stewardship and education Other (please specify below) Please provide a clear description of the project's secondary objective (300 words max) * 0 / 300 What specific environmental benefits will this project provide?

(Please select all that apply) * Increased native plant diversity Improved habitat for wildlife and pollinators Protection or recovery of threatened species Improved soil health and fertility Reduced erosion and improved vegetative cover Carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation Reduction in soil salinity or contamination Improved water quality Increased resilience to climate extremes like drought, flood, or fire Reduced reliance on chemical inputs (fertilizers, herbicides) Other (please specify below) Please describe the environmental benefits of your project in detail (500 words max) * List the relevant environmental benefits and explain how your project is contributing to each one 0 / 500 Is this project part of a larger, ongoing project with other sources of funding?

* Yes No How will the local community be involved in the project? What are the direct and indirect benefits to the local community?

(Please select all that apply) * Local community has been consulted during project planning Regular dialogue is held with local stakeholders Public meetings, surveys, or workshops are conducted Community members are actively involved in restoration activities Local community contributes to post-restoration maintenance Traditional knowledge is incorporated into restoration practices Community members hold roles in project management or leadership The project is initiated or led by a local community or Indigenous group Participatory monitoring and evaluation processes are in place Feedback mechanism for local concerns Other (please specify below) How many community members benefit directly from your project?

* Please enter the exact (or if not available an estimated) number. How many community members benefit indirectly from your project? * Please enter the exact (or if not available an estimated) number.

Please describe how the local community will be involved in the project. How will you incorporate the perspectives of project stakeholders, especially women, Indigenous Peoples, and other historically marginalized communities, into the design and delivery of your project? (500 words max) * 0 / 500 Please share in detail an example of one of the individuals or families in the community whose life has been transformed by the project.

* Attach a close-up picture of the story teller (shoulder and above) at the end of this form. Start Date of the project that the grant will be contributing towards * End Date of the project that the grant will be contributing towards * Project Location Coordinates Latitude * Find your project Latitude using the following tool: https://www. latlong.

net/ Project Location Coordinates Longitude * Find your project Longitude using the following tool: https://www. latlong. net/ What is the estimated total area of land (in hectares) that your overall project aims to restore?

* State the land area in hectares. Use estimates if exact measurements aren’t available. What is the estimated total area of land (in hectares) that this grant would support in restoring?

* If this is the same as the total project area mentioned above, repeat the same number of hectares. What are the current conditions of the land?

(Please select all that apply) * Degraded due to erosion (wind or water) Degraded due to deforestation or tree loss Degraded due to overgrazing or livestock pressure Degraded agricultural land (e.g. from monoculture, poor soil health) Soil degraded by chemical inputs or pollution Degraded due to desertification or at high risk of desertification Degraded due to mining, construction, or extractive use Land invaded by non-native or invasive plant species Land burnt or recently affected by wildfire Land is flood-prone or waterlogged Other (please specify below) Please describe the current conditions of the land, including any degradation or pollution issues (250 words max) * Describe the state of the land as it is now, highlighting challenges your project aims to address.

0 / 250 Please name the type(s) of ecosystem(s) your project covers * Choose all relevant ecosystems.

Forests Grasslands Drylands Rangelands Croplands Peatlands Mangroves Karst Tundra Wetlands Freshwater Agriculture land Urban Land Other (please specify below) Please describe the ecosystem types your project covers in more detail * Please provide a description of the landscape (e.g. its land use history, geological features, land ownership or tenure arrangements, habitat connectivity, relevant governance or regulatory frameworks).

(250 words max) * 0 / 250 Section 4: Project Implementation What specific restoration techniques will be used?

(Please select all that apply) * Tree planting or reforestation Invasive species removal or control Agroforestry systems (e.g. trees with crops/livestock) Wetland restoration (e.g. rewetting, replanting native vegetation) Biochar application Soil erosion control measures (e.g. contour bunds, terraces, check dams) Riparian buffer restoration (planting along riverbanks) Soil testing and nutrient balancing Water harvesting structures (e.g. swales, zai pits, earth dams) Exclusion zones (fencing to prevent access) Other (please specify below) Please describe the specific restoration techniques used in your project (500 words max) * Describe the methods you’ll use, such as planting native species, soil improvement, or water management.

What is the specific budget for the project that will be funded by this grant? (in USD) Please provide a detailed description of the existing budget showing how much money is planned for each activity (not including the Grant money). This question should be answered about the specific project that this grant will support.

* Please upload a proposed budget table outlining the overall project expenditure at the end of this form. How will the grant funds be used specifically? (in USD) Please describe how you intend to use the maximum Grant amount of USD 17,000, outlining the allocation for each activity along with its anticipated outcomes and impact.

(500 words max) * What is the amount of other funding you receive for this project? (USD) * What type of technology or equipment will your organization use to support the project?

(Please select all that apply) * Tree planting tools Seed drills or seed spreaders Manual tools for digging Nursery infrastructure Drones for land assessment or vegetation monitoring Protective fencing or tree guards GIS mapping software or handheld GPS units Soil testing kits or digital soil sensors Water harvesting structure tools Moisture sensors or weather monitoring stations Other (please specify below) Please describe the type of technology or equipment your organization will use to support the project in more detail (500 words max) * List tools and technologies, such as drones for monitoring or GIS software 0 / 500 What plans are in place for maintaining the land post-restoration?

(500 words max) * Share strategies for ensuring the sustainability of the project, like community stewardship or long-term monitoring. Describe your monitoring and evaluation plan. How will the success of the project be measured?

What are the key performance indicators? How will you track progress throughout the project? How will you evaluate your work at the end of the project?

(500 words max) * Outline how you’ll measure progress and success, including key performance indicators 0 / 500 What potential risks and challenges could impact the project?

(Please select all that apply) * Environmental risks (extreme weather events, natural disasters) Social risks (lack of community participation, resistance of authorities) Financial risks (insufficient funding, budget constraints) Political risks (Changes in policy/regulations, political instability) Please describe the potential risks and challenges that could impact the project and how they will be mitigated (500 words max) * Identify potential obstacles and provide realistic solutions to overcome them.

0 / 500 What experience does the team or organization have with similar projects? Are there any relevant qualifications that strengthen the project's feasibility? (500 words max) * Highlight relevant past projects and the expertise of your team members.

0 / 500 Please list any proposed partners of this project (Please select all that apply) * Local community members Traditional leaders or elders Indigenous communities or organizations Local community-based organizations Local cooperatives or farmer groups Youth groups Local businesses and entrepreneurs Educational or research institutions (including schools and universities) Governmental authorities Technical consultants or ecological experts Other (please specify below) Please list any proposed partners of this project, including the organization name and website, your past experience working with that partner, and what role and responsibilities the partner organization will have in your project.

(250 words max) * 0 / 250 Please list any proposed beneficiaries of this project (Please select all that apply) * Women Youth Elders Indigenous Peoples / Indigenous Communities People with Disabilities Ethnic Minorities Other Marginalized Groups Low-Income or Economically Disadvantaged Groups Rural Communities Local Farmers Other (please specify below) Please identify the intended beneficiaries of this project, explain how they will benefit, and describe your previous experience working with them.

(250 words maximum) * Identify the communities or groups who will benefit from the outcomes of your project, and your experience with them. Supporting Documents Please provide maps and photos of your project's activities. * Drag and Drop (or) Choose Files Please provide your organization's official registration documents.

* Drag and Drop (or) Choose Files Please provide a detailed table of the projects overall budget. * Should you be uncertain about the content or format of this document, please contact g20grants@unccd. int to receive a template.

Drag and Drop (or) Choose Files Please provide a detailed breakdown of how you will use the grant. * Should you be uncertain about the content or format of this document, please contact g20grants@unccd. int to receive a template.

Drag and Drop (or) Choose Files Please provide a letter of request. * Please provide a signed letter with your organization’s letterhead addressed to the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The letter should outline the request: the project proposal, intended use of the grant, detailed supporting budget, and designated contact person.

It should be signed by the Head of your organization, with the organizational stamp if available. Drag and Drop (or) Choose Files Please provide your UNCCD accreditation letter (if available) Drag and Drop (or) Choose Files Please provide any letters of support or endorsements from community groups or environmental experts.

Drag and Drop (or) Choose Files Please provide any scientific data, audit reports, and other relevant documentation. Drag and Drop (or) Choose Files