AFR100: Funding is available for tree restoration projects (500k USD)

Research has shown that the restoration of trees is a possible strategy for mitigating climate change. Scientists argue that planting billions of trees across the world is one of the biggest and cheapest ways to remove CO2 from the atmosphere, thereby tackling the climate crisis.

To this end, the World Resources Institute (WRI), One Tree Planted (OTP), and Realize Impact invites eligible companies and non-profit organizations to submit tree restoration and growing project proposals in the 31 African countries that are members of the AFR100 Initiative.

The objectives of the restoration program are to fund an initial cohort of the top 100 African tree restoration projects and enterprises. It also aims to contribute to the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration by identifying long-term partners and intermediaries in the financial sector to help expand AFR100 efforts to restore 100 million hectares of land across Africa.

Focus areas

Tree restoration must focus on any of the following areas:

• Agroforestry
• Silvopasture
• Riparian Restoration
• Direct Seeding
• Mangrove Restoration
• Assisted Natural Regeneration
• Reforestation

Benefits

• Early-stage projects and enterprises qualify to apply for $50,000 to $150,000 USD.
• Growth-stage projects and enterprises qualify to apply for $250,000 to $500,000 USD.

Note that after a two-stage application process through TerraMatch, the initial cohort of the top 100 will be announced during the UN climate change conference (COP26) in November 2021. The selected projects and businesses will start receiving funds to plant and grow trees in early 2022.

Eligibility for participation

To qualify for participation, applicants must meet all eligibility criteria:

• Businesses and restoration organizations must be based in the 31 countries participating in AFR100.
• Businesses must be financially sound or clearly outlines how funding could enable it to become financially sound.
• Applications must be written in either English or French.
• Applicants must be in a private sector operator, nonprofit, or community development organization.
• Applicants must have the appropriate technical and financial capacity and expertise to manage and implement projects successfully and deliver technical and financial reporting as requested by WRI/OTP/Realize Impact.
• Applicants must be willing and agreeable to sharing information (other than commercial/confidential), methodologies and lessons learned with the consortium.

Evaluation criteria

Organization: Are the organization and project well run?

Scalability: Can it expand with more funding and reach economies of scale?

Replicability: Can its model/approach apply to other landscapes?

Environmental impact: How will it improve soil, water, carbon storage, and biodiversity?

Social impact: How will it improve the livelihoods of local communities and marginalized people?

Profitability (for enterprises): Is the business model viable?

Deadline

Submission of projects will close Thursday, September 23, 2021. Click here to apply and here to download additional information.