The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has announced a call for proposals for the Indo-Burma Ramsar Regional Initiative (IBRRI) Small Grants for Ecosystem-based Adaptation in Wetlands to develop a seven-month project to address specific climate threats to wetland ecosystems, species and communities using Ecosystem-based Adaptation.

The Mekong WET project previously completed Climate Change Vulnerability Assessments (VAs) for ten project sites in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, and Viet Nam. The assessments consulted a range of stakeholders to determine climate change impacts on wetland habitats, species, and communities, demonstrating climate change threats to wetlands throughout the region.

The Mekong WET project is funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB).

For country-specific information and application templates, please see the following links:

• Cambodia: To implement Ecosystem-based Adaptation measures to increase the resilience of wetland species, ecosystems and communities to climate change impacts in Cambodia. As part of the project. IBRRI is launching a small grant programme to increase the resilience of wetlands to climate change impacts using Ecosystem-based Adaptation and to better understand the impact of climate change on Cambodia's Ramsar sites and wetlands. The current call seeks:
  • Proposals supporting the implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation options in wetlands. However proposals for EbA measures in other wetlands within the country, will also be considered;
  • Proposals to conduct Vulnerability Assessments for wetlands in Cambodia are also eligible for funding, provided that the Mekong WET VA methodology' is applied.
• Lao PDR: To implement Ecosystem-based Adaptation measures to increase the resilience of wetland species, ecosystems and communities to climate change impacts in Lao PDR. As part of the project. IBRRI is launching a small grant programme to increase the resilience of wetlands to climate change impacts using Ecosystem-based Adaptation and to better understand the impact of climate change on Lao PDR's Ramsar sites and wetlands. The current call seeks:
  • Proposals supporting the implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation options in wetlands. However proposals for EbA measures in other wetlands within the country will also be considered;
  • Proposals to conduct Vulnerability Assessments for wetlands in Lao PDR are also eligible for funding, provided that the Mekong WET VA methodology' is applied.
• Myanmar: To understand the impacts of climate change on Myanmar's wetlands and/or pilot Ecosystem-based Adaptation measures to increase the resilience of wetland species, ecosystems and communities. As part of the project, IBRRI is launching a small grant programme to better understand the impact of climate change on Myanmar's Ramsar sites and wetlands and to increase the resilience of wetlands to climate change impacts using Ecosystem-based Adaptation. The current call seeks:
  • Proposals to conduct Vulnerability Assessments for Ramsar Sites or other wetlands in Myanmar using the Mekong WET VA methodology;
  • Proposals supporting the implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation options in Ramsar sites and other wetlands in Myanmar.
• Thailand: To implement Ecosystem-based Adaptation measures to increase the resilience of wetland species, ecosystems and communities to climate change impacts in Thailand. As part of the project. IBRRI is launching a small grant programme to increase the resilience of wetlands to climate change impacts using Ecosystem-based Adaptation and to better understand the impact of climate change on Thailand's Ramsar sites and wetlands. The current call seeks:
  • Proposals supporting the implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation options in wetlands. However proposals for EbA measures in other wetlands within the country, will also be considered;
  • Proposals to conduct Vulnerability Assessments for wetlands in Thailand are also eligible for funding, provided that the Mekong WET VA methodology is applied.
• Viet Nam: To implement Ecosystem-based Adaptation measures to increase the resilience of wetland species, ecosystems and communities to climate change impacts in Viet Nam. As part of the project, IBRRI is launching a small grant programme to increase the resilience of wetlands to climate change impacts using Ecosystem-based Adaptation and to better understand the impact of climate change on Viet Nam's Ramsar sites and wetlands. The current call seeks:
  • Proposals supporting the implementation of Ecosystem-based Adaptation options in wetlands. However proposals for EbA measures in other wetlands within the country, will also be considered;
  • Proposals to conduct Vulnerability Assessments for wetlands in Viet Nam argil also eligible for funding, provided that the Mekong WET VA methodology' is applied.

Funding Information

Applicants can apply for up to EUR 20,000 per proposal. All activities must be completed within seven (7) months (1 January 2021 - 2 August 2021).

Eligibility Criteria

The current call seeks proposals for Ecosystem-based Adaptation options that can be implemented in the wetlands to increase resilience to the climate change impacts.

• The call for proposals is open for all organisation working on wetlands in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam;
• Proposals to work or currently working in project sites and on the adaptation options identified by communities will be prioritized;
• Proposals for EbA measures in other wetlands within the country, or the application of the VA tools in wetlands will also be considered; and,
• Proposals should include a communications and awareness-raising plan to disseminate the results of the work completed.

For more information, visit IUCN.