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The Costa Rica por Siempre Association, as the organization managing the SAVIA initiative (formerly the U.S.-Costa Rica Debt-for-Nature Swap), announces the launch of Call for Proposals No. 15, a grant program supporting projects with an environmental focus, which will be open from February 23 to March 24.
This call for proposals is open to nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) interested in developing projects that contribute to biodiversity conservation, support sustainable livelihoods, and strengthen local capacities. In this round, NGOs may submit project proposals for funding of up to ₡50 million, while CBOs may submit proposals for up to ₡25 million.
“In this call for proposals, we have US$600,000 available so that organizations can find a partner in SAVIA that will enable them to turn good ideas into concrete actions with a real impact on communities and on the conservation of the country’s natural heritage,” said Rubén Muñoz, chair of SAVIA’s Supervisory Committee.
Savia’s 15th Call for Proposals includes six strategic Priority Geographic Areas (AGP) across the country, with an emphasis on the conservation of key ecosystems, the sustainable management of natural resources, the strengthening of responsible productive activities, and the protection of wildlife:
Topics by AGP:
Rincón de la Vieja: Implementation of priority initiatives for the local tourism sector, strengthening of tourism governance, and support during the initial operational phase to ensure long-term sustainability.
Tortuguero: Implementation of forest conservation and restoration strategies in the Aquifer Biological Corridor, addressing threats to areas at risk of degradation and impacts on water resources.
Nicoya: Strategies for addressing the main threats to the conservation and functional connectivity of key forest species, with an emphasis on protecting wild felines and raising public awareness.
La Amistad: Conservation, maintenance, and restoration of forests, as well as the promotion of sound production practices in areas surrounding Chirripó National Park, Los Santos Forest Reserve, and La Amistad International Park, with a focus on protecting water resources and strengthening local capacity.
Maquenque: Promoting best practices in forest-related productive activities in the Cureña district of Sarapiquí.
Osa: Promotion of productive activities and livelihoods based on non-extractive uses that contribute to reducing hunting and improving populations of threatened wildlife species in the Golfo Dulce Forest Reserve, with an emphasis on the wild pig, in the communities of Riyito, Banegas, Rancho Quemado, and San Juan.
“Savia seeks to promote solid and relevant initiatives developed by organizations that work directly in the local communities and have firsthand knowledge of their needs. With this call for proposals and as Savia’s administrators, we reaffirm our commitment to strengthening the social fabric and conserving the country’s strategic ecosystems,” said Federico Cartín, Executive Director of the Costa Rica por Siempre Association.
Interested organizations can find the application requirements and guidelines on Costa Rica por Siempre’s social media accounts, as well as on the website somossavia.org/convocatoria. They must submit their proposals by the established deadline.
Savia is led by a Supervisory Committee composed of representatives from Sinac, the U.S. Embassy, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, and Earth University.
