Call for Applications: Small Grants Program
18 January 2026
The CAMP Alatoo PF announces the call for applications for the Small Grants Program. The competition is held within the framework of the project “Integrated community-based management of high value mountain ecosystems in southern Kyrgyzstan for multiple benefits”, supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and UNDP.
1. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM
The program aims to promote sustainable ecotourism, alternative income sources, and provide technical assistance to communities living near the planned protected areas (PAs) of the Pamir-Alay region.
2. TARGET REGIONS
The Small Grants Program is open to citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic residing in the following ayil aimaks (AAs):
- Zhekendi, Chon-Alay, Kashka-Suu (Chon-Alay District, Osh Region);
- Ken-Talaa (Leilek District, Batken Region);
- Uchkun, Kazybek, Ala-Buga, Bayetov, Kara-Burgon (At-Bashi, Ak-Talaa, Naryn Districts, Naryn Region).
These AAs border the planned protected areas.
3. ELIGIBILITY
Applications can be submitted by:
- Legal entities – non-governmental organizations and agricultural cooperatives;
- Individuals – members of target communities willing to register as individual entrepreneurs (IE) if selected for the Small Grants Program.
4. PRIORITY FUNDING AREAS
Project proposals should address one or more of the following topics:
- Ecotourism infrastructure: construction of guest houses, yurts, visitor centers, and installation of informational signs along tourist routes and natural sites;
- Ecotourism development: introducing visitors to local culture and lifestyle, organizing eco-tours, engaging local communities;
- Traditional crafts: production of items from felt, clay, wood, leather, and other natural materials (development of workshops and craft training);
- Agricultural product processing: production of dairy products, dried fruits, berries, and herbs.
5. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS
The project budget should not exceed USD 10,000 (according to the exchange rate established in the CAMP Alatoo PF’s agreement with UNDP, where 1 USD = 83.92 KGS). Grant funds will be provided in Kyrgyz som.
Grant recipients are required to contribute at least 20% of the total approved project budget from their own resources (property, equipment, materials, or labor), applicable only for legal entities.
6. PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA
Project proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Relevance – alignment with the goals and objectives of creating alternative income sources for local communities through ecotourism development (25%);
- Beneficiary coverage – number of residents benefiting from the project (minimum 3–5 people), including vulnerable groups (30%);
- Sustainability – presence of a clear and justified plan to ensure the sustainability of results after project completion (25%);
- Financial feasibility – justification of the project budget and the applicant’s own contribution (see section “Financial Conditions”) (20%).
7. IMPORTANT EXCLUSIONS
The Small Grants Program does not support:
- Purchase of vehicles (cars, motorcycles);
- Purchase of livestock;
- Capital construction and repairs;
- Procurement of office equipment;
- Other expenses not directly related to ecotourism development or requiring complex procurement procedures or special skills to use.
8. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Required documents
For legal entities:
- Copy of the certificate of state registration with the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic;
- Certificate of no outstanding taxes or social contributions;
- Organization profile;
- Information about the project implementation team (organizational structure with roles and responsibilities, and minutes of the general meeting of team members);
- Completed application and budget forms.
For individuals:
- Certificate of registration as an individual entrepreneur (IE) or a letter of intent to register as an IE if selected;
- Certificate of no overdue loans;
- Certificate of the applicant’s place of residence;
- Support letter from local self-government bodies;
- Completed application and budget forms.
- Deadline for submission and project implementation Applications are accepted by email at ulan@camp.kg or in a sealed envelope to 720031, Bishkek, Ufimsky Lane 3, until 15:00 on February 9, 2026 (inclusive).
- Projects under the Small Grants Program will be implemented from March to August 2026.
For questions regarding participation and required documents, please contact Ulan Kylichbek uulu, project specialist of “Integrated community-based management of high value mountain ecosystems in southern Kyrgyzstan for multiple benefits”, at +996 554 041 144 or email: ulan@camp.kg.
