The 5th small-scale initiatives program (PPI5)

Since 2006, the FFEM has supported African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) through the Small Initiatives Programme (PPI), which funds small-scale projects (with an average grant of €35,000) focused on biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Evaluations of the four previous phases have concluded that the programme is relevant, effective, efficient, and consistent with both the geographic and thematic priorities of French Official Development Assistance (ODA) and the local conservation priorities of the countries of intervention.

Today, the PPI remains the only French cooperation instrument that directly funds CSOs in Southern countries for specific conservation actions. The programme contributes to improving the governance of conservation processes and has gained strong recognition within the African conservation community. Building on these achievements, a fifth phase of the PPI is proposed to continue supporting African civil society. Over the past 10 years, the PPI has financed 181 projects in Central and West Africa, as well as in Madagascar and Mozambique, for a total amount of €6.3 million—an average of €600,000 per year.

In line with the four previous phases of the PPI, the eligible themes of the programme remain: biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation through nature-based solutions. The programme will operate in West Africa—particularly in the coastal countries of the Gulf of Guinea and around major protected areas in the Sahel—and in Central Africa, especially in the Congo Basin countries. Networking, information sharing, and capacity-building (continuing the core activities of the CFA) will also be supported.

PPI5 is structured around three components:

1. Implementation and management of conservation projects and nature-based solutions
   Support for field-based initiatives that address biodiversity and climate challenges through practical, locally driven interventions.
2. Strengthening the technical, organizational, and institutional capacities of CSOs
   Aimed at enhancing the autonomy, governance, and influence of African Civil Society Organizations in the environmental sector.
3. Recognition and dissemination of results
   Ensuring visibility, learning, and impact-sharing through communication, capitalization, and advocacy efforts.

• Projects are selected, contracted, monitored, and managed efficiently.
• Conservation and nature-based solution projects led by civil society and local authorities achieve their expected outcomes.
• The PPI5 programme is efficiently managed, and collaboration among partnership members is ensured.
• The capacities of CSOs receiving small grants are strengthened both prior to and during project implementation.
• CSOs receiving medium-sized grants are supported in scaling up their operations, and their influence and knowledge capitalization capacities are reinforced.
• The results of PPI5 are capitalized, disseminated, and communicated across African civil society, partnership members, and other Technical and Financial Partners.