Projects presented to the FFEM must meet the following eight criteria:
- contributes to the preservation of the global environment;
- contributes to local sustainable development in one or more developing countries;
- has innovative features;
- has a demonstrative and replicable nature;
- provides for post-project economic and financial sustainability;
- is ecologically and environmentally viable;
- has social and cultural acceptability;
- has an appropriate institutional framework.
For each project proposed, special attention will also be paid to:
- Theory of Change;
- its monitoring and evaluation mechanism;
- its overall environmental outcome; local ownership (which is a guarantee of sustainability);
- its partnership dimension;
- how gender and social ties are taken into account;
- the sharing of knowledge stemming from the project.
Applied research activities that give rise to or that are in relation with development activities can be funded by the FFEM. Basic research activities are, however, not eligible to receive its financial support.
The FFEM cofinances in any developing country eligible for official development assistance. Priority is given to Africa: the FFEM’s objective is to commit approximately two-thirds of its resources there.