Forest Governance Markets and Climate (FGMC2) programme: accountable grants
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-01)

Closed: The FCDO invited applications for accountable grants by 18 April 2025 from non-governmental organisations working to sustain global forests through policy action.

This opportunity closed to applications on 18 April 2025. Due to the high number of concept notes received, we require more time to review applications. We will notify applicants of the outcome on 16 June 2025. Thank you for your patience.

The Forest Governance, Markets and Climate (FGMC) programme is the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s (FCDO) flagship global forest governance initiative. The FCDO manages the programme centrally from the UK and works with UK embassies abroad and partner country governments.

The business case for a second phase (FGMC2) (https://iati.fcdo.gov.uk/iati_documents/D0005966.odt) sets out a 10-year vision. The budget for the first period to 2029 has been approved by ministers.

A Programme Management and Strategy Support Team (PMSST) will assist the FCDO in managing the programme, including the accountable grants scheme. Accountable grants will be awarded by FCDO but contracted by the PMSST. This enables a focus on learning and encouraging collaboration between the various projects supported across the entire programme.

This call is inviting proposals for short concept notes from non-government organisations working to sustain global forests through policy action (for example, think tanks, advocacy groups and trade associations) whose actions are aligned to FGMC2 objectives. Organisations should be working to strengthen the civil society and private sector voice and capacities in national forest policy decision-making.

For organisations working at national scale only (ie in one country), there will be other initiatives established under FGMC2 to support and develop local capacities.

What the fund will achieve

Building on its predecessor FGMC1, which ran from 2012 until 2024, FGMC2 aims to improve governance foundations that will help to reduce the illegal and unsustainable use of forest resources, while benefitting poor, forest-dependent people, especially Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs).

Requirements for organisations wishing to apply

The FGMC2 accountable grants will be awarded to independent not-for-profit organisations only. This includes international and national non-government organisations (NGOs), federations and membership bodies. Government bodies (national, regional or local) and individuals are not eligible to apply.

All applicants will need confirm that they have the capacity to implement the intervention proposed, and have a track record of:
- managing projects of equivalent scale
- engaging in the area of work proposed as indicated in the concept note template
How to apply

Email your completed concept note submission form to xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx) by 11:59pm UK time on 18 April 2025.

Forest Governance Markets and Climate (FGMC2) programme: accountable grants overview (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67b460ff4e79a175a4c2fdd8/Forest-Governance-Markets-and-Climate_programme-FGMC2-Overview-AG-2025.odt)

Concept note guidance: FGMC2 2025 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67b4610e4a80c6718b55bea1/Forest-Governance-Markets-and-Climate_programme-FGMC2-2025-Grants-Round-Concept-Note-Guidance.odt)

Concept note submission form: FGMC2 2025 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67b461204e79a175a4c2fdd9/Forest-Governance-Markets-and-Climate_programme-FGMC2-2025-Grant-CN-Submission-Form.docx)

Selected business case annexes: FGMC2 2025 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67b4612e423f67c0e67d37a8/Forest-Governance-Markets-and-Climate_programme-FGMC2-2025-Grant-CN-Annexes.odt)

Frequently asked questions: FGMC2 2025 (updated 1 April 2025) (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67c5c10e750837d7604dbdaa/Forest-Governance-Markets-and-Climate_programme-FGMC2-2025-Accountable-Grants-FAQs-1-April-2025.odt)

Use the concept note submission form and the concept note guidance to complete your application. Complete your concept note in English.

You must comply with the stated word limits. Any information provided in excess of these limits will not be considered.

As you cannot insert visuals into the form, you can include figures and diagrams in a single (small) file attached as an annex. You must reference all figures and diagrams in the main document and also explain them in text (either where referenced in the main document or where shown in the annex).
- use the filename ‘FGMC 2025 Grant CN Submission – [your organisation’s name]’
- for any annex, use the filename ‘FGMC 2025 Grant CN Submission – [your organisation’s name] Annex’
- email the documents as attachments: Open Document Text (ODT) or Open Document Spreadsheet (ODS) files
- in the email subject line, include ‘FGMC 2025 Grant CN Submission – [your organisation’s name]’
Contact

xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)