Overview
The International Climate Initiative (IKI) is a major global funding mechanism supporting biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and sustainable development in Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible countries. Implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and funded by the German government, IKI plays a critical role in mobilising financial and technical resources to address urgent environmental and climate challenges worldwide.
Listed on the Finance Resources (FIRE) for Biodiversity platform under BIOFIN, IKI responds to the global need to significantly increase biodiversity finance from public, private, and innovative sources. This need was formally recognised during the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) COP 10 in Nagoya in 2010, which catalysed efforts to align financial systems with global biodiversity goals.
IKI provides grants and technical assistance to a wide range of organisations, supporting projects that protect ecosystems, restore biodiversity, strengthen governance, and promote sustainable and inclusive economic models.
Funding Type and Grant Size
IKI primarily provides grant-based funding across a wide range of project sizes, enabling support for initiatives at different scales and stages of development.
Available funding ranges include:
- US$ 50,001 – 150,000
- US$ 150,001 – 300,000
- US$ 300,001 – 500,000
- US$ 500,001 – 2,000,000
- US$ 2,000,001 – 10,000,000
- More than US$ 10,000,001
This tiered funding structure allows IKI to support pilot initiatives, medium-scale interventions, and large, transformative programmes with national or regional impact.
Geographic Scope
IKI funding is available to projects implemented in ODA-eligible countries. These countries are typically low- and middle-income nations where international development assistance is prioritised to address environmental, social, and economic challenges.
Projects may be national, regional, or multi-country in scope, provided they demonstrate strong relevance to local contexts and global biodiversity and climate objectives.
Eligible Organisations
IKI adopts an inclusive approach to partnerships and funding eligibility. Applications are welcomed from a diverse range of organisations, including:
- Bilateral and multilateral organisations
- Financial institutions, including investors and banks
- Non-profit and civil society organisations (NGOs)
- Private sector entities
- Academic and research institutions
This diversity enables cross-sector collaboration and supports innovative approaches that combine public policy, finance, research, and on-the-ground implementation.
Ecosystems and Biodiversity Focus Areas
IKI-funded projects may focus on a wide range of ecosystems, reflecting the initiative’s holistic approach to biodiversity conservation.
Eligible ecosystems include:
- Forests and woodlands
- Freshwater systems
- Marine and coastal ecosystems
- Wetlands
- Wildlife and endangered species habitats
- Deserts and semi-deserts
- Human-modified landscapes
- Mountains and rocky areas
- Savannas, shrublands, and grasslands
Projects are also expected to align with one or more biodiversity categories, such as:
- Biodiversity planning and finance
- Protected areas and conservation measures
- Biodiversity awareness and knowledge generation
- Invasive alien species management
- Ecosystem restoration
- Sustainable use of productive landscapes
- Pollution management
- Green economy initiatives, including ecotourism
Sectoral Themes
IKI funding supports initiatives operating across multiple sectors, particularly where environmental outcomes intersect with governance and finance. Key sector tags include:
- Environmental protection and conservation
- Finance and financial systems
- Public administration, including governance, planning, and public finance
Funding Criteria and Safeguards
All IKI-funded projects must adhere to strict environmental and social safeguards. These are based on the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Responsibility, ensuring that funded activities are ethical, inclusive, and do not cause harm to people or ecosystems.
Eligibility is also subject to grant-specific criteria, which vary depending on the funding window and thematic focus.
Application Process
Funding is awarded through annual calls for applications, which may include:
- Small Grants
- Medium Grants
- Thematic Calls
- Country-Specific Calls
Applications are submitted through the official IKI funding portal and must be prepared in English. Detailed guidance, eligibility requirements, and timelines are published with each call.
Additional Support and Administration
Beyond financial support, IKI also provides technical assistance to strengthen project design, implementation, and impact. This includes advisory support, capacity development, and knowledge exchange.
The initiative is implemented by GIZ GmbH, with oversight and strategic direction from the German government. The IKI office can be contacted directly for funding-related inquiries.
For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram , WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and Telegram
Disclaimer:Â Global South Opportunities (GSO)Â is not the funding organization. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
Related