Summary of Funding Institutions United States of America

Summary of Funding Opportunities– Japan

Draft document prepared by

Catherine Bernier

Intern, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Government Related Funds

Name of Fund /

Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP)

Source of Organization / Japan’s ODA
Program Policy Goals / Provide flexible and timely support to development projects at the grassroots level.
Example of financed projects
Target recipients/ Geographic Focus / The majority of grants go to NGOs (in FY1998, around 55 percent of the total value disbursed under the scheme), in particular to local NGOs (43 percent, ideal). Significant disbursements are also made to local governments (21 percent) and education and research institutions (15 percent) in developing countries. Japanese NGOs receive around 4 percent.
International: 93 countries and one region (the Palestine Interim Self-Government Authority) in FY1998.
By region, most funding flowed into Asia, followed by Africa and Latin America.
Type of Support
Specific Areas of Support/ Thematic priorities / As long as a development project is geared towards grassroots assistance, it can be eligible for financing under the GGP program. However, particular attention is given to projects engaged in such areas as primary health care, primary education, poverty relief, public welfare and the environment.
Amount of Funds Available per year / Budget in 1998 ¥5.7 billion (approximately USD 45 million), of which approximately 12% go to environmental projects.
Modalities of Operations/ Selection Criteria
Web Site /
(General information)
See also local Japanese diplomatic mission Website.
Contact Information / Japanese overseas diplomatic missions.
Name of Fund /

The Japan Fund for Global Environment (JFGE)

Source of Organization / Initiated by the Japanese Government
Program Policy Goals / Provide support for NGO programs working for the conservation of the global environment.
Example of financed projects
Program Futures Plans
Target recipients/ Geographic Focus / The Japan Fund for Global Environment (JFGE) Grants Program provides financial assistance for conservation programs carried out by NGOs both in Japan and in developing countries.
Type of Support / Grants
Specific Areas of Support/ Thematic priorities / Projects eligible for assistance are:

Actual implementation of afforestation, an tidesertification, nature conservation, wildlife protection and pollution control (air, water and soil) projects.
Field studies and research directly related to the above projects.
Projects aimed at achieving sustainable management of natural resources at a local and regional level.
Projects aimed at raising environmental awareness among the public.
Provision of skills training and information materials to both NGOs and local communities for the implementation of their environmental projects.
Organizing of conferences, seminars and workshops for a better environmental programs.
Improvement in disposal of industrial and domestic wastes and recycling programs.
Other conservation projects such as utilization of clean energy.

Amount of Funds Available per year
Modalities of Operations/ Selection Criteria / Organizations eligible for any of the above programs are non-governmental organizations(NGO) and other non-profit organizations.
Projects conducted by private individuals or corporations, or local, municipal, state or national governments are NOT eligible.
All the NGOs which want to apply to the grants from JFGE must submit (a) financial reports of the organization for the past three years, (b) a list of board members or administrative officers of organization, (c) the article of association or the rule of organization, (d) organizations background, annual report or achievement of previous year beside application form.
JFGE requires all applications to be written in Japanese. Therefore, foreign NGOs must have a Japanese representative (resident in Japan), who can coordinate and fill out all the necessary form in Japanese. JFGE has a fixed format for application, and provides the form through the Japanese representative. Foreign NGOs must submit "the letter of attorney" with a representative person's signature besides other submission materials above. JFGE has no service of introducing or coordinating a Japanese NGO or individual to be a representative.
Web Site /
Contact Information / 1-4-1,Kasumigaseki,Chiyodaku,Tokyo 100-0013,Japan
Phone: Publications & Money Contribution 81-3-5251-1535
NGO Support 81-3-5251-1537
Grant Program 81-3-5251-1076
Facsimile 81-3-3592-5090
E-mail:

Private Foundations / Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Name of Fund /

The Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF)

Source of Organization
Program Policy Goals / Promote international cooperation and support for environmental conservation.
Example of financed projects /

Philippines - Enhancing Production and Conservation in two Critical Upland Areas of the Cordillera Bio-geographic Zone.
China – Tree planting in the Horqin Desert; protect biodiversity by afforestation in Orine village, southern edge of Horqin desert.
Pakistan – Conservation of Biodiversity of the Scrub Forest in Jhangar Valley through Community participation.
Ecuador – Identification and protection of critical sites for the conservation of the Galapagos flora diversity.

Target recipients/ Geographic Focus / The applicant organization or group should:

be a non-government and non-profit organization;
have a good record of implementing nature conservation projects in developing countries and be highly regarded both internationally and domestically;
be able to make appropriate reports on the progress of the project, budgetary appropriations, and settlement of accounts as necessary; and give appropriate explanations where necessary concerning such matters as the nature of the applicant organization or group, the circumstances surrounding the implementation of the project, and the project's budget and other calculations.

Type of Support / The following are eligible for funding:

Expenses for the purchase, lease, and repair of the equipment and facilities necessary to implement the project at the site.
Expenses for project activities such as research, workshops, and environmental education for local people.
Expenses for travel, transportation, accommodation, food and facility rental.
Salaries for locally-hired staff for the amount of time specifically dedicated to the project; salaries for hired experts or locally stationed NGO staff for the amount of time specifically dedicated to the project.
Expenses for communications translations, printing, and publications which directly relate to the project, including expenses for making progress reports and financial reports.

* All the expenses should be stated in either Japanese yen or US dollars.
Specific Areas of Support/ Thematic priorities
Amount of Funds Available per year / In fiscal year 2000: 150 million yen (approximately USD1.2million).
Modalities of Operations/ Selection Criteria / The KNCF supports field projects which:

are in accordance with the aims of the KNCF which, in principle, provides assistance for nature conservation efforts in developing countries, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. We give priority to projects that will serve to enrich biodiversity;
are well regarded by the host government, both domestic and international non-governmental conservation groups, and the local community, making them likely to qualify for a reasonable level of assistance;
do not serve the interest of any specific corporation or individual.
are implemented by staff and/or experts with sufficient scientific knowledge.

Guide to fiscal year 2001 application:
Since every eligible non-Japanese language application has to be translated into Japanese before presentation to the Project Selection Committee, it is preferable to make the application as brief as possible. Please note that long, complex applications sometimes fail to convey the importance of the projects.
Web Site /
Contact Information / Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund
4F, Otemachi Financial Center1-5-4 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo 100-0004 Japan
Tel. 03-3212-8220 Fax 03-3212-8222
E-mail :
Applications should be sent to the following address:
Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund
C/o Public Trust Sec., Tokyo Main Office Business Dep.,
Sumitomo Trust and Banking Co., Ltd.
4-4 Marunouchi 1-Chome,
Chiyoda-Ku Tokyo 100-8233
Japan
Fax: +81-3-3286-8780
E-mail:

References

Websites

General information

Bothends, Overview of funding agencies that fund forest and forest related projects

Bothends, Donor Newsletter # 1, 2001

Bothends, Donor Newsletter # 2, 2001

Japan Foundation Center

Government related

Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects (GGP)

The Japan Fund for Global Environment (JFGE)

Private Foundations / NGOs

The Keidanren Nature Conservation Fund (KNCF)