The Indigenous-led Conservation Microgrant programme provides small, flexible grants to indigenous communities and indigenous-led organisations undertaking conservation activities guided by traditional ecological knowledge. The programme recognises that the smallest grants often generate the most community-relevant outcomes, and is designed to minimise reporting burden while maintaining robust accountability through story-based learning and community verification.
Eligible activities include ecosystem monitoring using traditional methods, habitat restoration guided by customary land management practices, documentation of traditional ecological knowledge, environmental education grounded in indigenous perspectives, and stewardship of customary protected areas. Applicants must demonstrate community governance of the proposed project and indigenous leadership of all key roles.
Grants range from USD 5,000 to USD 20,000 over 6 to 18 months. Applications are assessed by a panel of which the majority are indigenous knowledge holders from Pacific Island communities. PIRT indigenous knowledge working group members are available to provide mentorship to first-time applicants through the application process.