Land Innovation Fund Accepting Applications for Funding
New round to select projects and programs with innovative and sustainable on-farm solutions
On 22, September 2021, the Land Innovation Fund will launch its broad call for proposals, to fund and support projects and programs for a sustainable and deforestation and conversion-free (DCF) soy supply chain. This second round of funding will cover a wide range of topics in four priority thematic areas – policy and regulatory instruments, methods and tools, participation and diversity, and delivering solutions – all focused on innovative and sustainable solutions, relevant to farmers in three South American biomes.
Proposals can be submitted in three different levels – small, medium or large – and receive funding ranging from US$150,000 to US$2 million. Funding amounts vary according to each project's complexity, based on three criteria: the number of organizations involved, the number of thematic areas selected, and number of LIF’s expected outcomes to be met by the initiative . The Fund thereby intends to maximize results and stimulate applications for a wide range of projects, with different approaches and innovations.
The funding round will be carried out in two stages: first, with submission of project concepts for pre-selection until 11:59 pm on October 10. Subsequently, pre-selected applicants will submit full proposals for final evaluation. View the full Call for Funding Opportunity solicitation for more information.
The opportunity is open to institutions such as NGOs, private academic research institutions or private foundations at public universities, civil society organizations, cooperatives, producer and business associations, and the private sector. The LIF does not offer funding to public institutions. The public sector, however, can participate in the application process through partnerships with eligible organizations.
Proposals may be submitted by one or more institutions with demonstrable experience in the biomes (Cerrado, Gran Chaco, and Amazon) and countries where the Land Innovation Fund operates (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia), as well as recognized management capacity and a track record of initiatives with levels of complexity and scope similar to those presented in this call.
With the new round, the Fund hopes to foster and enhance the landscape for innovation towards sustainability, with room for dialogue among various stakeholders and the possibility of building a portfolio of integrated solutions for environmental conservation and responsible agricultural production. "The Fund intends to invest in projects that develop, test and deliver innovative solutions to achieve a sustainable soy supply chain, free of both deforestation and conversion of native vegetation. We want to ensure that these efforts will be successful in the long term by building a network of partners who share the same goals and who complement each other," according to Carlos E. Quintela, director of the Land Innovation Fund.
Successful candidates in this round will join the Land Innovation Fund's five initial partners, with seven projects currently underway in a variety of fields, such as communication and engagement of rural producers, public policies, entrepreneurship, intelligence systems, and territorial monitoring.