WLT Application Guidelines

Before considering applying for support from World Land Trust (WLT), please read the WLT’s frequently asked questions (FAQs) for local conservation partners on our website and the following Application Guidelines. If you feel your organisation and project may be a good fit for World Land Trust funding, please submit a project proposal by completing the application form below.

Guidelines

WLT’s mission is to protect and sustainably manage natural ecosystems of the world; to conserve their biodiversity, with emphasis on threatened habitats and endangered species; and to develop partnerships with local individuals, communities and organisations to engage support and commitment among the people who live in project areas.

WLT generally supports projects that conserve threatened areas of high biodiversity value through the creation or expansion of protected reserves, restoration of degraded habitats, and conservation focused management of these areas.

WLT focuses on conservation work through an in-country partner organisation with a good track record of delivering conservation. Partners are typically non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and not for profit/charitable organisations, and with shared objectives around conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems.

WLT funding aims to create long-term and sustainable support for on-the-ground conservation activities, including land acquisition, protected area creation, reserve protection and ecosystem restoration. This application form will be used to initially determine the suitability of a project to receive WLT funding. WLT will likely follow up with further questions and clarifications and work to support the project’s development.

The Type of Projects supported by WLT

The main project activities supported by WLT are the creation of protected areas and the protection and restoration of threatened habitats. As part of these objectives, project activities may include land acquisition through a range of mechanisms including land purchase, leases, community reserves and protection status declaration (gazetting); on the ground habitat and biodiversity protection (e.g. ranger salaries and patrol costs); habitat restoration; community support projects; and conservation investments.

Please note that these activities are unlikely to be funded separately and would only be considered if they form part of a wider conservation project. Research and community education/outreach activities are only supported when these contribute to a wider conservation goal. All WLT funded projects need to have clear benefits, and no net negative impact to biodiversity, communities and climate.

How to complete this application

This application is the initial documentation for the proposed project. It is important that each section be completed with care to answer the specific question that is asked. Information should not be repeated across different sections, and all information must be clear and succinct with evidence and sources provided wherever relevant (please note guidelines for word limits).

The application should provide a logical and defensible narrative of the project design, including a clear goal, description of activities and conservation outcomes. All applications must provide a map and spatial data for the location of the project’s relevant boundaries.

Before considering applying for support from World Land Trust please carefully read and evaluate the guidelines above, as projects and organisations that do not meet these criteria are unlikely to be supported. If you feel your organisation and project is a good fit for World Land Trust then please submit a project proposal by completing the application form below and this will be reviewed. If you have not heard back directly from World Land Trust within three months of submitting an application then either your project has not fulfilled the criteria and will not be followed up, or we are unable to support it due to the high number of submissions.

 
  • Project Proposal Application 09/2020

    Project Information

    This is the leading project proponent. This organisation will be responsible for receiving funding and reporting on the project.
    These are any organisations directly involved in the implementation of project activities. This may include government, business and other NGOs.
    Provide details for the person/persons within the applicant organisation responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of the project.
    Provide details for the main contact person within project proponent organisations during the project implementation. Include this person’s role and title within the organisation.
    Classification of key land protection and conservation measures: (check multiple boxes as required)

    Project Summary

    [400 words] Provide a concise summary of the project, outlining why the project is needed, its goal and main activities, expected outcomes and conservation impact, and the overall project costs and timescale. Provide a self- appraisal of the value of the project.

    Description

    [250 words] Make clear distinctions of ecosystem types and current land cover within the project area. Quantify the area of extent of different land covers. Ensure the descriptions match provided spatial data clearly identifying different ecosystem types, land cover and habitat condition within the project area.
    Supporting maps and spatial data
    Maps and accompanying spatial data must be provided as part of the application.
    Each map should have the project boundary clearly marked and a clear key or description about what the map is communicating. All areas and locations should be clearly labelled with names consistent with those within the application.

    Spatial data should be provided for the following:

    • Boundaries on the project area where any project activities will take place
    • Boundaries for other protected areas within the region of the project, including official, state recognised protected areas, and other forms of protected areas.
    • Other key features described in the above application and other relevant boundaries for the project.

    WLT is able to receive data in a variety of formats including GIS files (e.g. .shp, tab etc) or Google Earth files (e.g. kml/kmz), or GPS points from field surveys. Please note, if sending GIS files please ensure all required accompanying supporting files are also sent (e.g. .prj file that contains the projection information). This data is vital to any application but should not be a barrier for project applicants.

    If you are unable to send data or have any questions or concerns about spatial data, please contact the WLT team for further assistance.

    File Upload: Spatial data files
    Maximum upload size: 104.86MB
    [250 words]Take care of the difference between land cover (e.g. forest, grassland for which you will have given details in Q1) and land use (production forest, agroforestry, conservation forest, conservation grassland, agriculture etc.). Where known, provide details of general management techniques associated with land use systems, e.g. for areas of cultivation, what crops are grown, agrochemical and other inputs used, rotations and harvests per year, and degree of modernisation/mechanisation. Make clear distinctions of existing land uses within the project area, particularly whether the project area is inhabited or if local communities have any uses and cultural attachments within the project area. Quantify the areal extent of different land uses. Briefly explain how land management decisions are made including key actors and considerations, particularly in communal or publicly owned land. Ensure the descriptions match provided spatial data clearing identifying different land uses within the project area.
    [250 words] Provide a list of key species within the project including the scientific name IUCN Red List categories for threatened species present that are known or can reasonably be expected to occur within the project area.
    [250 words] Focus on threats that have direct consequences for biodiversity, communities and carbon stocks within the project area. Threats may include expansion of agricultural land, over grazing of ecosystem, clear-fell deforestation, illegal deforestation, water abstraction, or mining and infrastructure development etc. Explain any transitional processes linked to threats, e.g. overgrazing and firewood collection making forest areas vulnerable to fire which is then used to remove remaining tree cover.
    [250 words] Describe the trends of the threat, i.e. increasing or decreasing, and attempt to qualify the threat, e.g. annual rates of deforestation. Describe possible future scenario/s for land use and land cover within the project area, and identify the most likely scenario to occur, providing a justification. Include any documented case studies from the region/country.

    Planning

    [100 words]
    7 - Describe the key project activities, including details of how these will be delivered and implemented. Ensure activities match the type of project activities WLT funds, i.e. Land purchase, Other land acquisition, Reserve management, Ecosystem restoration, Research and monitoring, Sustainable community development, and Conservation Investment. It is not necessary to fill in all sections, only complete those relevant to your project.
    Describe the type of land title current on the land targeted for purchase, in relation to local land tenure systems, the protection status that acquisition will confer on the land, and the processes of transferring ownership. Detail to target number of hectares to be purchased and moved into conservation protection.
    Describe the type of land acquisition, i.e. lease/ designation and gazettement/ creation of community conservation area, the type of land title in relation to local land tenure systems, the protection status that acquisition will confer on the land, and the processes of securing protection status or transferring ownership. Describe the entities that have ownership and management rights over the land once moved into conservation protection. Detail the target number of hectares to be moved into conservation protection.
    Describe total ranger staffing requirements (including ranger staff funded by other sources) including area covered, number staff, number of patrol person days, average patrol effort/length (km). Describe additional consumable field equipment requirements e.g. motorbikes, fuel, binoculars etc. linked to on-going protection of land, and land management costs. Describe additional fixed asset requirements including building and infrastructure i.e. new guard stations, staff accommodation, access roads and fencing to keep out livestock etc.
    Describe the area (ha) and approach (active or passive) to ecosystem restoration. For active restoration detail the target no of trees to be planted. Describe planting methodology including lists of species, species type (endemic, native or non-native), provenance of seeds/seedlings, seedling preparation and propagating techniques, and use of organic and inorganic inputs. Describe the logistics requirements including labour needs and source (i.e. field staff, employed, contract, community), the location of nursery and transportation arrangements, and equipment requirements. Describe site preparation and planting including stocking density, expected mortality rate, use or organic/ inorganic inputs (fertilizers, pesticides), planting patterns, pitting techniques and vegetation clearing techniques (fire or chemical herbicide). protection, and site access e.g. road construction. Describe site maintenance & tree aftercare techniques including weeding intervals, restocking, follow up uses of fertiliser/pesticide and irrigation. Summarise key site management plans features for wild animals, fire or other threats. Summarise environmental and safety standards and how these will be met e.g. for pesticides how use, when and application method ensuring safety and training of staff handling chemicals. Please provide references to most relevant best practice guidelines.
    Describe the total field staff requirements, field campaign timings, sample plan, no. sampling plots & frequency, sampling techniques. Detail equipment and expertise requirements.
    Describe the content and delivery of extension services, outreach workers and other community-based development activities such as education, awareness creation & alternative livelihoods programmes.
    Describe the outline investments case and business plan for sustainability/income generation such as building ecotourism accommodation and sustainable supply chain investments. Include projections of future revenue, payback rates and timings. Investments can also be made in staff training and capacity building alongside sustainability justifications.
    8 - Briefly explain how the project activities (use your activity headings from Q7) lead to the fulfilment of the project objectives by describing the project’s Theory of Change*. Ensure to link the project impacts to the goals described in Q6.
    *Many conservation organisations provide guidance on using a Theory of Change framework, including the following examples; europarc.org and conservationbydesign.org
    Activities: these are the actions the project is undertaking in the field (use headings from Q7) - i.e. the voluntary purchase of private land.
    Outputs: these are the products of the project activities - i.e. no of ha of land moved into conservation protection, no of community consultations, livelihood training workshops held.
    Outcomes: these are time bound changes that can be directly attributed to the project activities - i.e. prevent land use change to agriculture, maintain ecosystem connectivity, increased community engagement & participation in conservation management, increase incomes from livelihoods.
    these are the long term, possibly indirect changes resulting from project activities - i.e. high-quality forest habitats providing importance sinks of carbon & habitat for endangered biodiversity, support community management of natural resources; reduce poverty in communities and the pressure on forests ecosystems.
    [100 words max]
    [250 words max]
    [100 words]
    [250 words]
    [250 words] Demonstrate the additionality of the project by describing the presences of barriers that prevent the project impacts from occurring without the project’s intervention and activities. These barriers are not the same as the threats detailed in Question 5 but instead might include: technological (e.g. lack of infrastructure, skilled workforce), investment (e.g. similar activities have only been implemented with grants and at a small scale), prevailing practice (e.g. the project is the “first-of-it-a-kind), traditional (e.g. laws, customs, lack of traditional knowledge), social conditions (e.g. land tenure barriers, ownership, inheritance, and property rights).
    [250 words] Briefly explain how the project i) fits within the legal framework of national and customary laws and practices (i.e. show that proposed activities are legal & accepted practice) and ii) if appropriate the project aligns with locally relevant public policies and legal systems.

    Implementation

     
    15 - Download and complete the separate budget template here. Take note of the guidelines within the file and summarize the budget in the table, in your local currency. Please provide a narrative explaining and justifying the project costs, and a timeline for key activities. Please provide information on sources and the status of co-funding.
    File Upload - Please upload your completed budget template here:
    Maximum upload size: 104.86MB
    Budget narrative explaining project costs and activity timings. Include sources of co-funding (i.e. own organisation, grants, etc) and whether this is secured or not.
    [100 words]
    [250 words]
    [100 words]
    [100 words] (Current situation:/ Situation after project implementation:)
    [100 words]

    Monitoring

    [250 words] The theory of change (Q8) provides a starting point for developing a monitoring plan for the project. What indicators, variables and key performance indicators will be monitored? What will the information be used for? What data/ information will be collected? How will data/ information be collected? Who is responsible for collecting information and when? How is data/ information processed, analysed and stored?

    Project Outputs

     
    22 - Please download and complete the 'Project Outputs Table' for all relevant fields to the project. List metrics for the total project from all sources of co-funding named on the proposal and the contribution provided by WLT support.
    File Upload - Please upload your completed Projects Outputs document here:
    Maximum upload size: 104.86MB