The Nagao Wetland Fund (NWF) supports wetland conservation initiatives in developing countries across Asia and Oceania.

Overview

The Nagao Wetland Fund provides financial support to strengthen wetland conservation efforts. The fund prioritizes projects focused on the conservation, restoration, and wise use of wetlands. Support is also extended to communications, education, and public awareness initiatives, as well as training programs for park rangers and staff working in wetland education centres. All supported activities must align with the goals and targets of the Convention’s Strategic Plan 2025–2034.

The fund is designed to support small- to mid-scale projects that contribute to national priorities under the Convention on Wetlands. The fund is intended to play a catalytic role and does not replace the need for larger-scale funding required for long-term wetland conservation and sustainable use.

Funding and Benefits

• Maximum Grant Size: Up to $30,000 per project.
• Funding Limitation: Only one project per country is funded annually.
• Selection Criteria: The number of projects selected annually depends on their quality, relevance, and proposed budget.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include local governments, researchers, non-governmental organizations, and local communities from countries classified as Official Development Assistance (ODA) recipients by the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC).

Applicants from countries that are not yet Contracting Parties to the Convention but have formally expressed their intention to join may also apply, although preference is generally given to current members.

Proposed projects must be identified as national priorities and demonstrate clear alignment with the targets of the Strategic Plan 2025–2034.

Application Process

All applications must be submitted using the official “Request for Funding” template. This template requires both a comprehensive project description and a summary form endorsed by the relevant Administrative Authority or National Focal Point.

Projects should be designed for completion within a one-year timeframe. Careful budget planning is required to ensure that costs related to equipment and salaries do not typically exceed 20 percent of the total budget unless properly justified.

Applicants are encouraged to engage with the Secretariat during the proposal development phase and to submit draft proposals early for feedback ahead of the deadline.

Deadline and Timeline

Closing Date: 29 June 2026

Contact Information

Applications can be submitted via the following link: Apply Here