CEPF's Funding Strategy

Within the Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests of Tanzania and Kenya, the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) aims to improve knowledge and appreciation of biodiversity among the local populations and stimulate support for conservation. In conjunction with this, a commitment to scientific best practices will improve biological knowledge in the hotspot and show practical applications of conservation science.

The strategy is underpinned by conservation outcomes - targets against which the success of investments can be measured. These targets are defined at three levels: species (extinctions avoided), sites (areas protected) and landscapes (corridors created).

As a result, CEPF's investment is focused on conserving the hotspot's 333 globally threatened species, which are primarily found in 160 sites. In addition, key parts of the strategy focus on select sites for maximum impact (see strategic directions below).

Strategic Funding Directions

CEPF's investment in the Eastern Arc and Coastal Forests was guided by five strategic funding directions, which were agreed upon at a stakeholders meeting in March 2003. Within each strategic direction, specific investment priorities were identified. Any eligible applicant was able to submit an Letter of Inquiry for funding within any one of the CEPF strategic funding directions listed below. As of October 2008, all of the funding earmarked for the EACF has been committed and CEPF are no longer accepting any applications for this region.

1. Increase the ability of local populations to benefit and contribute to biodiversity conservation, especially in and around lower Tana River Forests; Taita Hills; East Usambaras / Tanga; Udzungwas and Jozani Forest

2. Restore and increase connectivity among fragmented forest patches in the Hotspot, especially in Lower Tana River Forests; Taita Hills; East Usambaras / Tanga and Udzungwas

3. Improve biological knowledge in the hotspot (all 160 sites eligible)

4. Establish a small grants program in the hotspot (all 160 sites eligible) that focuses on critically endangered species and small-scale efforts to increase connectivity of biologically important habitat patches

5. Develop and support efforts for further fundraising in the hotspot.

The Application Review Process

Each Letter of Inquiry submitted was reviewed by individuals from CEPF, the CEPF Coordination Unit and Conservation International. Most Letters of Inquiry were also reviewed by at least two external reviewers with expertise relevant to the Letter of Inquiry.

Once a Letter of Inquiry had received approval applicants were asked to submit a full proposal directly to Conservation International using the Grant Writer software.

Full proposals were evaluated in the same transparent manner as the Letters of Inquiry, with CEPF calling for modifications where necessary .

Coordination Unit members did not evaluate Letters of Inquiry or proposals that they had submitted or in which they were listed as partners, nor did they recommend the reviewers for such applications.

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