The programme in 2018-2021 is a continuation of the activities that Siemenpuu has carried out since 2002 as a funder of environmental and democracy initiatives of civil society organisations in the global South and as a communicator of development issues in Finland. This new phase makes powerful use of the unique expertise of the Foundation in identifying and funding exceptional civil society groups in the global South that at the same time improve living conditions of marginalised communities and take care of the natural environment.
Main funding for the activities in 2018-2021 comes from the programme-based support for CSOs, received from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA).
Siemenpuu’s activities contribute to the realization of Finland’s development policy goals. The projects supported by Siemenpuu in developing countries alleviate poverty and inequality, and decrease biodiversity loss and climate emissions. The projects are initiated, planned and implemented by local civil society organizations (CSOs) in the South.
During this programme period, Siemenpuu will call for proposals through five funding schemes:
- A Just Transition to Ecological Democracy
- Forests and Coastal Ecosystems
- Biocultural Rights of Indigenous Forest Communities
- Rural Women and Food Sovereignty
- Climate and Energy Justice
The support for the strengthening of civil societies is a cross-cutting goal of the programme. Human rights based approach, improving women’s rights and position, as well as mitigation of and adaptation to climate change are also included in all five funding schemes.
During 2018-2021, projects will be funded in South and Southeast Asia, Africa, Middle East and Latin America. The main focus countries are Brazil, Indonesia, India, Mali, Myanmar and Nepal, as in all these countries Siemenpuu has long-term experience, expertise and strong cooperation networks to other actors working with similar advocacy and donor activities nationally and internationally. After 2019, Siemenpuu will support activities in India without MFA's funding.
During 2018-2021, Siemenpuu will fund approximately 25-40 new projects, and 30 projects that have started before 2018. The goal is, among others, to strengthen the environmental rights of more than 50 000 beneficiaries and to contribute to processes leading to the inclusion of at least an additional 110 000 hectares of land under conservation and sustainable use.
See the page for application windows.
Siemenpuu’s communications work in Finland supports reaching the programme goals. The communications activities will contribute in Finland to an understanding of the value and importance of development cooperation and policy. Siemenpuu plans to reach at least 30 000 people through its communications work annually.
Download and read here Siemenpuu's Development Cooperation Programme 2018-2021 document (pdf, 750 kB, updated in Dec 2018)