CEPF's fourth phase brings 3.9 million USD to 40 civil society organisations in the Indo-Burma Hotspot

Bangkok, Thailand – The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) has invested 3.9 million USD in grants to civil society organisations across Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam in its fourth phase, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature serving as the Regional Implementation Team. The figure marks the first tranche of a 10 million USD, five-year commitment to the region, running from 2026 to 2030.

Since CEPF began investing in the region in 2008, it has awarded over 400 grants totalling more than 38 million USD. The focus of CEPF support continues to be on safeguarding globally threatened species, addressing illegal wildlife trade, strengthening protected and conserved areas and engaging local communities in their management and governance, integrating biodiversity into development planning, and supporting civil society to work on biodiversity at all levels.

"Biodiversity conservation isn't a project – it requires continuous commitment, long-term stewardship and enabling partnerships between stakeholders to maintain ecological resilience. CEPF Phase IV investments will demonstrate effective, scalable approaches that bring together different actors to conserve globally significant biodiversity and improve human well-being across the region," said Alex McWilliam, Regional Coordinator, Species and Habitats, and CEPF RIT Manager, IUCN Asia.

Among the 40 grants awarded in the fourth phase, several continue to build on work that CEPF has supported previously. In Myanmar, the Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Association (BANCA) continues its work with communities to develop and implement a Karst Conservation Action Plan in Phayartan, a key biodiversity area in southern Myanmar, building on community awareness raising and karst conservation training delivered under a prior CEPF grant.

Elsewhere in the region, the Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (BCST) will work to strengthen civil society engagement in wetlands conservation. Their project focuses on setting up a national network of organisations working to conserve flyway sites – important wetlands and coastal mudflats along the migratory routes used by birds travelling the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. Among the migratory birds are the Critically Endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper – estimated at around 440 mature individuals globally and still declining – that spend their wintering months in the salt pans of Pak Thale's mudflats.

CEPF and IUCN Asia will announce the next Call for Proposals in September 2026, with a focus on safeguarding priority species, and addressing illegal wildlife trade, unsustainable consumption and spillover risks. The call will also continue to prioritise the strengthening of civil society organisations, with an emphasis on organisational development, matching technical expertise with the needs of organisations, and start-up support to new grassroots, Indigenous Peoples’ and community-led organisations. Further announcements about the next call will be released on IUCN Asia and CEPF social media channels.

As the fourth phase moves forward, the efforts of civil society organisations working in partnership with communities, government, the private sector and other actors will shape how the region safeguards biodiversity – ensuring thriving ecosystems that sustain both wildlife and people for generations to come.

About CEPF 

CEPF is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the European Union, the Fondation Franklinia, the Fondation Hans Wilsdorf, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Canada, the Government of Japan, the Hempel Foundation, The Nature Conservancy and the World Bank. C A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation. www.cepf.net