Landscape Restoration: Building NGO Readiness for Climate and Land Action

This initiative identifies and supports grassroots nonprofits working in land restoration, enabling NGO-CSR convergence for scalable environmental action. Selected NGOs will receive structured support to strengthen their capacities, build compelling proposals, and improve readiness to engage with CSR funders.

Who Should Apply

• This initiative is relevant for NGOs that work in:

• Watershed development / soil & water conservation

• Forest/grassland restoration (native species), riparian restoration

• Sustainable/ climate smart  agriculture / agroforestry linked to ecosystem outcomes

• Biodiversity/habitat restoration tied to local livelihoods

• Mining affected & degraded land restoration

• Climate linked restoration solutions

• Rural & peri-urban restoration

• Development of non-timber forest produce (NTFP) or minor forest produce (MFP) value chains

• Organic land management

• Want to enhance fundraising, impact measurement, and align strategically with CSR funders.

• Are small-to-mid-sized organizations with proven on-ground implementation but limited institutional donor access.

• Are registered in India, with limited foreign funding and a proven operational track record.

• Seek technical support or are open to collaborative learning.
  
  

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

Financial Requirements:

• Minimum Annual Expenditure: ₹25–50 lakhs

• Average Annual Expenditure (last 3 years): ≥ ₹1.25 crore

• Financial Health: Clean audited financials for the last 3 years
  
  

Legal & Organizational Requirements:

• Legal Status: Trust, Society, or Section 8 Company under Indian law

• Compliance: Valid 12A/80G tax exemptions and statutory compliance (e.g., CSR-1 filing, audited accounts)

• Experience: ≥3 years of operational experience with proven programmatic impact

• Governance: Active board with diverse expertise; professional staff in program management, finance, and M&E
  
  

Project-Specific Criteria:

• Geography: Active or commencing (≤6 months) projects in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, or Chhattisgarh

• Domain Alignment: Demonstrated work in ecological restoration, watershed development, forest/grassland restoration, climate-smart agriculture/agroforestry, or biodiversity/habitat restoration, linked to local livelihoods

• Capacity & Readiness: Ability to absorb CSR funds > ₹25 lakhs/year; willing to participate in diagnostics and capacity-building workshops

For more details regarding the initiative please checkout the initiative’s FAQ page.

Please note that this opportunity is open only to eligible NGOs. Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be considered.

Mode & Language

• Workshops: Conducted in-person

• Ongoing Communication: Virtual coordination and follow-ups

• Language: English & Hindi for inclusivity

Key Outcomes for Participants

1. Organizational Mapping: Get assessed using the Organizational Maturity Framework (LNEMT) for restoration-focused NGOs

2. Tailored Diagnostics: Identify capacity gaps in fundraising, restoration planning, implementation, impact reporting, partnerships, and team strength

3. Fundraising Readiness: Receive mentoring and handholding to craft compelling CSR/ESG pitches

4. Networking Opportunities: Join curated convenings and roundtables with CSR leaders

5. Increased Visibility: Gain exposure on ecosystem platforms and via co-created knowledge products

Target Geographies : Maharashtra | Madhya Pradesh | Chhattisgarh

In case of any queries, reach out to somya.srivastava@sattva.co.in