9 September 2026 in Manila, Philippines.
QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Building on more than a decade of supporting community-led conservation across Southeast Asia, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), with support from the Federal Republic of Germany through the KfW Development Bank (KfW) and the European Union (EU), has launched the Small Grants Programme III (SGP III)—the ACB’s newest initiative to promote biodiversity conservation and community resilience throughout ASEAN.
From 2026 to 2031, the SGP III will bring a total investment of EUR 17.2 million to advance sustainable livelihoods and empower local communities to take action towards conserving five ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) and protected areas, namely the Prek Toal Ramsar Site and Virachey National Park in Cambodia, the Xe Sap National Park in Lao PDR, the Balinsasayao Twin Lakes Natural Park in the Philippines, and the Bach Ma National Park and Hue/Quang Nam Saola Nature Reserves in Viet Nam.
“The ACB is proud to welcome this new chapter following the successful implementation of the first two phases of the programme in Indonesia, Myanmar, and Viet Nam. The experiences, lessons, and achievements from SGP I and II have laid the foundation for SGP III, allowing us to continue what works best and placing emphasis on community and livelihood resilience as important components of this new programme,” said Ms. Corazon A. De Jesus, Jr., Acting Director, Programmes Department and Director, Sustainable Use and Access and Benefit-Sharing Division of the ACB.
Before SGP III, the ACB achieved several milestones in implementing the SGP I and II from 2014 to 2025. A total of 169 micro and small grant projects ushered meaningful change in and around the AHPs—established partnerships among communities, park authorities, and government agencies in 10 AHPs; restored and protected more than 200 ha of ecosystems in Indonesia and Myanmar; capacitated hundreds of park staff in protected area management and more than 130,000 people in developing livelihood opportunities; produced more than 80 biodiversity-based products and services; and reached more than 7,500 people with conservation education and awareness initiatives.
Building on these experiences, SGP III will provide micro and small grants to community-based organisations, including groups of farmers, fisherfolk, women, and Indigenous Peoples, as well as park managements and other local organisations. The grants will assist in building the capacities of the communities and other stakeholders to protect biodiversity while sustainably managing natural resources and developing livelihood opportunities in and around the AHPs and protected areas.
At the regional level, SGP III will strengthen capacity, coordination, and knowledge sharing across ASEAN, enabling countries and partners to learn from one another and work together towards more effective and participatory protected area management.
“We recognise the significant success of the first two phases of the programme, and we are pleased to continue our partnership while bringing in the support of the EU to make SGP III happen. Beyond the resources that SGP III brings, we value how the investments are translated into practical solutions and partnerships for conserving important ecosystems across the ASEAN region,” said Lidiya Prymachenko, Portfolio Manager of KfW.
The programme will contribute to the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Targets 3, 8, 9, 10, and 14, by supporting ecosystem and species conservation, climate-resilient livelihoods, and sustainable use of natural resources.
Launched during the AHP Forum on 9 September, more than 400 representatives from the 11 ASEAN Member States, 71 AHPs, conservation partners, and community and youth leaders, have witnessed the new chapter unfold through a short video showcasing the programme’s vision, key approaches, and sites.
As the SGP III moves forward to its implementation, its core remains unchanged: people and partnerships at the heart of conservation.
————————————————-
About the SGP III
The Small Grants Programme III (SGP III) is an initiative implemented by the ACB, with support from the Federal Republic of Germany through the KfW Development Bank (KfW) and the European Union, to conserve biodiversity, support the livelihoods, and promote the resilience of local communities within and around ASEAN Heritage Parks and protected areas in Cambodia, Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Viet Nam.
