Call for proposals: Indonesia grants

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) is a UK-based non-profit organisation working internationally to protect the environment and defend human rights.

EJF is inviting national fisher associations (NFAs) from across Indonesia to apply for a grant under the project, ‘A Global Toolkit for Participatory Fisheries Governance. This project, focusing on 15 countries in the Global South, seeks to strengthen the participation of small-scale fishing communities in the management of the fisheries resources upon which their livelihoods and food security rely.

This overall objective is achieved through three outcomes, namely:

1. Widespread adoption of community surveillance by small-scale fishing communities, resulting in a decrease in industrial IUU fishing;

2. The development of co-management associations (CMAs), leading to a decrease in artisanal IUU fishing;

3. Strengthened national fishers associations (NFAs) achieve policy reforms that give small-scale fishing communities more equitable access and tenure rights to well-managed fisheries resources.

As part of outcome 3, EJF is making available a number of small grants to NFAs in focus countries – including Indonesia – to support their participation in the project.

Scope of grants

Grants issued by EJF under this call for proposals seek to empower NFAs to engage in advocacy-related activities that drive reforms of Indonesian fisheries legislation (including national or local fisheries laws, policies, regulations etc).

The overarching objective of these advocacy activities should be to achieve reforms that either:

• secure equitable access and tenure rights for small-scale fishers (e.g. policy and legal advocacy to strengthen recognition of small-scale fisher rights in fisheries legislation etc), or

• promote the ability of small-scale fishers to effectively participate in fisheries governance (e.g. participation in decision-making forums, advocacy to improve inclusive decision-making mechanisms etc).

Examples of activities EJF might support to achieve this objective include:

• The organisation and implementation of advocacy activities to seek government support for an issue (e.g. workshops, meetings, TV debates etc);

• The organisation and implementation of capacity building or training sessions that build the advocacy capacity of the members of an NFA;

• The hiring of dedicated staff members to support advocacy around an aspect of participatory fisheries governance;

• The procurement of consultancy services that will allow an applicant to more efficiently work on advocacy around an aspect of participatory fisheries governance (e.g. support in setting up a bank account, drafting a constitution etc).

This is not an exhaustive list and other activities that contribute to fulfilling the overarching objectives specified above will be considered. Grants may be used to cover employment costs, travel, event organisation, communications, IT and office space.

Grant eligibility

To be eligible for grant support from EJF, applicants must:

• Be an Indonesia-based and registered NFA or civil society organisation (i.e. not-for-profit and non-governmental);

• Be legally constituted and functioning (i.e. possess legal documents, an office and staff available to carry out activities under the grant);

• Represent the interests and rights of small-scale fishers (commercial or non-commercial) in Indonesia;

• Have some previous experience in the implementation of projects and/or local initiatives related to fisheries;

• Have a proven advocacy track record of small-scale fisheries and influencing regulation either at the regional or national level.

Having a national presence would be an asset though is not obligatory for grant eligibility (i.e. work across more than one region or with multiple fishing communities).

Grant amount and timeline

The average grant per organisation will be EUR 7,000, with a maximum grant of EUR 15,000. EJF expects to issue grants from February/March 2026, with all subgrant activities and reporting to be completed no later than October 2026.

How to apply

Applications must be in English and include the following documents:

• Organisation profile: A detailed description of the organisation, including its mission, experience, and role in Indonesia’s national fisheries sector, as well as previous any experience in influencing national fisheries legislation (if applicable);

• Project proposal: A summary of how the organisation intends to use the grant, outlining key objectives, activities, a timeline, expected outcomes and a mapping of the relevant regulatory framework, either at the local/provincial level or national level;

• Budget: A detailed budget specifying proposed expenditures.

Please email the above documents to will.may@ejfoundation.org, copying aji.sora@ejfoundation.org and sijbrand.peeters@ejfoundation.org. The deadline for applications is 6 February 2026. Please note that no late applications will be considered.

All applications will be assessed based on:

• Alignment with objectives: How well the proposed project contributes to securing equitable access and tenure rights for small-scale fishers and/or building the capacity of NFAs and small-scale fishers to participate in fisheries governance;

• Value for money: Proposals must demonstrate cost-effectiveness;

• Organisational capacity: The ability of the organisation to successfully implement the project, including the necessary financial controls and reporting mechanisms.

Please note that expenditure may be made by EJF on behalf of the organisation should they not have sufficient fiduciary controls in place to receive grants. Applicants may be asked to revise budgets if project staff identify ineligible or unjustified expenditures, to ensure value for money.

Successful applicants will be required to sign a contract outlining the grant's terms and conditions. This agreement will cover:

• Approved expenditure (based on the submitted and, if needed, modified budget).

• Financial controls and reporting requirements.

• Payment terms and performance monitoring.

Grant payments will be made in stages. Where EJF is managing payments on behalf of the organisation, costs will be covered as they are incurred.

Contact information

For any further information or questions regarding your application, please contact will.may@ejfoundation.org.

We look forward to receiving your proposals and partnering with you to promote participatory fisheries governance in Indonesia.