Canopy Trust – Project Submission Overview 2025

Canopy Trust invites the submission of private-sector-led projects aligned with sustainable development in the Congo Basin. The trust supports initiatives in sustainable agriculture or forestry, renewable energy, deforestation-free value chains, and inclusive economic development. Project proponents may apply for either Technical Assistance (TA) or Direct Investment, with the potential to access both based on project maturity.

Eligible Project Themes and Locations

To be considered, proposed projects must operate within one of Canopy Trust’s beneficiary countries:

• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Gabon
• Republic of the Congo

In addition, eligible projects must target at least one of the Trust’s priority sectors:

• Sustainable agriculture or forestry
• Renewable energy and alternatives to fossil fuels
• Deforestation-free value chains
• Local economic development

All submissions must contribute positively to at least one of the following core Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 15 – Life on Land
• SDG 13 – Climate Action
• SDG 5 – Gender Equality

Projects are also expected to support at least two additional SDGs and present environmental and social risk profiles categorized as B or C in line with the IFC Performance Standards.

Funding Structure

Canopy Trust supports projects through two primary financial instruments:

• Technical Assistance (TA): Up to USD 300,000 to strengthen project development, feasibility, or compliance.
• Direct Investment: Approximately USD 2 million in capital for implementation-ready projects.

Eligibility Criteria

All projects must meet every eligibility criterion to move forward in the evaluation process. These include:

1. Location: Project must operate in a designated beneficiary country.
2. Sector Alignment: Proposal must align with one or more of the Trust’s target areas.
3. Funding Request: The project must request support within the Trust’s funding thresholds.
   1. Legal Registration: The lead applicant must be a legally registered entity, and the representative must have authority to act on behalf of the organization.
   2. Submission Completeness: All required documentation and responses must be included.
   3. Exclusion List Compliance: Projects must not fall under the environmental and social exclusion list as outlined in the Canopy Trust Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS).
   4. Sustainable Impact: Project must demonstrate alignment with priority SDGs.
   5. Environmental and Social Risk: Risk categorization must be B or C.

Incomplete or non-compliant submissions will not be considered.

Selection Criteria

Submissions meeting eligibility criteria will be evaluated against the following selection dimensions:

• Context and relevance
• Positive environmental and social impact
• Strength of the applicant’s Environmental and Social Management System
• Developer’s technical and managerial capacity
• Feasibility of the proposed intervention
• Legal compliance and institutional framework
• Economic viability and long-term sustainability
• Project additionality (contribution beyond what would occur without intervention)
• Risk exposure and mitigation
• Quality of counterpart relationships
• Potential for scalability and investment-readiness

Submission and Evaluation Process

The process is structured into a two-phase pathway depending on the project’s maturity:

1. Standard Process (for early-stage projects):

1. Applicant submits full proposal
2. Canopy Trust conducts formal review
3. Project is evaluated for technical assistance feasibility
4. If deemed feasible, the project is reviewed by the Technical Assistance Committee
5. Upon approval, Terms of Reference (ToR) and TA agreement are negotiated
6. TA contract is signed and services are deployed
7. After TA phase, Canopy Trust assesses readiness for direct investment
8. Project proceeds to Investment Committee
9. Term sheet is negotiated and reviewed
10. If approved, investment is finalized and disbursed

2. Fast-Track Process (for investment-ready projects):
If a proposal is already mature and meets investment criteria, it may be moved directly to the investment assessment phase, bypassing initial TA stages.

Important Notes

• Submission does not guarantee funding or technical assistance.
• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
• Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis until funding is exhausted.
• Confidentiality and data protection are ensured as per the Trust’s privacy policy.

How to Submit

Applicants must submit proposals via the official Canopy Trust project submission portal, ensuring that all documentation and required information is complete and accurate. Detailed guidelines are available on the portal.

For more information, visit the Canopy Trust website or reach out via the contact form on the portal.