Special Projects

IKI TRANSCEND Project

Transformative Actions for Climate and Ecological Protection and Development

 

Project at a Glance

• Funding Source: Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI)

• Total Funding: Approximately €32.7 million

• Duration: 2024–2029

• Country: Philippines

 

The IKI TRANSCEND Project is a five-year climate and biodiversity initiative supporting the Philippines’ transition toward a climate-resilient, low-carbon, and biodiversity-friendly future. It advances integrated action on climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and ecosystem conservation through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.

 

Collaborative Structure

 

TRANSCEND is implemented through a multi-partner consortium led by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), in coordination with national government counterparts including the Climate Change Commission (CCC) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

 

Key consortium partners include:

• Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE)

• Rare Philippines

• Conservation International Philippines

• United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

• Other technical partners supporting transport, industry, climate analytics, and gender integration

 

This collaborative structure connects national policy reform, science-based conservation, behavior change, sustainable industry, and community-driven action into one coherent platform.

 

Project Vision and Objectives

 

TRANSCEND aims to:

• Strengthen climate–biodiversity governance by aligning policies, planning, and decision-making across sectors and levels of government.

• Empower communities and local governments to co-design and implement sustainable landscape and seascape solutions.

• Protect and restore ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, coasts, and marine habitats critical for carbon sequestration and resilience.

• Promote sustainable development pathways that generate socio-economic benefits while reducing emissions.

 

The project contributes to national priorities such as the Paris Agreement commitments (NDCs), the National Adaptation Plan, and the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.

 

FPE’s Role in TRANSCEND

 

Within this national and multi-sector framework, the Foundation for the Philippine Environment (FPE) leads the community-driven biodiversity and climate action component of TRANSCEND.

 

FPE ensures that transformative change reaches the grassroots by:

• Establishing and managing the Biodiversity Action Grant Hub

• Providing catalytic funding to People’s Organizations (POs), Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations (IPOs), youth groups, and local partners

• Strengthening local governance and community stewardship

• Ensuring fiduciary accountability and safeguards compliance

• Integrating Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI)

• Monitoring results aligned with IKI Standard Indicators

• Documenting lessons and generating knowledge products for scaling

 

Through FPE’s grantmaking system, local actors design and implement nature-based solutions that protect marine and coastal ecosystems while enhancing livelihoods and resilience.

 

Priority Landscapes

 

Under TRANSCEND, FPE supports biodiversity and climate initiatives in selected coastal and marine ecosystems, including:

• Macajalar Bay

• Looc and Lubang (Occidental Mindoro)

• Antique Province

 

These sites are biodiversity-rich yet climate-vulnerable, where strengthening fisherfolk organizations, youth leadership, and local institutions is essential to long-term resilience.

 

How the Partnership Works on the Ground

 

TRANSCEND connects:

• National climate and biodiversity policies

• Local government planning and implementation

• Community behavior change and stewardship

• Financing mechanisms for sustainable development

 

While GIZ provides overall technical coordination at the national level, FPE anchors implementation at the community level. Working closely with Rare Philippines on Behavior-Centered Design and leadership development, and with Conservation International Philippines on science-based conservation, FPE bridges national ambition and local action.

 

What Makes FPE’s Contribution Distinct

 

FPE brings decades of experience in environmental grantmaking and civil society engagement. Within TRANSCEND, this translates into:

• Transparent and accountable grant management systems

• Equal opportunity selection processes aligned with Section 5.5 of the Grant Agreement

• Strong safeguards and compliance mechanisms

• Inclusive participation of women, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and marginalized groups

• Evidence-based monitoring and reporting

 

By combining financial stewardship with community empowerment, FPE ensures that climate and biodiversity commitments become real, measurable, and inclusive local outcomes.

 

Why It Matters

 

The Philippines is among the world’s most climate-vulnerable and biodiverse countries. Protecting ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, forests, and seagrass beds is essential for food security, disaster resilience, carbon sequestration, and sustainable livelihoods.

 

TRANSCEND demonstrates that integrated climate and biodiversity action — grounded in strong partnerships, inclusive governance, and community leadership — can unlock transformative outcomes that benefit both people and nature.

 

Toward 2029

 

By 2029, the IKI TRANSCEND Project aims to deliver strengthened climate-biodiversity governance, empowered local institutions, scalable nature-based solutions, and resilient communities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

 

Through its leadership in the Biodiversity Action Grant Hub, FPE ensures that communities are not merely beneficiaries of climate action — but leaders of transformative environmental protection and development.