Landscape Restoration: Building NGO Readiness for Climate and Land Action

About the initiative

Q1. What is this cohort?

A 3-6 month, hands on program to strengthen NGOs working on landscape restoration (forests, watersheds, biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, riparian restoration, agro-forestry and sustainable livelihoods). You’ll get diagnostics, capacity building, mentoring, and curated exposure to CSR/ESG funders.

Q2. Who’s behind this?

WRI India (program anchor) and Sattva (program design, capacity-building and corporate engagement), in partnership with ecosystem experts.

Q3. What’s the goal?

Twofold:

Supply: NGOs are better equipped to design, deliver, and report restoration projects.

Demand: Corporates understand where and how to fund credible restoration work.

Eligibility & fit

Q4. Who can apply?

Non-profits registered in India (Trust/Society/Section 8) with ≥3 years of operations and audited financials.

Q5. Geography - where must you work?

Only NGOs with active or commencing (≤6 months) restoration projects in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, or Chhattisgarh.`

Q6. Thematic fit - what kind of work qualifies?

At least one of these, with on-ground evidence:

Watershed development / soil & water conservation

Forest/grassland restoration (native species), riparian restoration

Regenerative 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

Q7. Minimum organizational size?

Minimum annual expenditure is ₹25-50 lakhs

Last 3 years average annual expenditure needs to be a minimum of ₹1.25 crore or more

Q8. We mainly do education/health/livelihoods - are we eligible?

Only if you already run or are about to start (≤6 months) a program that clearly delivers restoration outcomes (e.g., watershed-based livelihoods, regenerative agriculture). Purely social portfolios without an ecosystem lens aren’t a fit.

Q9. Do we need FCRA?

No. Helpful but not required.

Selection process

Q10. How many NGOs will be selected?

10-15 for the first cohort.

Q11. What are the selection criteria?

Geography (mandatory): Active presence in MH/MP/CG, with district/block footprint.

Relevance: Strong restoration thesis; clear ecological pathway.

Impact: Evidence such as hectares treated, water bodies revived, survival rates, biodiversity indicators, livelihood links.

Capacity: Leadership, team, governance, finance, MEL capability.

Readiness for CSR: Ability to absorb funds and report credibly.

Q12. What documents do we need to upload?

Registration proof (Trust/Society/Section 8)

CSR-1 , 12A/80G (if available)

FCRA Certificate (for those receiving FC funds)

Audited financials for last 3 years

Latest annual report

Project notes for restoration work (with photos/maps/results)

Proof of operations in MH/MP/CG (any of: MoU/LoA, donor sanction, govt letter, partner agreement, field office address + utility bill, or current work order)

Q13. What if we’re not selected?

We’ll keep you on file for future cohorts and may invite you to open knowledge sessions.

Program design & time commitment

Q14. How long is the cohort?

Feb-July 2026 (3-6 months). You’ll get a calendar in your onboarding pack.

Note: NGOs are requested to ensure consistent participation throughout the period of Feb–July 2026 to minimize disruptions from attrition and maintain continuity of learning.

Q15. Time required from our team?

Plan 2-3 hours/week on average.

Peak weeks (workshops, mentoring, pitch prep) may need 4-5 hours of time along with physical presence for all the in-person workshops.

Q16. What happens during the cohort?

Diagnostics: organizational + program maturity baselining

Workshops (3): MEL for restoration, proposal & budgets, reporting for CSR/ESG, restoration science 101, safeguards & partnerships, grant readiness

Showcase: curated exposure to CSR funders (roundtable/introductions)

Q17. Online or in-person? Travel support?

All capacity-building workshops will be conducted in person

Ongoing communication and coordination will take place virtually

Travel support is not included; if support is available for a specific event, participating NGOs will be informed in advance

What NGOs get

Q18. What are the concrete takeaways?

Restoration program dossier (problem, diagnostics, approach, evidence, safeguards)

Fund-ready packet: 1-pager, pitch deck, budget, logframe/MEL sheet, a short impact note on your cohort journey (before/after)

Governance kit: sample policies, reporting calendars

Visibility: curated introductions/roundtable slots with CSR funders active in MH/MP/CG

Q19. Do we get funding through this?

No. This is not a grant program. It improves your readiness and exposure to funders.

Expectations from NGOs

Q21. What do you expect from us?

Attend sessions and share data honestly

Work on drafts between sessions (we’ll provide templates)

Nominate a single point of contact (+ MEL/finance support as needed)

Maintain state focal points and share district/block coverage for MH/MP/CG

Allow use of materials for anonymized learning and (with consent) showcases

How maturity is assessed (restoration only)

Q22. What’s the assessment framework?

We use a restoration specific Maturity Mapping (LNEMT) lens:

Latent: no restoration; generic “green” activity at best

Nascent: one-off plantations/awareness; no science/monitoring

Emerging: active watershed/forest/soil projects; some metrics; early partnerships

Mainstream: multi-year landscape projects; strong MEL; credible partners; CSR-ESG alignment

Transformed: field leadership; scaled, science backed models; systems change/policy influence

You’ll receive a baseline and endline snapshot.

Data, IP, communications

Q23 Who owns our IP?

You do. You grant the program non-exclusive rights to use anonymized learnings and (with consent) to feature your work.

Q24. How will our data be used?

For diagnostics, mentoring, and anonymized cohort insights. External sharing only with your consent.

Q25. Will our work be publicized?

Potentially with prior approval in program communications, roundtables, and knowledge products.

Safeguards & compliance

Q26. What policies do you expect us to have?

Not mandatory but recommended: safeguarding/child protection, anti-fraud, EHS/safety, data privacy. Templates may be shared.

Q27. Environmental and social safeguards?

Projects must follow basic safeguards (no harm to protected habitats/communities). We’ll provide a red-flag checklist.

After the cohort

Q28. What happens post-cohort?

We’ll keep you in the ecosystem loop for showcases, partnerships, and check-ins (3-6 months) to track progress and share opportunities.

Q39. Future cohorts?

Likely. High potential NGOs that were not selected in this round may be invited later.

Admin & timelines

Q30. Key dates (fill before publishing)

Applications open: [24.10.2025]

Applications close: [07.11.2025]

Please note: The dates for the cohort will be announced post NGO selection.

Q31. How to apply?

Via the IPN Events and Campaigns page (form link on the post). You’ll get an email confirmation.

Q32. Whom to contact?

Program queries: Somya Srivastava

somya.srivastava@sattva.co.in⁠

(from the Sattva team)

Technical (form/access): Ashwini Rajamani

ashwini.rajamani@sattva.co.in⁠

(from the IPN team)

What this is not

Q33. Is this fundraising on our behalf?

No. We prepare you and connect you; we do not solicit funds on your behalf.

Q34. Is this a certification/accreditation program?

No. It’s capacity building + exposure.

Quick checklist before you apply

✅ Registered NGO (Trust/Society/Section 8)

✅ ≥3 years operations; last 3 years audited financials

✅ Active or starting (≤6 months) restoration project in MH/MP/CG

✅ Annual expenditure ≥ ₹25 lakhs (last audited year)

✅ Project evidence (notes/photos/maps/results) from MH/MP/CG

✅ One program lead + one MEL/finance contact