The project is an initiative of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), established in 1992 at the UN Environment Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and implemented in 136 countries worldwide. The GEF SGP provides financial, advisory, and technical support to non-governmental organizations and local communities for developing and implementing innovative, integrated measures addressing environmental challenges and enhancing social and economic well-being. 

Since 1997, the Small Grants Programme in Kazakhstan has been offering financial and technical assistance to local civil society communities and public organizations. The current phase, Operational Phase 7 (SGP-7), commenced in July 2023 and involves various stakeholders, focusing on thematic areas such as climate change (including mitigation, adaptation measures, renewable energy sources, and energy efficiency) and land degradation and sustainable management of land and water resources. The project supports local communities and public non-profit non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in implementing comprehensive and adaptive measures to improve social and environmental sustainability in the focus regions of the SGP-7, ultimately creating sustainable livelihoods and contributing to local and global environmental benefits.

The project’s objective is to “empower local communities and organizations to take integrated and adaptive actions for socio-ecological resilience and sustainable livelihoods in the seven target landscapes for local and global environmental benefits”.