Fondo BCA

Environmental and Social Management System

Environmental and social safeguards are measures designed to prevent harm and uphold the rights of people and nature. The Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS) comprises the set of procedures and tools used to implement these safeguards throughout the entire lifecycle of a grant or project—from application to closure.

Scope

Applies to all projects that apply for or receive funding.

Risk Identification

Identifies environmental and social risks before and during project implementation.

Preventive Measures

Defines actions to avoid, mitigate, or manage potential impacts.

Respect and Participation

Respects local governance structures and decision-making processes.

Monitoring

Ensures ongoing tracking of compliance with agreed measures.
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The ESMS is integrated into the project cycle:

The ESMS accompanies each project from application through to completion.

Through the ESMS, risks are assessed, mitigation measures are agreed upon, and their implementation is verified. When projects take place in Indigenous Peoples’ territories, the system ensures informed, culturally appropriate participation in coordination with their legitimate authorities.

ESMS at the Concept Note Stage

What do you submit?

  • The Exclusion List Screening Checklist (Link)
  • This confirms that proposed project activities are not included in the Exclusion List.  

What does the BCA Fund review?

We verify that proposed activities are not listed in the Exclusion List. We also assess whether the project requires community participation processes and local agreements, where applicable.

Note

If information is missing or clarification is needed, the BCA Fund will contact you during the review process.

What do you submit?

  • The Environmental and Social Assessment and the Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) which identify risks and impacts and define mitigation measures.
  • These tools enable you to identify project risks and propose clear measures to avoid, mitigate, or manage impacts, including responsibilities, timelines, and budget allocations.  
  • Where communities and Indigenous Peoples are involved, describe engagement at the territorial level and, where applicable, the Supervised Consultation Protocol with Consent Agreement (Annexes 4 and Annexes 5).

What does the BCA Fund review?

  • We assess whether the Environmental and Social Assessment is complete and reflects all project activities.  
  • We verify that the Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) adequately addresses identified risks (feasible measures, assigned responsibilities, timelines, and budget).  
  • Where applicable, we review territorial-level participation processes.  

Note

If gaps or insufficient measures are identified, the BCA Fund may request revisions to the ESAP or additional information before proceeding.

What is agreed?

The agreement incorporates the Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP) as a mandatory compliance annex. Where applicable, it also establishes requirements for territorial engagement and prior agreements before project activities commence.

What does the BCA Fund review?

We verify that the agreement includes ESAP commitments (responsibilities, timelines, and budget). We also confirm whether preconditions must be met prior to project initiation (e.g., territorial agreements where applicable).

Note

Funding and disbursements may be contingent upon compliance with these commitments.

What do you do during implementation? 

You implement ESAP measures in the field, coordinating with local stakeholders. Where communities or Indigenous Peoples are involved, you ensure agreed participation throughout implementation. If project activities change or new risks emerge, the ESAP must be updated accordingly. 

What does the BCA Fund review?

  • Alongside technical and financial reports, we assess compliance with the ESAP. Monitoring activities—and, where appropriate, field verification—are conducted to ensure effective implementation of measures.  
  • Where gaps are identified, corrective actions and timelines are agreed upon.  

Note

Monitoring aims to prevent issues and improve outcomes, not merely ensure procedural compliance.

What do you submit?

Together with the final technical and financial report, you provide the status of the ESAP: which measures have been completed, which remain ongoing, and the supporting evidence.

What does the BCA Fund review?

  • We verify compliance with environmental and social commitments established in the ESAP and ensure that no risks remain unaddressed.  
  • We review evidence and lessons learned to inform future projects.  

Note

If any measures remain pending, a closure plan (including responsible party and timeline) must be defined before project completion.

ESMS Annexes

Application Tools

Reference Documents

Supervised Consultation with Consent Agreement

Documents for Awarded Implementing Entities

For questions or comments, please contact:

consultasconvocatoria@fondobca.org