Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme OP6 officially launched

The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) Operational Phase 6 has been officially launched.

The GEF SGP embodies the very essence of sustainable development by “thinking globally acting locally”, by providing financial and technical support to projects that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people’s well-being and livelihoods.

The programme was established in 1992 at the RIO convention and has since then continually demonstrates with small grants up to US$50,000 that people can be empowered to take ownership of the resources and utilize then in a sustainable manner.

Speaking at the launching ceremony held at the Fort Young Hotel on Tuesday Chairperson of the National Steering Committee, Betty Perry Fingol said of Operational Phase 6, “what we had to do then is to look at the guidelines that were being provided by the international community and then meet with our local stakeholders, that included the grantees who have already participated in the project, various partners, institutions and organizations, academic institutions throughout Dominica in one way or the other participated in the projects in the past.”

According to her following the meetings with the various stakeholders the committee was able to identify what has been successful in the past and gaps in areas the committee know that needs to be more work done in the future.

“In going forward we would know where to focus our attention in terms of the projects that Dominica needs,” Fingol explained.

She revealed that the monies available for the SGP have decreased significantly through Operation Phase 6.

“It’s only US$400,000 which may sound like a lot, but when you start to divide that amount for the projects which is done in the past you will realize that’s not going to stretch very far,” Fingol noted.

She added, “We may not have as many projects this time but what we will do is to try in every way possible, use that money and leverage it with other organizations and institutions locally, regionally and internationally so whatever funds are spent we have matching- matching can be in kind contributions, technical assistance as well as cash.”

Fingol pointed out that the strategic initiatives that have been developed for Operational Phase 6 which will take place over the next 3 years include:

-Conservation and sustainable management of environmentally sensitive terrestrial and marine eco-system in protected areas.

-Building climate resilience communities by strengthening the capacity of the communities to address climate change risks in food security, in agriculture, in fisheries and reducing vulnerability to decertification, soil loss and the contamination of water resources.

– Promoting the development and utilization of indigenous sources of energy and renewable energy technologies as to increase climate resilience, reduce poverty and enhance gender equality.

-Empowering the civil society organizations and the private sector to constructively engage in national policy planning in implementation of national environmental policies and programmes.

-Developing programmes to encourage the participation of the indigenous communities vulnerable in marginalized population, in programme development and implementation.

-Developing connections between the country programme strategy in Dominica and global priorities for digital library and the SSC innovation exchange platform.

Resident Representative of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) CO for Barbados and the OECS, Chisa Mikami said in Operation Phase 6 SGP approach is to, “Focus on globally recognized and critical eco-systems, set up institutional and financial support mechanisms to increase the impact on the national and global level and develop capacity of local and national civil society stakeholders.”

She went on to say that the UNDP will continue to build partnerships and working closely with local communities through the SGP country team, “to leave no one behind”

Meantime; National Coordinator of GEF-SGP, Agnes Esprit said the SGP has funded a total of 107 projects in Dominica.

“Utilizing the small grants awarded, communities take action to address problems related to climate change, bio-diversity, chemicals and waste, land degradation, deforestation and international waters,” she said.

According to Esprit SGP operates in a 4 year programme cycle, “and we are now in operational phase 6”.

“As we look forward to a successful OP6 let us look back at SGP Dominica Phase 5 operations,” she stated.

Esprit explained that during Operational Phase 5 a total of 42 projects were approved with a total funding of over US$1 million.

“These projects were all approved by the National Steering Committee, our approving body,” she said. “Thirty-four of these projects were funded with GEF-SGP core funds; these included 31 regular full grants, 1 strategic grant and three planning grants.”

An exhibition was held shortly after the launching ceremony where a wide variety of locally made products were displayed.

Following the launching ceremony an Operational Phase 6 workshop for various stakeholders was held.