More than half a million tala to strengthen fragile ecosystems

13 January 2019, 12:00AM

Ten more local applications for funds from the Global Environment Facility (G.E.F.) Small Grants Programme (S.G.P.) have been successful. 

The applicants have been awarded financial grants totaling more than US$218,000 (T$545,000). The funds support communities who are at greatest risk in their fragile ecosystems. 

Two inception workshops took place last week to congratulate the successful grantees in Upolu and Savai’i. 

Held to commend those Community Based Organisations (C.B.Os) throughout Samoa for embodying the very essence of sustainable development, “thinking globally, acting locally”, the inception workshops also provided an opportunity for the S.G.P. team to clarify any queries that the project leaders may have, and to help build their capacity in implementing the approved work plans.   

The newly appointed Resident Representative of the UNDP Multi-Country Office, Charles Chauvel, said the “grants will provide financial assistance to our fragile and vulnerable communities, but equally importantly, result in sound financial injection into the Samoan economy.” 

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E), Ulu Bismarck Crawley, thanked the ongoing efforts of the National Steering Committee (N.S.C.) and Technical Advisory Group (T.A.G.), whose work in the final year of Operational Phase 6 (O.P.6.) has led to approximately US$800,000 (T$2million) disbursed across Samoa. 

The rigorous evaluation process of the N.S.C. and technical recommendation of the T.A.G., ensures those who are in greatest need receive the financial grants, empowering the most vulnerable communities to lead their sustainable development though transformational interventions. 

This message was reinforced by the Chair of the N.S.C., Anne Rasmussen, when she addressed the C.B.O.s of Savai’i, who wished them all the best in their endeavours as they begin implementing the projects within their local communities.

“As OP6 comes to a close in Samoa, the future work of the S.G.P. Samoa Office, with the important assistance from government partners, will continue,” a statement from the project said.

“This is to ensure the positive impact of civil society interventions at a national level, a strengthened voice and influence of civil society actors at a policy level, and a continued effort to build the capacity of civil society actors to be successful transformative agents of change, contributing to Samoa’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

13 January 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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