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September 16th-27th, 2013
The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) shared innovative practices from its Land Degradation project portfolio while actively participating in the 11th Conference of Parties (COP 11) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) which was held in Windhoek, Namibia during September 16th -27th, 2013.
On September 19th, Mr. Charles Nyandiga, SGP Programme Advisor on Land Degradation, joined a panel on “Drylands Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Management”, a side event organized jointly by the UNCCD and the CBD. Mr. Nyandiga illustrated how SGP practices contribute to dryland conservation at the local level, in line with the UNCCD’s overall efforts to focus on pro-poor land management and community-lands in resource-rich areas. Activities undertaken by SGP through its grant projects include, among others, a focus on participatory management or co-management of protected areas and buffer zones, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and giving biodiversity conservation a central role in the production landscape.
Mr. Nyandiga cited the example of SGP’s agro-forestry projects, which, in addition to undertaking reforestation and soil regeneration activities, focus on conserving indigenous species for sustainable exploitation. Similarly, SGP demonstration sites near protected areas have contributed to the natural regeneration of forests, conservation of rare and endemic species, reducing impacts of climate change and offered learning and livelihood opportunities for communities. Emphasizing the delicate link between the environment and livelihoods, Mr. Nyandiga stressed that diversification of livelihoods combined with sound land management approaches also form important elements of climate change mitigation and adaptation, and contribute positively to disaster risk reduction.
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On September 23rd, SGP and its grantee Creative Entrepreneurs Solutions (CES) held a side event to present the EzyStove, a fuel-efficient stove that is designed to meet the needs of Namibian women. It is user-friendly and easy to assemble, and it boils 2 liters of water in 8 minutes using just one short branch of wood. The stoves reduce fuel wood consumption by two thirds, while also reducing wood smoke emissions by 60 to 80 percent.
The Pupkewitz Foundation, a private sector company that co-financed the EzyStove, donated 100 stoves to individuals, including two Regional Councilors to inspire them to raise awareness about the adverse impacts of open fires and deforestation in their communities and help them adopt fuel efficient stoves.
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The SGP-supported EzyStove project has received a number of awards. Most recently, the stove’s applicability and energy saving potential was honored with the “innovation award”, which the UN Secretary General bestowed at the UNFCCC “Momentum for Change - 2013 Lighthouse Activities” event at the COP 18 in Qatar-Doha. The initiative celebrates outstanding examples of climate change adaptation and mitigation for the urban poor and is supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Background for editors
About the GEF
The GEF unites 183 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. An independently operating financial organization, the GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants.
Since 1991, GEF has achieved a strong track record with developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing $11.5 billion in grants and leveraging $57 billion in co-financing for over 3,215 projects in over 165 countries. For more information, visit www.thegef.org.
About the GEF Small Grants Programme
Launched in 1992, GEF SGP supports activities of nongovernmental and community-based organizations in developing countries towards climate change abatement, conservation of biodiversity, protection of international waters, reduction of the impact of persistent organic pollutants and prevention of land degradation while generating sustainable livelihoods.
Since its creation, GEF SGP has provided over 16,500 grants to communities in over 125 developing countries. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as a corporate programme, GEF SGP is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of the GEF partnership, and is executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
Media contacts:
- Ana Maria Currea, KM and Communications Specialist, GEF SGP, ana.maria.currea@undp.org , 646-781-4353
- Christian Hofer, Senior Communication Officer
chofer@TheGEF.org, (202) 458-0938, www.TheGEF.org