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November 28, 2011
Managua, Nicaragua
The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by the UNDP, held a 5 day regional workshop for National Coordinators of country programs to launch implementation of its Fifth Operational Phase in the Latin America and the Caribbean region and provide training and guidance on the vision and strategy of the programme, results based management framework and GEF’s visibility policy for the next four years. The event was held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Managua, at the Convention Center, Salon La Vista from November 14 to the 18.
On this occasion, the GEF Small Grants Programme in Nicaragua hosted the workshop and provided participants the opportunity to see the results of the programme on the ground and learn from its experience. The GEF SGP in Nicaragua started in 2004 and since then the programme supported 112 community based projects in 7 departments, 1 autonomous regions and municipalities delivering US$ 2,059,855.38 in grants. In addition, the programme raised US$ 716,821.00 in cash and US$ 1,095,481.00 in kind co-financing from other partners.
The meeting provided a platform to discuss in detail the implementation arrangements and reforms of the firth Operational phase of the program. The meeting also provided an opportunity to share lessons and good practices on community-based approaches to biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, land degradation, international waters and chemicals. It also allowed the participants to visit a project about biodiversity conservation through the sustainable production of honey in the Sub-basin of Maunica – Carbonal, department of Matagalpa; as well as a biodiversity conservation project in the Natural Reserve Tisey – Estanzuela aimed at the conservation and restoration of the pine forest cover and associated species, as well as the flora and fauna in general, through its sustainable management and ecotourism.
The workshop opened on Monday November 14th with opening statements by Delfin Ganapin, Global Manager of the Small Grants Programme; Danielius Pivoriunas, Senior Operations Officer of the Global Environment Facility; and with welcoming remarks by Juanita Argeñal the GEF Operation Focal Point of the Government of Nicaragua; and Pablo Mandeville, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in Nicaragua; and included the participation of over 30 participants from all over the region.
Background for editors
About the GEF
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) unites 182 member governments — in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector — to address global environmental issues.
An independent financial organization, the GEF provides grants to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. These projects benefit the global environment, linking local, national, and global environmental challenges and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
Since 1991, GEF has achieved a strong track record with developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing $9.5 billion in grants and leveraging $42 billion in co-financing for over 2,700 projects in over 165 developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Through its Small Grants Programme (SGP), the GEF has also made more than 12,000 small grants directly to nongovernmental and community organizations, totalling $495 million.
About the GEF Small Grants Programme
Launched in 1992, 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 SGP has provided over 13,000 grants to communities in 122 developing countries. Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as a corporate programme, 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, Knowledge Management Facilitator, GEF SGP, ana.maria.currea@undp.org, 212-906-6028