B.V.I. Monday, September 28 – The Governor's Office is inviting community-based organisations, educational institutions, Virgin Islands Government and Non-Governmental Organisations to submit proposals to the Overseas Territories Environment Fund (OTEP) for the last bidding round of 2009.
OTEP is a joint programme of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development to support the implementation of the Environment Charters and environmental management more generally in the United Kingdom Overseas Territories (UKOTs). The project criteria are as follows:
• Projects must contribute to the implementation of the Overseas Territories Environment Charters, National Biodiversity Action Plans, National Environmental Management Plans, or other strategy/plan that sets out international commitments and targets, and must show how the project is a priority for the Territory.
• Projects must demonstrate a contribution to the achievement of relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements, particularly the conventions on biodiversity, climate change and desertification.
• Projects relating to climate change, energy, and valuation of natural resources will be particularly welcomed.
OTEP will not fund long term research, ongoing maintenance of habitats or protection of species or projects where the main focus is built heritage. OTEP is not intended to substitute for activities that would normally be part of an Overseas Territory government’s core functions.
Projects of up to three year's duration will be considered. Project applicants are encouraged to seek co-funding from other sources where appropriate, either in cash or in kind. When completing application forms, applicants are strongly advised to refer to a copy of the Charter for the Territory (or Territories) for which the project is proposed. Copies of Charters for individual Territories can be found at www.ukotcf.org.
Applications will be assessed during January and early February 2010. The results of the bidding round will be announced in early-March 2010 with feedback letters and further instructions being issued shortly thereafter. The deadline for receipt of bids is Friday, November 27 2009.
For further information, please contact Claire Hunter at telephone 468-3509 or email: Claire.Hunter@fco.gov.uk at the Governor's Office for proposals and for a copy of the bidding application forms. Forms are also available on the Governor's Office website at www.ukinbvi.fco.gov.uk.
The goal of OTEP is to enhance the quality of life and livelihood opportunities for the inhabitants of all UKOTs through the sustainable use (or protection, where necessary) of environmental and natural resources, whilst securing global environmental benefits within the scope of the core principles of the relevant multilateral environmental agreements.
British Virgin Islands News