BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FUNDING for non-governmental and community-based projects is available through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme, and groups are being asked to present ideas and projects with sustainable benefits to the country.
The programme invites projects and ideas that would meet one or more of GEF’s three objectives: to ensure environmental sustainability, to alleviate and reduce poverty and to promote capacity development in an enabling environment.
Barbados and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is one branch in the overall network. In an interview with SKNVibes, GEF SGP Coordinator for the sub-region Giles Romulus explained that a National Focal Group has been instituted in each country in order to review projects and make decisions there.
“We are telling groups that we are available to give you technical advice and grants to implement projects; projects that are based on the natural resources of the country and that will help to create employment and income and to develop your capacity for sustained action,” he said.
Through GEF’s Small Grants Programme, up to US $100 000 can be accessed to fund community projects. Through the Medium GEF and Big GEF Programmes, up to US $1 million and in excess of US$1 million, respectively, can be granted.
While all the finances are available to St. Kitts and Nevis, Romulus complained that the Federation has not been accessing the funds.
“When we compare St. Kitts and Nevis to the other Caribbean islands, St. Kitts and Nevis is not doing very well. In fact, in the last financial year ending June 2009, St. Kitts [and Nevis] only had one major project, and that was by the St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network.
“I see no reason why St. Kitts and Nevis can’t rise to that challenge,” he added.
The GEF official noted that there is still much reticence and scepticism on the part of community groups in accessing funds, indicating that groups should seek to emulate others within the sub-region.
The National Focal Group works with community groups to create an enabling environment that encourages groups to undertake projects with social, economic and environmental benefits.
Head of the National Focal Group Stephen Duggins told SKNVibes that the local group is committed to doing more promotions that make the public fully aware of the opportunities available to them and ways in which they can be accessed.
He encouraged groups to recognize the advantages of being able to have their projects funded, and reassured them that the local organization would do all in its power to provide guidance until the project is funded.
“We are a small country, our resources are limited and opportunities are not as great as in some of the larger countries. But, through this programme, we provide opportunities for you to get involved in meaningful activities which can generate income and improve your overall condition.
“Just come with a concept, it doesn’t have to be a large project, and we will guide you along and help you develop a project plan,” Duggins added.
Interested groups are asked to contact Duggins by calling him at 465-7871 or 663-8099.
The UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme has been in existence for nearly two decades, working with communities around the world to combat the most critical environmental problems. Since its inception, it has decentralized its core decision-making in order to allow for easier access to funding in over 120 countries.
