Beijing, China
August 15th, 2011
The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by the UNDP, will be holding a 6 day regional workshop for National Coordinators (N) of country programs to launch implementation of its Fifth Operational Phase in the Asian 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 will be held at the Sheraton Great Wall Hotel in Beijing, from August 15 to the 21st.
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On this occasion, the GEF Small Grants Programme in China will host the workshop and provide participants the opportunity to see the results of the programme on the ground and learn from its experience. The GEF SGP in China started in 2009 and during 2010 the programme supported 22 community based projects in 14 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities delivering US$1,050,000 in grants. In addition, the programme raised US$402,250 in cash and US$ 335,184 in kind co-financing from other partners. Today, the program is considered one of most successful country programs in the region.
The meeting will provide a platform to discuss in details implementation arrangements and reforms of the firth Operational phase of the program. The meeting will also provide 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 will also allow the participants to visit a climate change project in the Miyun Reservoir Watershed. The Miyun Reservoir watershed is the most important water source in the region and the survival home of forest community residents, who account for 1/3 of the total population of Beijing.
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Background for editors
About the GEF
The GEF unites 182 countries in partnership with international institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. Today the GEF is the largest funder of projects to improve the global environment. An independent 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 $8.3 billion in grants and leveraging $33.7 billion in co-financing for over 2,200 projects in over 165 countries.
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
Christian Hofer, Sr. Communication Officer, GEF
chofer@TheGEF.org
Media Contacts
Robert Bisset
Head of Communications
+1 202 458 5191
rbisset@thegef.org
Laura MacInnis
Senior Communications Officer
+1 202 473 6978
lmacinnis@thegef.org
GEF Secretariat
1899 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20006 USA
