Background

The process for establishment of a Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Lesotho was initiated in 2004. The process followed a very participatory approach which entailed sensitization workshops, country dialogue workshops, targeted briefing sessions and partnership building workshops. In August 2006 the GEF Small Grants Programme Global Office fielded a Mission to Lesotho to (i) ascertain conditions for programme implementation; (ii) conduct further discussions and consultations with interested parties and potential partners; and (iii) provide comprehensive guidance to the UNDP country office regarding the SGP start up process. It was concluded that Lesotho met the requirements for participation in the GEF Small Grants Programme, hence it was granted approval to participate in September 2006, becoming one of the more than 100 countries participating in GEF- SGP.

ABOUT GEF - SGP:
The GEF – SGP is a corporate programme of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of the GEF Implementing and Executing Agencies. The SGP is country-driven and operates in a decentralized and flexible manner by establishing a Country Programme that is led by

a National Steering Committee with the majority of members from the civil society. The Programme provides financial and technical support to projects in developing countries that conserve and restore the natural world while enhancing well-being and livelihoods of people. Grants of up to USD 50 000.00 are made directly to Non-Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations and other recognized community entities, in recognition of the key role they play as a resource and constituency for environment and development concerns.
The GEF – SGP supports environmental protection activities focusing on biodiversity conservation, climate change abatement, protection of international waters, land degradation prevention and reduction of the impacts persistent organic pollutants.
 

THE FIVE YEAR VISION AND OBJECTIVES OF THE GEF – SGP LESOTHO:

The Vision
The Vision of the GEF – SGP Country Programme for Lesotho is “to protect the natural heritage of Lesotho through empowerment of local grass-root level communities to engage in viable partnerships for undertaking environmental management projects that generate sustainable livelihood benefits and preserve the integrity of ecosystems of global significance.”

Two-year Objectives:

1. To improve knowledge and information on environmental among NGOs, CBOs and the private sector;

2. To build the capacity of NGOs and CBOs to develop and implement environment and natural resources management projects that better fit the GEF criteria;

3. To forge strong partnerships that will generate co-financing for implementation of environment and natural resources management projects;

4. To promote GEF-SGP philosophy, objectives and procedures through different media;

5. To adopt strategies that will ensure successful implementation, sustainability and replication of GEF-SGP projects in the country;

6. To identify synergies between the various medium size and full size projects being implemented in Lesotho and establish linkages and possible areas for GEF-SGP intervention;

7. To fully establish the GEF-SGP Lesotho through establishment of functional programme structures, and sound monitoring and evaluation system based on a well formulated Country Programme Strategy.

Expected Results:
(i) Improved knowledge and information on environmental management in general and the GEF focal areas in particular, among NGOs, CBOs and the private sector.

(ii) NGOs and CBOs with capacity to develop and implement environment and natural resources management activities that better fit the GEF criteria and at the same time address national environmental problems and challenges.

(iii) Strong partnerships and adequate co-financing for implementation of environment and natural resources management projects that sustain local livelihoods and generate global environmental benefits.

(iv) A clear understanding of GEF-SGP philosophy, objectives and procedures, among beneficiaries, stakeholders and the public at large

(v) GEF-SGP projects successfully implemented and sustained; and benefits maximized through replication of the projects in the country.

(vi) Synergies identified between the various medium size and full size projects being implemented in Lesotho and GEF-SGP intervention areas determined.

(vii) Well functioning programme structures that provide a firm foundation for the smooth implementation of the Country Programme.

 

Achievements:
The Country Programme was established in December 2007 and it is now fully operational. The GEF –SGP Country Office is currently hosted and housed by the UNDP Country Office – Lesotho. Achievements to date include:

1. Establishment of the National Steering Committee and official appointment of its members by the Global Manager for the GEF Small Grants Programme. The National Steering Committee comprises representation from NGOs, CBOs, Academic Institutions, the Business Sector, Government and the UNDP;

2. Development of a Country Programme Strategy which defines the scope within which the Programme will operate in Lesotho; and its approval by the Central Programme Management Team (CPMT) in New York. The Strategy was drafted by the National Coordinator guided by the National Steering Committee and subjected to a stakeholders’ workshop before its submission to the CPMT;

3. An inception workshop aimed at building the capacity of potential grantees to develop and implement projects that better fit the GEF criteria;

4. A call for project concept papers which marks the beginning of the grant making process. The call was made through local newspapers and through radio programmes;

5. Training of District Environment Officers on development of projects that better fit the GEF criteria and general awareness about the GEF-SGP policies and procedures;

6. A training of trainers workshop for umbrella NGOs and key government institutions that work with NGOs and CBOs and other grassroots community groups, on project proposal development and criteria for selection of projects;

7. Official launch of the GEF SGP Country Programme which brought together Members of the Diplomatic Corp, Senior Government Officials, NGO Representatives, Local Government Authorities, UN Agencies and the media;

8. Establishment of the Country Programme Project Portfolio with grants amounting to USD 111 568 awarded to 4 NGOs/CBOs for biodiversity conservation in 2008; and a further USD 136 228 to  5 NGOs/CBOs in 2009 bringing the total amount awarded in grants;

9. World Environment Days (Environment, Biodiversity) commemoration, organized by the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Culture, was held in March at Qholaqhoe in one of the SGP project sites where remarks were made on behalf of the UNDP Resident Representative. UNDP and the SGP also supported a similar event organized by Durham Link;

10. A training of trainers workshop was held for umbrella NGOs and key Government ministries that work with groups that are involved in natural resources management and related activities: Environment; Forestry and Land Reclamation and Cooperatives. The workshop focused on concept paper and proposal development;

11. SGP was among programmes that were presented to Donors by the UNDP Lesotho management during their recent donor consultations in South Africa. The Embassy of Japan has since consulted with SGP Lesotho and established contact with one of the grantees, RSDA for possible funding;

12. The SGP NSC took part in the global survey that generated a technical report with recommendations for execution arrangements for SGP in GEF 5. One NSC Member participated in the East and Southern Africa NGO consultative forum in preparation for GEF 5;

13. Three project sites have been visited to monitor progress and to identify any problems that may derail progress. All three show steady progress. However for all of them delivery is an issue and as a result there is a big slippage from the planned disbursement schedule;

14. Commitment of the country’s grant allocation for Y2 stands at 83%. Completion of the proposal for the grantee who was awarded a planning grant (ADAAL) will bring commitment to about 100%;

15. One of the five new grantees is an NGO recipient for ASB, a German NGO, that has pledged monitoring and evaluation support for SGP projects implemented by their NGO recipients. A second round of consultations are yet to be held with ASB;

16. The Programme is in its third grant making cycle and the National Steering Committee in its Third Concept Review meeting approved 1 planning grant and selected  and recommended for field appraisal, 6 projects on range management, land degradation, solid waste management and recycling and wetland rehabilitation.  

Contact:
Nthabiseng Majara
National Coordinator
Nthabiseng.majara@undp.org