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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.
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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:
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To improve knowledge and information on environmental among NGOs, CBOs
and the private sector;
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To build the capacity of NGOs and CBOs to develop and implement
environment and natural resources management projects that better
fit the GEF criteria;
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To forge strong partnerships that will
generate co-financing for implementation of environment and natural
resources management projects;
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To promote GEF-SGP philosophy,
objectives and procedures through different media;
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To adopt strategies that will ensure successful implementation,
sustainability and replication of GEF-SGP projects in the country;
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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;
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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.
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Project Period: |
Current Phase: 2007/08 – 2010/11 (OP 4) |
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Location: |
Countrywide |
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Status |
Corporate Programme of GEF |
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SGP Focal Point |
UNDP - Ms.
Lineo K. Mdee
GEF - Nthabiseng Majara (National Coordinator) |
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Budget and major
sources of funding: |
GEF US$500K (main
source) co-financing being sought from other sources |
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Delivery: |
No delivery
in 2007
US$111 568 awarded in grants to NGOs/CBOs in
2008
US$135 228 awarded in grants to NGOs/CBOs by
June 2009 |
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:
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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;
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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;
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An inception workshop aimed at building the capacity of potential
grantees to develop and implement projects that better fit the GEF
criteria;
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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;
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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;
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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;
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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;
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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;
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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;
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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;
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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;
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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;
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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;
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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%;
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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;
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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
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