The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP), Country Programme for Lesotho was officially launched in Lesotho on 4th February 2009, at the UN Conference Hall. The Launch and Grant award ceremony was marked by awarding of the first batch of grants amounting to M 994 070.00, to three non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and one community-based organization (CBO) for environment and natural resources management projects. The grantees are,

1. Anti Drug Abuse Association of Lesotho (ADAAL)
Mokotjomela Environmental Protection and Development Project focusing on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity at Mount Moorosi in Quthing.

                
     Representatives of ADAAL, Khotla-Moreneng and GEF-SGP Team during field appraisal with

      Mount Moorosi in the Background
 
 

2. Rural Self-help Development Association (RSDA)
Preservation of the Unique Gene Pool of Lesotho’s Indigenous Chickens, targeting vulnerable groups such as people living with HIV and AIDS in Ha Notsi, in the Mafeteng District.

      Chief of Ha Notši, RSDA Team and GEF-SGP representative during field appraisal.

3. Serumula Development Association
The Implementation of Tšenekeng Botanical Garden (Semonkong) in the Mountainous Rural Areas of the Maseru District for in situ conservation of biodiversity and creation of employment opportunities in the environmental and natural resources sector.

      Members of the Group taking stock of biodiversity resources in their botanical garden
 

4. Qholaqhoe Herbal Centre Association
Community Based Biodiversity Conservation through Establishment of a Herbal Centre at Qholaqhoe in the Northern District of Botha Bothe with focus on endemic plant species of economic value and threatened plant species.
 

     Executive Committee of Qholaqhoe Herbal Centre Association, District Environment Officer and

     the GEF-SGP Team during field appraisal.

The GEF Small Grants Programme, which was established in Lesotho in December 2007, is a result of strong commitment of the Government of Lesotho, working collaboratively with UNDP on environmental protection and poverty reduction.
 

In attendance to witness the launch were among others, members of the Diplomatic Corp and UN Heads of Agency, Representatives of the Government of Lesotho including the National GEF Focal Point, NGOs and CBOs representatives, Donor agencies and the media. The Event was officiated by the UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator, Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie and the Minister for Tourism, Environment and Culture, Hon. Lebohang Ntšinyi.
 

A second call for concept papers was issued in November 2008; a process which will culminate in more NGOs and CBOs being awarded grants to implement environmental management projects.

Click here for the statement by the UNDP Resident Representative Ms Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie.