Call for Project Concept Notes: SGF Projects MFF Cambodia

MFF is a partnership-led regional initiative chaired by IUCN and UNDP to promote investment in coastal ecosystem conservation for sustainable development. MFF focuses on the role of healthy, well-managed coastal ecosystems as a contribution to building human resilience in ecosystem dependent coastal communities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam. The initiative uses mangroves as a flagship ecosystem, but MFF is inclusive of all coastal ecosystems, including coral reefs, estuaries, lagoons, sandy beaches, sea grasses and wetlands. The National Coordinating Body of Cambodia, chaired by the Ministry of Environment, provides overall guidance and technical oversight to MFF in Cambodia.

Eligible applicants, grant amount, and project duration:

MFF Cambodia invites NGOs, CBOs, academic and research institutes, small scale businesses, management boards and enterprises to submit project concept notes for its Small Grant Facility. The maximum grant amount is 101,750,000 Riel.  Project duration is 12 months.

Geographic and Thematic Focus:

Tuol Kouki Commune, Mondul Seima district, Koh Kong province.

Thematic focus:

Tuol Kouki commune has four conservation villages which supports about 1,193 people of 273 families inside the Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary (PKWS). As part of managing PKWS, Toul Kouki Community Protected Area (CPA) was created and officially recognized by the Ministry of Environment on 29 August 2013. The communities of Tuol Kouki commune have high degree of dependence on mangrove ecosystem,  which in turn puts pressure on the sustainability and effective management of the PKWS. Limited opportunities to livelihood diversification drives the communities to overharvest fish, crabs and firewood, expand agriculture land and illegal small-scale charcoal making.  The situation is compounded with general lack of awareness on value of mangrove and regulations related to management and conservation of PKWS zones, lack of alternative livelihoods and limited capacity of local authorities on resource management. In this light, MFF Cambodia is seeking concept note to support community-based initiatives which will support effective management of CPA and well-being of the community under following themes: 

• Improvement of local community awareness on PKWS zoning and valuing mangroves and other ecosystems for sustainable management resources;
• Strengthen capacity of community and local institutes (i.e, CPA committee) to effectively protect, restore and rehabilitate mangroves and other natural resources within CPA;
• Diversification of local community livelihoods with a view to reduce pressure on mangrove and other natural resources;
• Provide alternative and sustainable energy solutions for communities to reduce dependence on mangroves.

The concept note should be aligned with the CPA management plan.

Information on guidelines and templates: 

General guidelines for MFF Grant Facilities can be found at <http://www.mangrovesforthefuture.org/resources/documents?documentId=18919>. Applicants should submit a Concept Note using the template at <http://www.mangrovesforthefuture.org/resources/documents?documentId=18989>. 

Submissions:

Must be addressed to MFF Cambodia National Coordinator Mr. Lou Vanny, by email vanny.LOU@iucn.org, and/or by post through #6B, Street 368, Sangkat Boeung Keng Kang III, Khan Chamkar Mon, Phnom Penh. More information and hardcopies of guidelines and templates can be obtained from the MFF Cambodia National Coordinator.

The deadline of submission is November 7^th, 2014 at 1700 hrs.