Call for project concept notes

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, Myanmar, 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 Maldives chaired by the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) provides overall guidance and technical oversight to MFF in Maldives.

Eligible applicants, grant amount, and project duration: MFF Maldives 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 grant amount shall be between MVR 150,000 to a maximum of MVR 375,000. Project duration is 12 months.

Geographic and Thematic Focus:
Gaaf Alif and Gaaf Dhaal Atoll
The SGF project concept notes should focus on the following priority thematic areas:
Main thematic areas:
1. Promote sustainable reef fishery through best biological and economical practices in bait and reef fishery
• Explore methods/measures to increase the survival of baitfish
• Develop sustainable reef fishing for market needs
• Encourage community-based fish processing
• Institute value adding of fish products among local communities.

2. Encourage farming of native and climate resilient crops:
• Explore marketing strategies
• Increase awareness on the negative use of chemicals for farming and pesticide use
• Promote best practices of locally sourced organic farming

3. Promote mapping and sustainable management of environmental resources:
• Identify potential marine protected/managed areas
• Formulate management plans for such areas through private sector engagement
• Present recommendation for Strategic Environment Assessment and other development plans.

4. Engage children and youth in management of environment, especially via schools:
• Integrate environmental knowledge and education into academic institutes
• Increase environmental awareness of children and youth
• Engage youth and school children in environmental development and protection activities

5. Improve coastal conservation through better management of wetlands and mangroves:
• Encourage conservation through engaging in related livelihood activities that benefit nature and people
• Improve shoreline protection through conservation and introduction of soft measures

6. Encourage traditional livelihood activities of environmental significance:
• Reintroduce sustainable harvesting and use of forest/plant/other natural resources (e.g. cottage & craft sector which will have demand from tourism & souvenir trade)
7. Explore sustainable waste management:
• Encourage better lifestyle choices for reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste
• Promote best practices and feasible management
Cross-cutting thematic areas:
• Addressing climate change
• Gender integration
• Conflict sensitivity
• Property rights and resource tenure
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 Maldives National Coordinator, by email and/or by post to below address. More information and hardcopies of guidelines and templates can be obtained from the MFF Maldives National Coordinator. The deadline of submission is Thursday, 24 September by 5PM.

Muaz Adnan/ MFF Maldives National Coordinator
UNDP Maldives, Edhuruhiyaa, Floor 9,Falhumathee Magu, Male’, Maldives
Tel: 3343263/3343261/ /3324501 Fax: 3324504
Email: muaz.adnan@undp.org , fizan.ahmed@undp.org