Maldives Small Grants Facility Call for Proposal 2012

Male’, January 25, 2012: Under the second phase of the Small Grants Facility (SGF) of the Mangroves for the Future (MFF) initiative, a call for proposals has been made, announcing grants ranging from $ 10,000 to $ 25,000, to finance small projects that will support communities in the restoration, management, and sustainable use of coastal ecosystems.

“In the first phase, funds were given to projects mainly in the areas of waste management and increasing environmental awareness. It was a successful round and contributed towards the country’s overall programmes in these areas,” said Mr. Ibrahim Naeem, Chairperson of the MFF National Coordinating Body (NCB). He emphasized how the second round has also been designed to take into consideration priorities outlined in the National Strategic Action Plan, especially towards conservation and restoration of inland water bodies and livelihood enhancing projects.

Apart from providing direct environmental and livelihood benefits locally, SGF projects aim to inspire policy-making, and give voice to local disadvantaged groups, especially women. The projects would put in place concrete measures to ensure participation, gender equity, and secure livelihoods for marginalized groups. In this way, SGF projects helps in linking the household and community level to the dynamics of policy and decision-making that involve coastal area planning and investments.

Ms. Fathmath Shafeeqa, Board Member representing the NGO community in the NCB, further stated that SGF projects encourage locally led interventions, especially via support for local NGOs, who are often best positioned to work with local communities and have a good understanding of local ecological and social-institutional conditions.

The NCB will give priority to projects which focuses on awareness, education, conservation and rehabilitation of inland water bodies, mangroves, marine species, coastal vegetation and mangrove species, as well as projects on waste management and empowerment of women. These projects will help to build community resilience to climate change impacts and provide economic benefits and income generating opportunities for communities.

Proposals can be submitted by national and local NGO’s, CBO’s, academic and scientific institutes, small scale businesses and enterprises. More details on the Small Grant Facility together with guidelines are attached.

For more information, please contact Aminath Ibrahim, Communications Officer