Empowering Samoan communities

By Ilia L Likou 04 November 2017, 12:00AM

Sixteen applicants have been awarded grants through the Operational Phase 6 of the Global Environment Facility (G.E.F.) Small Grants Programme (S.G.P.) of the United Nations Development Programme (U.N.D.P.). 

This is the first time in Samoa the United Nations Development Programme has awarded 47 grants in an operational Phase for a total of US$1,058,500 million (T$2.7 million).

The opening of the inception workshop for successful applicants was held at the U.N. Conference room at Tuana’imatao on Friday where the applicants also signed their contracts.

U.N.D.P. Resident Representative, Lizbeth Cullity said the grants will result in not only useful financial injection into the Samoan economy, but also assistance for vulnerable communities.

“The successful applicants also had a chance to discuss their approved and revised work plans and budgets and receive overall guidance on the implementation of their projects,” she said.   

“At the end of this workshop, and with the help of U.N.D.P.-G.E.F./ S.G.P. team, we hope that you will better understand the importance of following your approved work plans and financial management system.

“I encourage you to make use of this opportunity to ask questions and to share any concerns that you might have in implementing your respective projects on the ground.”

Ms. Cullity expressed her gratitude to the government of Samoa for its continued support.

“I would like to also thank all our key partners and stakeholders for the exemplary support in progressing the S.G.P.’s work in Samoa,” she adds.

“To the members of the National Steering Committee comprising the Ministry of the Natural Resources and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Samoa Umbrella of N.G.O’s, Small Business Enterprise Centre, Samoa Chamber of Commerce, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme and Conservation International for your concerted efforts in supporting the work of the G.E.F.-S.G.P. in Samoa.”

G.E.F-S.G.P was established in 1992 and was designed to embody the very essence of sustainable development through “thinking globally and acting locally”. 

The Small Grants Programme demonstrates that community action can maintain a fine balance between human needs and environmental imperatives by providing financial and technical support to projects that conserve and restore environment while enhancing people’s wellbeing and livelihoods. 

The programme chooses recipients that have a strong dependency on access to natural resources for their livelihood and often live in fragile eco-systems. 

Since its creation, S.G.P. has provided more than 18,500 grants in 131 developing countries. 

Funded by G.E.F. as a corporate programme, S.G.P is implemented by U.N.D.P. on behalf of the G.E.F. partnership executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (U.N.O.P.S.).

By Ilia L Likou 04 November 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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