Ramsar's Small Grants Fund Portfolio

Dear CEPA People:

Below is a message that was sent out to the Ramsar Forum regarding our Small Grants Fund (SGF) Portfolio. I’m sure many of you know about our SGF but if not, there are some details below and more details on the next round of funding here http://www.ramsar.org/cda/ramsar/display/main/main.jsp?zn=ramsar&cp=1-63-68-159_4000_0__ ...

You will see in Dwight’s message that we have many good projects in the 2009 portfolio that still require funding. If you or your colleagues have funding available perhaps you will consider one of the projects below – and if you know of likely funding organizations please do pass on this email.

With best wishes, Sandra Hails, Ramsar Secretariat
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Greetings. The Ramsar Small Grants Fund (SGF) was established in 1990 as a mechanism to assist developing countries and those with economies in transition in implementing the Convention and to support the conservation and wise use of wetland resources, with a strong human and social dimension. From 1991 to 2008 the Fund has provided a total of 7.5 million Swiss Francs to 227 projects from 108 countries, providing up to 40,000 Swiss francs (about US$32,000) per project.

Each year a rigorous evaluation procedure is carried out by the Ramsar Secretariat to assess the project proposals according to the strength of the project design, their relevance to the Convention s objectives, and the capacity of the proponents to complete the project successfully.

The Fund relies exclusively upon voluntary contributions. In recent years, many very worthwhile projects have not been supported due to insufficient funds   in 2008 this was 40% of all those evaluated as feasible. So far in 2009 we have so far received no substantial unrestricted contributions to the SGF Fund.

The SGF Portfolio 2009 (PDF) describes 28 projects that have been favorably evaluated. We strongly encourage you to consider providing financial support for one or more of these projects. If you are able to help or would like additional information, please contact Ms Alexia Dufour (dufour@ramsar.org). http://www.ramsar.org/pdf/sgf/sgf_portfolio_2009.pdf

The SGF Portfolio 2008 (PDF). In 2008, 11 of the 19 projects proposals of the portfolio were funded. There are still eight unfunded project proposals. Should you be interested in funding one of these, please contact Ms Alexia Dufour (dufour@ramsar.org). We will consult the project proponents and confirm they are still planning to implement the project and still require funding. http://www.ramsar.org/pdf/sgf/sgf_portfolio_2008.pdf

Best regards, Dwight Peck, Ramsar.
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