26th Meeting of the Ramsar Standing Committee -- Agenda papers
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| 26th Meeting of the Ramsar Standing Committee Gland, Switzerland, 3 - 7 December 2001 |
| Agenda item 14.3 (i) | DOC. SC26-11 |
Small Grants Fund: approval of project proposals for 2001
| Action requested: The Standing Committee is requested to receive the report of the Subgroup on Finance relating to this item and make decisions as appropriate. |
Income and funds available for allocation
1. In an effort to raise funds for the 2001 round of the Ramsar Small Grants Fund (SGF), the Bureau wrote in July 2001 to all Ramsar Contracting Parties that are donor countries (as it did in 1998, 1999 and 2000) soliciting their support. The contributions and pledges received up to 15 September 2001 are shown in Annex 1, which indicates that the funds available for allocation to SGF projects in 2001 amounts to SFR 324,171.
2. In addition, WWF International have confirmed that they will fund the 2001 proposal from Algeria (SGF/01/DZA/1) through the support provided to Ramsar Contracting Parties from their Living Waters Campaign, and are also considering funding for the 2001 proposal from Mongolia (SGF/01/MNG/1). Furthermore, Wetlands International has pledged to fund three 2001 proposals, from Belarus (SGF/01/BLR/1), Bulgaria (SGF/01/BLG/1), and the Slovak Republic (SGF/01/SVK/1), through its Netherlands DGIS framework agreement supporting wetlands wise use and conservation. At the Standing Committee meeting, an update will be given on this matter.
Project allocations
3. Following the established procedure, the Bureau reviews and ranks the SGF projects using the approved form for SFG project evaluations. This review is then communicated to the Subgroup on Finance, which meets on the day preceding the Standing Committee meeting to consider the Bureau’s advice. In accordance with Decision SC20.31 of the 20th Meeting of the Standing Committee, the Bureau’s recommendations have been provided to the Regional Representatives in the Standing Committee from regions from which project proposals have been received, for their consideration and comment. This was done on 14 September 2001 with a deadline for comment by 30 September 2001. No comments have been received.
4. For the 2001 SGF cycle, 49 proposals (10 from Africa, nine from Asia, 19 from Europe, 10 from the Neotropics, and one from Oceania) were considered as administratively complete, including the endorsement of the Ramsar Administrative Authority in each country, and underwent review by the Bureau using the approved SGF Project Proposal Assessment Form. The form has been designed to provide both structure and objectivity to the way that the Bureau undertakes its assessment and preparation of recommendations for funding.
5. Through Standing Committee Decision SC25-24 a modification was introduced for the 2001 SGF cycle so as to include a score in the Bureau assessment of eligible projects for the technical quality of the project proposal. This additional element of assessment has proved a helpful addition to the assessment process, and the scores and ranking provided in Annex 2 fully incorporate this revised assessment procedure.
6. It should be noted that in order to seek equity of allocations among the Ramsar regions, the Bureau has prepared its advice on a region by region basis and used this to formulate its overall recommendation by placing the top projects from each region into the first priority (Category A1) for immediate funding.
7. On the basis of the Bureau’s assessment, as shown in list of projects by region in Annex 2, the projects have been divided into five categories – A1 and A2; B; C; and D as follows:
(A1) Projects that are technically sound and of highest priority for funding with the funds on hand. This includes eight projects (two projects each from Africa, Europe, and the Neotropics, and one each from Asia and Oceania) with a total project cost of SFR 297,780.
(A2) Projects recommended for funding (in priority order based on the assessment score received by each project) if additional resources should become available for the 2001 SGF cycle. A further SFR 518,010 is required to fully fund all 13 of the A2 projects.
(B) Projects that are technically sound and are of medium priority for funding from the SGF.
(C) Projects that are technically sound but of lower priority for funding from the SGF.
(D) Projects that, on the basis of the information provided, are not considered technically sound or feasible.
8. The Subgroup on Finance may wish to note that one country (Guatemala) has one project proposal rated A1 and another rated A2, and two countries (Colombia and Congo) each have two project proposals rated A2. The Subgroup may wish to consider whether to recommend that, should additional funds become available, only one project per Contracting Party should be funded from the A1/A2 list, so as to ensure maximum spread of benefit to the Parties from the allocation of available funding.
9. Concerning pending reports from previous SGF funded projects, the Bureau has been reminding the relevant Contracting Parties of this obligation at regular intervals. The project assessment made by the Bureau on a region by region basis (Annex 2) shows those Parties for which reports remain outstanding as of 14 September 2001. One of the recommended A1 rated projects (Papua New Guinea) is from a country with an outstanding report from a previous project (with its final report due in October 2001). One country (Romania) with a project in the A2 rated list has previous SGF project reports outstanding.
DOC.SC26-11 Annex 1
SMALL GRANTS FUND - FUNDS AVAILABLE
SGF funds available for allocation in 2001
(in Swiss francs, at 31.09.2001)
CONFIRMED FUNDS
Surplus from previous year carried forward 24,286.00
CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED FOR THE 2001 SGF CYCLE:
Austria, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Mgmt & Fisheries 12,000.00
United Kingdom, DEFRA 49,590.00
United States, Department of State 126,275.00
Minus 10% administration fee (18,787.00)
TOTAL CONFIRMED FUNDS 193,365.00
PLEDGED CONTRIBUTIONS:
Japan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 100,075.00
Germany, Federal Ministry for the Environment 45,264.00
Minus 10% administration fee (14,533.00)
TOTAL PLEDGED 130,806.00
GRAND TOTAL AVAILABLE FOR ALLOCATION SFR 324,171.00
AMOUNT REQUIRED TO FUND THE PROJECTS IN
CATEGORY A1 SFR 337,780.00
SEPARATE PROJECT FUNDING RECEIVED
Belgium, Wallonne Region (for Black Storks) 20,000.00
Pledged – projects to be taken over:
WWF International (for Algerian project) 40,000.00
DGIS / Wetlands International – (for Bulgarian project) 40,000.00
DGIS / Wetlands International – (for Belarus project) 39,550.00
DGIS / Wetlands International – (for Slovak Republic project) 34,429.00
Annex 2
Bureau assessment of SGF projects and recommendations for funding
Category A1 projects, recommended for immediate funding page 5
Category A2 projects, recommended for funding should additional funds for the 2001 SGF cycle become available page 6
List of projects submitted by countries in Africa page 9
List of projects submitted by countries in Asia page 12
List of projects submitted by countries in Europe page 15
List of projects submitted by countries in the Neotropics page 18
List of projects submitted by countries in Oceania page 20
SGF 2001 – Category A1 projects, recommended for immediate funding, listed by Ramsar regions
| Country / Project code | Project Title | Amount requested (SFr) | Assessment score | Comments | |
Africa | |||||
| Tanzania SGF/01/TZA/1 | Capacity building in the Tanzanian Ramsar Authority: Wetland Unit, Wildlife Division | 37,885 | 59 | Capacity-building. A well-presented proposal that seeks to redress the key current capacity constraint of the Ramsar Administrative Authority through the appointment and training of two staff, who will contribute to a larger current project for Ramsar implementation, funded by DANIDA and Tanzania, that is developing national wetland policy, wetland inventory proposals, review of legislation and encouraging local community participation, and Ramsar site designation. | |
| Morocco SGF/01/MAR/1 | Inventory of Morocco's wetlands for Ramsar site designation and management | 40,000 | 53 | Wetlands Inventory. High-quality proposal, with clear objectives and outputs and a good description of activities and the methods to achieve outputs, on a priority Convention activity which will facilitate further Ramsar site designations in the country. | |
Asia | |||||
| Mongolia SGF/01/MNG/1 | Preparation for designation new Ramsar sites | 25,000 | 46 | Ramsar site designation/management planning. A revised proposal first submitted to SGF2000. Will prepare designations for six Ramsar sites, a management plan, including impact assessment, for one site and assist in the establishment of a national Ramsar Centre. Some budgetary details need to be clarified, but an important project to increase Ramsar capacity in the country. Under consideration by WWF for funding through the Living Waters Campaign. | |
Europe | |||||
| Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of SGF/01/YUG/1 | Rehabilitation and Restoration of wet meadows at Lake Ludas (Ramsar site) | 39,928 | 54 | Restoration/Management/Pubic Awareness. Project aims at restoration and further maintenance of 50 ha of wetlands in Lake Ludas RS area, actively involving local people and NGOs. It will also establish basis for eco-tourism and education (tourist paths and birdwatching facilities). Management plan for site will be elaborated. | |
| Lithuania/ Belarus / Russia SGF/01/LTU-BLR-RUS/1 | Inventory of Important transfrontier wetlands in Belarus, Kaliningrad district of Russia and Lithuania - Part II | 39,764 | 50 | Wetland Inventory. 11 transboundary wetlands (7 shared by Lithuania and Belarus; 4 shared by Lithuania and Kaliningrad region) will be inventoried and mapped. General management plans will be prepared for the sites, results will be published, with co-funding for the project from OMPO. | |
Neotropics | |||||
| Guatemala SGF/01/GTM/2 | Economic valuation of Ramsar site Laguna del Tigre (Ramsar Site) | 36,153 | 60 | Economic valuation. Ramsar Site economic evaluation that includes determining the cost of petroleum exploration/extraction in the site. Excellent pilot project for other sites where oil related activities are occurring. Funds requested are only 16% of total project. | |
| El Salvador SGF/01/ESL/1 | Restoration of natural habitat of Cerron Grande Embankment for conservation and rational use in El Salvador (Potential Ramsar site) | 40,000 | 58 | Wetland restoration. Communal organisation with the support of AA and other organisations to implement restoration and sustainable use of El Salvador’s largest freshwater body. Reforestation, improved fishing techniques and practices, education and preparation of a Management Plan draft. Technical quality of proposal excellent, objectives important. | |
Oceania | |||||
| Papua New Guinea (PNG) SGF/01/PNG/1 | Development and Maintenance of a PNG Wetland Database and Education and Awareness on the Importance of Wetlands | 39,050 | 47 | Inventory/Wetland Strategy/Education & Public Awareness. Project will compile an updated inventory of important wetlands, as the basis for developing a strategy for future Ramsar site designations, and undertake local community EPA on priority sites. The lack of an inventory as the basis for prioritising designation and management actions has been identified during previous SGF project as a key impediment to progressing designations and management, and this project will facilitate landowner consultations critical for ensuring site safeguard in key sites identified by the inventory. Papua New Guinea has an SGF1999 project due for completion by October 2001. | |
| TOTAL | 297,780 | ||||
Category A2 projects, recommended for funding should additional funds become available for the SGF 2001 cycle, listed in order of priority for funding based on assessment score
Priority for funding | Assess-ment score | Country / Project code | Project Title | Amount requested (SFr) | Comments | |||
1 | 57 | Colombia SGF/01/COL/2 | Participatory design of a conservation and sustainable use program for mangroves in Colombia. (Formulación concertada del programa para la conservación y uso sostenible de los manglares en Colombia) | 39,777 | Wise use/participatory management. Administrative Authority will organise a series of 12 workshops to develop a national mangrove conservation programme. Important participatory management of mangroves with key stakeholders (local communities, NGOs, Gov. agencies & AA). Colombia has a SGF 2000 project awaiting completion. | |||
2 | 57 | Guatemala SGF/01/GTM/1 | Characterisation of hunting activities and abundance of endangered wetland related species in Punta de Manabique Wetland, Izabal, Guatemala (Ramsar Site) | 39,922 | Management planning. ONG, who co-manage this Ramsar Site, will characterise hunting activities to provide information for the determination of sustainable hunting practices, a Management Plan and re-enforcing the hunting law. Several endangered species listed in CITES are believed to be hunted in this site. Previous co-operation with implementing organisation has been very productive. Note. Guatemala also has a category A1 ranked project. | |||
3 | 54 | Mexico SGF/01/MEX/1 | Delimitation of central area of the Dzilam State Reserve (Ramsar Site) | 39,903 | Management planning. Establishing in the field the borders of the Ramsar site to prevent the ongoing threats of grazing fields’ expansion and fires occurring in buffer zones. Part of a larger conservation plan. | |||
4 | 51 | Togo SGF/01/TGO/1 | Communities' participation in the identification and the implementation of measures for a sustainable management of the faune reserve of Togodo Ramsar site | 39,950 | Local community participation: Good proposal, with clear description of objectives, outputs, activities and budget, forming part of a larger project to increase local community participation in Ramsar site management. | |||
5 | 48 | Colombia SGF/01/COL/1 | Birds as indicators of the environmental changes in the Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta wetland (Las aves como indicadores de los cambios ambientales en el humedal Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta) | 40,000 | Assessment/monitoring. Aims to use waterfowl as wetland health indicators. There is, however, discussion of the validity of using waterfowl as environmental health indicators since they tend to adjust or move to better conditions. The link between the IDB project on plant and fisheries management in the Swamp with the proposed bird study is not clear. Note. Columbia also ha a higher ranked cateogty A2 project. Colombia has a SGF 2000 project awaiting completion. | |||
6 | 47 | Congo SGF/01/COG/1 | Inventory and evaluation of wetlands in Congo | 39,508 | Wetland inventory and Ramsar site designation: A much improved proposal to that previously was submitted in 1999 and 2000, for a priority Convention activity of national inventory that will form the basis for identification and designation of further Ramsar sites. | |||
7 | 46 | Belarus SGF/01/BLR/1 | First stage of national wetland inventory in the Republic of Belarus | 39,550 | Wetland Inventory. Project has been improved since its initial submission for SGF2000 and foresees inventory of major wetlands in country, identification of 20 new Ramsar sites, development of wetland database, as well as elaboration of an Action Plan for wetlands. Project being considered for funding under Wetlands International’s DGIS framework agreement. | |||
7 | 46 | Malawi SGF/01/MWI/1 | Promoting community-based natural wetlands management with emphasis on wildlife management as a means of wise use of the Lower Shire wetlands | 39,900 | Management Planning, Local Community Participation. A project with clear objectives, expected outputs and activities including development of incentives measures for community-based management, research and education. | |||
9 | 45 | Armenia SGF/01/ARM/1 | Regional Seminar "Current issues of conservation and wise use of wetlands and wetland biodiversity in the European New Independent States" | 40,000 | Training. Based on experience from previous training courses, will provide training for 40 wetland specialists in 6 NIS countries, from both GOs and NGOs, with exchange of experience. | |||
10 | 44 | Croatia SGF/01/HRV/1 | Development of Croatian Wetland Inventory | 40,000 | Wetland Inventory. Project has been improved initial since submission for SGF2000. Project will undertake inventory of Croatian wetlands, designation of new Ramsar sites, identification of threats and restoration needs for wetlands. Wetlands will be mapped and integrated into the physical planning process on all levels and results will be published. | |||
10 | 44 | Syria SGF/01/SYR/1 | Strengthening the Participation of the Local Community in the Management of Al Jaboul Lake Ramsar site | 40,000 | Participatory management/Training/Public awareness. A well-presented project with clear objectives, outputs and activities. Will increase management capacity, including through training courses, at Syria’s first Ramsar site, and encourage local community participation in the site’s management., and produce awareness materials. | |||
12 | 43 | Congo SGF/01/COG/2 | Management Plan development for Lac Télé/Likouala-aux-Herbes Community Reserve project | 40,000 | Management Planning, Local Community Participation. The project will promote direct local community participation in the conservation of biological resources through the development of a management plan for this Ramsar site. The process would involve government officials in recognition of the need for development of national policies and legislation that support local conservation and wise use interests. Note. Congo also has a higher ranked A2 project. | |||
13 | 41 | Romania/ Moldova / Ukraine SGF/01/ROM/1 | An Integrated Trilateral Management Plan (Romania-Republic of Moldova-Ukraine) for the Lower Danube Euroregion | 39,500 | Strategy/Management. Project proposes to elaborate a common management plan for 3 Danube Delta RS (Moldova, Ukraine, Romania) and raise public awareness on wetland values. Romania has two pending SGF projects awaiting completion. | |||
TOTAL | 518,010 | |||||||
[Other categories of recommendations have been omitted from this public version of the report.]
