Local solutions encouraged

By Sina Filifilia Sevaaetasi 19 January 2017, 12:00AM

With great power comes great responsibility.  

This was the message Reverend Amosa Reupena from E.F.K.S. Vaimoso delivered yesterday at the launch of the U.N.DP and Global Environment Facilities (G.E.F) Small Grants programme, Preparation Phase 6 Call for Proposals workshop at the T.A.T.T.E building.  

N.G.O’s, climate change activists and local farmers attended the workshop which detailed the correct way to apply for a small grant as well as how to draft a proposal. 

The G.E.F Small grants programme opened the call for proposals in December of last year and is now being widely advertised in Samoa, Tokelau and Niue. 

The deadline is 17 February  2017.  

Lizbeth Cullity, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the U.N.D.P. Resident Representative congratulated everyone present yesterday.

“By your very presence today, you are actually active citizens of your communities,” she said. 

“Citizens who believe that standing up and finding out the opportunities is very much worth it. 

“Making the trip here despite the rain and bad weather, to me, demonstrates that you are interested in looking at how you can be a part of how you can make your community a safer and better place for future generations”   

“I’d like to see that it become even more meaningful for the community of Samoa.  

“I know that there are a lot of projects in the area of climate change and environment, a lot of big projects under M.N.R.E but I think, nevertheless, there are gaps and areas where communities know best. Where villages know their own reality best.  

“And they know what needs to be done which might not fit into a giant multi million project but what makes a difference to having access to a smaller pot of money which would mean more for you and your families.

“I really encourage you to take the time and connect with the best partners that you can to make the best proposals and to win.”  

“Beyond that, I challenge you, to make sure that these small projects can link up to other initiatives so it’s not just a one off where money is spent.  

“This is an opportunity with so much money coming into Samoa with the Green Climate Fund and   other G.E.F. projects to link up and to keep these things going and demonstrate abilities of citizens who can carry out a project, have it continue and link up and be really impactful on your communities.”

In her keynote address, Ms. Cullity explained the objectives of the programme and the target outcomes that the U.N.D.P. is looking for. 

 “This fits in well with these overall objectives of global and environmental objectives, secured through community based initiative and actions.  This call for proposals outreach workshop, aims to educate and empower stakeholders on the program itself and walk you through the process on how to obtain a small grant,” she said.  

“Starting with how to fill in the project forms, which have been distributed to you.   S.G.P. supports the empowerment of vulnerable communities, to lead their own environmentally sustainable developments through sustainable interventions.  It coincides well with the goals of G.E.F., OP 6, to safeguard the global environment through community and local solutions that compliment and add value to national and global level action.  

“The U.N.D.P. office for Samoa, Niue and Tokelau is committed to working with National governments in order to identify the opportunities to build resilience and reduce vulnerabilities for the communities. 

“The workshop today will hopefully generate powerful and influential community actions that can be replicated in other communities in the hopes that the newly introduced grant maker plus function will empower.

“It is our hope that you will submit well prepared proposals by the deadline of February 17, 2017.  The concepts will then be converted into full proposals to be funded by G.E.F. and S.G.B. 

“This is an excellent opportunity for vulnerable communities who have not yet received project funding from U.N.D.P., G.E.F. and S.G.B.” 

The next workshop will be conducted in Salelologa, Savai’i on 20 January 2017.   

By Sina Filifilia Sevaaetasi 19 January 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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