The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Samoa, is once again bringing to the forefront the importance of supporting communities who are at greatest risk in their fragile ecosystems. A further ten applicants have officially been awarded financial grants from the GEF-SGP, totalling a sum of over 218,000 USD, which will be utilised to implement projects spanning numerous GEF Focal Areas (FAs). 

Two inception workshops took place this week to congratulate the successful grantees in both Upolu and Savaii. Held to commend those Community Based Organisations (CBOs) throughout Samoa for embodying the very essence of sustainable development, “thinking globally, acting locally”, the inception workshops also provided an opportunity for the SGP team to clarify any queries that the project leaders may have, and to help build their capacity in implementing the approved workplans.   

The newly appointed Resident Representative a.i. of the UNDP Multi-Country Office, Charles Chauvel, was pleased to announce that “these grants will provide financial assistance to our fragile and vulnerable communities, but equally importantly, result in sound financial injection into the Samoan economy”. 

In his keynote address to the successful grantees of Upolu on Wednesday 9th January 2019, Ulu Bismarck Crawley, Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE), thanked the ongoing efforts of the National Steering Committee (NSC) and Technical Advisory Group (TAG), whose work in the final year of Operational Phase 6 (OP6) has led to approximately 800,000 USD disbursed across Samoa. The rigorous evaluation process of the NSC and technical recommendation of the TAG, ensures those who are in greatest need receive the financial grants, empowering the most vulnerable communities to lead their sustainable development though transformational interventions. This message was reinforced by the Chair of the NSC, Anne Rasmussen, representing the CEO of MNRE on Friday 11th January 2019, whilst addressing the CBOs of Savaii, who wished them all the best in their endeavours as they begin implementing the projects within their local communities.

The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme Sub-Regional Coordinator, Mr. Lilomaiava Taumalaulu Filifilia Iosefa further stated that the  onus now falls on the selected grantees and their communities to successfully implement the approved projects to ensure the opportunity for future funding in the coming operational phases. 

As OP6 comes to a close in Samoa, the future work of the SGP Samoa Office, with the important assistance from government partners, will continue to ensure the positive impact of civil society interventions at a national level, a strengthened voice and influence of civil society actors at a policy level, and a continued effort to build the capacity of civil society actors to be successful transformative agents of change, contributing to Samoa’s efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.