The Small Grants programme in Lebanon

In mid nineties, Lebanon signed and ratified many international environmental treaties and conventions Accordingly, Global Environment Facility (GEF) had established some projects aiming at facilitating the implementation of those treaties/conventions. These projects were implemented by UNDP CO in coordination and partnership with concerned ministries including Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of hydraulics and Electricity, Ministry of Environment, Lebanese Agriculture Research Institute, Urban Planning Office, National Council for Scientific Research, Council for reconstruction and Development and NGOs.
The following projects were implemented during this period:
National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan,
Climate Change Enabling Activity,
Agro-Biodiversity Project,
Lebanon-Cross Sectoral Energy & Removal Barriers to ESCO Operation,
Conservation of Wetlands &costal Zones in the Mediterranean,
Climate Change Top-Up Proposal,
Energy Efficiency Buildings in Lebanon,
Conservation and Sustainable Management of Globally Significant Bird Habitats in
the East Palearctic-West Arabian Flyway,

lobal Environment Facility (GEF) had established some projects aiming at facilitating the implementation of those treaties/conventions

In 1998, MOE and UNDP Lebanon started negotiations with GEF for initiating the GEF/Small Grant Programme (SGP) in Lebanon. A National Steering Committee composed of NGOs, Ministries, Private sector, UN bodies & Technical experts was established in October 2003. A National Host Institution (NHI) was identified for the provision of the physical premises of SGP. A National Coordinator (NC) was hired on
part time basis starting October 2004 and on full time basis as of Feb. 2005. A Programme Assistant was recruited by May 2005. beginning of 2005, SGP Lebanon became functional and had a Country Programme strategy. In May 2006, the first MOAs for 8 projects supported by SGP Lebanon were signed after being approved by NSC in February 2006. Since then 40 projects have been approved. The total SGP core funding was 1,250,000 USD with no eligibility for RAF funding at that time. The total committed budget for grantees was 1,249,302 USD
(99.95% commitment rate).

The Small Grants programme in Lebanon will continue focusing on supporting projects and initiatives aiming at improving the environmental situation at the local level in the five focal areas that CPS for OP5 is focusing at. In addition, during proposals’ evaluation, a weight will be given to women empowerment, poverty reduction, networking, capacity building, knowledge management, sustainability,… (annex 2).
The aim is to have projects that impacts the global and local environment and improve living conditions of communities.

For more information about The Small Grants programme