Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP)

Summary

The Small Grants Programme (SGP) is a corporate programme of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) implemented by the UNDP since 1992. SGP grantmaking spread over 125 countries promotes community-based innovation, capacity development, and empowerment through sustainable development projects of local civil society organizations with special consideration for indigenous peoples, women, and youth. SGP has supported over 20,000 community-based projects in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation, prevention of land degradation, protection of international waters, and reduction of the impact of chemicals, while generating sustainable livelihoods. 

Background

SGP recognizes the consequences of environmental degradation such as the destruction of ecosystems and impact on the species that depend on them, increasing levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in our atmosphere, pollution of water, land degradation and the spread of persistent organic pollutants, which are life-threatening challenges that endanger us all. Thus poor and vulnerable communities -SGP’s primary stakeholders- are most at risk as they depend on access to natural resources for their livelihoods and often live in fragile ecosystems. This programme provides grants of up to $50,000 directly to local communities including indigenous people, community-based organizations, and other non-governmental groups for projects in Biodiversity, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Land Degradation and Sustainable Forest Management, International Waters and Chemicals. 

Since implementation of GEF-SGP in the Maldives in 2010, a total of US$ 3,458,961 (MVR 53,337,717.18) has been granted to 103 projects across the country. 

Major Achievements

Since implementation of GEF-SGP in the Maldives in 2010, a total of US$ 3,458,961 (MVR 53,337,717.18) has been granted to 103 projects across the country. 

GESI Component

  • The SGP promotes social inclusion and youth-related indicators in project monitoring and evaluation. This helps assess the impact of the project on these groups and ensure inclusivity and youth-responsiveness.
  • The programme recognizes the importance of social inclusion and youth in sustainable development and takes a comprehensive approach to address these issues in its projects.
  • The programme promotes the participation of marginalized groups and supports community-based organizations to ensure inclusivity in sustainable development.

Gender is being incorporated into the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme projects by recognizing the role of women in designing and implementing GEF-SGP programmes at the community level and involving them in decision-making and capacity-building. 

For instance, in 2023, GEF SGP in the Maldives is starting the Fuvahmulah City Plastic Elimination and Waste Management Workshop targeting NGOs to address plastic pollution and waste management in the city. The project involves the Fuvahmulah City Council and Waste Management Corporation Limited (WAMCO). Four proposals were approved for funding by the SGP National Steering Committee. Gender was incorporated into the projects by:

  1. Consultation and participation of women in decision-making processes related to waste management. 
  2. Targeted outreach and awareness-raising campaigns to reach women and girls, who may have different knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to waste management than men. 
  3. Addressing specific waste streams that may have particular impacts on women, such as menstrual waste or household hazardous waste. 

  4. Ensuring that waste management jobs and training opportunities are accessible to women and that women are represented in decision-making bodies related to waste management. 

     

For more information on the GEF SGP projects in the Maldives please visit the GEF SGP website.