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The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme, on September 18, was launched as a national program for Palau, officially breaking away from the original Micronesian Sub Regional Programme established in 2005.
Although the program began as a regional initiative, a national program is better suited for each of the countries in terms of effectively supporting conservation and restoration of environments and enhancing lives.
During the sub-regional program period, Benita Decherong, member of Palau’s National Steering Committee says program coordinators at the time were faced with challenges such as communication and long process for applications, but she believes that as a national program those challenges would be reduced.
With biodiversity, climate change mitigation, land degradation, international waters, and persistent organic pollutants as the program’s focal points, the Palau National Steering Committee is encouraging all non-profit organizations (NGO’s) and Traditional Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) to submit their project proposals.
With funding of $500,000, Decherong says each applicant has a sealing of up to $50,000 for each project proposal they submit.