Outgoing GEFSGP committee stirs climate smart projects to success

September 12, 2018

The outgoing steering committee for the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEFSGP) has been commended for oversight over the successful implementation of the GEF 6 programme in Zimbabwe.

The outgoing 11-member National Steering Committee provided strategic guidance to the GEFSGP over the past three years. Their responsibilities included review and approval of project proposals submissions to benefit from Small Grants Programme.

The highlight of their tenure was successful implementation of four climate smart agro-ecology projects in Shurugwi. The projects involved participation of 830 people, over half of them women. A combined 107 hectares of wetland were protected, 124 hectares of natural forests protected and seven new woodlots established. Other achievements include six gullies reclaimed, 27 species of fauna protected and ten hectares of lantana cleared.  

In addition to these successes, the communities were able to make a living from over 1,000 kg of honey harvested from 350 beehives setup in the reclaimed forests. The communities efforts were augmented by 6 solar powered boreholes installed for irrigation.

Welcoming the incoming steering committee, UNDP Country Director Georges van Montfort encouraged the team to "share their expertise and experience towards achieving the vision and strategic goals of GEFSGP"

Established in 1992, the GEF Small Grants Programme embodies the essence of sustainable development by “thinking globally, acting locally”.  The programme provides financial and technical support to projects that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people’s well-being and livelihoods. with small grants of up to $50,000 and strategic grants up to $150,000.

Since its inception, the programme has allocated a total of USD6,522,794.67 to 180 projects distributed nation-wide.  

UNDP provides management support to the SGP Country Programme by contributing to monitoring programme activities and providing operational and administrative support.