GEF Small Grants Programme in Romania - Benefits for environment and communities –

1. GEF Small Grants Programme in Romania- Benefits for environment and communities – 18 May 2007, Chişinău, Republic of Moldavia Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

2. Overview • GEF SGP is a GEF corporate programme •in Romania SGP was launched in December 2004 • itis implemented by UNDP in the name of the GEF Implementing Agencies, and executed by UNOPS • till present it provides 35 grants, up to US$ 700,000 in total • GEF SGP projects link to large GEF projects, as they address to the communities that live in (or in the surroundings of) protected areas, including national and natural parks set up via GEF projects Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

3. In Romania, GEF SGP has Thematical priorities • most grants address biodiversity conservation, some grants address climate change and others address to international waters Target groups: NGOs and CBOs • Partners: local administrations/ municipalities, schools, research institutes, academies, private sector, etc. Geographical focus • covering important environmental hotspots, that include natural and national parks, biosphere reserves and other protected areas Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

4. GEF SGP ‘niche’ in Romania • global environmental benefits in the GEF focal areas through community-based initiatives and actions in line with country’s priorities and needs; Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

5. The long-term goal of GEF SGP in Romania • to contribute to achieving global environmental benefits with community-level action, • through • projects implemented by NGOs and CBOs in order to: • - protect international waters, • - conserve biodiversity, • - reduce the likelihood of adverse climate change, • - phase out the persistent organic pollutants and • - manage the land in a sustainable way. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

6. SGP Country Programme Strategy • Projects contain capacity building for the empowerment of local communities and practical activities leading to obtain benefits for the environment and communities • Projects are based on local ideas following a participatory process • The projects are locally managed, by local NGO/CBO in partnership with other local stakeholders • Projects have SMART objectives; activities have measurable results • Projects are limited in time: up to 2 years • There is a network of NGO grantees – exchange of info, best practices, etc. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

7. SGP Romania Strategy for the RAF Funds • The GEF SEC approved a 300,000 USD amount for the first 2 years of the GEF-4 RAF for SGP projects in climate change (150,000 USD per year). • In order to respond to the CEO’s request made to SGP Programmes using RAF, the SGP National Coordinator together with theNSC designed a draft Strategy for the Use of RAF Climate Change Funds at GEF SGP Romania. The Strategy is based on: • the GEF-4 ‘Draft GEF Focal Area Strategy for Climate Change’, • the SGP climate change related activities, • Romania’s National Strategy on Climate Change, • Romania’s National Action Plan on Climate Change. The Strategy was discused with by the GEF Operational Focal Point and the UNFCCC Focal Point (at Ministry of Environment). Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

8. GEF SGP Romania Main Objectives (1) • To increase communities’ awareness, understanding and involvement in issues related to GEF areas of intervention, local livelihood needs and poverty alleviation; • To support local communities and NGOs/CBOs in their initiatives that contribute in achieving global environmental benefits, poverty alleviation and empowerment; • To strengthen NGOs/CBOs capacity in project design and implementation, and increase their participation at environmental protection decision making process; Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

9. GEF SGP Romania Main Objectives (2) • To establish strong working relationships among the GEF SGP, NGOs, CBOs, local communities, the national and local government bodies and agencies, research institutions, private businesses, UN/ GEF Implementing Agencies projects, other donors programmes; • To make a relevant selection of projects, in compliance with programme’s geographical focus, thematic focus, impact orientation, national priorities and local community needs; • To achieve high GEF SGP visibility and popularity through funding appropriate project proposals, dissemination of good results, and application of well designed communication and outreach strategies; • To substantially contribute to knowledge management for NGOs, CBOs, and communities ; • To set the basis for long-term programme sustainability. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

10. Local management of the programme • • NC +PA • • NSC – 8 members, mostly from non-governmental • sector, recognized personalities in their field of work related to the GEF priorities • • The GEF Operational Focal Point sits in the SGP National Steering Committee. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

11. Grant making (1) • Concept paper – received continuously • Call for Proposals: 1-2/ year • Based on Romanian GEF SGP Strategy • Dedicated Application Guidelines – instrument for the applicant explaining thoroughly how to ensure the eligibility of the project proposal, in line with GEF and SGP requirements Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

12. Grant making (2) • Capacity building for potential grantees • NC/PA free assistance at the elaboration of project proposals – to meet the eligibility criteria, including use of GEF indicators • Dedicated training sessions • Meetings with stakeholders in the geographical eligible regions – participatory process for local project ideas and follow-up • Participation at meetings and exchange with other existing networks and donors, i.e. environmental NGOs, local facilitators, rural-net, LEADER, Association of Communes, Regional Environmental Centre, Carpathian Foundation etc. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

13. Grant making (3) • Capacity building for the grantees • Assistance at the incorporation of the NSC recommendations in the final projects • Dedicated training session with new grantees • Implementation and Reporting Guidelines • Annual SGP event – exchange between the programme management and the grantees. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

14. Steps in the process of proposals selection (1) • Screening – NC and PA • Independent evaluation – each NSC member, based on a common evaluation matrix • Evaluation criteria: • Applicant eligibility, Geographical and thematic eligibility; SMART objectives; Project contributes to impacts on: environment, poverty reduction and empowerment; • Measurable results; use of indicators in the programme matrix including global indicators • Involvement of local communities, with an accent on women and youth in rural areas – local ownership, empowerment of local communities • Sustainability; Replication, Dissemination • Co-financing – must be proved • Common evaluation – NSC meeting, decisions taken in consensus. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

15. Steps in the process of proposals selection(2) • NSC approves a number of proposals for financing • NSC gives recommendations for the improvement of project proposals; fulfilling the recommendations is mandatory to obtain the financing/ grant • NC communicates the recommendations to the NGO and ensures that these are fulfilled before approving the grant; NC also advices the NGO with regard to fulfilling the recommendations • Once these are fulfilled, the grant is approved • Grant contract is signed • Grant is disbursed in 3 tranches; contract signed – disbursement of first tranche • Project coordinators are trained on implementation, self-monitoring and evaluation of project, reporting; Implementation and Reporting Guidelines. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

16. Project implementation • Based on the programme’s Implementation and Reporting Guidelines and on the project proposal • Performed by local NGO/CBO together with the local partners • Follows in detail the approved project • Self monitoring and evaluation • Project coordinator keeps close contact with the NC and PA, sends periodically reports; trouble-shooting. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

17. Monitoring and Evaluation • Interim reports and final reports (narrative and financial) • Reports are thoroughly analyzed in the office – additional info may be required (NGO provides additional info if necessary) • Co-financing also must be proved • NC performs monitoring and evaluation visits to projects; monitoring reports; comparison with the interim and final reports submitted • If the project is being implemented in line with the proposal, then the report is approved and next tranche disbursed • Final reports contain very specific information on the achievement of objectives, results are measured via the established indicators in the programme matrix • Yearly reports at the country level on the achievement of indicators • Based on the results, the strategy for the next year is defined with the NSC. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

18. Co-financing aspects • 50% co-financing: 25% in kind and 25% cash • Can be at programme level or at project level • Comes from: other donors, private sector, local communities themselves • Example: Coca Cola co-financing (for 2 projects, international waters area of intervention) • Ensures local ownership of the project and the sustainability of the initial project idea. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

19. Outreach/ Achievements • Based on a communication strategy • Periodic announcements on e-lists, website, networks • Calls advertised in local newspapers • Every visit (M&E) in the field is used also to advertise the programme, to meet stakeholders and to gather new project ideas to build on • Annual SGP event and exhibition. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

20. Adaptive management • SGP is a learning programme • It is continuously incorporating feedback and lessons learnt in the Application Guidelines, based on the newest developments, findings on the field and project proposals received. Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

21. Community Involvement in SGP funded initiatives • Involving women into the projects activities for its sustainability Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

22. Community Involvement in SGP funded initiatives • Making the most out of waste wood • by turning it into useful objects Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

23. Training session with the forest private owners Educational activities with children within local communities Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

24. Community Involvement in SGP funded initiatives Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development

25. Thank you! Romanian GEF Focal Point Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development Silviu STOICA – GEF PFP, Romania Secretary of State Maria-Elena TEODORESCU – GEF OFP E-mail address: silviu.stoica@mmediu.romaria.teodorescu@mmediu.ro Web site: www.mmediu.ro Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development