Resource Mobilization 11 Feb 2009 Kumiko Yatagai Administrative Officer UNEP CAR/RCU
UNEP Financial Resources UNEP highly depends on voluntary contributions from member states. USD 2 m from UN Regular Budget USD m for Environment Fund based on the voluntary indicative scale of contributions to the Environment Fund (VISC) USD 200 m for Trust Fund & Earmark Contributions Total some 300 m per year
CEP Financial Resources USD 30,000 from Environment Fund for activities USD 1.2 million for Caribbean Environment Trust Fund (CTF) USD 5.5 million from various projects including GEF IWCAM and GEF Pesticide Sida and SBF projects (USD 2.2 million in total) closed financially by end 2008 Total of USD 7 m but mainly committed funds from GEF
Change in UNEP and CEP Fundraising Strategy Targeting major donors for large size projects: US, France, Gov of Sweden negotiation ongoing with Spain, Canada, etc. Donors prefer to enter into partnership agreements negotiated by UNEP HQs and CEP’s role in direct negotiation with donors is becoming relatively less and the emphasis shifted to internal consultations and incorporation of CEP activities in UNEP proposal as part of DEPI.
Risks associated with the Change Lack of familiarity with CEP priority and importance among the HQs colleagues; Lack of opportunity for CEP to directly appeal to the donors of its priority activities in the Wider Caribbean Region; CEP competes with other UNEP programmes outside the Wider Caribbean Region to secure funding from the same pie.
What should we do? Raise the visibility of the CEP within UNEP; CEP Use local/regional channels to appeal to the HQs of the donors regarding CEP priorities in the Wider Caribbean Region, while the impact may be indirect; CEP with RACs Enlarge its donor base and grab the opportunities available locally and in the region. RACs with CEP Engage in Partnerships with other agencies to develop and present projects for funding. RACs with CEP RACs can assist in lobbying their host Governments for greater support both to the RAC and to the Trust Fund. RACs
Widening Donor Base Local Embassies, Institutions (ex NOAA), private sectors may have some small size grant to provide to the local entities like the RACs. Any small size funding would help. Small funding can sometimes make an enormous impact. Do not only focus on developing large size projects such as GEF projects which would take months/years to be developed/approved.
Widening Donor Base Establish contact with potential donors and other partner agencies; Find out schemes & nature of funds the donor have and their eligibility criteria; Find out donors’ interest and areas for possible cooperation; Maintain/update information in donor profile (to be presented by Nadia)
Tools to be used for Fundraising List of Priority Projects and Activities; Concept Paper; Web Sites CEP/RAC brochures & any other information materials such as Our Planet, etc. Study the donor’s priorities and interest on the internet and from the other easily available sources; Act as UNEP Ambassador!
Priority Projects List AMEP and SPAW priority activities, approved work plans and details of unfunded projects available on the internet; Make one of your own for your respective RAC and keep updating it.
Concept Paper Simple UNEP Template to maintain consistency (to be distributed in hardcopy)
Case Study – CIMAB 1 The Embassy of Japan has a scheme to fund small size projects up to USD 100,000 per year. It can finance, expert, equipment, supplies but not the staff and running cost. The donor is willing to fund highly visible projects which can benefit a large number of local people.
CIMAB Needs Equipment – printers, computers, lab equipment, software etc. Establishing of a database on Marine and Coastal Zone pollution by obtaining information from Cuban partner organizations. Match/combine CIMAB needs with donor’s interest to sell the proposal.
Combining it with Awareness Campaign Activity 1. Establishment of the database: Immediate Beneficiaries: CIMAB and other institutions involved in the data collection (X centers) Indirect Beneficiaries: the population at large whose livelihood is affected by the Marine and Coastal Zone pollution
Activity 2: Nation-wide Coastal Clean Up Campaign together with the partner organizations and the population affected. Beneficiaries: population at large, participating organizations The database is launched; A video clip is shown on TV prior to the campaign (if available and/or affordable); Information materials, for instance, caps/T-shirts with CEP and the donor’s logo for the Campaign
Budget Database Expert (short-term) USD 5,000 Computer USD 3,000 Software USD 30,000 Coordination Meetings and launching of the database USD 3,000 Information Materials USD 5,000 Plastic Bags and other tools USD 3,000 Total USD 49,000
Case Study - CIMAB 2 CIMAB Needs: Regional Workshop on Marine and Coastal Zone Management with Havana Bay Authority; Challenge: the Embassy can only finance national activities. Split the proposal into parts.
Split the proposal into parts National part: data collection of the Havana Bay pollution, capacity building of the authority, implement a pilot project, present the result to concerned within the Gov of Cuba – to be financed by the local Embassies and donors Regional part: inviting Experts from the Wider Caribbean Region and share the experience of Havana Bay and share best practices and lessons learned – to be financed by the UN, GEF, and other International/regional fund.
What are the Challenges? What are some challenges that the RACs have in developing new proposals and/or sourcing funding? How can we overcome these barriers or challenges?
Conclusion The role of the RAC in fundraising is becoming more and more critical to the success of CEP; The RAC to be creative to match the local and regional needs with the interest of donors; Act as an Ambassador of UNEP CAR/RCU!