The GEF Small Grants Programme Experience – Belize Philip Balderamos National Coordinator March 1 st, 2011

Objective To share SGP Belize experiences of working with civil society partners, including programme accomplishments, challenges and lessons learnt.

Overview Evolution of GEF SGP in Belize Accomplishments Challenges and Constraints Lessons Learnt Next Steps Conclusion Preview of field trip

Protected Areas Map

Evolution of GEF SGP in Belize Launched 1993 and moved through all phases of the GEF SGP COMPACT Programme along with Local Consultative Body added in 2001 In OP3 refocused Country Programme Strategy (CPS) and programmatic priorities on a geographic and thematic basis Prioritized working with Indigenous Peoples, Vulnerable Communities and emerging civil society organizations

Evolution of GEF SGP Cont’d Projects should include Global Environmental Targets, Community Livelihoods and Community Empowerment components Diversified portfolio among GEF Focal Areas Case study country for global GEF SGP evaluation World Heritage Local Ecological Entrepreneurship Programme (WH-LEEP) added as a sub-programme to COMPACT (through partnership among GEF, Conservation International, UNF, UNDP and Daiwa Securities Group)

Accomplishments Expanded and enhanced national Protected Areas Network Built NGO and CBO Co-management Capacity Pioneered Community-based Fishermen Associations Pioneered alternative livelihood and sustainable fishing projects for Fishermen

Accomplishments Cont`d Pioneered Marine Tour Guide Skills Training Supported Integrated Marine Science within primary schools curriculum Supported Integrated Watershed Management in communities Established regional linkages ( Mexico, Guatemala, Jamaica, Dominica and Barbados)

Accomplishments Cont`d Promoted and enhanced the revival of Honey Production Empowered and involved Mayan Women in leadership and decision making roles SGP project up-scaled to medium sized project 145 SGP projects total US $ 2.5 M 32 COMPACT projects total US $1.6 M

Challenges & Constraints Geography - high operational costs Low capacity of grantee partners Community level changes and conflicts Co-financing requirement of 1:1 Low levels of admin budgets for SGP and COMPACT

Lessons Learned Long term donor and grantee partnership necessary Ongoing monitoring and support of community level grantees essential Capacity Building (leadership skills, conflict resolution, communication, project management and reporting, etc.) within projects necessary for community based grantees Exchange visits between community groups very effective

Lessons Learned International Waters projects should involve transboundary funding Community management of fisheries resources requires revision of fisheries legislation (now being done) Communities did not sustain alternative cooking technologies

Next Steps Revise and refocus Country Programme Strategy and COMPACT Site Strategy in line with OP5 GEF SGP global ProDoc and changing national conditions and priorities Strengthen Programme and Project Monitoring and Evaluation Introduce software-based programme and project management tool (Miradi)

Conclusion SGP continues to be an accessible country driven funding mechanism, supporting community level interventions in a timely, efficient and cost effective manner to generate environmental, economic and social benefits.

Field Visit Preview Community Baboon Sanctuary (CBS) - important national/regional community conservation initiative A cluster of three projects Support conservation goals of CBS – to protect regionally and globally significant biodiversity resources Integrates community livelihood opportunities, community empowerment and environmental sustainability Opportunity to buy products and support the Community Baboon Sanctuary