| General Objectives: |
| Type of Actions: |
| Start and end of programme: |
| Level of contribution: |
| Baltic 21 country which may benefit from the programme: |
| Organisations which may benefit from the programme: |
| Procedure to be followed: |
| More information:
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| General Objective: |
| The Global Environment Facility was established to
forge international cooperation and finance actions to address
four critical threats to the global environment: biodiversity
loss, climate change, degradation of international waters, and
ozone depletion. Related work to stem the pervasive problem of
land degradation is also eligible for GEF funding. |
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| Type of Actions: Full-size projects. GEF's three implementing agencies work with the operational focal point in each recipient country to develop project ideas that are consistent both with the country's national programs and priorities and with GEF's operational strategy and programs. Regional or global programs and projects may be developed in all countries that endorse the proposed activity. Medium-Sized Projects (MSPs). Grants of less than US$1 million are available through expedited procedures that speed processing and implementation. These medium-sized grants increase GEF's flexibility in programming resources and encourage a wider range of interested parties to propose and develop project concepts. Enabling Activities. Grants for enabling activities help countries to prepare national inventories, strategies, and action plans in cooperation with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. This assistance enables countries to assess biodiversity and climate change challenges from a national perspective, determine the most promising opportunities for project development, and subsequently pursue full-scale projects. Project Preparation and Development Facility (PDF). Funding for project preparation is available in three categories or "blocks." Block A grants (up to $25,000) fund the very early stages of project or program identification, and are approved through GEF's implementing agencies. Block B grants (up to $350,000) fund information gathering necessary to complete project proposals and provide necessary supporting documentation. These grants are approved by the GEF CEO, with attention to the GEF operations committee's recommendations. Block C grants (up to $1 million) provide additional financing, where required, for larger projects to complete technical design and feasibility work. Block C grants are normally made available after a project proposal is approved by the GEF Council. Small Grants Program. UNDP administers this project, which offers grants of upto $50,000 to eligible projects. Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Program. A
partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a
World Bank affiliate, the SME program finances projects that
demonstrate a positive environmental impact and have basic
financial viability, thus promoting private sector investment
opportunities in developing countries. |
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| Start and end of
programme: |
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| Level of
contribution: See type of actions above. |
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| Baltic 21
country which may benefit from the programme: Country eligibility to receive funding is determined in two ways. Developing countries that have ratified the relevant treaty are eligible to propose biodiversity and climate change projects. Other countries, primarily those with economies in transition, are eligible if the country is a party to the appropriate treaty and is eligible to borrow from the World Bank or receive technical assistance grants from UNDP. |
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| Organisations which may benefit from the
programme: Any eligible individual or group may propose a project, which must meet two key criteria: It must reflect national or regional priorities and have the support of the country or countries involved, and it must improve the global environment or advance the prospect of reducing risks to it. |
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| Procedure to be
followed: GEF project ideas may be proposed directly to UNDP, UNEP, or the World Bank. The project must reflect national or regional priorities and have the support of the country or countries involved. |
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| More information: GEF website |
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