The Ramsar Small Grants Fund was established by Ramsar COP4 in 1990 as a mechanism to assist developing countries and those with economies in transition in implementing the Convention and to enable the conservation and wise use of wetland resources – since that time, it has provided funding and co-funding, up to 40,000 Swiss francs (about US$ 32,000) per project, for something like 165 projects totaling about 6 million francs.
Suitable project proposals are those which contribute to the implementation of the Convention’s Strategic Plan 2003-2008 for the conservation and wise use of wetlands; provide emergency assistance for Ramsar sites; or provide “preparatory assistance” to allow non-Contracting Parties to progress toward accession. Eligibility is restricted to developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
Projects may be proposed and implemented by any agency, NGO, or individual, but proposals MUST be endorsed and monitored by the Administrative Authority.
The call for proposals is now being made for the 2005 cycle, with a deadline of 30 June 2005 for application and with a decision by the Standing Committee around the end of the year.
For more information surf to:
http://ramsar.org/key_sgf_index.htm