Why and how is SGP important for the UNDP Country Office?

"GEF SGP has built capacities of environmental NGOs and offered them a great opportunity to expand their activities in global environmental issues and seriously contribute to national environmental initiatives. Meanwhile, after the significant contribution of SGP-funded NGOs to achieving GEF Full Size Projects outputs and outcomes - in particular in the areas of energy efficiency and protected area management, - the role of SGP became an integral part in the design of any new UNDP- GEF project in Egypt."

"SGP is a strategic programme that links the global environmental priorities with the local community needs "Think globally, Act locally". SGP has been supporting different environmental projects that ensured achieving sustainable livelihood of the local community, taking into consideration poverty reduction and gender mainstreaming aspects.

The successful linkage between SGP and GEF FSP projects, such as energy saving bulbs and conservation of wetlands, had resulted in a wider impact of GEF projects. In both cases, the CSOs were an integral part of the development process. In the former, it assisted in the market transformation to use the energy saving bulb, while in the latter it promoted best practices for the conservation of natural resources. Without SGP, it would be difficult to feel the impact of the GEF projects at the grass roots level. We are looking forward to further fruitful partnership between the government and civil society that would be sensed by every single Egyptian."

What is the most unique aspect of SGP?

"The implementation of Small Grants Program (SGP) is decentralized and country driven. SGP complements the regular and medium-sized GEF-funded project by providing a window for the direct participation of NGOs, local communities, and other grassroots organizations. GEF SGP is rooted in the belief that global environmental problems can only be addressed adequately if local people are involved, and that with small amounts of funding, local communities can undertake activities, which will make a significant difference in their lives and their environment. The Small Grants Program is working at the local level to combat the global environmental problems and achieve more sustainable livelihoods, in addition to global environmental benefits."

What is the most significant contribution of the National Steering Committee (NSC)?

"The National Steering Committee (NSC), the central element of SGP, is responsible for the review, selection and approval of projects, and for ensuring their technical and substantive quality. The NSC comprises representatives from local NGOs, government, academic and scientific institutions, UNDP country office, co-funding donors, government GEF Operational Focal Point and the private sector.

The NSC develops the country program strategy, considers whether is feasible and meets SGP criteria, and examines what kind of technical support is needed for implementation. The NSC is responsible for final approval of grants, helps undertake site visits and review, ensures monitoring and evaluation and contributes to developing and implementing strategies for country program sustainability.

Government membership of NSCs and collaboration with local communities helps highlight areas requiring policy change at the local and national levels and influence decision-making process. The objectivity, transparency and credibility of the NSC are of paramount importance to the success of the country program, and maintaining good relations among stakeholders."

Why and how is SGP important for the NHI?

The SGP is important to NHI because mainly it is an honor for Arab Office for Youth and Environment "AOYE" to host such important program which serves the main efficient stakeholders all over the world. AOYE is Also working -since its inception 1978- on the same themes of GEF and being the host of the SGP, it strengthens the messages and applications that we are adopting in our regular actions. Besides it gives us considerable experience in dealing closely with the GEF themes on daily basis and to enhance our relationships with NGOs and experts who are working in the same field. Eventually, it is an added value to AOYE to better upgrade its technical expertise knowing that AOYE is also member of the GEF NGO network which is considered the closest type of SGP in the relationship with the GEF, so it helps a lot to be aware about all actions on local level then to be conveyed regionally to our colleagues in the other countries.

Why and how is SGP important for your country?

"Actually, SGP is important to Egypt as it addresses very sensitive environmental issues in Egypt. Climate Change is a crucial threatening phenomenon for Egypt as it is located between two seas and penetrated by River Nile so it is surrounded by a way or another. Bio-Diversity in Egypt is not well taken care of although Egypt has a various flora and fauna species, so SGP is playing a great role in addressing BD on the political and environmental agendas to support the NGO actions in preserving the endangered species and protected areas. International water is tangible with the current struggle in treaties and development of River Nile and all efforts in Egypt, especially that the last three years we are focusing on water shares and conservation for management. Thus SGP could support in Nile development through the active Egyptian NGOs."

"Our project aims to stop burning agricultural wastes and so influence climate change through lessening of emissions. This is achieved through the shredding of agricultural waste and recycling it into organic compost.

The project has been very successful in raising awareness against burning and has given the means to those who want to actively be responsible for their environment. Awareness depends on women of the targeted area and through them, dissemination to their family members active in agricultural production both men and women. The project is concentrating on a small area so that we can be assured that its effect is felt and that the local community is able to promote it and survey its progress. Direct benefits are that jobs have been created, being the workers who operate the machinery and produce the compost and also those who are responsible for the awareness component. Also benefits are that in the area of work, agricultural waste is not being burnt.

Indirect benefits of the project have been the lessening of use of chemical fertilizer by using the organic compost the project produces and so lessening cost of agriculture to the farmer, and also the improvement of soil quality and protection of subsoil water from runoff from detrimental nitrates.

Local manufacturing has been supported through opening a market for producers to develop the machinery used in this project through transfer of knowhow from the machinery used in the past which was imported from abroad. We hope to encourage people to start similar projects in other areas by sharing the experience and the knowhow and assisting them in going through the steps needed without trial and error.

Our community now enjoys air free of gasses emitted from agricultural waste burning and the residents now have less lung allergies and disease."