"If I have to characterize very briefly the SGP, I would say three things: First, the program has such an ability to value community knowledge and to trust communities with the competence to take responsibility for themselves and for the management of their environment. The projects, which have been handled at SGP Madagascar, are here to proof this.

Secondly, SGP can show that it is possible to reconcile environmental conservation with the concerns relative the fight against poverty...

And lastly, SGP shows that with little resources one can achieve great things. When we look at the budget allocated by SGP and the results we were able to get out in the field, we are rather quite satisfied."

"Despite the interruption of the main financing mechanism for its National Environmental Programme, Madagascar is embarked in an exciting process of analysis and action at the grassroots... With GEF SGP and its partner support, the community organizations that received the power to manage their natural resources as part of the GELOSE law in the last fifteen years are pulling together their experiences, reflecting candidly on their problems and identifying their way ahead... Time is ripe for being bold! Many even speak of effectively recognizing traditional Malagasy communities – the fokonolona – as key actors in the governance of natural resources... deserving to receive under collective, inalienable rights the property of their customary territory.... Will this bold vision become reality? Could the proposed Sustainable Fokonolona Funds help to promote it? Only the future will tell... but this surge of fresh ideas and action is truly most promising!"