According to the Vision 2030 Plan of Jamaica, currently the capacity (knowledge, skills, and experience) of NGOs/CBOs in relation to climate change and environmental management is low - these NGOs/CBOs are limited in their ability and capacity to respond to environment changes and demands.
Additionally, the private voluntary sector operates within a framework of minimal funding, human and infrastructural support, as well as inadequate knowledge and skills in key areas to make them effective in their diverse missions.
Based on the needs assessment report of the Council of the Voluntary Social Services and the Planning Institute of Jamaica, some of the problems and deficiencies of NGOs/CBOs include lack of information sharing; accessing funds from donors, government and private sector; training to increase climate change and environmental knowledge; training in comprehensive project design; onsite experience of project activities; comprehensive policy advice and increased research and analysis capacity.
Because of lack of such competencies, a large number of NGOs/CBOs face questions about their sustainability and viability. The lack of these competencies also affect the ability of the NGOs/CBOs to adequately respond to proposal calls or even receive further grant funding. The communities they serve and most at-risk populations are further impacted negatively.
The inability of the NGOs/CBOs to effectively network and advocate environmental issues on behalf of the communities they serve, also limits their ability to have adequate access to information and participation in policy decisions.
The Project's objective is to therefore raise awareness and build capacity of civil society, focusing on non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs) and their partners, to effectively respond to and integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation into relevant existing and future programmes to contribute to long term sustainable development of the country and communities they serve. The project will also aim to create a network between NGOs/CBOs and relevant government and funding agencies so that ?access to information? and ?access to participation? can be created and sustained.
The main Training of Trainer ( ToT) course components addressing capacity needs are:
Gender and Gender Mainstreaming in Environment Management
Organizational Development and Institutional Strengthening
Project Writing, design and implementation in Environmental Management
Media and communication management for CSOs

Therefore, the project will aim to increase NGOs access to information, communication and coordination on environmental management and climate change through the GEF Small Grants Programme and its focus areas.

Purpose
Purpose:
To raise awareness and build capacity of civil society, focusing on 100 NGOs and their partners, to effectively respond to and integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation into relevant existing and future programmes to contribute to long term sustainable development of the country and the communities they serve. The project will also create a network among NGOs/CBOs and relevant government and funding agencies so that ?access to information? and ?access to participation? can be created and sustained.

Objective
Project Design and Implementation in Environmental Management
1. Increased capacity to support design, implementation and monitoring of environmental development micro projects/programmes
Networking/Advocacy: - Promote the discussion with local authorities, populations in terms of environment issues
- Assist to establish the dialogue with different actors at local and national level. Institutional Strengthening 2. To facilitate a process of internal capacity strengthening of NGOs/Civil societies to enable them to deliver more effectively and efficiently in their work ? such as project financial management 3. To develop skills in organisational development (OD) methods and how to apply these skills, to improve organisational effectiveness. Gender Mainstreaming 4. To develop / enhance gender and gender mainstreaming in environmental management and the wider programme areas of NGOs
The beneficiaries include NGO/CBO Administrators, social entrepreneurs, Development professionals and members representing various civil society groups