No co-financing in the project.

Bhutan has sought to strike a balance between people's participation in development and gradual transfer of decision making authority to the grass roots level through the three pillars of governance - efficiency, accountability and transparency.

The main aim of the project is to enhance the capacity of the Bhutanese communities and community institutions involved in Biodiversity conservation projects, to perform their task efficiently, effectively and enable them to take command of their own affairs, which would be sustainable in the future. This project also seeks to maximize the productivity of the local communities through education opportunities to enhance the skills and knowledge. The project had three main objectives:
1. to develop skills and provide appropriate training, and opportunities for project personnel and community groups;
2. to create better understanding amongst GEF/SGP project grantees and stakeholders on GEF/SGP mandates and exchange their positive or negative experiences of project implementation, as well as identify new projects;
3. Develop RSPN's capacity to ensure that the quality of the services keep pace with the expanded coverage and continue to address the community needs and conservational concerns.

Various activities were carried out to achieve the above objectives, such as the Regional Workshops and Intensive Trainings were conducted for the project grantees. The Regional Workshop was held in two places, Phobjikha and Mongar from 17-18th April 2002 and from 25-26th April 2002 respectively. During the workshop the participants were involved in the following activities:

1. Team work and supervision;
2. Importance of communication, understanding, planning and coordination;
3. Working with peoples behaviour;
4. Leadership styles in dealing with people;
5. Basic Book Keeping;
6. Monitoring and Evaluation;
7. Instilling unity and
8. Identifying new project proposals.

From the above workshops, six new project proposals were developed and out of which two project proposals have been approved by the NSC and are on going - the Orchid Sanctuary/Park in Jangbi implemented by the Monpa Selvwai Yoeser Tshogpa (MSYT) and the Improved Stoves for Merak and Sakten Women's Association (MSWG) in remote Trashigang Dzongkhag.

The Intensive Training was conducted by the Royal Institute of Management (RIM) from 13-21st May 2002 to develop skills and knowledge on the following areas:

1. Project planning and management;
2. Office management;
3. Strategic planning;
4. Proposal development and reporting as per the GEF/SGP format;
5. Book keeping and accounting, as per the SGP format;
6. Decision making and participation;
7. SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities, and threats) Analysis;
8. External and internal analysis.

Twenty project grantees had participated in the above training.