Formally - all targets were met, trees around school in Lublin were planted, described with labels and small bilboards,playing an educational role (a tiny arboretum).Due to a very fatal circumstances (death of project initiator, well known expert and passionat of trees,forest,afforestration - project achieved "technical" and physical targets, but the main idea for a big campaign and mobilisation for tree planting, green belts, green corridors failed. Initial negotiations were full of future activities based on kick-out project from GEF/SGP.
Problems arrived when final report was expected.It was a total surprise from both sides; from grantee that donor is expecting copies odf bills,invices etc, GEF/SGP was shocked that these requirements are big shock for grantee despite MOA,explanations etc. It was a good lesson about hstory of NGOs and their accomodation to new times, new socio-economic-political system which happened in Poland after 1989.Our grantee was subsidied by the central government in the past, during "ancient regime" and it was a different culture.NGO was receiving yearly certain amount of money for their activities (including office space, salaries) and that's it.Meanwhile brand new NGO,CBOs established after 1989 were more open and exposed to new grantmaking policy with all requirements, instead of old routine behaviour.
Expectations were big on both sides, here GEF/SGP got a very good lesson on the nature of potential grantees, their culture,habits,background,history and what is behind it - better understanding,better evaluation of capacity for doing some works for/with GEF/SGP.
Finally - GEF/SGP after this painful experience started to look for other partners for continuation of tree dreams and plans.