I – What is MGF?
The Non-Timber Forest Products Exchange Programme (NTFP-EP) is a network of indigenous organizations and support NGOs. Our shared goal is to empower forest-based communities to make use of and manage forest resources in a sustainable manner. To this end, the NTFP-EP catalyses and supports activities that build up and strengthen the capacity of our partner organisations in their work with forest-dependent communities, particularly indigenous peoples.
With support from the Broederlijk Delen, the Partnership Fund for Community-Based NTFP Initiatives in South and Southeast Asia was established, which basically serves as the 2nd phase for the EP Microgrant Fund (MGF) and is accessible for:
Promising new initiatives needing start-up funds; and
Established initiatives in need of immediate support (unexpected opportunities, sudden threats)
The over-all purpose of the MGF is to catalyze and support activities that will build up and strengthen the capacity of local organizations in:
the protection and sustainable management of ecosystems
mainstreaming and integrating sustainable forest management in NTFP enterprise development and NTFP subsistence uses or vice-versa.
communicating their local issues and plans to other stakeholders and parties locally or on a more macro-scale.
II – Who can apply?
The MGF is primarily directed at the wider EP network in forested areas throughout South and Southeast Asia with special focus on the following countries
· Philippines
· Malaysia
· Indonesia
· Cambodia
· Vietnam
· India (Western and Eastern Ghats)
III – Which initiatives can apply for MGF?
I. General
Actor: Applicant is a community, peoples organization (P.O.) or local non-government organization (NGO) with close community links.
Urgency: if not funded momentum may be lost or set-back may occur in overall strategy.
Alternatives: other sources of funding are not immediately available. (on the assumption that this has been checked by the initiative and/or its supporters.)
Ownership: The project has been discussed in the community/ies involved; motivation is high among a large section of those community/ies.
Organization (Institutional Capacity): the initiative is sufficiently well-organized to carry out the activities on its own OR adequate assistance/support by others can be relied on.
If bridge funding is requested, the organization should be: (a) able to present reasoning why the former donor will not fund the activity and (b) willing to develop a clear operational and resource mobilization plan during the bridge period.
II. Thematic
Depending on the primary focus of the proposed project / activity, the following thematic coverage / focus will be considered:
1. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
The project contributes to one or more of the following:
a.) enhancing or reviving sustainable traditional practices;
b.) adapting local RM to changing circumstances;
c.) improving capacity for monitoring and RM planning.
d) sharing of important learnings.
2. TENURE
In projects concerning land rights / access to forest lands, territorial claims of other communities have been solved, are in the process of being solved or the project contributes to solving the disputes.
3. LIVELIHOOD
The project:
a.) contributes to improving income situation, through fair trade of forest products from community-based enterprises;
b.) has potential to become self-sustained in the future;
c.) addresses possible impacts on the resource.
4. THREATS
The project contributes to:
a.) awareness raising of the impact of destructive developments among communities directly affected or within society at large;
b.) effective lobby to halt these development, or
c.) better monitoring and enforcement of regulations.
5. CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION
The project contributes to:
a) Building resilience among forest –based groups in the face of climate change
b) Testing localized climate change adaptation interventions
IV – How much can be requested?
Maximum amount of grant funding is € 5,000.00 for a maximum of eighteen (18) months of project duration per applicant.
V – How to apply?
It is recommended that applicants CAREFULLY READ THE MGF GUIDELINES prior to accomplishing the MGF proposal format (which can be downloaded from http://uploading.com/files/done/e9224b63 ).
The completed application preferably should not exceed three (3) pages excluding the breakdown of expenses.
Applications may be sent through mail, e-mail or facsimile:
The MGF Secretariat
NTFP-EP for South and Southeast Asia
92 Masikap Extension,
Brgy. Central, Diliman,
Quezon City, Philippines
Fax: +63 2 426 27-57
Email: mgf@ntfp.org
THE CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS ON MONDAY, 31 AUGUST 2011.
(Note: Please be advised that due to the anticipate volume of applications, a pre-screening / shortlisting shall be made by the MGF Secretariat taking into consideration the abovementioned criteria. All shortlisted applications received after the deadline shall then be reviewed by the MGF Advisory Committee according to the criteria listed above. Decisions on the applications will be made by the Advisory Committee, 4-5 weeks thereafter.)
