To assist Parties in implementing the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, three targeted funding mechanisms have been established: (1) a Small Grants Fund for Wetland Conservation and Wise Use (a global program), (2) Wetlands for the Future (a program for Latin America and the Caribbean)., and (3) the Swiss Grant Fund for Africa. These are discussed below. In addition, private sources, bilateral donors, and NGOs frequently provide financial resources to protect and manage wetlands.
Small Grants Fund for Wetland Conservation and Wise Use
The Small Grants Fund for Wetland Conservation and Wise Use (SGF) was established by the 1990 COP (at that time under the name “Wetland Conservation Fund”). The SGF provides financial assistance in the form of small grants (a maximum Swiss Francs 40,000, or approximately US$30,000, per project) for projects in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. At present, funding is provided for activities related to the implementation of the Convention’s Strategic Plan 2003-2008, including requests for emergency assistance.
So far, around 200 projects have been funded in approximately 90 States, for a total of more than 6 million Swiss francs (more than US$4.5 million).
The Fund relies entirely upon voluntary contributions for its operations. In recent years, voluntary financial contributions have been made to the SGF by the Governments of Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, Monaco, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the USA, as well as from WWF International. In addition, some projects submitted to the Ramsar Small Grants Fund have been taken over for direct funding support by such organizations as Wetlands International, as part of its agreement with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs (DGIS), and WWF’s Living Waters Programme.
Normally, completed applications in English, French or Spanish must be received by the Ramsar Secretariat by 31 March of each year, but Secretariat staff can advise on project proposal submissions prior to that date. Emergency assistance may be requested at any time. Applications have to be endorsed by the Administrative Authority of the Convention in each State. After an evaluation carried out by the technical staff of the Ramsar Secretariat, and with advice from members of the Scientific and Technical Review Panel, partner organizations, and individual experts as required, recommendations for approval are submitted for consideration by the Standing Committee at its annual meeting.
The Small Grants Fund Operational Guidelines and application form can be obtained in English, French, and Spanish from the Ramsar Secretariat or on the Ramsar Web site http://ramsar.org/key_sgf_index.htm