FCB announces new grant for forest conservation

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Friday November 27, 2009 00:00

 

FCB chief executive officer Gagoitsiwe Moremedi said the NGOs must submit proposals to qualify for a chunk of the grant under the Tropical Forest Conservation Fund (TFCF).

The fund is open to Community Based Organisations (CBO). Moremedi said FCB will give out grants in three categories depending on the size.

Small grants range between P500 and P100,000; medium grants start from P101,000 to P250,000; and large grants are from P251,000 to P650,000. Moremedi explained that FCB is a non-profit making organisation under the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism.

He said that is run by a board of directors on behalf of the governments of Botswana and the United States. He said the TFCF was established by the Botswana government through what is known as the Tropical Forest Conservation Fund Order of 2007. The TFCF was formed after Botswana and United States governments signed the Tropical Forest Conservation Act Agreement in Africa in 2006.

Moremedi said that the purpose of the fund is to provide grants to promote activities designed to conserve, maintain and restore the forests of Botswana, including such world famous areas like the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park.

The fund supports activities like developing and implementing scientifically sound systems of natural resources management, including land and ecosystem management practices.

'They include training programmes to increase the scientific, technical and managerial capacities of individuals and organisations involved in conservation efforts, restoration and protection or sustainable uses of diverse animal and plant species, development and support of the livelihoods of individuals living in or near forests in a manner consistent with protecting such tropical forest,' Moremedi said.  

Environment, Wildlife and Tourism spokesperson Archibald Ngakaagae has said the Botswana government has an agreement with the US government how the TFCF will be disbursed in grants to NGOs to conserve, restore and sustainably manage Botswana's forest resources.