NoticiasNational Steering
Committee for GEF´s Small Programme Established in Cuba Text
and photos by Alberto D. Pérez  The
Cuban National Steering Committee of the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF)
Small Grants Programme (SGP) was established in Havana and its work strategy approved
on 12 January.
This Programme aims at fostering
activities that support global strategies in the communities and among its inhabitants
for the sustainable management and protection of natural resources and the environment
at the local level. Programme areas cover climate change, biodiversity protection,
soil degradation, persistent organic pollutants and international waters.
The nine-member Committee includes representatives
of the Government of Cuba –Economic Cooperation (MINVEC) and Science, Technology
and the Environment (CITMA) ministries, UNDP (on behalf of GEF), the World Wildlife
Fund (WWF), the Federation of Cuban Women, the National Union of Architects and
Engineers, the Foundation " Man and the Environment " and two experts
from the Cuban scientific community. Dr. Fabio Fajardo is the Programme’s
National Coordinator. In expressing the UNDP
and GEF/SGP satisfaction at the creation of the National Steering Committee, Bruno
Moro, UNDP Resident Representative, underscored the importance of working with
communities and local entities in the areas of sustainable development and environmental
preservation. The SGP, he said, has gained special international recognition for
its activities in these areas Individual small
grant projects could receive up to 50,000 USD. The Programme is open to additional
funds from other donors, whether official, non-governmental or international.
The Committee –said Dr. Fabio Fajardo— is
now ready to consider project proposals and will approve those with the most merits.
 The
representatives of the Ministries of Cooperation and the Environment voiced the
satisfaction of the Government of Cuba over the creation of the Committee and
said its work would increase national contributions to the global efforts for
the protection of the world’s environment.
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mas información, por favor contactar a Alberto
D. Pérez, Telf. (537) 2041513 | 
