Suitable project proposals are those which contribute to the implementation of the Convention's Strategic Plan 2003-2008 for the conservation and wise use of wetlands; provide emergency assistance for Ramsar sites; or provide 'preparatory assistance' to allow non-Contracting Parties to progress toward accession. Eligibility is restricted to countries on the List of Aid Recipients established by the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), effectively meaning developing countries and countries with economies in transition.
Projects may be proposed and implemented by any agency, NGO, or individual, but proposals MUST be endorsed and monitored by the Administrative Authority (the Ramsar implementing agency) in the Party's government, and seldom is more than one proposal approved from the same Party in any year.
Successful proposals receive 80% of the allocated funds upon signature of the contract and the remainder upon submission of an adequate final report, but countries from which adequate final project reports have not been received may be denied further consideration for funding until those outstanding project dossiers have been closed.
The Secretariat's regional teams also offer an advisory service to help with the preparation of suitable proposals, for which drafts should be submitted to the Senior Regional Advisors by 30 April. Please note that our advice is intended to help to improve project proposals for re-submission to the Small Grants Fund process, but it is not a guarantee that the proposals will be approved by the Standing Committee when it makes its decisions.
Contact detail: CONVENTION ON WETLANDS (Ramsar, Iran, 1971), Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland, Tel.+41-22-999-0170, Fax+41-22-999-0169, E-mail: ramsar@ramsar.org
Moreinfo: http://www.ramsar.org/cda/en/ramsar-activities-grants-rsgf/main/ramsar/1-63-68-159_4000_0__