KARACHI - Mangroves for the Future Programme under its project cycle management and proposal writing held a two-day workshop here for local organisations working along the Balochistan and Sindh coasts.
Forest Deputy Inspector General Abdul Munaf Qaimkhani on the occasion said there was an urgency to train the representatives of the local NGOs, institutions and CBOs to address the needs of the coastal communities in a better manner.
The training conducted by a renowned biologist and agriculturist Dr Ranjith Mahindapala from Sri Lanka will go a long way to help coastal communities of the country in acquisition of sustainable development, he said.
The senior official appreciated that during the session, the participants learned proposal writing, an art that should be learned from the experts.
He hoped that all the participants will get full benefit of the presence of Dr Mahindapala, a renowned biologist in the country.
Ghulam Qadir Shah said MFF was currently in the process of implementing small and medium-sized grants programmes in the country. It has completed two cycles of the small grants. Now the third cycle for the Small Grants has started along with medium-sized project grants, he said.
Coastal Development Authority Adviser Shamsul Haq Memon, appreciated the role of the Mangroves for the Future Programme for sustainable management of coastal resources in Pakistan.
He said that the small grants programme of the Mangroves for the Future Programme has opened new opportunities for generating employment and alternative livelihood opportunities for the coastal communities.
Country Representative, IUCN Pakistan Mehmood Akhtar Cheema thanked the participants and commended the role of the National Coordinating Body members for an effective implementation of the MFF Programme in the country.
He also hoped that with this training the participants will be able to make meaningful proposals for conservation of the coasts and the sustainable development of coastal communities.
Around 35 participants were selected from amongst the Organisations, Institutions and CBOs. Nine of the participants were representatives of the shortlisted organisations for the MFF’s medium-sized grant projects.
In the session these representatives shared their proposals that were fine-tuned according to the MFF guidelines under the guidance of Dr Mahindapala.
Around 34 projects were long-listed and were further vetted down to 9 after an extensive review process. The medium-sized project funding is from US$50,000 to US$100,000 and these projects will be implemented within a span of two years.
An MFF programme sub-committee is formed of the National Coordinating Body Members that oversees the selection process which is headed by the representative of the Ministry of Climate Change.
The National Coordination Body is headed by the Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change and comprises representatives of the federal government, provincial governments of Sindh and Balochistan, government departments, donors and NGOs including: Sindh Forest and Wildlife Department, Sindh Coastal Development Authority, National Institute of Oceanography, Pakistan Navy, Balochistan Coastal Development Authority, Balochistan Fisheries Department, Shehri and IUCN Pakistan.