BY PHESHEYA KUNENE
MBABANE – The Eswatini Environment Fund has introduced a new grant that will promote environmental sustainability at grassroots level in the country.
Through the Eswatini Environment Authority (EEA), the Fund has issued the 2021 Call for Proposals. According to EEA, this call aims to fund innovative community projects that will promote the protection, conservation and enhancement of the environment. It also promotes sustainable management of natural resources. Speaking to Eswatini Environment Authority’s Environmental Information Officer, Belusile Mhlanga, about the newly-introduced fund, Mhlanga confirmed the fund was now open and further encouraged the youth to make use of this opportunity.
“We encourage communities to participate in this exercise as it is going to help towards our goal of restoring and rehabilitating the environment. Some communities are already doing something in a quest to save the environment but it is a continuous effort and it needs participation of everyone at community level. We encourage young people to be part of these initiatives that are happening in communities,” Mhlanga said.
She added that the fund was an extension of this year’s World Environment Day theme, which focused on Ecosystem restoration. In addition, she mentioned that the current heavy rains being experienced across the country is causing extensive damage to the environment and thus needed such a project to stop the damage from recurring.
The communities are set to showcase their projects, and those eligible will be awarded with small grants to a maximum of E300 000. According to an official statement released by EEA, proposed projects must demonstrate how they will enhance environmental sustainability in communities. The call targets communities, Environmental groups; NGOs or individuals.
The statement shared that 80% of the grant would go to the eligible project while the 20% would be used for the project administration where necessary.
“The Eswatini Environment Fund seeks to tackle emerging environmental risks facing the country in five thematic areas; sustainable land management, climate change adaptation, water availability, use and Management, chemical and waste management and Ecosystem, habitat, biodiversity protection and sustainable use,” read part of the statement.
The statement further mentioned that the Project to be presented must ensure gender balance and should demonstrate women representation in project leadership.
Applications should be submitted by 17 December 2021(16:00Hrs). Submissions should be made in person to Eswatini Environment Authority offices in Mbabane, Rhus Office Park or via email to: reception@sea.org.sz
