BackgroundThe Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources (MEMR) is implementing a National Environmental Education and Awareness Initiative (EEAI) to educate and raise awareness on environmental challenges and mitigation measures needed in Kenya.
The main goal of the Initiative is to mobilize and encourage participation of all the stakeholders in environmental conservation and management so as to mitigate the serious adverse deterioration of environmental resources.
The Initiative is jointly funded by the Governments of Kenya, Denmark and Sweden under the Environmental Programme Support (EPS). The first year is aimed at working with CSOs to implement the Initiative as a pilot phase.
The Ministry intends to use part of EEAI funds to support CSOs to work with grassroots communities through identification and implementation of initiatives that improve environmental conservation by the active participation of the local communities. The Ministry is inviting CSOs interested to submit proposals that focus on environmental education and awareness.
The proposals should contain the following main components: a cover page with the details of the CSO and contact person; an executive summary; a brief background and rationale for the proposed project; a description of past experience on environmental awareness.
Description of the proposed project: goal, objectives, target groups, activities and expected outputs, description of dissemination /communication strategy; a monitoring and evaluation plan; Budget and activities schedule (work plan).
For further details on the format for submitting the proposal and information regarding the Initiative, please contact the office of either the Provincial Director of Environment (PDE) or District Environment Officer (DEO) of your Province and District respectively or log onto
www.environment.go.ke.
Eligibility CriteriaIn order to qualify for funding, the following criteria MUST be met:
i. The CSO must be a local, regional or national environmental Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) registered under the NGO Coordination Act Cap 19 of 1990 or Community Based Organization (CBO);
ii. The CSO should have been active in environmental operations for at least three years and with demonstrated innovativeness;
iii. The CSO should have a demonstrated track record of transparently accounting for project funds among other requirements and submit audited accounts for the last 1 year; two references, one of which must be from the local District Development Officer (DDO) confirming the institution's involvement in Environmental Education and Awareness for at least 3 years; Copy of 2008 Annual Returns to the National NGO Coordination Board and a Copy of registration certificate of the CSO;
iv. The CSO should be ready to work with the Initiative in carrying out identified project activities such as distribution of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials;
v. Project activities should aim at sensitizing local communities on their role and responsibility in environmental stewardship and monitoring of environmental resources and ecosystems;
vi. Proposed activities should aim at raising the level of awareness and facilitating the sharing of knowledge on natural resource management, environmental issues and best environmental practices;
vii. Proposed activities should focus on sharing and spreading of information and the collection of communities' views to ensure that discussions take place between communities, policy-makers and implementing agencies including government and NGOs at the local and national levels;
viii. Project activities should create awareness on practices that are destructive to the environment such as deforestation, over exploitation of natural resources, charcoal burning, sand harvesting, quarrying and effluent discharges;
ix. The activities should promote environmental awareness in the use of community trans-boundary resources and conflict resolutions in the country.
FundingThe Initiative shall make considerations for funding project proposals to a maximum of Kshs. 500,000.00. The project proponent and the beneficiaries shall be expected to make a contribution of 20% in cash and/or in-kind. Funds disbursed under this programme are not eligible for purchase of capital equipments such as vehicles, construction, communication facilities and payment for office space.
Applications MUST be submitted THROUGH the offices of DEOs and PDE of your respective districts and province addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources at 12th floor, NHIF building, Ragati Road, P.O. Box 30126-00100; Tel 020-2730808, Nairobi, Kenya.
Those organizations that had earlier submitted their proposals to MEMR in 2008 are required to apply afresh to conform to the criteria. Comprehensive proposals that incorporate tree planting with other integrated conservation measures on awareness creation, investment and sustainability will have an added advantage for consideration.
The deadline for submission of proposal is 28th April, 2009 and those received later than this date will be disqualified.
