GEF SGP Mauritius

projects that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people's well being and livelihoods. Established in 1992, the year of the Rio Earth Summit, the GEF SGP embodies the very essence of sustainable development by "thinking globally acting locally". The GEF SGP funds and actively supports non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs) working towards climate change abatement, conservation of biodiversity, protection of international waters, reduction of the impact of persistent organic pollutants and prevention of land degradation while generating sustainable livelihoods. The GEF SGP has built significant capacity in its partners both directly and through project implementation. The support of national experts, from institutions and NGOs, is felt to have been fundamental to the success of this capacity building. Over these 20 years of presence, the Programme has achieved solid reputation amongst the civil society and has built high visibility amongst key policy makers as well as other donors and CSRs who have become strong advocates of the Small Grants approach.