Introduction

The AEWA Small Grants Fund was established by the 1st Meeting of the Parties to AEWA (MOP1) in 1999 to facilitate the implementation of the Agreement in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. It has been operational since last year and four projects from four African countries were funded in 2010.

The Small Grants Fund – 2011 cycle
A call for project proposals for the 2011 cycle of the Small Grants Fund was launched in April 2011. This call is now closed and the proposals submitted to the Secretariat are currently being evaluated.

Eligible countries in this cycle are developing countries and countries with economies in transition in Africa. Any national governmental institution or non-governmental organization concerned with the conservation of migratory waterbirds and/or their habitats can submit project proposals. Projects may have a duration of up to 24 months and must be endorsed by the AEWA National Focal Point in the respective country.

As a general rule, Contracting Parties to the Agreement are not eligible if they are more than three years in arrears with the payment of their annual contribution to AEWA. African countries which are not Parties to the Agreement may apply for assistance in the preparation for accession to AEWA. Priority will, however, be given to Contracting Parties.
The maximum allocation per project is 25,000 € in the case of assistance provided to Contracting Parties for the implementation of AEWA or in response to emergencies affecting a population of AEWA species and/or their sites. In the case of preparatory assistance provided to Non-Contracting Parties, a maximum of 15,000 € can be allocated per project.

Support the AEWA Small Grants Funds programme!
The AEWA Strategic Plan 2009-2017 aims at activating the Small Grants Fund and disbursing at least 100,000 € annually to developing countries and countries with economies in transition for the implementation of AEWA. The AEWA core budget for 2009-2012 allocates 20,000 € per year towards Small Grants Fund projects in Africa. However, voluntary contributions are necessary to maintain the Small Grants Fund programme on an annual basis as well as extend it to other AEWA regions, and the AEWA Secretariat therefore encourages voluntary contributions for the 2011 cycle.