The Department of Environmental Affairs (Kasane) has successfully held a capacity building workshop in Kasane to empower VDCs, CBOs, NGOs and Trusts in the Chobe District about the National Environmental Fund and GEF-Small grants funding mechanism under the theme – “Unlocking funding opportunities in Conservation “.
The workshop also equipped participants with skill in Proposal Development, project implementation, monitoring and reporting.
The workshop aimed at enhancing community understanding of the National Environmental Fund and the Global Environment Facility-Small Grants Program (GEF-SGP).
The workshop focused on guiding communities to develop Conservation related proposals for possible funding to address environmental challenges and empower to empower local communities to actively participate in sustainable development efforts.
The one-day workshop was facilitated by the District Environmental Coordinator Mr. Otsile Dikgang (DEA); Mr Kefentse Mogwera of GEF-SGP and Mr Matebesi of Local Enterprise Authority(LEA), who shared valuable insights on the funding opportunities available, the importance of community-led projects in environmental conservation and management and project proposal development.
The workshop’s interactive sessions allowed participants to identify projects, for possible funding with one another and the facilitators.
This collaborative approach encouraged networking and provided practical guidance on monitoring and evaluation frameworks, emphasizing the importance of measuring project impacts and sustainability.
The capacity building workshop has opened new avenues for local environmental initiatives.
By enhancing understanding of NEF and GEF-SGP funding opportunities and providing valuable insights into project management, proposal development, and monitoring and evaluation, the workshop has equipped communities to lead sustainable environmental initiatives.
As the participants take this knowledge back to their communities, it is hoped that the workshop’s outcomes will translate into proactive measures and impactful projects that contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of Chobe District’s environment.
