Planeta Forum

[planeta]

This topic reviews current grants and loans in conservation and tourism (and particularly funding that recognizes the links between the two).

GUIDELINES -- We ask that those who make announcement to provide an update when the grant or loan is made. If possible, provide us with a short update when relevant.

[MGeitz]

WWF is accepting applications for a small grant scheme. The scheme shall provide start-up funding to small-scale but effective measures that establish or improve links between tourism and arctic conservation.

Who can apply?
Arctic tourism businesses, tourism associations or multi-stakeholder groups are eligible to submit a project funding application.

Current deadline: Dec 15, 2004!

More information at:
http://tinyurl.com/6oy43

[MGeitz]

WWF is pleased to announce that the Arctic Tourism & Conservation Grant 2004 has been awarded to the

Bathurst Inlet Lodge and Bathurst Road and Port Committee

in Canada's arctic north for work on conserving the environmental, cultural and archeological values of their unique area in light of a major road and port development. We will profile the winner project on our website www.panda.org/ arctic soon.

[Amy Krause]

Information about the Equator Ventures grant program was recently posted on several Mountain Forum email lists. The program offers loans to projects related to biodiversity conservation and rural development.

There are specific eligibility requirements for the program listed here:
http://www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/secondary/equatorventures/EquatorVentures_Eligibility.htm OR http://snipurl.com/fhyt

The message posted to the Mountain Forum is below.

>** Equator Ventures **
>
>In April 2005, the pilot phase of Equator Ventures was
>launched in partnership between UNDP's Equator Initiative,
>Conservation International's Verde Ventures and DOEN
>Foundation. It is capitalized with $1 million. To learn
>more, please visit www.equatorinitiative.org.
>
>The Equator Initiative is a UNDP partnership that brings
>together the United Nations, civil society, business,
>governments, and communities to support local conservation
>initiatives. Since 2001, the Equator Initiative has
>mobilized close to $10 million, established the recognized
>Equator Prize, and hosted over 60 international fora.
>
>Verde Ventures is a biodiversity-focused loan facility at
>Conservation International. To date, just under $4 million
>has been fully invested with a 100 percent repayment rate.
>Verde Ventures has helped secure the direct protection of
>over 600,000 hectares of key habitat and employment of more
>than 9,000 local people.
>
>SMALL-CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN NATURE CONSERVATION ENTERPRISES
>
>As one of the Equator Initiative's four action areas and a
>unique collaborative effort between UNDP and Conservation
>International, Equator Ventures offers loan finance and
>expert enterprise development support to small and medium
>size enterprises (SMEs) which conserve critical biodiversity
>and improve rural incomes. The partnership is committed to
>demonstrating that biodiversity SMEs are good investments
>and a driving force towards ecologically-sound and equitable
>development.
>
>Equator Ventures is capitalized by grants and loans from the
>public and private sector. The program addresses the finance
>and service gap for conservation SMEs by offering loans
>between $30,000 to $500,000 and delivering tailored capacity
>development services. Equator Ventures also monitors
>critical biodiversity and socio-economic impacts. The
>competitive advantage springs from a unique combination of
>sector expertise, monitoring capability, and extensive local
>presence.
>
>Equator Ventures will develop financing packages in
>conjunction with an enterprise's cash flow and for a period
>of not more than five years. The program invests at all
>stages of an enterprise's maturity.
>
>Eligible enterprises should
>- be located in a priority area of Conservation
>International and the Equator Initiative (see map below);
>- contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and
>economic development of local populations;
>- have a strong management team;
>- demonstrate viable cash flow for repayment;
>- have no more than US$5 million in total assets.
>
>"Equator Ventures is dedicated to showing that small
>entrepreneurs are a vital and bankable link in the chain
>towards achieving sustainable development and the Millennium
>Development Goals (MDGs). Grassroots entrepreneurship has
>the potential, through its ability to bring great
>environmental benefits while also raising incomes, to
>transform the way we think about development. This well
>spring of local innovation - the foundation for Equator
>Ventures' work - must also play a critical role in informing
>and strengthening the global MDG effort." - Jeffrey Sachs,
>Special Advisor to the UN Secretary General on MDGs
>
>TO APPLY
>
>Please download our application from
>www.equatorinitiative.org, or send a letter of interest to
>UNDP Equator Initiative, 405 Lexington Avenue, 4th Floor,
>New York, NY 10174. You can e-mail to
>equatorinitiative@undp.org or fax +1 212 457 1370.
>
>Please address the following:
>
>- Specific location of business operations (refer to map
>below to ensure your enterprise is located within a CI
>priority area);
>- Amount of investment requested;
>- Information on how funds will be used;
>- Description of how your business supports biodiversity and
>generates income;
>- Information on the background of your key managers;
>- Summary of financials.
>
>CONTACT INFORMATION
>
http://www.undp.org/equatorinitiative/secondary/equatorventures/EquatorVentures.htm

[MGeitz]

The WWF Arctic Tourism & Conservation Grant provides start-up funding of up to 10,000 Swiss francs for projects which establish or improve links between tourism and arctic conservation.

More information: www.panda.org/arctic
Deadline: December 15, 05

[MGeitz]

WWF is again accepting applications for a small grant from tourism businesses and stakeholders for conservation-related activities or projects. The deadline is Dec 16, 2006.

For more information got to
http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/where_we_work/arctic/what_we_do/tourism/tourism_grant/index.cfm

[Trip]

Step Up Travel Advocacy Grant
Identify a specific issue in a developing country that you believe needs greater international attention and advocacy for change. Submit a proposal that includes research about the issue (with references), the work currently being done to improve the situation, and a plan to learn more about the issue and increase public awareness about it. Include in your proposal at least a 10 day travel itinerary that details how you plan to document the issue (photos, journals, video, etc) and a plan for how to increase awareness about the topic once you have returned.

Proposals will be accepted through May 15th and then posted in the Step Up Travel Network. The submission that receives the most supporting online votes in the network will be awarded a $1000 travel grant to carry out the proposal. Step Up Travel can refer you to development organizations to advise and provide helpful contacts, where possible.

For more information, visit http://www.stepuptravel.org