ASEAN Biodiversity Centre Small Grants Programme

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The aim of the FC measure proposed here is, firstly, to protect biodiversity in line with the interests of the local population, which is directly dependent on the resources of selected ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHPs) and their peripheral areas; secondly, to improve the living conditions of these population groups; and thirdly, to strengthen the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) as a regional institution for the sustainable protection of biodiversity in the ASEAN member states. The park-related measures will initially be implemented in Myanmar and Indonesia. The grant recipient and project sponsor is the ACB, founded in 2005, which advises and supports the ten ASEAN member states Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam on issues of biodiversity protection and the management of natural resources. The target group of the FC measure is the population, which is directly dependent on the natural resources in selected AHPs for its existence. Rural municipalities and park administrations in AHPs and their buffer zones and NGOs can apply for grants of between EUR 5,000 and 150,000 as part of the FC measure to finance measures to preserve biodiversity and improve the living conditions of the local population. Another key participant is the ACB, which is being institutionally strengthened by the FC measure, as well as the forestry and environmental ministries of the target countries and participating NGOs, which are being institutionally strengthened by the SGP. The total cost of the measure is estimated at EUR 11.7 million. An FC grant of EUR 10 million and an own contribution of around EUR 1.7 million are planned for financing.