SPAN PROJECT
Ministry of Environment and Tourism
Private Bag 13306
Ministry of Environment & Tourism
Namibia
9000
The Park Innovation Grant
A new flexible grant scheme has been introduced to provide parks and other staff with funding for small projects. The Park Innovation Grant (PIG) will enable staff to implement innovative projects that will improve park management and services to visitors, neighbors and communities. The fund is an initiative of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) through the Strengthening the Protected Areas Network (SPAN) project and is part of efforts to introduce a new approach to management.
What is the Park Innovation Grant?
The PIG has been established to create a small reservoir of funds that can be accessed by MET Park and other field staff with good ideas on how to improve the management of parks and protect biodiversity. The scheme also serves as an easily accessible source of funding that enables MET staff to directly contribute to SPAN project objectives and ensure ownership of the project. The total amount budgeted for grants is N$ 100 000.00 a year. The maximum amount of a single grant is N$25,000.00. An awards committee will meet three times a year and select the most original and viable project proposals that qualify for a grant.
Who can access the Park Innovation Grant?
The grant is accessible to all field - based MET staff who have great ideas for projects.
What types of projects qualify for a grant?
The MET's approach to achieving innovative park management requires significant contributions from field - based staff. The PIG is aimed at encouraging field staff to come up with initiatives that add value to the MET operations:
- Creating training opportunities in parks;
- Diversifying park attractions such as hiking trails, gardens and nurseries;
- Creating partnerships for park management with park stakeholders;
- Creating sustainable financing for park management
- Environmental education and awareness and improving information materials for visitors;
- Small - scale projects on water conservation, efficient energy use, recycling and pollution control such as recycling programmes; and
- Initiatives to address HIV and AIDS management links.
What types of projects do not qualify?
The grant will only fund projects that fall outside activities usually paid for on the MET budget. The grant does not provide for:
- Routine park management activities;
- Substituting the MET budget;
- Bursaries;
- Single equipment purchases - any equipment that will be purchased needs to be linked to the project activities;
- Overtime allowances and salary top - ups;
- Individually driven projects such as independent research that is not beneficial to parks or other MET focal areas.
How can I apply for the Park Innovation Grant?
Applicants should submit proposals to the awards committee which will meet in March, July and October each year to assess proposals and award grants based on their merits. An application form and a guidelines leaflet can be downloaded below. Hard copies can be found at MET stations countrywide.
Proposal submission deadlines: End March/June/September 2010
