The GEF Small Grants Programme

in Uzbekistan

What was the Round Table on the National Strategy of the GEF-6 SGP?

After it became known that the International Public Fund "Ecosan" received the right to prepare the National Strategy, the experts of the fund, who were entrusted with this task, conducted a number of consultations with the PMGEF and analyzed the activities of the Program over the past period of its work in Uzbekistan. Based on the analysis and study of the GEF activities, a working version of the PMGEF Strategy for the 6th operational period was prepared, which was sent to a number of organizations and government agencies for their familiarization, study and preparation for the upcoming round table.

At the first discussion of the National Strategy of the PMGEF held on November 16, the Ecosan specialists responsible for the preparation of the Strategy made a presentation in which basic information about the PMGEF and its activities in the country was detailed.

During the discussion of the working version of the Strategy, much was noted by the participants and invited parties. In particular, comments were made on the terminology used in the text of the document and preliminary ideas for changes or amendments in this part were proposed. Wishes were expressed to revise the text of the Strategy for the possibility of its simplification in order to make it easier to read and understand the essence of what is stated in accordance with the accepted corporate terminology and formulations. Questions were raised regarding other areas of the SGP for the 6th operational period, in addition to the focus on conservation agriculture and Agro landscapes. The participants of the round table discussed the issues of the global themes of the GEF. It was hoped that the GEF Small Grants Program, despite the adopted focus, would still be able to support project ideas in other GEF focal areas and facilitate the introduction of new potential ideas for the wise use of natural resources.

At the round table, a question was raised regarding the NKK of the Program, in particular, how the rotation of members takes place, who can be a member of the committee, representatives of which structures were members of the Committee and how to attract new members from different organizations. An important factor deterring potential members from working on the Committee, in the opinion of the current members of the committee, is the fact that participation in the work of the committee is based on the disinterested participation of members in the work of the Committee and the Program. Only a person with a “heartache” can become a member of the committee for the work carried out by the PMGEF in Uzbekistan, for the global goals of the GEF, for the preservation of the environment and the development of the country.

The project team for the preparation of the Strategy is currently continuing its work on the document, taking into account the questions and comments voiced during the meeting. Nevertheless, if any of the interested parties, having familiarized themselves with the proposed working version of the Strategy (on the websites of Ecosan and our Program), wants to make their comments and wishes regarding the text of the document or the Strategy itself, they can do this with full transparency by sending their wishes or comments to the address of the Ecosan Foundation, which is also listed on the above sites.