Photo: UICN-Med
The Small Initiatives for Civil Society Organisations in North Africa (PPI-OSCAN, its acronym in French) is inspired by the Small Initiatives Programme funded by the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM, its acronym in French) in sub-Saharan Africa since 2005 with which it has a strong similarity in approach, technical content and institutional and operational procedures. The relevant authorities of these countries have given the approval to the PPI-OSCAN guidelines and have underlined that the objectives and actions to be implemented by the programme are in line with their national priorities.
Background
As in the rest of the Mediterranean region, environmental problems are frequent in most of North African countries (Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia) and pose challenges for economic and social development of these countries. Finding sustainable solutions to these challenges requires concerted action by all stakeholders, including civil society to play a more important role as a complement to the public institutions efforts and in partnership with them. Recent political developments in the region have brought about an opening towards greater democracy and civil society participation. The associations are on the increase, but it is urgent to support this emerging associations movement by strengthening their capacity to design and manage concrete actions and exchange among themselves and with civil society organizations in other countries, particularly on the North shore of the Mediterranean.
Indeed, the need for capacity building of CSOs is obvious and increasingly urgent in the four countries. Youth, enthusiasm and motivation of active members in the Maghreb associations are positive factors to be exploited through training and coaching to enhance performance and efficiency of civil society in region.
Objectives
The overall objective of this programme is to strengthen the technical, administrative and financial capacity of CSOs in the four North African countries (Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia); so that in the short-term they are able to develop specific field initiatives, and in the longer term, contribute to the implementation of strategies and national actions plans for conservation and enhancement of biodiversity, sustainable management of natural resources, and mitigation of negative climate change effects.
Programme content
The project is structured around the following five components:
- Component 1: Financing of small projects related to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity, the sustainable management of natural resources and the fight against climate change;
- Component 2: Strengthening of administrative, technical and financial capacities of CSOs;
- Component 3: Networking of CSOs and capacity for dialogue with governments;
- Component 4: Capitalisation and experience sharing;
- Component 5: Monitoring and overall program management.
Partners
IUCN-Med, as a beneficiary of the FFEM grant, will act as the central operator providing project management for the overall coordination of the programme, and the administrative and financial management of all its components.
Small projects funding (Component 1) will be the object of financing agreements signed between the UICN-Med and the profitable OSC. Payments will be made in installments on specific accounts opened by the beneficiaries, and depending on the progress of activities.
The North Africa programme officer at IUCN-Med will provide overall programme coordination. In each country, a national coordinator will be recruited to assure the development of the various programme components. He / she will be supported by a network of experts for the implementation of the activities.
Duration
The project is planned over a period of three years (one year for the preparation of the call for proposals and two years for the implementation of small projects).
Budget
The project’s total cost is € 2,400,080 with € 1,000,000 contribution from FFEM, and €1,000,000 from the MAVA Foundation. The contribution from the small projects beneficiaries will be € 0.4 million (30% co-financing in small projects requested.).
For further info, please, contact Maher Mahjoub
