Within the framework of the SPAW protocol objectives for the development and reinforcement of marine protected areas and their management, the United Nations Environment Programme/Caribbean Environment Programme has created two “Small Grants Funds” programmes run in collaboration with the network of marine protected area managements in the Caribbean, or CaMPAM.
The first “Small Grants Fund” programme focuses on the strengthening of marine protected areas and can bring financial support of up to 8,000 dollars, or technical support. The projects are financed by UNEP/CEP and CaMPAM experts take part in selecting and analysing proposals for projects and final reports.
This “Small Grants Funds” programme objectives are the following:
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To reinforce the management capacities of Caribbean marine protected areas managers;
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To reinforce institutional capacities;
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To develop and implement strategies to increase the involvement of stakeholders in the management of marine protected areas;
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To develop and implement training programmes and tools for better management of marine protected areas;
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To use the best managed sites as examples, for training and courses;
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To promote exchanges between marine protected areas, including twinnings and guidance programmes;
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To act as a catalyser by bringing in funding from other bilateral and multilateral initiatives.
The second “Small Grants Fund” programme is dedicated to developing sustainable fishing practices and alternative livelihoods.
Funded by UNEP/CEP with matching funding from the Swedish international development cooperation agency, the projects bear on pilot sites with the following objectives:
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Projects which help to increase or preserve caught resources or fishermen’s economic income whilst regulating and reducing the fishing effort to promote the recovery of halieutical stocks;
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Description of fishing practices, used as a basis for designating marine protected areas and drawing up or applying fishing regulations;
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Implementing economic alternatives for fishermen;
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Consultation process with local communities to identify and promote sustainable alternative lifestyles for fishermen;
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Awareness of local communities, resource users and other stakeholders concerning needs in terms of the sustainable management of halieutical resources;
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Encouraging fishing cooperatives;
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Testing or implementation of a community approach in the management of fisheries (exclusive fishing rights, fishing area concessions, etc);
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Exchanging experiences and best practices between the fishermen of different countries;
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Training fishermen and other actors in economic alternatives or sustainable fishing practices.
The funding threshold for projects is set at 15,000 dollars.