South - South Grants Facility

Community Based Organisations (CBOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have now come to be accepted as key providers of innovative local-level solutions to development challenges. Donor countries find it feasible to contribute to these organisations through recognised development agencies such as UNDP that have mechanisms in place to deploy resources systematically and, more importantly, to monitor progress.

The South – South Grants Facility (SSGF) was established in 2005, by UNDP’s Special Unit for South – South Cooperation. The SSGF’s raison de etre is to enable Southern countries to co-operatively make resources available in support of specific community development initiatives.

The facility’s stated intent is to support some of the most difficult issues in development, such as disaster management. Grants have been recognised as an important means of financing micro-level local action that complements broader national disaster recovery efforts. The establishment of the SSGF, therefore, was intended to facilitate the implementation of grants programmes that are tailored to local needs.

From the substantial contributions mobilised, SSGF Phase I provided grants to four countries, i.e. Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Maldives and Thailand, for community work that addressed livelihood recovery and infrastructure development. India was included in Phase II.

The Sri Lankan component of the tsunami recovery programme was launched on September 16th 2005. Named ‘Livelihood Development’ and ‘One Village at a Time’, the micro-initiatives were implemented by NGOs and civil society groups. The livelihood development component was intended to benefit people whose means of earning an income had been completely or partially lost due to the tsunami. The intended target was the most vulnerable section of society, particularly women. They were to be assisted in the development of home-based business.

‘One Village at a Time’ built on the perspective that the tsunami was not merely a tragic event but also an opportunity. The involvement of affected communities in the task of rebuilding their infrastructure and facilities, it was felt, could help accelerate the development process.

Under Phase I, funding amounting to US$ 350,000 was released to NGOs and CBOs in December 2005 for thirteen projects lasting one year. After reviewing Phase I, it was decided - in 2006 - to extend the SSGF for another year. In Phase II, US$ 200,000 was released in January 2007 for seventeen projects. NGOs whose performances were found to be good during the first phase and submitted new proposals were funded by SSGF’s Phase II programme as well. Although individual projects are relatively small - ranging from US$ 4,000 to US$ 25,000, they have played a significant role in rebuilding infrastructure and restoring the livelihoods of communities.

The resources mobilised have been expended or committed. It is appropriate, at this juncture, to document the activities supported by the programme, share relevant experiences and key lessons.