Moldova can obtain over US$8m for improving environment

Moldova may get funds of over US$8 million within the Small Grants Program of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Info-Prim Neo reports. “The money has not been yet allocated. The projects were only initiated and the Ministry of the Environment supports them,” Minister of the Environment Gheorghe Salaru said in a news conference. According to the official, US$1.5 million will be allotted for projects related to Biodiversity. The UNDP will contribute US$1.1 million, while the rest of the sum will be provided by other partners of the GEF. The financing for Climate Change will total US$2 million, including the UNDP’s contribution of US$1.5 million. Almost US$5 million wall be allocated for Land Degradation. Half of the sum will be offered by the World Bank. “The aim of the Small Grants Program is to ensure the conservation and sustainable administration of the benefits offered by the environment we live in. The program supports projects in the developing countries and in countries with economies in transition,” said the minister. According to SGP Global Manager Delfin Ganapin, in Moldova there are many possibilities of co-financing and cooperation with local development agencies and the national authorities. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is an independent financial organization that unites 182 member governments — in partnership with international institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector — to address global environmental issues.