The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was set up at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The GEF provides financing in eligible countries for programmes that achieve global environmental benefits in one or more focal areas: biological diversity, climate change, international waters and the ozone layer. Activities concerning land degradation are also funded. Any member of the United Nations can join the GEF and the United Nations Development Programme serves as the GEF implementing agency in over 160 countries. Pakistan has unique importance for GEF in view of the fact that it is the world's seventh most populous country and home to some of the rarest species on Earth. Rising from 0 meters at sea level and climbing up to 8,611 meters, which is the tip of K-2 (the second highest mountain in the world), the dramatic topography of Pakistan has created special eco-systems for its wildlife. Unfortunately, uncontrolled population growth and unsustainable patterns of development are destroying Pakistan's natural environment. To meet the people's needs and to protect the environment, development policies have to link poverty eradication with conservation of the environment. Often, solutions can be found at the local level through the collective efforts of households and communities. The GEF started its Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Pakistan in 1993 and has provided grants to 76 initiatives all over the country up to the year 2000. The purpose of the SGP is to support community based initiatives that address global environmental problems. The GEF/SGP gives out grants of US $50,000 to eligible NGOs and CBOs that are helping to conserve bio-diversity, reduce green house gas emissions, lower the rate of deforestation, decrease damage to wetlands, protect international waters and raise environmental awareness. Over the years, the nature of GEF/SGP projects has changed as the country's environmental movement has seen advancement. Starting from micro level nursery plantations in communities, the GEF/SGP has helped to nurture projects that have led not only to the survival of a threatened species such as the Himalayan Brown Bear, but to the declaration of entire protected areas. Important work has also been done with appropriate technology to mitigate climate change, and the very first International Waters project is underway. The GEF/SGP is now poised on the start of a new operational phase, and sees this as an appropriate time to recollect its various initiatives. An effort towards documentation will be a key to the communication strategy it is articulating in order to improve public awareness, influence the formulation of policy and elicit donor interest. Fayyaz Baqir
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