Matching Grants

Matching Grants

The NACOMA Project Sub-component 3.2., "Implementation of Priority Actions under the Management Plans at site and landscape level", will support small matching grants for targeted investments in specific Project intervention sites (ecosystems of biodiversity importance). A limited amount has been earmarked for this purpose and each targeted investment proposal will be considered on merits.

Entities responsible for the identification of targeted investment will be eligible to become involved as Executing Agencies, providing this is consistent with their institutional and legal mandates. Otherwise, they can designate another Executing Agency to implement targeted investments. Executing Agencies may be NGOs, CBOs, the private sector, academia, municipalities/Local Authorities, Regional Councils and line Ministries.

Targeted investments will be normally of small size and costs. A total amount of US$ 700,000 for the duration of the Project will be divided into two amounts: an amount of US$ 400,000 will be used for Grants not exceeding US$ 60,000 each; and an amount of US$ 300,000 will be used for grants not exceeding US$ 30,000 each.

Eligible targeted investments will be those:

• reflected in the Project’s work plans for approval by the SC;
• focusing on and around identified ecosystems of biodiversity importance as defined in the Project Appraisal Document;
• aligned with site-specific management plans (including drafts) and/or the mainstreaming strategy;
• aligned with community/local/regional/national priorities;
• in compliance with the NACOMA Environmental Management Plan screening procedure and not listed in the Project’s negative list of investments;
• consistent with provisions described in the NACOMA Participation and Communication Plan (PCP);
• executed by an EA with some proven technical management ability;
• within the funding ceiling (see above); and
• have M&E indicators aligned with the overall Project M&E plan.

If you have projects which can satisfy the above eligibility criteria, please contact Mr. Rod Braby (rbraby@nacoma.org.na – Tel: 064 403 905) for more information.

EcoAfrica has been contracted to support the development of specific conservation and sustainable use investment proposals at site and landscape levels that can be financed by the NACOMA Matching Grants. The two leading consultants are:

The first phase of the task was to collect coastal project proposal outlines. For this purpose, an advert has been published in June and July 2008 in Namibian newspapers.

During July, the Matching Grants Program received a total of 58 proposals for funding for catalytic & practical projects that benefit people and biodiversity. The process of finalising detailed applications and costing of proposed selection is underway and expected to be completed by the end of September.

So far only the Cape Cross Ecotourism project has been financed by NACOMA through the Matching Grants Scheme.

The Cape Cross Seal Reserve is located within the National West Coast Recreation Area and protects one of the largest colonies of Cape fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus) in Southern Africa. Between 80.000 and 100.000 seals live on the rocks here.

At the site, the tourist view point is separated from the seal enclosure by a seawall constructed with rocks and cement.

Each year, the East wind causes an accumulation of sand behind this wall and this build-up of sand puts an enormous pressure on the wall, causing it to break in certain areas. The accretion of sand behind the wall over the years has also changed the parameters of the wall and in some sections the sand has risen to the same level as the wall. Consequently, this encourages tourists to climb into the seal enclosure for a better view and at the same time causing massive disturbance to the seal colony.

At the site, the tourist view point is separated from the seal enclosure by a seawall constructed with rocks and cement.

The targeted activities are:

• removal of sand dune behind the wall;
• removal of a 100 metres section of the wall and erection of a fence between the seal enclosure and the current view point;
• construction of the walkway.

The walkway would be beneficial to:

• Tourists as it will offer a partially aerial view of the seals enclosure which will be very well suited to photographic purposes;
• Seals as there will have less disturbance from tourists that would normal jump over the wall. With the removal of the wall and the space under the walkway deck, seals may also be encouraged to encroach back into past habitat areas of the beach;
• Park Authorities as managing the view point will be less demanding as the East winds will drive the sand under the walkway deck and into the ocean.

The walkway construction was completed on April 2007 and will be opened officially by the Minister of Environment and Tourism soon. We will keep you updated on this aspect.