Trinidad & Tobago

 

 

Recognizing that education and capacity building are critical elements of poverty eradication and sustainable development, the  Small Grants Programme for Social Development was introduced in 2004, as part of UNDP's Community Outreach and Response (CORe) Initiative.

The main objective of this programme is to provide financial support to improve the lives of vulnerable groups in the poorest communities and to promote healthy family life styles.  Projects supported by the GEF and Social Development Small Grants Programmes are aligned to UNDP’s work in the field of Poverty, HIV/AIDS, Environment and Energy, and Democratic Governance.

A National Steering Committee (NSC) develops the Country Programme Strategy (CPS) for the implementation of GEF SGP and the SD SGP and approves projects for grant support.

NSC 2006-2007:  Members Profile; Terms of Reference

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Grants offered under the SD SGP:

1.  A planning grant of up to TT$12,000 for project proposal planning and preparation.

2.  A project grant of up to TT$150,000 for social sector projects.

What is a Small Grant?

A Small Grant is a financial contribution to an NGO/CBO to initiate or strengthen a project for the achievement of the particular community’s development goals?

Provided that the criteria for award of a Small Grant are satisfied, NGOs or CBOs can apply for:

What are the criteria for accessing a grant? 

1.  The project must promote community participation and sustainable livelihoods among poor community members.

2.  The NGO or CBO has confirmed co-funding (cash and in-kind)

3.  The project will continue to exist after the grant funds have been utilized

4.   Type of project

Projects must address one or more of the following:

Poverty

• Small Business Development

• Training that develop skills to be used to earn an income

• Enhancement of literacy & numeric skills

• Healthy Family Functioning (parenting, gender relations, care of the elderly, dysfunctional families, life skills development, early childhood care)

 HIV/AIDS

• Education/Awareness programmes

• Prevention strategies

• Supportive interventions or People Living with HIV/AIDS

 Democratic Governance

• Civic Responsibility

• Community dialogue and participation 

• Projects should also address capacity building and promotion of gender equity among participants and beneficiaries.

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How Can Potential Grantees Apply for an SGP Grant?

Any organization or group that is:

• Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) 

• Community Based Organization (CBO) established and operating in Trinidad and Tobago

For an NGO: is registered as a Charitable Organization, Trust or Foundation. 

For a CBO:  is registered with a Government Ministry, Local Government Body, Tobago House of Assembly or Civil Society Umbrella Organization or Network that:

• promotes the participation of its members through a democratic system and whose activities are governed by a Constitution, By-laws, Rules and/or Procedures.

• holds regular meetings.

• can demonstrate proper and consistent record keeping of its activities, including minutes and accounts.

How is a Small Grant obtained?

1.    A project concept form is completed by an NGO or CBO and submitted to the relevant personnel in UNDP.

2.    If the project concept meets the basic eligibility criteria, an NGO/CBO then prepares a proposal describing the project and budget in more detail.

3.    A National Steering Committee (NSC) reviews the project proposal and approves it.

4.    After a proposal is approved, the NGO/CBO signs a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with UNDP and an agreed portion of the total grant approved (first disbursement) is issued to the NGO/CBO to start the project. Deposits are made to the bank account of the grantee NGO/CBO.

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Administration of Small Grants

A National Steering Committee comprised of Representatives of the following sectors administers the Small Grant Programmes:

• Foundations/Trusts

• Non-Governmental Organizations

• Government

• Research and Development

• Business

• International Development Organizations

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Sources of funds

• Funding for the UNDP SD-SGP is provided by:

• J.B. Fernandes Memorial Trust 1 through the Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors

• UNDP Country Office, Trinidad and Tobago

• The Ministry of Social Development (Social Services Delivery)

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Contact information:

UNDP

United Nations House

#3 Chancery Lane

Port of Spain

Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

 

Tel:         1(868) 623 7056 ext. 282 / 245

Fax:         1(868) 623 1658

Email:      registry@undp.org.tt

Website:  www.undp.org.tt/sgp