Ford launches ’04 eco grants program

Ford Group Philippines has officially launched the 2004 Ford Conservation and Environmental Grants program. To date, some P10 million in grants money have been awarded to 31 local projects in the span of five years since the program was introduced in the Philippines.

Five recipients received almost P2 million in grants money last year. The five grantees and their projects were:

• Center for Environmental Awareness and Education, "Environmental Education Training and National Conference"

• Maguindanao an Development Foundation Inc., "Advocacy for the Conservation and Management of the Ligawasan Marsh"

• Children for Breastfeeding, "Mobilizing Children for Earth Friendly Parenting"

• Institute of Social Order, "Coral Reef Champions"

• Bantay Kalikasan, "Establishment of Scientific Garden in the La Mesa Biodiversity and Nature Park"

Running on its fifth year, this year, another P2.5 million in grants will be awarded to the most commendable projects.

"Generating awareness and education are important objectives of the Grants program. In the ASEAN markets, both education and awareness are critical to changing mindsets and shaping new attitudes on the importance of environmental conservation for long-term sustainability. We need to teach our young generation that our actions today will leave their mark on future generations to come," said Andy Acho, Ford’s worldwide director, Environmental Outreach and Strategy.

"Another important objective of the Grants has been to make it accessible to the grassroots, empowering individuals or small non-profit groups, no matter how small-scale the projects, and to provide them with funding support and visibility that they may otherwise not be able to secure from governmental or other independent grants that may be allocated for bigger scale projects, added Acho.

The types of projects eligible for the Ford Grants fall within the following four areas:

• Natural Environment – projects to conserve flora, fauna and /or their respective habitats;

• Heritage – projects to conserve man-made aspects of national or Asian heritage, and cultural art forms;

• Conservation Engineering – projects to reduce the rate of consumption of natural resources and/or pollution; and

• Child and Youth Projects – any conservation project involving young people aged 18 or under.

A jury panel, independent from Ford, will consider each application based on its merits for usefulness and practicality, dedication and commitment of its participants, financial need, originally, and replicability. More information on the Ford Grants can be found on www.ecoford.com.