MATCHED SMALL GRANTS PROGRAM

The Caspian Matched Small Grants Program (MSGP) is a component of the Bank-executed UNDP/GEF Caspian Priority Investment Portfolio Project (PIPP), which is being implemented under the Caspian Environment Programme (CEP).

The MSGP provides grants from US$10,000-US$100,000 to beneficiaries who are legal entities (government agencies, institutes, NGOs, firms) in the 5 Caspian states (Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia and Turkmenistan) to support small-scale investments that can make a tangible improvement in environmental quality or Caspian bioresources management. At least 100% matching of the grant amount is mandatory; total project budgets therefore range from US$20,000 to US$200,000 or more, if the applicant identifies additional resources. Grants are competitively selected by an evaluation committee comprised of Caspian National Focal Points, the Bank, the PCU and TACIS.

The MSGP will facilitate the rapid implementation of small investment or pilot projects that will take remedial or preventative actions on acute transboundary environmental issues. Successful pilot projects will help pave the way for larger, more complex investments under the PIPP by demonstrating that practical, on-the-ground results can be achieved. Implementation will also develop local capacity to address these problems as participants "learn by doing."

By successfully implementing small grants in all the five Caspian littoral countries, the MSGP will:

• Build capacity of the five Caspian littoral states environmental and research institutions, private firms, and NGOs;
• Identify topics and areas of interest at the country level that fit within the CEP operational agenda and stimulate environmental projects needed in the Caspian region; and
• Advance the state of knowledge on environmental issues, primarily those related to transboundary and biodiversity issues.

RUSSIAN