Shortlisted proponents of SGF Phase 2: Cycle 4 in Sri Lanka undergo training in project cycle management

The IUCN Sri Lanka Country Office, which functions as the National Secretariat of MFF in Sri Lanka, announced a Call for Concept Notes under the Small Grant Facility (Phase 2 :Cycle 4) of Mangroves for the Future (MFF) in February, 2014.   A total of 30 concept notes were received in response to this call, with eight of these concept notes being shortlisted by the National Steering Committee of MFF Sri Lanka.  The selected proponents were invited to participate in a training workshop on project cycle management held at the Green Grass Hotel in Jaffna between 8 and 9 April, 2014. 

The training programme was conducted by the regional MFF secretariat, which is based in Bangkok, and facilitated by Dr Ranjith Mahindapala, (Programme Manager, MFF).  The National Steering Committee (NSC) of MFF Sri Lanka was represented by Mr. B. H. J. Prematilleke (Director, Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department), while  the IUCN Sri Lanka Country Office was represented by Kumudini Ekaratne (National Coordinator, MFF Sri Lanka).

Representatives of all eight shortlisted project proponents, including academic institutes, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), management boards and small-scale businesses, participated in the programme, which addressed a range of topics, including situation analysis and problem identification, the logical framework approach, gender perspectives, output-based budgeting, communications, and monitoring, evaluation and learning.

The training prograqmme was conducted in order to provide the shortlisted proponents with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop detailed proposals in accordance with MFF guidelines and templates. Full proposals are expected to be submitted by 23 April, 2014, and will then be reviewed by the NSC of MFF Sri Lanka, in order to facilitate the final selection of projects to be funded under SGF Phase 2: Cycle 4.