UNDP and the European Commission (EC), its partner for the EC-UNDP Small Grants Programme for Operations to Promote Tropical Forests (SGP PTF), jointly hosted an afternoon tea themed 'Creating a Sustainable Future for Rural Indigenous Communities in Malaysia' on 15 March 2007.

Attended by some 60 representatives from the embassies, government and the private sector, the showcase highlighted the achievements of various forest dependent indigenous communities who had received grants for poverty alleviation and forest protection from SGP PTF.

SGP PTF has given 20 micro-grants worth a total of about RM5.9 million to local forest-based communities since 2004. The 20 communities who received the SGP PTF grants have planned, designed and implemented activities to improve their socio-economic conditions, while conserving the surrounding forest areas that provide for valuable resources.

These activities include eco-tourism, agro-forestry, reforestation and others, as well as various initiatives to revitalize and document indigenous and traditional culture and knowledge.

As SGP PTF is ending in June 2007, a new initiative was proposed by UNDP to build upon the ongoing programme and replicate its innovations in community forestry.

“We are seeking partnerships with financial and technical support from multi-stakeholders to ensure the continuation of a small grants programme targeting forest-based indigenous communities,” said Dr Richard Leete, the Resident Representative of UNDP Malaysia.

UNDP estimates the cost of the initiative at RM3.5 million (USD 1 million) for a period of 27 months, from September 2007 to December 2009. Of this total amount, a minimum of 70 per cent (RM2.45 million) would be disbursed as grants for community projects.

Financial support may be contributed as part of a pooled funding arrangement to be managed by UNDP and/or for the sustainability of individual ongoing projects.

Ambassador and Head of the EC Delegation to Malaysia, His Excellency Mr Thierry Rommel appealed to all levels of society to demonstrate solidarity and care by helping to create a legally secure and sustainable future for the indigenous communities, many of which are still confronted with economic marginalization and sometimes appalling living conditions.

“In spite of their strong commitment and their efforts, the indigenous communities are not capable of investing on the required scale because they are not economically strong,” he said during his speech.

Interested parties can contact UNDP Programme Manager Ginny Ng at 03-20915192 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Atttended by some 60 representatives from embassies, government and private sector, the event was also supported by SGP PTF celebrity partners Na'a Murad, Joanna Bessey and Zahim Albakri, who served as hosts for the programme.

Click here and here for the two press releases issued during this event. The concept proposal for partnering with UNDP to sustain SGP PTF can be downloaded here.