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These grant recipients were selected through a rigorous call for proposals process, moderated by the National Coordinating Body (NCB) of ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Pakistan. The NCB represents an array of institutions directly or indirectly linked to the coastal and marine ecosystem.

The training commenced with opening remarks of Mr Mahmood Akhter Cheema, Country Representative of ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Pakistan, who highlighted the importance of capacity building for grant recipients. He reflected that ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Pakistan has provided 29 successful grants to local communities in previous years under the Mangroves for Future programme, marking a significant change in streamlining natural resource conservation at the grassroot level. He also stressed that environmental initiatives require structured project planning and execution, and this training aimed to reinforce those principles among the participants.

Following the opening remarks, Mr Naveed Ali Soomro, Manager Sindh Programme at ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Pakistan, outlined the objectives of ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� project ‘Building Resilience in Coastal Ecological & Social Systems of Pakistan’, along with expectations from the grant awardees, and the purpose of the training. He reiterated the need for strong collaboration, proper resource utilisation and ground impact to meet desired conservation outcomes in coastal communities.

Representatives from the four grantees provided updates on their ongoing projects, sharing their initial progress and capacity-building strategies for implementing activities within their target communities. The updates highlighted efforts to improve fisheries and ecotourism through investments in enhanced equipment, boats, repair centres and jetty facilities. They also stressed the importance of engaging the local community by showcasing their culture, offering local delicacies and promoting local art.

Mr Rafi ul Haq, a renowned environmental expert who facilitated the training, focused primarily on an introduction to the project management cycle, particularly the implementation phase. He addressed participants' concerns as they shared their past experiences in project implementation, providing valuable insights and practical examples of challenges and solutions.

The participants took part in group discussions, sharing their past experiences working in the field and how they had overcome challenges like community engagement, limited resources and addressing environmental issues. Mr Haq then outlined best practices in project implementation, with a focus on monitoring and evaluation, stressing the importance of maintaining clear objectives and tracking progress to ensure success.��

The training concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr Danish Rashdi, Manager of ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Karachi Programme Office, who expressed gratitude to all participants for their active engagement and commitment to making a difference in the field of environmental conservation.

This day-long training was part of ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Pakistan’s broader coastal initiative to strengthen the capacity of local organisations and individuals working on environmental projects in Pakistan.��

For more information, please contact:
Mr Hammad Saeed
Manager, Communications and Knowledge Management
������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Pakistan, Islamabad Country Office
Cell. +92 307 7773801
E-mail: [email protected]