Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme has said it is important to empower social non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to receive foreign aids sustainably to conduct projects.
Speaking on a programme aired on PSM News, Coordinator of GEF Small Grants Programme Fathimath Saeedha said over 70 projects were handed over to NGOs via United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) so far this year. However, she said most projects are not conducted accordingly.
Moreover, Saeedha stated efforts are underway to monitor the projects by NGOs and grant them other means of aid, in addition to funds. In this regard, she said it is near impossible to attain foreign loans as the projects are not conducted regularly.
Furthermore, the coordinator noted even though the proposals are prepared and submitted by NGOs, organisations such as UNDP holds various training programmes before launching a project. Highlighting the crucial role played by NGOs in the development of the country, Saeedha expressed the government's cooperation is needed to further empower the NGOs.