Kuala Lumpur, 9 April 2009 – Shell Malaysia today awarded RM300,000 to initiate eight sustainable development projects by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and special interest groups under its Shell Sustainable Development Grants programme.
Introduced last year, the programme aims to accelerate the country’s sustainable development progress by empowering qualified groups such as Malaysia-based NGOs, local academic institutions, schools, societies and individuals to initiate projects within the ambit of sustainable development.
Partnerships for change Dato’ Saw Choo Boon, Chairman, Shell Malaysia said: “Shell has supported some key environmental projects in the country, and invested in the development of many youth programmes and sustainable livelihood initiatives. However, we are conscious that there are many areas of need that we have not explored. With the Shell Sustainable Development Grants programme, we are able to leverage the reach and insights of NGOs and other like-minded organisations, to uncover “hot spots” in the nation that require attention.”
As a result of regular dialogues with NGOs, two key focus areas were identified for the grants programme: environmental conservation and sustainable livelihood.
From a list of over 40 applications, the following were selected for the 2008 Shell Malaysia Sustainable Development Grants: - Penang In-shore Fisherman Welfare Association (PIFWA) & Malaysian In-shore Fisherman Action Network (MIFAN) for their mangrove replanting /coastal conservation project.
- Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) for their environmental education activities for preschoolers.
- Sarawak Dayak Iban Association for their Stunggang Forest Rehabilitation Project
- Universiti Malaysia Terengganu for its Pygmy Seahorse Conservation
- Malaysian Society of Marine Sciences for Dugong conservation
- Yayasan Kajian dan Pembangunan Masyarakat (YKPM) for its Youth program in Taman Prima, Selayang
- Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP) for its Project Women Empowerment Trees SEMAI Community development programme involving an eco-tourism project in Kampong Ulu Geroh, Perak
Projects under the programme were selected based on their practicality, direct benefits, financial needs, sustainability and originality by an independent panel of three judges comprising Dato’ Dr Dionysius S.K. Sharma, Executive Director/CEO, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia, Dr. Sulochana Nair, Director of Centre for Poverty and Development Studies, University Malaya; and Mr. Chew Seng Choon, Executive Director, Business Council for Sustainable Development in Malaysia (BCSDM).
At the same ceremony, Shell Malaysia also launched its 2009 Shell Sustainability Development Grants Programme to re-affirm its commitment to sustainable development on a long-term basis.
Chief Judge Dato’ Dr Dionysius Sharma of WWF had some advise for applicants wanting to secure funding from the 2009 Shell Malaysia Sustainable Development Grants programme, “Keep your projects sharp and focussed. Ensure that the activities are strongly linked to objectives and goals. Finally, ensure that your objectives can be met within a 12 month period.”
Universiti Malaya's Dr Nair, is hoping that the Sustainable Development Grant programme will get more interest from schools as ”Lessons from schools are usually shared with families and therefore it is a good way to spread the message,” she said.
BCSDM's Mr Chew said he hoped that other corporations and philanthropists would come forward and match Shell Malaysia's quantum of grants or contribute even more. “I am sure we will then have more than enough resources to be more vigorous and dynamic in addressing the country's Sustainable Development needs.”
Shell Malaysia has once again allocated the sum of RM300,000 under the Shell Sustainable Development Grants 2009 Programme to assist qualifying Malaysia-based NGOs, local academic institutions, schools, societies and individuals in executing their SD initiatives.
Interested parties can submit their applications for the Shell grants from 9 April 2009 to 30 September 2009. More information on the programme can be found on the Shell Malaysia website, www.shell.com.my.
For media queries only, please contact: Cindy Lopez
Media Relations Manager, Shell Malaysia
Tel: 03 2091 3719, e-mail: cindy.lopez@shell.com or
Stephanie Khoo
Media Relations Advisor, Shell Malaysia
Tel: 03 2091 2115, e-mail: stephanie.khoo@shell.com |
