NGOs Leveraging Government Resources
Not long ago CCTV presented a series “Revisiting Sanjiangyuan (三江源)” with a focus on the learned experience from the project of eco-protection in Sanjiangyuan. VA had the luck to investigate Sanjiangyuan three times as evaluator of the One Foundation Model Project. In the series we saw many familiar faces. Some are from local NGOs; others are individual environmental protectionists.
Sanjiangyuan eco-protection zone was established in 2000. In spite of government’s effort trying to prevent eco degradation, lots of problems remain unsolved. One important reason is the lack of an effective implementation mechanism.
Then, what role can NGOs play as they view themselves as supplement of the government? What eco-protection model have they explored? Here we present you with two model projects. What they have in common is using seeding fund to leverage government support and resources.
Shan Shui Conservation Center “Snow Leopard Trust”, One Foundation 2010 Model
Human-beast conflict is one of the most common problems encountered in animal protection. The law rules that local government should provide compensation if losses occurred due to the protection of critical wild animals appointed by national and local government. But the questions are: How to compensate? Where does the money come from? Local government had no answer; therefore, the policy could not been executed.
But Shan Shui Conservation Center has provided an innovative solution – Snow Leopard Trust. It borrowed Shan Shui’s experience of protecting pandas in Sichuan and was pilot tested in Nangqian (囊谦), Yushu (玉树). The trust provides compensation to insured herdsmen whose livestock are killed by predators such as wolves and snow leopards.
Besides, Shan Shui actively engaged local stakeholders. The pilot project was co-sponsored by fund from Shan Shui Model Project, donations from Nangqian Gongya Temple (囊谦贡雅寺), and donations from Nangqian Forestry Bureau. They also managed the project together with Jisha Village (吉沙村), Baizha County (白扎乡) where the project was implemented. A participatory approach definitely helps sustain the project.
Sanjiangyuan Eco-Environmental Protection Association “Green Fund”, One-Foundation 2009 Model
How to utilize government grants to make continuous impact on local environment – this is a question Sanjiangyuan Eco-Environmental Protection Association has been exploring. As a result, they established Green Fund in Cuochi Village (措池村) and Lechi Village (勒池村), the habitat of wild yaks and chiru.
Take Cuochi Village as an example. There is a yak protection association. Villagers have been voluntarily monitoring and protecting animals and grasslands. They used to ride motorcycles for 6 or 7 hours or camp in the wild, and without any financial support. Now with Green Fund, the interest revenue will continuously support activities of the association, such as rewarding outstanding individuals in eco-protection, rewarding herdsmen who protect grasslands and its surroundings, and hosting eco-activities, etc. In addition, members can apply for low-interest loans from the fund to improve their livelihood. This will also motivate them to continue contributing to eco-protection and increase their sense of belonging.
Later on, the government of Qumahe County (曲麻河乡) where Cuochi Village was located learned from Green Fund and set up a RMB100K Sunshine Fund with a similar model.