Rotary’s research looked at “what Rotarians are engaged in and want to do at the local and international level, and the global interests and concerns of Rotarians and non-Rotary members from around the world,” she added. Throughout the areas of focus review process, the Trustees gathered input from the Areas of Focus Review Committee chaired by past RI President Luis Giay, as well as from staff, Rotarians on the Cadre of Technical Advisors, and experts from professional networks beyond Rotary. The updated policies were reviewed and approved by the Areas of Focus Review Committee, The Programs Committee and The Rotary Foundation Board of Trustees.
The new policy statements include activities that clearly align with environmental sustainability under several areas of focus, particularly Community Economic Development, where it’s becoming increasingly essential to build “resiliency, safeguarding the community’s assets, protecting their crops, their livelihoods.” Marquez-Viso explains. “We’ve seen the catastrophic economic toll that climate change has had. We are trying to encourage building resiliency in the face of climate change, and connecting that with economic resiliency.”
Projects like watershed management have long been supported under the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene area of focus and include activities that protect and maintain surface and ground-water resources, such as reforestation and reducing pollution from runoff. Solid waste management initiatives focused on the collection, treatment and disposal of solid waste materials are also important project types within the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene area of focus.
Initiatives to improve natural resource management are now eligible under Community Economic Development, but also within Peacebuilding and Conflict Prevention, recognizing the growing number of conflicts that arise, for example, over access to water for drinking and agriculture.
The important thing to remember is that any global grant project must be comprehensive and holistic and ensure sustainability of project outcomes through strong training components that focus on behavior change and capacity-building. Projects that focus on the provision of equipment, without a strong training component, are typically not eligible.
Here are Lauren’s suggestions for developing a global grant request with an environmental focus:
1. Read the new Areas of Focus Policy Statements.
2. Consult the Guide to Global Grants to understand the requirements of the grant program.
3. Start with a comprehensive community assessment to see what the community wants and needs, what their assets are, and what their priorities are. See if this reveals an opportunity to support activities related to environmental sustainability that align with an area of focus.
4. Work with the community to design a project concept. You may use the Global Grant Application Template as a guide.
5. Contact your Regional Grants Officer and possibly the Area of Focus Manager for the area of focus where you think your project fits. Ask them to review and discuss your project and to provide feedback.
Remember that some projects which are not eligible for global grants can still be funded through district grants and independently by Rotary clubs or districts.
Do not hesitate to reach out to Rotary Grants staff with your questions. They are always willing to assist and want to work with you to develop successful projects.
“We have access to a lot of expertise now on how the health of the ecosystem and the health of the economy are connected,” Marquez-Viso says. “There are many opportunities - improved agricultural techniques, water conservation practices – to help communities build an economically and ecologically viable livelihood.”
Note: some of the links above go directly to pdfs. If you don't see the content on your screen, look for the document in your downloads.
For an example of a global grant that focused on environmental sustainability through the expansion of sustainable agriculture, check out this article. The April 2019 issue of The Rotarian includes inspiring examples of projects Rotarians are already implementing to tackle climate change.
HEARTFELT THANKS to Lauren Marquez-Viso for adding essential information to this article to explain the Global Grants process and connect you to people at Rotary International who can help you develop a fruitful project.
CALL TO ACTION: Share this article with your District grants committee and with people in your club who are developing projects.
RESOURCE: Download the IPCC's just-released report on climate change and land for guidance on sustainable land management and strategies to protect food security.
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