NEW YORK — Four projects have been selected as grant winners of the competitive Public Participation Program in Environmental Protection (PPPA). Two of the winning projects will take place in Peru, one in Colombia, and one in Chile. All projects will employ varied strategies to promote public participation in environmental protection.
The four projects selected were part of a rigorous selection process between 27 project applications. The review panel included representatives from U.S. Embassies in Chile, Colombia, and Peru—as well as representatives from the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs of the U.S. Department of State which is sponsoring the initiative.
The winning projects will work on various subjects such as wetland protection in Chile; the conservation of mangrove trees along the Colombian Pacific coast; an introduction to environmental issues in rural schools in Ayaba and Morropon in Peru; and the promotion of different urban sustainability initiatives in a couple of cities in the Peruvian Amazonia.
Additionally, the beneficiaries will participate in a kickoff workshop to take place in Bogota, Colombia on April 24–25.
The Winning Projects
Chile
Fundación Centro de los Bosques Nativos Forecos
Project: Strengthening of local leadership for the effective protection of wetlands in Chile
Colombia
Asociación Calidris
Project: Mangrove conservation agreement with the community council “Esfuerzo pescador Iscuande, Nariño” (Pacific coast, Colombia)
Peru
World Wild Life Fund (sede Perú)
Project: Inclusive and sustainable Amazon cities: public participation in urban environmental management
Peru
Instituto de Gestión de Cuencas Hidrográficas – IGCH
Project: Environmental protection and reevaluation of the natural and cultural heritage from a rural school perspective