Global Environment Centre’s (GEC) small grants programme has parcelled out some RM700,000 in river care funding over its 10-year life.
The awards via its National River Care Fund (NRCF) have gone towards river projects run by communities and civil society.
NRCF advisory committee chairman Datuk Dr Lim Chow Hock said the programme was first implemented in March 2016, with grants of up to RM5,000 each, has been disbursed across nine cycles.
“This includes 61 community grants and nine awarded under the River Ranger, Smart Ranger and Water Conservation (also known as DRH2O) training programmes.
“We have also carried out several training sessions and talks on the environment, river and waste management,” Lim said in a GEC press statement.
GEC chairman Datuk Halimah Hassan commended corporate funders and donors whose contributions over the decade have ensured the NRCF’s sustainability. This includes Hasanah Foundation, which funded the entire Cycle 3.
“GEC also supports the NRCF’s implementation, from grant disbursement to covering the costs of management and visibility.
“This is part of our commitment to giving back to the communities and strengthening river care civil society in Malaysia,” she said.
According to GEC, the NRCF grants are for initiatives driving water or river conservation, awareness activities and educational programmes.
It is designed to benefit recipients from community-based organisations such as residents associations, Rukun Tetangga (RT), village development and security committees, non-profit organisations, learning institutions and special interest groups.
To date, 26 education institutions, 24 communities and six non-profits have benefitted as grantees.
By extension, 30 other education institutions and 11 communities enjoyed the trickle-down effect of the awards via the grantees’ projects, GEC said.
Students from 10 educational institutions and over 28 communities also underwent training provided through NRCF.
GEC said one of the existing qualified grantees would in future have a chance to vie for a larger grant valued at RM15,000, which would be set aside in each cycle.
One local community that has benefitted from NRCF is Rumah Pangsa AU2 Taman Keramat RT in Hulu Kelang, Selangor.
The community received two grants – one each in 2016 and 2017 – for a community garden along a stretch of the river within their neighbourhood.
The community adopted a stretch of the river located within Taman Keramat and developed an urban vegetable garden along the bank.
GEC said the community had been active in monitoring the river, leading to awards for green neighbourhood and community initiatives from Ampang Jaya Municipal Council in 2016.
The second grant went towards addressing land erosion due to rapid water flow from a nearby field.
Community garden club chairman Mohamad Halim Mohamad Said said: “To prevent further erosion at the riverbank, our community embarked on a tree-planting initiative.
“GEC offered guidance on river care and monitoring, as well as the tree saplings for planting.”
The community ensured project sustainability by producing their own organic fertilisers and empowering members to conduct regular river water quality monitoring, GEC said.
Mohamad Halim thanked NRCF for the grants and entrusting them to continue river restoration and protection efforts.
“Based on physical observation and biological parameters, it was observed that the water quality in the river here has since improved,” he said.
Corporations interested in funding the next cycle of NRCF can call 03-7957 2007 or e-mail outreach@gec.org.my
