Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) The history of the relationship between the GEF and civil society organizations (CSOs) goes back to the inception of the GEF. NGOs have been involved in a broad range of GEF activities from general policy discussions to project development at the local level. A more formal role for CSOs was established with the creation of the GEF NGO Network in 1995. Since then, the Network has been the main mechanism for involvement with CSOs. In 2005 an independent review of the Network was undertaken and some recommendations were made. The GEF Secretariat implemented some of those recommendations and there has been an improvement in the functioning of the network. Effective involvement of civil society at all levels of endeavor, from local to national to global, is a key in achieving the GEF's mission and objectives of the projects it funds.
Negotiations leading up to the GEF-5 Replenishment emphasized the positive and influential role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in GEF programs. Ms. Non-governmental organization. A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an organization that is neither a part of a government nor a conventional for-profit business. Usually set up by ordinary citizens, NGOs may be funded by governments, foundations, businesses, or private persons. Some avoid formal funding altogether and are run primarily by volunteers. NGOs are highly diverse groups of organizations engaged in a wide range of activities, and take different forms in different parts of the world.
Some may have charitable status, while others may be registered for tax exemption based on recognition of social purposes. The number of NGOs in the United States is estimated at 1.5 million.[1] Russia has 277,000 NGOs.[2] India is estimated to have had around 2 million NGOs in 2009, just over one NGO per 600 Indians, and many times the number of primary schools and primary health centres in India.[3][4] Types[edit] By orientation[edit] By level of operation[edit] USAID refers to NGOs as private voluntary organizations.
Pacific Institute: The Energy Implications of Desalination. The Water – Energy Nexus in the American West: The Energy Implications of Desalination Despite some major barriers to desalination, interest has recently mushroomed as technology has improved, demands for water have grown, and prices have declined. Interest in desalination has been especially high in the West, where rapidly growing populations, inadequate regulation of the water supply/land-use nexus, and ecosystem degradation from existing water supply sources have forced a rethinking of water policies and management. Pacific Institute Water Program Co-Director Heather Cooley authored the chapter, “The Energy Implications of Desalination” in the newly released The Water – Energy Nexus in the American West.
“The potential benefits of desalination are great, but the economic, cultural, and environmental costs of wide commercialization remain high,” Cooley states. Download the flyer for the book. Water Innovation Centre. What's New in WIC? IISD takes part in Water Festival at The Forks The Water Innovation Centre participated in the Water Festival at The Forks as part of Manitoba's first Sustainability Month Our Lake, Our Solutions: Two years of progress and partnerships Two years ago, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) hosted the Lake Winnipeg Basin Summit in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
The event brought together 150 stakeholders to talk about solutions for Lake Winnipeg, the 10th largest freshwater lake in the world and one of the most nutrient-stressed.To mark the second anniversary of the Summit, IISD has produced a video featuring an overview of the progress since 2010, particularly research into how to turn the concept of a bioeconomy for the Lake Winnipeg Basin into reality.A key point that came out of the Summit was that the problem of Lake Winnipeg phosphorus loading could be flipped on its head and viewed as an opportunity for innovation and economic development. Read More. Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security: Publications and Reports.