Ford Middle East has announced that 13 groups and individuals in the region have been chosen to receive the 2005 Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants. An independent panel of nine regional environmental experts chose the winning projects for the GCC and Levant.
More than 60 applications were submitted from the region, all vying for a share of the available US$90,000 fundingfund this year. The jury, which represents the nine GCC and Levant the participating countries, selected 13 projects from seven countries, and the grants rangedd from US$5,000 to US$10,000.
Since its launch in the region in 2000, the Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants programme has donated US$510,000 to 68 projects. Making its fourth year in the GCC and Levant, the Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants today announced this year’s recipients, selected by an independent jury of environmental experts.
Hussein Murad, Sales & Marketing director of Ford Middle East, said: “Once Aagain we have seen a great number of applications, and we are delighted with the variety of organisations in the Middle East committed to the cause of conservation and the environment.Benintende added: It is rewarding to see environmental awareness playing a such a role in people’s lives in the region..”
The 2005 grants Ford Grants were awarded in three categories:- the natural environment, environmental education, and conservation engineering.
The 11 winning projects, ranging from ‘Saving Marine Turtles in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman’ to ‘Qatar Flora Awareness Programme’, impressed the judges with their originality practicality. The winners receive their awards grants at a gala ceremony in Dubai on December 11.
Following the selection process, which was held recently in Dubai, Aa spokesperson for the judging jury panel said: “It is very encouragingWe are pleased to have seen a variety of so many projects from different all nine countries in the region. Despite it being difficult to get financial backing to start with, the winners have taken the initiative to get their projects off the ground.
He added: “The entries covered a wide range of environmental concerns and demonstrated how the level of environmental awareness in the GCC has improved.It is clear to see that environmental awareness is making an impact in the Middle East. The winning projects demonstrate a well-defined sense of purpose and a commitment to maximising available resourcesThe winning projects have shown great creativity.”
The Ford Grants celebrates their fourth successful year in the GCC and Levant countries in 2003. Established in the Middle East in 2000, the Ford Grants have donated more than US$300,000 to conservation and environmental causes in the region.
The Ford Grants initiative is one of the largest of its kind in the world, and grew out of the Henry Ford European Conservation Awards, which have helped more than 15,000 projects since 1983. Re-formulated and expanded in 2000, the Grants now include 50 countries in Central and South America, Europe and Asia.
Andy Acho, worldwide director of Environmental Outreach & Strategy at Ford Motor Company, said: "It's been amazing to discover the dedication of people who, for little or no reward, offer time and expertise to the cause of preserving the environment. The Grants help foster that spirit and we applaud those efforts, by exposing them to a wider audience and letting people know what these dedicated individuals are doing to preserve natural resources and cultures for future generations.”
The Ford Grants provide financial support to ongoing projects from individuals and non-profit groups, working for the natural environment, environmental education and conservation engineering in the GCC, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.The Ford Grants invite individuals, community groups and non-profit-making organisations to apply for Ford funds to assist small-scale, ongoing projects
