UNDP, with support from the Global Environment Facility, has launched a Small Grants Programme to support local initiatives in the Aral Sea Basin. The programme is part of the project “Conservation and Sustainable Management of Land Resources and High Nature Value Ecosystems in the Aral Sea basin for Multiple Benefits,” implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Turkmenistan.
The initiative will focus on Dashoguz and Lebap velayats, supporting community-level actions that promote sustainable land and water resource management. It aims to restore degraded ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and strengthen the resilience of local communities living in areas affected by environmental pressure in the Aral Sea Basin.
The programme invites registered non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, and community initiative groups representing vulnerable population groups to participate. It is designed to encourage practical local solutions that deliver measurable benefits for both communities and the environment.
Priority areas for support include sustainable pasture management, prevention of land degradation, water conservation, sustainable agriculture, afforestation, land reclamation, and alternative income generation. The programme also places importance on initiatives led by women, recognizing their role in strengthening community resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
Projects supported under the Small Grants Programme should be implemented in the pilot areas of Dashoguz and Lebap velayats. Proposed activities are expected to show clear, practical results that improve environmental conditions, support biodiversity conservation, and help local communities adapt to land and water resource challenges.
By funding local initiatives, the programme aims to connect environmental protection with community development. It supports Turkmenistan’s efforts to address land degradation, improve ecosystem management, and promote sustainable livelihoods in the Aral Sea Basin.
