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Environment Program Descriptions

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ENHANCING RESILIENCY OF TRANSBOUNDARY RIVER BASINS

Southern African Regional Environment Program (SAREP)

Implementer:             Chemonics International
Duration:                    May 2010-May 2013 (with option for 2 year extension)
Total funding:             $23 million
 
SAREP strengthens regional capacities of the Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM), national and local governments, and communities within Angola, Botswana, and Namibia to improve management of transboundary natural resources which are critical for ecosystem services, wildlife, and sustainable development. The program aims to improve livelihoods; promote more effective ecosystem management; and to strengthen institutions to better manage and govern water and ecosystem resources. USAID assisted OKACOM to finalize a five-year framework to ensure the sound management of water and ecosystem resources in this Basin. Through this program, USAID strengthened the capacity of more than 11,000 people living in the region to manage their water resources. For example, eighteen water user groups were initiated in Namibia and 80 community members were trained in water planning, monitoring, and improved sanitation techniques. Satellite imagery, web-based information and mobile phone technology have been combined for use in policy decision support tools and have resulted in more effective early flood warning systems for priority disaster prone communities who are likely to be most heavily impacted by future climatic change.   
 
Resilience in the Limpopo River Basin (RESILIM)
Implementer:                           TBD 
Duration:                                 TBD
Total Estimated Funding:        $20 million 
 
RESILIM partners with regional, national, and local stakeholders to improve transboundary management of the Limpopo River Basin resulting in enhanced resiliency of its people and ecosystems. With partners from South Africa, Mozambique, Botswana and Zimbabwe, we will reduce climate vulnerability by promoting the adoption of science-based adaptation strategies. We will conserve biodiversity and sustainably manage high-priority ecosystems in the Basin and build the capacity of stakeholders to sustainably manage water and biodiversity resources.
 
IMPROVING CAPACITY TO COPE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE
 
Stepping up to Sustainability in South Africa
Implementer:                           Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA)
Duration:                                 January 2011-January 2014
Total Estimated Funding:        $2 million
 
Responding to climate change impacts demands a set of adaptable skills and capacities from stakeholders across all of society. USAID/Southern Africa is building the competency of local governments, communities, and citizens across South Africa to cope with climate change through an innovative approach that is practical and rooted in long-term behavior change. Tailored education and training courses, coupled with mentorship programs, have been launched to expand learning and skills.   A number of resource materials have been developed and piloted across the country. In particular, a new mandatory climate change curriculum has been developed for entry and mid-level municipal workers which will be rolled out nationwide and accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). Communities conducted participatory sustainability assessments to identify local threats posed by climate change and indigenous knowledge, technologies and strategies to address these challenges. A network of 10 Sustainability Commons, which are interactive social learning centers across the country, have been established and are promoting climate-adapted technologies including technologies for harnessing solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and climate-friendly food production.
 
Climate Change Adaptation in the Lesotho Highlands
Implementer:                           Institute of Natural Resources, Serumula Development Agency & GROW Lesotho
Duration:                                 October 2010-September 2014
Total Estimated Funding:        $1.1 million
 
The Lesotho Highlands capture and store water to support local people who rely on range and crop lands to support themselves. At the same time, significant water resources are transferred to South Africa to support industry and urban centers, with royalty payments helping to drive Lesotho’s national economy. Climate changes will influence this crucial water cycle, with far reaching impacts for the people of Lesotho and South Africa.  USAID works with Lesotho’s government, civil society and local communities to strengthen their abilities to respond to potential impacts of climate change through better policies and practices. Maintaining a healthy, intact ecosystem, while adapting management of range and water resources, will promote a more sustainable future. To date, more than 650 people, more than one-third of whom are women, have new capacities to adapt to the impacts of climate variability in Lesotho.  
 
Enhanced Water Supply and Sanitation in Swaziland
Implementer:                           Palms for Life Fund
Duration:                                 October 2010-September 2014
Total Estimated Funding:        $2 million
 
The rural poor in Swaziland are particularly vulnerable to climate change. Food and livelihood security depend on access to clean and reliable water, with a lack of a consistent supply of water and poor sanitation hindering the development of a healthy, successful and productive population. USAID works with the Ministry of Education, NGOs, schools and communities to implement a comprehensive water program focused on improved water harvesting, storage, and sanitation in schools. Water is also used to rehabilitate or establish new school gardens to enhance food security and improve the quality of life in the participating communities. To date, nearly 9000 youth have been given access to improved, clean drinking water. More than 11,000 people have benefitted from training in water sanitation and hygiene.
 
ENHANCING ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION
 
Nano-Power Africa
Implementer:                           American Council on Education (ACE) (with University of Cincinnatti (US) University of Cape Town (South Africa), Kigali Institute of Education (Rwanda), University of Haramaya (Ethiopia))
Duration:                                 2010- 2014
Total Estimated Funding:        $1.4 million
 
Clean energy production is one of the greatest hurdles to achieving lasting development in Africa. The Nano-Power Africa program supports scientific research and technological innovation to develop inexpensive and indigenously produced clean energy solutions for use by Africans living in rural and peri-urban areas. Solar devices, developed using nano materials, will produce sufficient electricity to provide energy for lighting, heating, cooking, refrigeration and communication at a reasonable cost while promoting lower greenhouse gas emissions and long-term environmental protection. The University of Cape Town’s NanoSciences Innovation Centre was recently launched, forming the hub of a growing international research and innovation network. Support of faculty and new research in these state-of-the art renewable energies was initiated with the development of curriculum at the University of Cape Town, and training for two faculty and four masters and PHD students in three different African institutions. A new web-based interactive Solar Power Course has been developed launched at five African Universities and the University of Cincinnati.
 
Reef Rescuers
Implementer:                          Nature Seychelles
Duration:                                 October 2010-September 2014
Total Estimated Funding:        $560,000
 
The coral reefs that support healthy fisheries, economically important tourism, and serve as buffer for fragile coastlines, are threatened by global warming and sea temperature rise. In the Seychelles, the loss of coral reefs threatens the livelihoods of a population dependent on marine resources and the integrity of the country’s economy. This program supports the development and testing of innovative ‘reef gardening’ to restore productive coral reefs threatened by climate change. Leading scientists from five countries developed and are refining the experimental protocol for rehabilitating Seychelles reefs, with plans to adapt the approach to other threatened reefs around the world. In 2012 coral nurseries will be established to generate income for local communities. 
 
Forest Conservation Botswana (FCB) 
Implementer:                          Forest Conservation Botswana
Total Estimated Funding:        $8.3 Million
 
Debt-for-Nature Swaps are an innovative way to help strengthen national economies while advancing a sustainable, environmental future.  In 2006, the Governments of Botswana and the United States signed the $8.3 million debt-for-nature agreement to support conservation and restoration of key forest resources in Botswana.  Forest Conservation Botswana was established in 2009 as a not-for-profit corporation to attract and manage new conservation investments in the country. USAID participates actively on the FCB board and provides technical guidance to FCB staff to initiate and manage grant-making activities.  To date, a total of 23 grants have been approved for a total of over $875,000.