Sygnus Group’s Post

We are pleased to share our Annual Impact Report for 2023 with you! In two years, the Belize Fund has: ✅ BZ $18 million total funds approved 💰 BZ $7.3 million total funds disbursed 🌊 14 projects funded 🏫 6 Government Agencies, 11 NGOs, 1 Academia, and 1 CBO funded 🌱 14 marine protected areas supported (527,268 ha) 👨👩👧👦 40 coastal communities reached 🪸 66 persons trained We've made great progress in our governance and institutional effectiveness and we will continue to make adjustments as we prioritize how we implement our fit-for-purpose grantmaking to be more inclusive. We plan to launch several new mechanisms to increase access by community organizations and stakeholder groups. We invite you to read our report and learn more about our work here: https://lnkd.in/euTuwiP2 _ #BelizeFund #MarineConservation #BlueEconomy #OceanResilience

APPLICATIONS DUE NOVEMBER 21, 2024! The new Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has just announced a big funding opportunity! They’re making about $2 billion available from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate issues. The grants will support projects that reduce pollution, help communities become more resilient to climate change, and build local capacity to take on environmental challenges. They are also focused on community-led ideas, so local voices and input will play a big role in deciding how the money is used. Eligible entities include a partnership between two community-based non-profit organizations (CBOs) and a partnership between a CBO and either a Federally-Recognized Tribe, a local government, or an institution of higher education. Read the NOFO: https://lnkd.in/g-Q9t_U5 #SavetheEnvironment #ReducePollution #ClimateChange #CleanAir

🔍 What Does Success Look Like? Let Local Communities Define It! In this blog for The Conversation U.S., Erin and I discuss how development projects too often rely on predefined metrics that miss what actually matters to the communities they engage with. 🌍🌱 "When donors impose their own frameworks and set their own goals for the projects they fund, they usually miss what truly defines success for local communities." 💬 Let’s rethink how we approach development – and let’s start by listening. 🗣️ 👉 https://lnkd.in/gAYruqV6 #InternationalDevelopment #CommunityEngagement #SustainableDevelopment #LeonorCuadras #Kenya #ParticipatoryApproaches #MeasurementAndEvaluation https://lnkd.in/gmXZyRp5

NEW: With a smaller population and close-knit communities, a new report argues funding environmental projects in Atlantic Canada may offer grantmakers more impact for their buck. Yet despite the promise, the Environment Funders Canada report also says Atlantic Canada is under-funded. How badly? How come? And what funding opportunities for support should grantmakers consider? #philanthropy #maritimes #environment https://lnkd.in/gQHnnuz5

The Kogi State Government has disbursed N3 billion to 2,381 direct beneficiaries across 170 groups in 80 communities affected by climate change. The funds, provided under the Community Revolving Fund (CRF) as part of the Agro-climate Resilience in Semi-arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, aim to promote sustainable agricultural practices and improve food security. The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the World Bank, targets communities across the 21 local government areas of the state. https://lnkd.in/dVXD7Sr5

🌊 How can sufficient funds be mobilised to save our oceans? This is the question raised by our research associate Renaud Lassus in our latest blog post on the #blueeconomy.   💼 The involvement of private players can help meet the significant financing needs to protect marine ecosystems. To effectively mobilise them, we need ways to give economic and monetary value to marine ecosystems, not for extractive purposes, but with a logic and approach that encourage protection.   Learn more about initiatives to get private and philanthropic actors involved in protecting marine ecosystems: 👉https://lnkd.in/geG_YGhG #BlueFinance #NatureBasedSolutions #OceanProtection #InnovativeInstruments

The Royal Countryside Fund are launching a UK-wide Supporting Rural Communities grant programme on Friday 10th January 2025. This new differentiated funding will support transformative, community-led initiatives across the UK, unlocking the huge potential for positive change in rural communities. The aim is to support innovative solutions that will “power up, not prop up” communities, inspiring change and encouraging economic vibrancy. Organisations can apply for grants of up to £25,000 over a period of 24 months to deliver activities along the themes of: - Keeping young people in the countryside - Powering up rural communities - Increasing environmental sustainability - Building emergency resilience in rural areas. For more information, please visit: https://lnkd.in/eQcrGg6K

Did you know effective land policy can dramatically improve quality of life and community resilience? Enroll in our Graduate Certificate in Land Policy and become a leader in shaping sustainable, equitable communities: https://lnkd.in/gEGZEUAK This certificate was developed in partnership with the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a non-profit global thought leader solving social, environmental, and economic challenges. Together, we are mobilizing leaders worldwide to tackle the most pressing climate, land, water, finance, housing, infrastructure, and other issues. #landpolicy #communitydevelopment #graduatecertificate #geospatial #landmanagement #watermanagement

Thinking of capturing a funder's interest? You need to think strategically! Swipe left to learn how! #GrantWinning #SustainableImpact #AfricanInnovation #FundingMadeEasy #GrantMaster #SMEsAfrica #NGOAfrica #LifelineFunding #GameChanger #GrantMaster #GrantFunding

Let's not forget that today it's #WorldToiletDay 📣 🚽 A recent United Nations study addresses a shocking statistic: more people today have access to cell phones than toilets. Out of the world's estimated seven billion people, six billion have access to mobile devices, and only 4.5 billion have access to working toilets. On top of that, sanitation is under threat from conflict, #climatechange, #disasters and neglect for billions of people. Join industry leaders for an insightful session today, organised by the Toilet Board Coalition, and discover how the power of #collective action and #innovation can drive the #sanitation sector forward 👇 Water & Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP) | The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF) | FINISH Mondial | FINISH Society - India | Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology (CAWST) | Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA) | World Waternet |