11 May 2011: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has published instructions for countries to access directly – without intermediary agencies – funding for desertification projects to align their National Action Programmes (NAPs) with the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) 10-Year Strategy, as well as to submit national reports to the UNCCD.All eligible parties will have access to up to US$150,000 to finance these two activities.

Focal points are advised to use the template provided to request funding, including a detailed description of the activities that will be carried out and their expected cost. Projects are expected to provide for public participation and include civil society in the process. Applications must be submitted to the GEF Secretariat via email (GEF-DA-LD@thegef.org) by the GEF Operational Focal Point. [GEF News Release]