RedLAC Workshop

May 9th to 11th, 2007

Lima, Peru

Why PACT?

• NGO movement

• Consultation workshops

• Visitor willingness surveys to pay

• Expressed need for a sustainable financing mechanism

• National entity for conservation

• Sustainable financing mechanism

What is PACT?

• Revolving, Sinking, and Endowment Funds

• Capitalization (05/06) :Approx. BZ$6,000,000.00 Bz

• Endowment Fund shall receive no less than 5% of all revenues per fiscal year

• Endowment Fund (05/06): BZ$2,700,000.00 Bz

Primary Objective: Assist, via grants, the management, conservation, development of protected areas and wildlife species (CITES)

Sources of Funds

• Cruise Ship Passenger Head Tax

• Conservation Fee paid by tourists on their departure

• Investments and Individual donations

46%

12%

42%

Conservation Tax Cruise Ship Fee Other

Source of FundsTourism Dollars

88% of revenue comes from tourism as payment for environmental servicesCruise Tourism - $2,073,077 Bz (05/06)Conservation Fee - $1,849,138 Bz (05/06)

Revenue supported by PACT ACT Legislated on January 2nd, 1996Outlined in section 21

Legislation states PACT is responsible for direct collections

Revenue Streams

Protected Areas Conservation Trust

Trust Fund

Endowment Fund GrantsOperational Expenses

Conservation Fee (USD$3.75)

20% of Cruise Ship Passenger Fees

other

Revenue Distribution (Policy)

20%

20%

60%

Grant Program Operational /Capital Staff

Revenue Distribution Actual 05/06

17%10%

73%

Grant Program Operational /Capital Staff

Revenue vs. ExpenditureCollected from 1996 to 2006

137 Grants have been awarded to date, totaling BZ $7,748,193.38 Bz from January 1996 to January 2007

4 Large Grants, all ongoing totaling over $3.7 million 2 Medium Grants, 1 ongoing, totaling over $500,000.00 75 Small Grants, 10 ongoing, totaling over $2.2 million

46 Scholarships, 1 long term training and 2 Professional

Development Grants, totaling over $900,000.007 Research Grants, 6 ongoing, totaling over $100,000.00

Grants Fact Sheet

Grants Distribution from January 1996 to January 2007

All in $Bz.

Activities Funded

• Demarcation of boundaries

• Research

• Institutional Strengthening

• Infrastructure Development

• Scholarships/Short-term training

• Promotional Materials

• Environmental Education

• Monitoring Activities

• Capital/Office Equipment

Grants Fact SheetBusiness Plans

$152,186.24 Bz was invested in the development of two business plansSt. Herman’s Blue Hole – BASLaughing Bird Caye - FoN

Essential for long term financial sustainability while increasing operating effectiveness and efficiency of protected areas management

Grants: National Scope

Large GrantsUniversity of Belize - $945,000.00 Bz

(partnership)Develop the Natural Resources Management Program

Forest Department - $867,438.00 Bz Improving Protected Areas Management through the

institutional strengthening of FD

National Protected Areas Policy and System PlanPACT invested $300,000.00 Bz to the development of

the plan

Grants: National ScopeLeveraging of Funds

Leverage partnerships for project funding to NGOs with CI, Oak, TNC, MARFund, GEF/SGP

Leverage partnerships for tertiary degree scholarships with INCAE, CATIE, EARTH and University of Belize

One to one matches

Large Grant for Friends for Conservation and Development (FCD)a three year project to develop and implement a comprehensive and

integrated management program for the Chiquibul National Park and Maya Mountains Key Biodiversity Area, the largest protected area in Belize.

PACT - $800,000.00 Bz.counterpart funding from The Critical Ecosystems

Partnership Fund and The Nature Conservancy - $1 million Bz.

FCD will receive a total of $1.8 million Bz.

Grants: National ScopeLeveraging of Funds

The University of Belize PACT contributed $945,000.00 Bz Counterpart contribution from OAK Foundation, The Nature

Conservancy and Earthwatch Institute totalled - $2,691,750.00 Bz

Total funding for development of NRM Program - $3,636,750.00 Bz

The National Protected Areas System Plan PACT contributed $300,000.00 Bz Counterpart funding amounted to $500,000.00Bz Total funding for development of plan approximately

$800,000.00Bz

Grants: National ScopeLeveraging of Funds

Memorandum of Understanding with CATIE of Costa RicaPACT contributes 1 scholarship and INCAE

contributes 2 scholarships for Belizean students

Memorandum of Understanding with Earth University of San Jose Costa RicaPACT contributes 2 scholarships and Earth

contributes 3 scholarships to Belizean students.

Grants: National ScopeLeveraging of Funds

Accomplishments

• Number of Protected Areas supported with Grants – 36 (Approx. 40% of the System)

• Number of Non Governmental Organizations, Government Departments and Associations that have benefited from PACT’s Grants program – 31

Management of the Other Funds

• Leveraging our experience in investment and grants management over the past ten years

• PACT can administer grants at a much reduced cost since it does not have to invest in Capital

• Opportunity for coordination and co-financing of projects and programs

• More finances can go directly on the ground

• Eg. PACT Foundation and the Oil Fund

Management of the Trust Fund

• Interim audit at half year• Full audit at end of year by independent internationally affiliated

audit firm• Budget based on projects in the pipeline and historical trends of

revenue • Management team drafts budget • Departments defends budget to management and Staff• Budget reviewed and approved by Board • External evaluation of projects • Proactive and responsive approaches to grant funding

Our Strengths

• 10 years experience in managing grants

• Network and dialogue with NGO’s and CBO’s throughout the country

• Active Support from Government policies : - Debt for Nature Swap - National Protected Areas Policy and System Plan

• Coordinating role

• International Alliances: MARFund, RedLAC, IUCN

• Leverage partnerships

Future Plans

Revision of Grants Manual and Grants Process Communications Strategy PACT will endeavor to implement the National

Protected Areas Policy and Systems Plan through the provision of medium and large grants. These projects should leverage PACT funds for national and/or regional impact.

Refocusing of PACT Small GrantsContinue building capacity of CBOs and smaller

NGOsMentorship Programme

Other Future Plans

More autonomous Board/New Legislation

Development of a fundraising campaign

Support implementation of Environmental Education Strategy

Administrative Fee Support up to 20%

Thank You!Thank You!

To Donate to Belize’s Protected Areas visit us at…

www.pactbelize.org