By Obrein Simasiku
WINDHOEK – The Embassy of Finland today will sign a funding agreement valued at N$8.9 million with four organizations in support of Namibia’s social and economic development.
The funds are aimed at strengthening a democratic and accountable society that promotes human rights and eradicates extreme poverty by promoting an inclusive green economy that creates sustainable employment, said Finnish Ambassador to Namibia Anne Saloranta.
In a press release she said the projects to be funded are Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN), the Gobabeb Research and Training Centre (GRTC), Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC). Each organisation will sign an agreement for the funding of a two-year project.
DRFN will be granted an amount of N$1.7 million under “green enterprise development”, which is aimed at developing economically viable and market-oriented farming production systems with marginalised groups on resettlement farms.
GRTC will be granted N$2.9 million to promote participatory management and explore alternative livelihood opportunities for the indigenous Topnaar people living in the Namib Desert.
IPPR will receive N$2.3 million for a project called “Democracy Report” and the funds will assist in research papers, briefings, commentaries and analysis. IPPR will be required to provide information about national legislation to the Namibian public.
The sum of N$1.9 million will be handed to IRDNC to improve socio-economic conditions of the residents of Bwabwata National Park through improving institutional capacity, creating strategic partnerships for local development organizations and developing alternative livelihood options while preserving the cultural heritage of the indigenous communities.
Saloranta added that the funds for local cooperation is a local funding instrument administered by the Finnish Embassy in supporting local development in line with the National Development Plan Four (NDP4) and the Finnish Government Development Policy.
Furthermore its support is mainly in the fields of economic, trade and social development, human rights and democracy, ecologically sustainable development and cultural heritage and protection.