WFWPI UN New York held GFGI Climate Action Grant Post-Project Evaluations

From January 26 to 28, the WFWPI Office for UN Relations in New York, held GFGI Climate Action Grant Post-Project Evaluations, for the 12 projects which were awarded grants by GFGI in the summer of 2021. The purpose of this meeting was to review the challenges and best practices of each project, as well as to receive feedback on any challenges of each project. We believe it is vital to adapt each program to each of the community’s unique needs. In order for a project to be sustainable, we must be able to honestly discuss what worked and what didn’t work and redetermine to give support to our chapters worldwide where it is needed.

In the first part of the program, each of the 12 projects presented on their projects for five to seven minutes. It was truly inspiring to see how the vision was actualized in reality. Of course, not everything went perfectly according to plan, and there were bumps along the way, but when we can see these challenges as an opportunity to grow the project, rather than an obstacle, there is only hope for the future. Among many other inspiring stories, WFWP Brazil was able to provide 200 families with clean drinking water, along the coast of the Amazon river and WFWP Albania made their presence on Albania’s news station, due to their extraordinary work mobilizing young people to reduce plastic waste.

The second part of the meeting was led by Mrs. Merly Barlaan, CAO and Deputy Director of the WFWPI Office for UN Relations in NY, who gave a training on the “Key Components of Sustainable Projects.” Mrs. Barlaan spoke in-depth about Project Management, Partnership Opportunities, and Fundraising. In her presentation, Mrs. Barlaan emphasized the importance of creating partnerships and finding sponsors who resonate with your vision. She talked briefly about how each project can raise funds, and we must seize the opportunity since many countries have pledged to allocate funds to environmental sustainability efforts. Practical and optimistic, Mrs. Barlaan taught proven methods to expand and further sustain each project.

The third portion of the meeting was led by Ms. Amber, a WFWPI Office for UN Relations intern. Ms. Amber performed research on each of the 12 country’s environmental promises and plans. The reason for this is so that each of the countries attending this meeting would be more aware of their own country’s plan for the future. When the projects can supplement and help the country reach its goals, the government is most likely to grant funding. We were very grateful to Ms. Amber for her dedication to educating the chapters of their future partnerships and focus.

The meeting culminated with gratitude to each of the chapter’s investment and dedication to women and the environment.