Ford Motor Company's Conservation and Environmental Grants, the longest-running private initiative of its kind in the region, is making use of the popular social media channel Facebook to launch the 2013 edition, where applicants are welcome to apply through a special application. Once again, a total of $100,000 are available to deserving environmental projects from the GCC, Levant and Iraq that are working towards raising awareness about the environment and much needed efforts for conservation. In its 14th edition and with the continued support of UNESCO's Doha office, the 2013 Ford Grants program is now open and is receiving applications from not-for-profit on-going environmental projects that are seeking additional funding. Applications may be submitted via Ford Middle East's Facebook page with the deadline of submission set for July 1, 2013. Projects from Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates can apply. An independent panel of jurors consisting of nine experts and academics from environmental agencies and institutions will choose the winning projects. The jury panel, carefully selected in cooperation with UNESCO Doha based on geographical coverage, experience and gender equality, will look for initiatives that demonstrate a well-defined sense of purpose, a commitment to maximizing available resources, and a reputation for meeting objectives and delivering planned programs and services. Larry Prein, Ford Middle East's managing director, said: “Contributing to a better world is one of the main pillars of Ford Motor Company, and we not only do this by delivering some of the best technologies and industry leading fuel economy across the range of our products, but also through community initiatives such as the Conservation & Environmental Grants. We recognize the importance of social media in our region and as such, deem it best to reach out to the region's communities and avid environmental ambassadors through our Facebook page.” Dr Benno Boer, UNESCO's Ecological Sciences Advisor in the Arab Region, said: “UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves is an important tool to achieve sustainable development. They are models for the reconciliation of sustainable development and nature conservation. There are 610 Biosphere Reserves in 117 countries, functioning as learning sites for the United Nations Decade on Education for Sustainable Development. The eligible countries of the GCC/Levant Ford Grants are under-represented with only one biosphere reserve in the United Arab Emirates, one in Qatar, two in Jordan, three in Lebanon, and none in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. UNESCO encourages its Member States and citizens and the private sector for more active participation,” Boer added. — SG
