Sustainable Financing (SF)

It is an important consideration for the CTI because, in most cases, there are not enough investments or country budgets to fund the implementation of the NPOAs and the Regional Plan of Action (RPOA). It is as important to think of long-term financing to fund the recurrent costs of activities needed to continue to keep the target biodiversity, coral reefs, and fish resources that will guarantee food security for the next generation. This could not be accomplished by the traditional project finance mode.

There are two specific conditions to assure the long-term flow of money for an agreed purpose. These are trust and trustworthy institutions or mechanisms. Trust is critical and it must exist between and among all partners involved. In the same vein, you need to have reliable and trustworthy institutions/organizations that have a proven record in handling money for the intended purpose and producing the desired results. Confidence in an institution can be lost if they mismanage the flow of money, thereby stopping the flow of funds and negatively affecting sustainability. Money flows when trust and trustworthy institutions/ organizations provide for sustained, tangible, and outstanding results.

Sustainability in conservation work implies constant fund raising and and/or ensuring the constant flow of revolving funds that would ensure continuous support needed for the intended sustainable system. Fund raising may be viewed in a more positive light in the sense that prospective donors are offered sound investment opportunities for conservation products and services. The first step to a successful fund-raising campaign is having a good and most importantly sound product to start with. Along this line, specific programs and projects that are needed to implement the CTI National Plans of Action (NPOAs) should be viewed by donors as bankable projects.

Objectives

• To upgrade the capacities of CT6 countries to prepare a sustainable financing plan for priority targets of NPOA implementation and identify potential sources of financing
• To develop a regional financial architecture on SF for implementation by the CT6 countries

Project Activities

ADB's Regional Technical Assistance (RETA) Project on Knowledge Management for the CTI contributes in building the capacity of National Coordinating Committees in sustainable financing by developing knowledge products (e.g. learning notes and experience notes) that will help them get a clearer understanding of the concept and the steps involved.

1. In Country Workshops - The RETA's Finance Expert facilitates workshops where participants do back-of-the-envelope costing for the activities they have listed in their National Plans of Action (NPOA). As of February 2012, workshops have been conducted in the Solomon Islands and Indonesia.
2. Participation in the Financial Resources Working Group - RETA team members are active in the Financial Resources Working Group and they have presented on sustainable finance, financial architecture for the CTI, and on the CTI High Level Financial Roundtable.
3. CTI High Level Financial Roundtable - This event is intended to provide a venue for countries to generate additional funding for the implementation of NPOAs, RPOA, and the Regional Secretariat. It will also be an opportunity for donors to communicate their funding priorities. The idea to hold the High Level Financial Roundtable was conceived during the 4th Senior Officials Meeting in October 2009 where CTI leaders agreed to hold such event as part of the Financial Road Map. It is scheduled on 3 May 2012 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Manila from 2pm to 330pm.

Contact Person

For questions regarding sustainable finance, email Egide Cantin, Finance Expert.