The ICWRP Structure

The ICWRP model is based on a two-pronged approach. In cooperation with existing international organizations such as the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands and the UNESCO's World Heritage Program, ICWRP executes both small and large scale conservation projects. Once established, an international corporate partnership council will determine the priority of projects submitted from Ramsar and the World Heritage Program. The council will then provide a recommended list of projects for corporate members and NGOs. Governmental representatives serve in an ex-officio and advisory capacity.

By building on existing mechanisms for conservation, ICWRP reduces costly duplication of efforts, ensuring that resources devoted to ICWRP projects are efficiently and effectively utilized.

Small Scale Projects

The Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (The Ramsar Convention) oversees the Small Grants Fund (SGF) which addresses projects worldwide in developing and transitional economy countries. There is also the option of utilizing the Wetlands for the Future (WFF) Fund, a special initiative of the Ramsar Secretariat, the United States Department of State, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The WFF program benefits Latin American and Caribbean institutions in the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

The Ramsar Secretariat oversees small and medium cost projects. These Funds provide an existing mechanism for funding wetland restoration projects. The WFF specifically is based on a partnership arrangement between the US Government and Ramsar which has been in place since 1994 and has financial accountability. The US Government finances the WFF through congressional appropriations, and year-to-year allocations may vary. The SGF is funded by donor governments worldwide. Corporation donations could be realized as value added to the overall programs.

National, state, provincial or local government agencies, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations are eligible for grants. However, grants cannot be given to individuals or for-profit organizations. There is already a project selection framework in place and there is no need to create another administrative structure. Interested parties will submit their proposals to Ramsar based on the established application procedures. Ramsar will then submit a list of acceptable proposals to ICWRP for their prioritizing/selection. The private sector will then select from the approved list and make a contribution at any level. Contributions will be handled through the Coastal America Foundation (CAF) in the U.S., based on a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ramsar Secretariat and the CAF.

Large Scale Projects

Large scale cost projects in World Heritage sites are accomplished through collaboration with the UN Foundation. The UN Foundation, through a solicitation matching grant process, can provide matching monies for business and environmental groups and to UN agencies, funds and programs such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The UN Foundation is a grantor to the UN. Interested parties work with the appropriate UN agency and the UN Foundation to develop their proposals for the conservation and management of World Heritage Sites. The UN agency then submits a list of acceptable proposals to ICWRP for their prioritization/selection. The UN Foundation will make available matching funds on a case by case basis.

Corporations and NGOs interested in participating in the identified sites will be able to join these multi-stakeholder initiatives. Once partners have been identified, the Board of Directors approves UN Foundation grants after careful consideration of project proposals submitted by the leading UN agency. Priority would be given to World Heritage sites which overlap with Ramsar and/or Man and the Biosphere reserves.

ICWRP will work with the appropriate UN agency to identify a list of priority projects and jointly develop a menu of wetlands projects for ICWRP members and interested parties. Rather than UN Foundation going to individual organizations, the partnering will already be in place under the auspices of ICWRP.