Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Acting Secretary Jim Sampulna underscored the importance of building the resilience of community-based organizations (CBOs) in undertaking conservation and livelihood interventions as the country launched the Seventh Operational Phase of the United Nations Development Program-Global Environment Facility (UNDP-GEF) Small Grants Program (SGP-7).

The SGP 7, which is being implemented by the UNDP-Philippines through the Foundation for Philippine Environment and with support from the GEF and DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB), empowers CBOs including women, indigenous peoples, and youth through community-led projects that aim to achieve global environmental benefits while improving livelihood and reducing poverty.