Seventh Operational Phase of the GEF Small Grants Programme in the Philippines To build socio-ecological and economic resilience in four (4) selected landscapes and seascapes on the Eastern Seaboard of the Philippines - (1) Catubig Watershed Samar Island, (2) Aurora Province in the Sierra Madre,  (3) Siargao Island Protected Landscape/Seascape - and along the West Philippine Sea - (4) Calamian Islands in Northern Palawan - through community-based activities for global environmental benefits and sustainable development. Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency. The GEF SGP Philippines will address the root causes of biodiversity loss in selected landscapes, and is so doing, anticipates resulting in several benefits to landscapes as well as the country at large. These include:    o Improved biodiversity values- Through biodiversity-friendly agriculture, conservation practices, restoration and improved use of biological resources, reforestation of native, climate-resilient species, there is the expectation that biodiversity values will improve in the landscape and seascapes identified by the project.   o Improved synergies and opportunities of joint learning between government and civil society- during the PPG, it became apparent that there is great opportunity and interest in aligning some of the local government planning tools, with the execution and activities from CSOs and smaller community groups.This project anticipates increasing collaborations and leveraging government capacity with local level expertise to achieve impacts at a larger scale.   o Improved socioeconomic circumstances/strengthened livelihoods- Many small community groups do not often have the luxury of start up capital to put some of their sustainable enterprises into operation. The SGP approach will allow some of these groups to enhance their production, distribution of their biodiversity-friendly products and support their socioeconomic conditions. SGP funds will also strengthen civil society organizations that are working to enhance social conditions for the most poverty-stricken. The project will also test and pilot innovative technologies that could decrease labour, support more efficient production and improve peoples’ quality of life.   o Resilient agriculture and food security- The focus on agroecology and sustainable agriculture is to have food production that makes best use of natural resources without destroying said resources, so that there can be long-term supply and sustainable use. The project will seek to supports CSOs to have lower cost of inputs, and create a farm ecosystem that is more resilient to climate change and vacillations in rainfall. Additional project interventions which serve to improve the collection and use of water resources, will also assist in ensuring successful production and a decrease in food insecurity.   o Strengthening civic culture- The project’s landscape approach seeks to aggregate the actions of individual groups and communities, with the common objective of having a beneficial impact on the landscape as a whole. This will involve engagement, participation, the collaboration of many, and is anticipated to enhance civic culture and foster trust. Groups that have not worked together yet will have the opportunity to work together; people will learn about successful initiatives carried out, and it is expected that the civil society community, as well as its collaborations with government, academia and the private sector will be improved.   o Upscaling women’s achievements and creating opportunities for youth- This SGP project was designed to support women overcome the barriers that they face, and provide them opportunities for partnership and leadership. The project also will seek to increase youth participation and ownership in sustainability measures so as to make sure that knowledge is transmitted to the young.  o Benefits for Indigenous Peoples (IP)- The project seeks to support Indigenous communities that use a communal way of governing natural resources. Lessons learned from these communities will be upscaled, innovations that they wish to test will be supported. The project will also support advocacy and communications interventions to maintain the protection from these lands. In particular, indigenous knowledge on resilient food production will be upscaled, and opportunities for IP leadership in the multi-stakeholder platforms will be sought.   o Accompaniment- Many civil society groups and organizations have specialized talents and expertise, but may not have the organizational or administrative capacities. SGP Philippines will support these entities to strengthen their organizational capacities so that they may be more financially resilient, more adept administratively and can leverage funds from other donors in the future.