SIX non-governmental organisations (NGOs) based in Peninsular Malaysia recently received the Shell Malaysia Sustainable Development Grants for their environment conservation and sustainable livelihood projects.

The six projects were part of the 13 recipients selected to receive the 2010 Shell Malaysia Sustainable Development Grants, which is currently in its third cycle.

In a separate ceremony earlier, Shell Malaysia presented the grants to seven other projects based in Sabah and Sarawak.

Shell Malaysia also announced its support for sustainable development by increasing the annual grants from RM300,000 to RM500,000.

Well intended help: Rowina (in white) and Universiti Malaya Centre for Poverty and Development Studies director Dr Sulochana Nair (third from right) with recipients of the grant.

“Shell introduced the grants to help complement the country’s sustainable development efforts through empowering Malaysia-based NGOs to initiate projects in two main focus areas; environmental conservation and sustainable livelihood,” said corporate affairs general manager Rowina Ghazali.

The projects were selected based on their practicality, direct benefits, financial needs, sustainability and originality by an independent panel of judges.

The Peninsular Malaysia recipients were:

? Malaysian Nature Society for ‘Footprints in Nature’, a series of hands-on environmental education activities for preschoolers. This project is a second-time recipient of the grants.

? EcoKnights for ‘Anugerah Hijau 2011’, which recognises youths who actively participate in green initiatives in their school compounds.

? Persatuan Khazanah Rakyat Ma’Daerah for ‘Enhancing Community Engagement in Turtle Conservation’ project in Terengganu.

? Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association for ‘Speak Up’, which aims to provide a platform for youths to express concerns in the community where they live.

? Ensearch for the Cyber Plant Conservation Network, which aims to create an e-community on indigenous fruit tree conversation.

? Global Environment Centre for a project to increase awareness and change the perception of the community towards mangrove and promote sustainable use of mangrove resources in Kuala Gula, Perak.