What are the benefits and challenges of being a Regional Implementation Team (RIT) for CEPF? We asked the grant managers of our teams. Here, John Pilgrim, the grant manager for the Regional Implementation Team at BirdLife in Indochina in the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot, shares his perspective.
Q: How does being the Regional Implementation Team benefit your organization and mission?
Pilgrim: The role of BirdLife International in Indochina as the Regional Implementation Team for CEPF in Indo-Burma has brought our organization and mission to the attention of a greater array of organizations. While we have had to forego the opportunity to apply for CEPF grants, we have been able to fund a number of exciting projects that fit both CEPF and BirdLife priorities.
Q: What is the most significant challenge that you face as a Regional Implementation Team?
Pilgrim: In a very large hotspot spanning five countries, with five national languages and many more local ones, our most significant challenge has been representing CEPF sufficiently across the region on a limited budget without compromising the quality of the support we give to local civil society groups.
Q: How has CEPF's focus on civil society engagement affected the way that you work?
Pilgrim: BirdLife is already renowned globally as a strong partnership of local civil society organizations, so working hand-in-hand with other civil society organizations comes very naturally. Across much of Indo-Burma, however, governments have for a long time sought to control rather than foster civil society. The time is now ripe in this region to promote strong civil society participation, and BirdLife is very pleased to be playing a leading role in this.