The Rapid Response Facility
The Rapid Response Facility is a small grants programme jointly operated by the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, the United Nations Foundation and Fauna & Flora International. It aims to protect natural World Heritage sites (NWHS) in times of crisis
Natural World Heritage sites represent the world's pre-eminent areas of biodiversity, and their identification and protection are key parts of the global community's responsibility for conservation. When emergencies occur or urgent threats to these sites arise, critical time is often lost organizing a response, during which precious natural world heritage may be irreparably damaged.
The Rapid Response Facility (RRF) was designed to provide timely resources to address threats and emergencies affecting NWHS and surrounding areas of influence – and to do so quickly, flexibly and in real time.
The RRF aims to:
- Mobilize funds quickly to respond to emergency situations in NWHS;
- Provide bridging funds in places where longer-term funding is being sought, and;
- Catalyse innovative financing mechanisms as part of long-term support programmes.
The RRF is currently being tested as an initial pilot phase, and to date has awarded ten small grants and one larger interim grant (List of RRF grants awarded) to natural World Heritage sites across the globe. Learn more about the achievements that RRF funds have helped make possible worldwide (RRF Impact to Date).
Due to a high number of strong proposals for emergency small grants, the Facility is currently unable to consider new proposals. However it is hoped that the RRF will re-open for new applications soon, and will secure funds to operate as a permanent rapid response mechanism for the future. Please continue to check this page regularly for the latest RRF news.
RRF Funding Criteria & Eligibility
RRF Funding Criteria & Eligibility
Downloads
List of RRF grants awarded
RRF Overview
RRF Impact to Date
RRF Year 1 Annual Report
Our partners
The United Nations Foundation is a public charity that builds and implements public-private partnerships to address the world's most pressing problems, and also works to broaden support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach.
www.unfoundation.org
The World Heritage Centre is the focal point and coordinator within UNESCO for all matters related to World Heritage.
http://whc.unesco.org
For more information or questions about the Rapid Response Facility please contact rrf@fauna-flora.org
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