This year marks the last phase of our flagship project “QNNP Conservation andl Community Development,” with a fund of 1 million Chinese yuan from Lao Niu Foundation. In the past two years, the outcomes and impacts of the project have been well received by local participating communities and gained continued support from local governments and forestry departments as well. In the meantime, the project was also acknowledged at both national and international levels. For example, our project was conferred with a Bronze Prize at the Second China Public Welfare Project Contest, and selected as a Winner of the Equator Prize 2014 from UNDP. It is a great honor for the Pendeba Society as an Equator Prize 2014 winner, which shows a positive recognition and support of our work on the planet’s “Third Pole”.
In order to successfully finalize the project and ensure lasting impact, the Pendeba Society has held a project evaluation meeting as required by project on August 19, 2014 at Tingri QNNP Hotel. Around 50 participants including local village chiefs, village Party secretaries, and women leaders attended the meeting. The meeting is also a living demonstration of the Society’s emphasis on the three-way partnership that brings together: 1) community-led initiative from the bottom-up, 2) the enabling support of government, and 3) the technical support of outside-in organizations. Mr. Sonam Luoguo, Director of TAR’s Social Organization Bureau was also invited to the meeting, which was chaired by Mr Tsering Norbu, Executive Director of the Pendeba Society. During the meeting, Mr Sonam enquired participants of their feedback and effect about the project, and participants all expressed their satisfaction towards and truly benefited from the project. Later, with guidance from the Pendeba Society staff, the participants have mapped further needs and plans for future activities. At the end, Mr Sonam presented gifts and Hada to the participants, encouraging them to take initiatives in the course of overall development of their communities and environment in the coming years.
Staffers from the Pendeba Society also accompanied Mr. Sonam to some project sites, which Mr. Sonam gave high praises. Overall, our project have been fully acknowledged and supported by multiple stakeholders. We would like to extend our gratitude to the continued support from Lao Niu Foundation, in particular Mr. Niu Gensheng, founder of Lao Niu Foundation, and Mr. Lei Yongsheng, secretary general of Lao Niu Foundation. Meanwhile, we would also like to thank all those people who have consistently supported us and helped us grow.