KOTA KINABALU: Buoyed by the success of 15 environmental conservation and community development-related projects under its sustainable development grant programme, Shell Malaysia has decided to increase funding for the programme from RM300,000 to RM500,000.

This year, 13 non-governmental organisations -- six from the peninsula, four from Sabah and three from Sarawak -- will benefit from the grant. The grants for the seven NGO's from Sabah and Sarawak were presented here yesterday by State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun, while those from the peninsula will receive theirs next week.

The recipients from Sabah are the Marine Research Foundation, Partners of Community Organisations, Bundu Tuhan Graduates Society and Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society, while those from Sarawak are JKK Pusat Jagoi, Malaysian Nature Society Miri Branch and Native Youth Institution.

Beneficiaries from the peninsula are the Malaysian Nature Society, EcoKnights, Persatuan Khazanah Rakyat Ma'Daerah, Federation of Malaysia Consumers Association, Ensearch and Global Environment Centre.

Shell Malaysia chairman Mohd Anuar Taib said seven were environmental conservation and five sustainable livelihood projects, while another was a combination of both.

"The 13 projects will add to the existing 15 which are ongoing since the launch of the grant in 2008," he said, adding that the projects had all taken off admirably, and were well on their way to achieving their objectives.

The Shell Grant was aimed at empowering NGOs to initiate sustainable development projects that could help accelerate progress towards sustainable development in the country.

He also said in the two years since the launch, Shell Malaysia had received tremendous response from individuals and NGOs who presented excellent suggestions on environmental conservation and sustainable livelihood solutions.

An update on the inaugural Shell Grant recipients are featured in its upcoming corporate calendar, which was also unveiled by Masidi at the event.

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