Ford grants 200 million kip to environment and heritage protection

Laos NA (KPL) 
12/14/2006

The Ford Motor Company has provided grants of 200 million kip or US$20,000 to projects of conservation and preservation of environment, culture and heritage in Laos.

The ceremony of such award was held here on 12 December with 15 locals were awarded.
The program of provision of grants to projects of conservation and preservation of environment, culture and heritage is intended to encourage and develop active environmental projects in Laos, where education and awareness is critical to changing mindsets and shaping new attitudes on the importance of environmental protection for long-term sustainability. Mr Kevin Whitcraft, director of R.M Asia Group (parent company of Lao Ford City) was quoted as saying.

"The success of the environment grants has surpassed our expectations in other countries since we first launched the program in 2002,” said Kevin Whitcraft.

“We need to realise that our actions today will leave a mark on our future generations to come," said Kevin Whitcraft.

The grants are open to everyone individuals or Non-Profit groups are invited to submit an application, providing detailed information about the project, including how much funding they require and how the funds will be used.

Projects eligible for the Ford Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants fall within the four areas of natural environment projects to conserve flora, fauna and their respective habitats, heritage projects to conserve man-made aspects of national or Asian heritage, and cultural art forms, conservation engineering projects to reduce the rate of consumption of natural resources and pollution, and child and youth projects any conservation project involving young people aged 18 or under.

“Damage is already being done to this beautiful country (Laos) right now, by deforestation and wildlife poaching especially,” said US ambassador Patricia M. Haslach

“Laos must catch up to other countries in the region by educating people on the importance of protecting its environment and cultural heritage.”

"Ford Motor Company is globally committed to the protection and conservation of the environment,” Jeffrey Eggan, Ford's Asia-Pacific regional manager for Worldwide Direct Market Operations, said.

“The success of the grants can be measured not only through the increased number of applications, but also through the progress made and results achieved by the winners from past years. Here, in Lao, I am proud to know that Ford Grants will contribute towards better world".

The Jury panel, independent of Ford Motor Company, will consider each application based on its merits for usefulness and practicality, dedication and commitment of its participants, financial need, originality and reliability.

Since the introduction to South East Asia in 2000, the Grant has expanded to seven countries namely Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, and the Lao PDR.

The Ford Grants are one of the largest programs of its kind in the world. The program evolved from the Henry Ford European Conservation Awards established in Britain in 1983. Over the years it has received more than 22,000 projects submissions and involved more than 120,000 people and organizations in 60 countries throughout Europe, Central and South America, the Caribbean, Asia and the Middle East.