• Final Deadline to submit applications is on 14 September, 2014
• Accepting applications from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Yemen for the first time
• USD100,000 available to deserving projects

DUBAI, UAE, September 9, 2014 –Individuals, community groups and NGO's with on-going environmental projects who need extra funding to expand the scope of their initiative have until September 14, 2014 to submit their request for funding from theFord Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants.

One of the largest corporate initiatives of its kind in the region, the Ford Grants edition for this year hasmade a total of USD100,000available in grants to help fund existing environmental and conservation projects in the Middle East region. This year, the programme is also extended toYemen in addition to the GCC, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.

“We are receiving great feedback and applications from the entire region includingYemen where we just launched the programme,” said Kalyana Sivagnanam, director of Ford Middle East & North Africa.' We are looking forward to contributingto the success of this year's recipients as they get selected by the independent jury panel in October.As we near the 15 anniversary milestone next year, we couldn't be prouder of the Ford Grants initiative in this region and of all the projects it has helped go further.”

Over USD1 million has been grantedto more than 150 projects since the initiative first started in 2000 and Ford's green initiative has helped support projects to study and conserve the region’s rich biodiversity, support recycling schemes and green building initiatives, as well as raise conservation and sustainability awareness.

In terms of monetary contributions, the Ford Grantshave had a significant impact in Lebanon, where a total of 37 projects received grants worth US$322,500 to date. In the Gulf, green projects from Saudi Arabia received the largest amount of support with a total of US$193,000 given to organisations in theKingdom since 2000. Environmental projects in Oman received nearly US$160,000 in funding, while UAE-based projects were given US$149,500. 

Individuals, community and non-profit groups that have projects currently running in the areas of preservation of the natural environment, environmental education or conservation engineering can apply via the online form (http://fordmegrants.com/en) until September 14, 2014, for a chance to share the total grants of USD100,000. Eligible countries include: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Yemen.

The Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants has seen support from various governmental and non-governmental environmental authorities from around the Middle East, including the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Emirates Wildlife Society, the Arab Forum for Environment & Development (AFED) and UNESCO Doha.

Winners are chosen by an independent panel of jurors consisting of academics, as well as experts from environmental organisations. The judges – who are carefully selected in association with UNESCO Doha, based on geographical coverage, age and gender equality – look for initiatives that demonstrate a well-defined sense of purpose, a commitment to maximizing available resources, and a reputation for meeting objectives and delivering planned programmes and services.

For more information about the Ford Motor Company Conservation & Environmental Grants, please visit http://me.ford.com or write to fmegrant@ford.com.