IUCN Member Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) receives MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions

“Continuing its tradition of encouraging creativity and building effective institutions to help address some of the world’s most challenging problems, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation announced today that 11 organizations in six countries will receive the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. The Awards recognize exceptional Foundation grantees and help ensure their sustainability with grants of $350,000 to $1 million each, a large sum given that recipients’ annual operating budgets are under $5 million.”

These excerpts have been taken from the MacArthur Foundation website:
http://www.macfound.org/site/c.lkLXJ8MQKrH/b.6481657/k.61AC/2010_Award_Winners.htm

The Royal Society for Protection of Nature (RSPN) is among 11 organizations in six countries, which will be the recipient of the award. According to the MacArthur Foundation, the recipient organizations’ missions are diverse – from protecting biodiversity in Bhutan to fighting poverty in the U.S., from analyzing how tax policy impacts people to improving maternal and child health among India’s impoverished. Still, they have much in common. All are highly creative and effective organizations that have made a remarkable impact in their fields, driving significant change on modest budgets. Groups will use their awards for a range of purposes, including purchasing office space, upgrading technology, and constructing a library and conference space.

“These exceptional organizations effectively address pressing national and international challenges and they have had an impact that is disproportionate to their small size,” said MacArthur President Robert Gallucci. “The MacArthur Foundation is proud to recognize them. It is our hope that these Awards will help position them for long-term growth and even greater impact in the years ahead.”

RSPN has been a member of IUCN, since March 2008, and is focused primarily on the conservation of the country’s famed environment and biodiversity. The Society does so through conservation, education, outreach, and sustainable development.

For more information about RSPN programme, please visit www.rspnbhutan.org

Source: IUCN