Seychelles' environment ministry will in future give preference to the country's smaller environmental non-governmental organisations so as to help build up a "vibrant, empowered multi-NGO community," it was announced Tuesday March 16.

Speaking at a workshop on plant conservation organised by Seychelles' smallest and newest NGO, Environment and Natural Resources Minister Ronny Jumeau said government-led projects will be used to help build up the capacity, structure and resources of the various NGOs which had sprouted in the country in recent years.

"Preference will go to those NGOs in most need of such support, in the interest of developing a level playing field for all environmental non-governmental organisations in Seychelles," Minister Jumeau said.

"Even then, it is only fair, it is only just, and it is only honourable for us to give a special helping hand to those NGOs which have willingly and voluntarily chosen to work with the ministry, and more importantly, to work with each other for the overall empowerment of the non-governmental sector, rather than for the narrow interests of their particular organisations and partners, pet causes or individual personalities," he said.

"Foreign and international organisations and consultants which help the ministry implement its projects and fulfil its environmental obligations and objectives will have to agree to abide by this strategy," the minister added.

Minister Jumeau had earlier noted that the effectiveness and health of the NGO sector depended on all its members recognising, respecting and defending the existence, validity and contribution of each other.

"The financial, technical, structural, staffing or other weaknesses of any one or more NGOs which have proved their commitment and ability to contribute to our common cause should not be used," Mr Jumeau stressed, "as an excuse to perpetuate the domination of the NGO sector by any one or more better-established organisations, whether local or foreign," he said.

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