Mainstreaming Environment for Poverty Reduction (MEPR) is a regional technical assistance program financed by the Poverty and Environment Fund (PEF), a multi-donor trust fund administered by ADB. The focal areas are:
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Protection, conservation, and sustainable use of natural resources and ecosystem services to maintain livelihoods of the poor;
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Reduction on air and water pollution and waste that directly impact the health and productivity of the poor; and
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Reduction of vulnerability to natural hazards and disaster prevention.
MEPR promotes effective responses toward environmental improvement and poverty reduction through its grants program, which supports two types of interventions:
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Pilot projects - activities that demonstrate innovative institutional arrangements, participatory approaches, technical solutions or sustainable livelihoods with clear potential for successful replication, mainstreaming and/or upscaling.
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Targeted analytical studies - focused studies, action research, and targeted activities aimed at removing specific policy, institutional, organizational, technical, and financial barriers to improved environmental management at the local level.
A total of 30 grant activities—21 pilot projects and 9 analytical studies—have been implemented under MEPR and the Poverty and Environment Program, the first RETA financed under PEF.