Conservation & Environmental Grant 2009

FORD OFFERS $20,000 IN ENVIRONMENTAL GRANTS

VIENTIANE, Lao PDR: July,29th, 2009 – Ford Motor Company today launched the 2009 edition of the Fourth Annual Ford Motor Company Conservation and Environmental Grants in the Lao PDR., cosponsored by Lao Ford City Co., Ltd. Total grants of USD $20,000 will be awarded to projects in the areas of “conservation and preservation of the environment” and “child and youth”.

“The success of the environment grants has surpassed our expectations in other countries since we first launched the program in 2002. The program is intended to encourage and develop active Environmental projects in Lao, where education and awareness is critical to changing mindsets and shaping new attitudes on the importance of environmental protection for long-term sustainability. We need to realize that our actions today will leave a mark on our future generations to come,” said Mr. Christophe Felix, Country Manager of R.M Asia Group, the parent company of Lao Ford City.

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 following two areas:

• Natural Environment – project to conserve flora, fauna and/or their respective habitats; and project to reduce the rate of consumption of natural resources and/or pollution, and
  

• Child and Youth Projects – any conservation project involving young people aged 18 or under.

Mr. Christophe Felix said: “Ford Motor Company is globally committed to the protection and conservation of the environment, and child and youth. 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. The 2008 Jury members are: Mr. Somsanouk MIXAY, Ms. Dara Viravong KANLAYA, Mr. Khampao PHONEKEO, Mr. Bounkhueth Sing On and Ms. Sylvie Ratsombath.

The Ford Motor company Conservation and Environmental Grants were first introduced to South East Asia in 2000, and had since expanded to include six countries: Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia. The Lao PDR makes the seventh country to benefit from this program in South East Asia.

Today, 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.

More information on the Ford Conservation and Environmental Grants and Application Forms please contact us at:

Lao Ford City Co., Ltd
P.O.Box: 6030, Unit 6, Laungprabang Road, Ban Khountha Thong, Vientiane Lao PDR.

Tel: (+856-21) 241 108, 244 408
Fax: (+856-21) 241 109
Email: laofordcity@rmasia.net ,
www.laofordcity.com,
www.media.ford.com  
                                                                
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The Ford Motor Company Environmental Pledge
“Ford Motor Company is dedicated to providing environmental solutions that will position us as a leader in the automotive industry of the 21st century. Our actions will demonstrate that we care about preserving the environment for future generations.”