The following are the lessons learnt from the DANIDA/(DANCED)-funded project, entitled, "A Strategy and Programme for DANCED Support to Environmental NGOs in Malaysia" (SPSDM).

1. DANIDA's Support

• DANIDA's support to the MENGOs has improved the relationship and dialogue between the Malaysian Government and the MENGOs. With DANIDA's support, the government response to the MENGOs has been more favourable and positive. In fact, such initiatives have helped develop a more conducive atmosphere between the government and the MENGOs in seeking feedback and the provision of valuable inputs.

2. Forging of MENGO-Government of Malaysia (GofMY) interaction

• The MENGOs express a need to participate increasingly in vital projects in order to represent public interests and to increase the public awareness on environmental development. At the end of this project, the MENGOs hope that GofMY recognizes and appreciates the role of the MENGOs in policy formulation and implementation. With the increasing collaborative initiatives, it is anticipated that GofMY will accept MENGOs as their partner in Malaysia's environmental protection efforts.

3. Forging partnerships and synergies between MENGOs

• This programme has provided a new mechanism and opportunity for collaboration and has created the framework for the future working together among the MENGOs in a more co-ordinated and directed way, thereby generating greater coherence among the MENGOs.

4. Capacity strengthening of MENGOs

• The capacity building programme of this project to a certain extent has strengthened the capacity of the MENGOs so that they have been better able to understand and collaborate with the government and private sector initiatives. Greater coherence and collaboration among the MENGOs have also strengthened the MENGO community. As MENGOs increasingly link identified problems to proposed solutions, their credibility as advisers to GofMY and the general public is expected to grow significantly.