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The DANIDA / (DANCED)-funded project, entitled, "A Strategy and Programme for DANCED Support to Environmental NGOs in Malaysia" (SPSDM) has made the following 3 main positive impacts:

1. Initiated a platform for MENGO-Government of Malaysia (GofMY) interaction

• The MENGOs as part of the SPDSM project has been gaining recognition as an official channel or platform for the GofMY to engage NGOs and to gain access to the available knowledge base and expertise within these NGOs.

• GofMY has also begun to recognise and appreciate the role of the MENGOs. For example, the Ministry of Science, Technolology & Environment (MOSTE) and Department of Environment (DOE) have invited MENGOs to participate in their projects, namely, the Malaysian Pavilion during the COP7/MOP1 meeting on CBD and the National Implementation Plan on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

2. Initiated a MENGO collective

• The main impact of the SPDSM is that the 18 members of the MENGO community, in particular, the members of the MCC, have begun to start thinking as a collective rather than as individual organisation. Each member organisation has contributed their time and resources to participate and ensure the smooth running of activities planned within the SPDSM project. This is a milestone achievement as there has been no such initiative prior to this project that has brought together this many MENGOs involved in a variety of environmental and social issues.

• The MCC and MSU have also gained visibility and recognition as a focal point for MENGOs and other NGOs to co-ordinate exchanges and obtain further information of each other. The MENGOs also have the opportunity to come together, interact and share experiences in the workshops that are organised.

• The SPDSM project has built the capacity of the MENGO community to access new funds and understand the requirements of the respective donors and develop projects and proposals that meet the professional standards and requirements of these donors. The SPDSM project also enabled the MENGO community to broaden their perspective through workshops and seminars.