In 2007 the SCA initiated a pioneering Small Grants Programme. This competition aims to build capacity at the grassroots level by enabling individuals to apply for a grant for a one-year project on saiga conservation. The Small Grants Programme is open to anyone with a good idea, and it has produced some excellent results.

The Small Grants Programme is a very cost-effective way of catalysing conservation action where it is needed throughout the saiga’s range, and of helping to build capacity among local conservationists. It has an accessible application procedure, with short proposals which can be submitted in either Russian or English, meaning it is open to groups who would not normally be able to apply for an international grant. Each project leader is mentored by a member of the SCA Steering Committee, to ensure that project progress is monitored and support given where necessary.

Read the latest news about the awardees here

Winners

2016: Overall Winners Announcement

Vladimir Kalmykov. Russia. ‘Public Outreach – an important tool in improving the protection of saiga inhabiting in the North-West’.

Bibigul Sarsenova, Kazakhstan. ‘Review and analysis of public attitudes to the problem of conservation of the Ural saiga population’.

Catherine Ochirova, Pyurvenova Boskhomdzhievna and Hope Yurevna (group) Russia. ‘Development of the brochure “Saiga – living heritage of ancestors’.

2014: Kindly funded by the USFWS

Mr Adgishev, Russia. ‘The organisation and carrying out Buddhist prayer and lectures for the people living in saiga area’.

Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar. Mongolia. ‘Population abundance and factors influencing the distribution of saiga antelope in Mongolia’.

Vladimir Kalmykov, Russia. ‘Saiga monitoring in Stepnoi reserve, North West Pre-Caspian region’.

A Yamennchikova, V Rozhnov. Russia. ‘Studying of possibilities of saiga account and monitoring by of high resolution satellite images’ paper and programme report here 

2012: Fuping Sun (China) “Reducing illegal saiga trade and consumption in Guangzhou, China”.

Anatoly Khludnev (Russia) “Improving saiga protection and strengthening poaching control in Stepnoi reserve, Astrakhan”. Funded by the USFWS

2011:  Kindly funded by the USFWS

Yuri Arlyov (Russia) “Monitoring of Saiga populations in the Northwest Pre-Caspian using the observations and knowledge of the local people”.

Batkhuyag Baldangombo et a (Mongolia) “Building capacity for preventing transboundary trade of Saiga derivates in the Western parts of Mongolia and China”.

Anatoly Khludnev (Russia) “Improvement of technical equipment of the Sanctuary “Stepnoi” to reinforce the struggle against poaching and to improve saiga conservation in Astrakhan region”.

Xie Yan “Enhancing Capacity of Government Law Enforcement to Reduce Illegal Saiga Horn Trade in Guangzhou, China”. 

Also in 2011: Funded by the CIC and the Wildlife Conservation Network.

Nostaeva Viktoria Aleksandrovna (Russia) “Creation of a mobile wide-frame information stand about the saiga and delivering lectures for the ecological education of schoolchildren in the Republic of Kalmykia”.

Zharimbetov Mahsut Mahambetalievich (Kazakhstan) “Creation, duplication and distribution of the comic book ‘Saga of the saiga’‘.

Mingxia Zhang (China) “Reducing the illegal trade of saiga horn in Guangzhou, China”.

2010: Funded by the CIC and the Wildlife Conservation Network.

Pavel Amosov (Russia) “Saiga status and its conservation during migration in the vicinity of the Baskunchak lake”

Gunbat Gundensambuu and Buuveibaatar Bayarbaatar (Mongolia) “Food habits and overlaps between livestock and Mongolian saiga”

Fenglian Li (China) “Saiga trade market monitoring, outreach campaign and law enforcement support for TCM in Guangzhou, China”

Aizada Nurumbetova (Uzbekistan) “Training of women in skills of workmanship and needlework to develop alternative livelihood sources on the Ustiurt Plateau, Uzbekistan”

2009: CIC and the Wildlife Conservation Network.

Anatoly Khludnev, Steppnoi Reserve, Russia – for continuation of his highly effective anti-poaching and public engagement activities.

Artur Nuridjanov, State Hunting Inspectors, Uzbekistan – for monitoring and conservation of a small resident saiga population just discovered on an island (now peninsula) of the Aral Sea, which until last year was closed as a military research facility and is now under extreme pressure from poaching and habitat destruction by oil workers.

Vera Voronova, Karaganda Ecomuseum, Kazakhstan – for public engagement and saiga information displays in the local museum within a key part of the saiga’s range.

Guihong Zhang, WCS China – for a trade survey and awareness campaign focused on saiga horn use in Guangzhou city, a key centre for the saiga horn trade in China.

2008: Funded by CIC and the Wildlife Conservation Network.

Alexander Grachev (Kazakhstan), who will be carrying out research on the population structure and reproduction of the Ural saiga population.

Tatiana Karimov (Russia), Using of non-ivasive method for studying saiga feeding

Makset Kosbergenov (Uzbekistan). The grant will help to improve the capacity of the Special Amu Darya Inspectors, who are carrying out crucial anti-poaching work in north-western Uzbekistan.

2007: Funded by CIC and the Wildlife Conservation Network.

Esenamanov, R. Assessment of the distribution, sex-age structure and limiting factors for the Betpak-dala population of saigas in the winter period (Kazakhstan).

Khludnev, A.V. Construction of an ecological trail in the “Stepnoi” nature reserve (Russia).

Vashetko, E.V. Creation of an electronic library on the saiga (Uzbekistan).

Obgenova, O.B. To produce educational materials for younger schoolchildren, “On the track of the baby saiga” (Russia).