The Global Environment Facility's Small Grants Programme, since its launch in 1992, has been supporting communities in developing countries around the world in their efforts to achieve more sustainable livelihoods and contribute to achieving global environmental targets. Community-based projects cover the main focal areas such as climate change abatement and adaptation, conservation of biodiversity, protection of international waters, reduction of the impact of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and prevention of land degradation.

Best practices in community-based approaches to sustainable coastal and marine ecosystems management are emerging. Case studies from East Asia are highlighted in this report showcasing how the local communities in the region have been a rich source of creative and productive experiences in managing coastal and marine ecosystems. The case models have been chosen from a number of projects implemented by community-based organizations, people's organizations and other community constituents within the SGP Country Programmes in the East Asian Seas region. While these initiatives were directed to contribute to global environmental benefits, they help, more importantly, in uplifting the communities' economic and social wellbeing.