Voluntary Lions would make up this Committee. A Committee is Europe and South America would co-ordinate the information and assist with communications. Once established, it would be the Clubs that would have the actual responsibility to organize how and when they would sponsor a project and select which project suited their budget or the goals of the Club.

[Latin American Area] [Europe Area]

In essence we would act as a market place, a shop window, whereby offer and demand can be satisfied.

http://www.lionsclubs.org/English/GtStan.html

http://www.lionsclubs.org/English/GtAsst.html

(Two links; one "project Link" and another with the "Latin-America Countrys Link")

Each Program will have a small explication, with a link that will go the different programs proposed.

• Diabetes

It is estimated that more than 200 million people are now afflicted with diabetes, at risk of losing sight due to a serious complication of diabetes--diabetes retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy affects the retina--the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that transmits visual messages, via the optic nerve, to the brain. When this delicate tissue is damaged by diabetic retinopathy, the result may be visual impairment or blindness.

Diabetes awareness was adopted as a long-term commitment of the association in March 1984. The primary objective of the Lions program is to reduce the number of new cases of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy through diabetes education, early detection and treatment, and support of research. Lions are especially encouraged to conduct awareness activities during the month of November--Lions Diabetes Education Month.

• Hearing projects

Helen Keller said, "I am just as deaf as I am blind. The problems of deafness are deeper and more complex, if not more important than those of blindness." In an attempt to educate the public and to serve the hearing impaired, speech action and work with the deaf has been a program of the association since 1971.

• Food Production

• Building

• Community Development

• Youth programs

Lions youth programs emphasize two areas, youth outreach and youth activities.

Changing Tomorrow. Today is a program that was established in 1993 to build upon the association's commitment to help young people become responsible adult citizens and community leaders. Its mission is, "to help and challenge youth to learn, to achieve and to serve."

The newest Youth Outreach Program initiative, Focus on Street Children: Children at Risk project was initiated in 1996.

Because the United Nations estimates that 100 million children sleep in the streets every night, Lions clubs throughout the world are being called upon to help seek solutions. By identifying problems in their local communities and forming partnerships to address the issues, Lions clubs, along with other non-governmental organizations, can offer their assistance to this complex socioeconomic problem.

• Conservation of the sight

* Supporting Lions medical missions and international eyeglass recycling efforts.

• Strengthening health care services

* Eyeglass distribution and training missions, training of village health workers, providing health centers with essential equipment, launching needed medical services such as kidney dialysis units, geriatric care, etc.

• Environment protection projects

* Planting trees/reforestation, developing latrines/sanitation systems in shantytowns. Caring for the planet earth has been a Lions commitment since 1972. Clubs are encouraged to display their concern for the planet by teaching the public the three basics: reduce the amount of waste produced; reuse materials instead of discarding them and recycle materials whenever possible.

• Education and literacy

* Providing books and computers for low-income schools, training additional teachers, funding literacy campaigns, vocational training.

• Aid for the disabled

* Developing rehabilitative services in under-served communities, establishing prosthetic limb centers and wheelchair banks, developing independent living centers for blind and disabled persons.

• Rural development

* Agricultural training and food production programs, economic development projects to establish small workshops and vocational opportunities in poor communities.

• Clean water projects

* Digging wells in water-poor countries.

*Projects liable to receive a International Aid Grant (IAG):

The International Assistance Grants (IAG) program is one category of funding provided through the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). This program offers funding for collaborative humanitarian aid projects requiring the involvement of Lions clubs in at least two countries. The scope of projects is vast and grants range from US$5,000 to US$30,000.

What is an LCIF International Assistance Grant?

The International Assistance Grant (IAG) pro-gram is designed to support collaborative humanitarian projects between Lions in two countries. Funding is for Lion-to-Lion projects that are operational in nature (equipment, work force training, start-up operational costs, etc.) and provide direct and immediate services to the disadvantaged. In addition, the program supports projects that aid the blind and other disabled groups, a traditional LCIF funding concern. The scope of possible projects is perhaps limitless considering the vast number of communities now served by local Lions clubs in Eastern Europe, Africa, South Asia and throughout the developing world. Potential projects include:

• Clean water projects

• Strengthening health care services

• Rural development

• Education and literacy

• Aid for the disabled

• Environmental protection

• Supporting Lions medical missions and inter national eyeglass recycling efforts

Features of the IAG Program:

As an international program, IAG projects must involve a partnership between Lions in at least two countries: a sponsoring Lions district or club that raises funds and other support, and a host Lions district or club in the target country to handle logistics and oversight. The sponsoring Lions are responsible for submitting the IAG application to LCIF for consideration. The grant range is from US$5,000 to US$30,000.

A unique aspect of the IAG program is the opportunity it pro-vides for international exchange and volunteerism. Any Lions’ monies spent to travel to the project site to offer professional skills, to travel on short-term medical missions, or to send project personnel to the host country for training, can be used as matching funds against the IAG grant request. This kind of international exchange and sharing of "know how" are the basis of the IAG program.

Key Elements of an IAG Project:

• Addresses important humanitarian needs

• Involves at least two Lions clubs or districts from different countries

• Provides long-term benefits

• Serves large or particularly needy population

• Identifies project as a Lions’ activity

• Raises at least 50 percent of project funding through Lions or other sources

What steps are involved in applying for an LCIF International Assistance Grant?

Step 1: Getting Started

Project ideas can be initiated by either the sponsoring or hosting Lions club or district. Many opportunities exist for identifying partner Lions clubs or districts. Perhaps a club is already "twinned" with a partner club in another country; if not, a club can contact the Program Development Department at International Headquarters to explore club-twining opportunities. Another good place to start is with the district’s International Relations chairperson, who may have a wide range of Lions contacts in other countries. Today, working with Lions overseas is made easier by using the Internet and fax machines.

In addition, LCIF has developed an "IAG Project Opportunity List" to facilitate partnerships between Lions in different countries. Through the list, Lions interested in sponsoring an activity or work-ing in a specific country may send their proposals to LCIF. Similarly, Lions interested in hosting a project may send their requests to the foundation, to be linked to potential sponsors. Furthermore, Lions may request "Model Project" guidelines for additional background or technical information about a certain type of project. Lions may also work with nongovernmental organizations and other agencies in the design and implementation of an IAG proposal, as they are often excellent sources of technical assistance and guidance. Collaboration of this nature, however, must feature prominent participation by Lions and plans for Lions’ identification and recognition. Proposals involving a third party should include information about the organization, such as an annual report, and a letter detailing how the Lions will be involved in the project.

Step 2: District or Club Support

All applications must have the endorsement of a club president or district governor. The sponsoring club is responsible for raising funds to match the LCIF grant request, although the host club is encouraged to contribute financially as well. It is not necessary that all of the local funding be collected at the time the grant is submitted; however, LCIF will not release the grant until all monies are gathered. The budget can include a combination of collected, pledged and anticipated sources of funds.

Step 3: Submitting an Application

The grant application form must be completed and signed by the sponsoring Lions club president or district governor. Include the project name, amount of funds requested, and the approximate number of people to be served. The project plan should concisely describe the problem to be addressed, the specific roles of the sponsoring and host Lions, and the project timeline. If an application is to be placed on the agenda for a board of trustees meeting, it must be received in completed form at least 60 days before the meeting.

Step 4: Receipt of Application by LCIF Grants Department

Grant applications are first reviewed by the LCIF Grants Department. The applicant is notified if additional information or revisions are needed. After the proposal is complete, it is summarized and presented to one of two committees for approval. If the proposal seeks between US$5,000 and US$10,000, the proposal is evaluated by an internal LCIF committee headed by the LCIF Chairman. Proposals seeking between US$10,001 and US$30,000 are reviewed three times a year by the LCIF Board of Trustees.

Step 5: Approval of Grant Application

If a grant is approved, the sponsoring club president or district governor is advised by letter. Included with the letter is the grant check (if the proposal is approved without any conditions), and a sample news release. The grant administrator is responsible for disbursing and accounting for LCIF grant funds. If a project is carried over into the next fiscal year, the grant administrator may delegate authority to his or her successor, but only with approval of the board of trustees.

Step 6: Follow-up

The grant administrator must send a final report to the LCIF Grants Department at the completion of the project. A report form is supplied to the administrator at the time the grant is approved. The final report should include photographs, newspaper clip-pings, and other documentation of the completed work.

Projects or Activities Not Eligible for IAG Funding:

• Projects without strong Lions identity or significant hands-on involvement

• Salaries and normal operating expenses for existing pro-grams and institutes

• Capital construction projects

• Situations more appropriately funded by the government or other institutions

• Grants intended to repay loans or to establish reserve funds or endowments

• Projects where Lions and/or their families have a proprietary interest or would receive a direct or professional benefit

For additional information on International Assistance Grants please contact the LCIF

Grants Department at International Headquarters. Phone (630) 571-5466, extensions 292 or 507; Fax (630) 571-5735.