The GEF Small Grants Program (SGP) started in the Philippines in 1992 as one of the 33 pilot countries. The Association of Foundations coordinated and managed the pilot phase (1992-95) as a host NGO. At the start of operational phase 1 in 1996, the program moved from its host NGO and relocated to UNDP. The National Selection Committee, now known as the National Steering Committee, was organized to serve as the SGP's policy-making body, responsible for determining strategy, screening projects, providing technical support, and overseeing program management.

The NSC is an independent structure whose membership is representative of various disciplines, expertise, and civil society leadership for an effective management of the program. The NSC consists of scientists, academics, environmental and development practitioners, and government representatives.

The SGP pilot phase lasted from 1992 to 1995. Since its inception, the program has funded 293 projects amounting to USD 9,451,453 and its list of grantees comprises over 200 POs/NGOs/CBOs from all over the country whose aims and goals are aligned with the GEF's main focal themes.

SGP Philippines has achieved a lot in its previous Phases, such as:

• Supported local level management and policy interventions;
• Slow down forest degradation and decrease hunting pressure through addressing the incidence of hunting/fishing and gathering of threatened species, slowed down habitat destruction, establishment of no-take zones, approval of local policies to establish protection or maintenance of several single species populations, facilitation of multi-stakeholder protection;
• Supported traditional IP cultures to protect ancestral lands with diverse endemic flora and fauna in its biodiversity-rich areas;
• Assisted in securing Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) for indigenous peoples;
• Supported the establishment or expansion of MPAs for food and security;
• Supported a range of renewable technology options such as micro-hydro-power energy and solar energy power and also piloted small-scale off-set of Green House Gas emissions of rice mills and other engines; and
• Created baseline studies for reference in planning and evaluation of other projects and programs.

SGP-5 Philippines aims to secure global environmental benefits through community-based biodiversity conservation initiatives and actions in selected priority sites. The focus for Phase 5 is Biodiversity Conversation since the previous Phases concentrated on biodiversity projects, multi-focal area projects, climate change and POPs.