Project Notice |
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| PNR | 1001 |
| Project Name | Sustainable biodiversity management in the South Caucasus |
| Project Detail | The biodiversity of the South Caucasus is of global importance. The tremendous diversity of species in the region and many of its ecosystems are increasingly threatened. There is considerable pressure from the exploitation of natural resources. Meanwhile, forest clearance for various purposes and through illegal logging, combined with excessive concentrations of livestock, unsuitable agricultural practices and uncontrolled wild harvesting, are causing the degradation and destruction of social and economic structures underpinning livelihoods, and a loss of biodiversity in rural areas. The economic uses of the biodiversity, especially in and around protected areas, is widely regarded as posing a threat to the natural world. To date, however, even strict protection measures have had relatively little success in stemming the loss of species diversity. Objective Concepts for the sustainable management of biodiversity are being implemented more effectively by state, private sector and civil society actors in the South Caucasus. Approach The main focus of the cooperation is on establishing the right conditions for the sustainable management of biodiversity. The project is supporting the creation of strategies and tools that will improve environmental decision-making. It concentrates above all on developing the managerial and technical expertise of the Armenian, Azerbaijani and Georgian governments. At local level, the project focuses on the management of natural resources at a number of pilot sites, where it is working to improve the sustainability of resource use and enhance the protection of biodiversity in agricultural and forestry production systems. In this respect, adaption to climate change is becoming increasingly relevant. The marked differences between the three countries of the South Caucasus call for a differentiated approach, so the activities are carried out in a country-specific and needs-oriented manner. The project also promotes a regional policy dialogue and the exchange of views and information on technical issues. The Austrian Development Agency and Friends of the Earth Norway provide financial support. In all areas, international (EU) standards and treaties provide the basis for the work of the environmental protection programme. Results achieved so far National biodiversity monitoring systems have been developed in all three countries. These provide information that helps with the formulation and design of sustainable resource management policies. National processes for developing biodiversity strategies have been established in collaboration with non-governmental organisations. The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for Georgia is now ready to be passed. The project has identified a number of priority areas for future biodiversity protection measures, as well as international partners that are willing to help implement the strategies. To raise public awareness of the importance of regional biodiversity, the environment ministries have carried out information campaigns jointly with their respective education ministries. These campaigns have now reached tens of thousands of school pupils, citizens and decision makers. The project’s local partners have since continued to develop the campaigns independently and are increasingly financing them for themselves. Environmental issues are gradually being incorporated into the curricula of secondary schools. Curricula have also been developed for the teaching of natural resource management and biodiversity protection at the academic level. The programme supports the development of national forest programmes and is involved in an advisory capacity in the drafting of forestry policies and legislation. This is helping to establish a regulatory basis for the sustainable management of the forests in the region. In all three countries, forest monitoring systems are being developed that draw on satellite imagery. This ensures transparency regarding the extent and condition of the forests, and therefore supports the formation of well informed policy decisions. In pilot areas, sustainable forest management is being demonstrated and wind breaks are being reinstated. Models for the sustainable consumption of firewood now contribute to the alleviation of poverty in rural areas. Cooperating with non-governmental organisations, the programme has developed incentives to promote a better understanding of traditional cereal and vegetables varieties and livestock breeds among local people, and to help them to produce these sustainably (protection of agro-biodiversity). Women in particular collect wild plants to supplement their incomes. The turnover of firms that process and market such products from wild collection are increasing. Meanwhile, agricultural practices are being adapted to climate change and yields are increasing. Topics of regional significance are now discussed at the regional level. One of the forums of this discourse is the Regional Environmental Centre for the Caucasus, an organisation that enjoys the support of the environment ministries of all three countries. |
| Funded By | Other Funding Agencies |
| Sector | Environment |
| Country | Ghana , Western Africa |
| Project Value | Plz Refer Document |
Contact Information |
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| Company Name | German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) |
| Address | Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche, Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung, Postfach 12 03 22, 53045 Bonn, Germany, Tel: +49/228/99535-0. |
| Web Site | www.bmz.de/en |
