GEF/UNEP Project
In 2005- 2008 EcoCentre “Zapovedniks” has been implementing GEF/UNEP Project “Strengthening the Network of Training Centers for PA Managers of Northern Eurasia”. In the framework of this project 4 Training Centers for PA staff have been created in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan.
Project goal: to improve biodiversity conservation and livelihoods through a better management of protected areas in Northern Eurasia.
Project objectives:
- To improve the skills of PA managers and staff in four countries in critical aspects of PA management
- To secure stronger political and other stakeholder’s support for PAs in the region
Project coverage: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan – more than 200 PA (about 7% of the total area of these four countries)
Project budget: US 2,4 million (including US 1 million from GEF)
Main project outcomes:
1. PA staff are applying new skills in PA management in four project countries
- The best Russian and foreign experience in the area of education on PAs has been generalized
- Training needs of PA staff have been assessed
- 12 educational programs and 8 training modules have been developed and tested
- The programs have been approved by State PA Agencies
- Regular trainings for PA staff and managers have been conducted
2. Training Centers for PA specialists have been created in 4 project countries
- Sustainable training institutions are operating in each of the 4 project countries
- Teams of trainers have been trained and ready to conduct trainings
- Methodical and resource materials have been developed and published
- The Training Centers function as a joint network. More than 2000 environmental specialists have been trained by the end of the project.
3. Politicians, businesses and local communities are more aware and supportive of PAs
- The project of Governmental Strategy for Federal Protected Areas’ Development has been designed and presented to the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia. Popular brochure “Areas of Nature: the system of Russian PAs and the strategy for their development” has been published and disseminated according to this project.
- All-Russia Workshop “The past, the present and the future of PA system in Russia” has been conducted.
- Round tables with representatives of PA, business, authorities and local communities have been organized.
- Educational seminars for representatives of BP and TNK-BP have been carried out.
- Development and implementation of pilot project aimed at increasing the environmental awareness of local communities and state authorities have been initiated.
GEF/UNEP Project enabled EcoCentre “Zapovedniks” to conduct trainings for PA staff on a regular basis and gain sustainability.
Project co-funding:
- TACIC Project «Development of civic society and local social and economical initiatives using the potential of PAs and eco-NGOs» - 2006-2007 г., budget EURO 220 thousand
- Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia
- Netherlands Embassy
- Private businesses
Monitoring and evaluation of the Project status have been carried out permanently by the Steering Committee, consisted of international environmental experts. The SC was lead by Nick Lopoukhine, the Chair of the World Commission on Protected Areas. The final Steering Committee Meeting was held June 4-6, 2008 in National Park “Plesheevo Lake”.
The final project results have also been presented at the 9th Conference of Parties to Convention on Biological Diversity (COP9-CBD) in Bonn, Germany on May 22, 2008.
Project Director: Natalia R. Danilina, danilina.zapovedniks@gmail.com
Project Manager: Svetlana Kopylova, kopsvet@mail.ru
Project Coordinator since 2007: Elena Nikolaeva, nikol.elena@gmail.com
