EcoCenter Zapovedniks EUROPARC Federation

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EcoCenter ZapovedniksEUROPARC Federation
TACIS/IBPP Project Catalyzing civil activities
and local socio-economic initiatives using the
potential of protected areas and PA-based NGOs
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Table of contents

• Main problems
• Protected areas unique potential
• Project aim and objectives
• Expected results
• Project management structure
• Russian experience
• Project activities
• Trainings
• Micro-crediting mechanism
• Tourism development
• Private accommodation development
• Reviving local handicrafts

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Main problems

• Poverty and economic passiveness of rural
  population.
• Threats to biodiversity
• Low qualification of local authorities, protected
  areas and NGO specialists in solving
  socio-economic problems
• Low interaction between the above-mentioned
  structures

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Protected areas unique potential

• Ecologically pure areas
• High recreation potential
• High investment potential
• Highly-qualified and intelligent local staff.

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Project objectives

• To build capacity of regional authorities, NGOs
  and protected areas in solving regional
  socio-economic problems
• To involve local population in sustainable
  economic activities
• To increase sustainability of nature management
  and resource use

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Expected results

• Implementation of Sustainable Livelihood Programs
  at 2 pilot areas
• Coordination Committees (authorities, NGOs,
  Protected areas)
• Capacity building through implementation of
  programs of socio-economic development
• Development of local tourism infrastructure
• Raise of incomes of local population
• Introduction of principles of sustainable
  development
• Image improvement for Protected Areas

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Expected results

• Creation of effective training programs
• Dissemination of experience to Protected areas

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Project management structure
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Russian experience in implementation of
Sustainable livelihood programs
Biodiversity Conservation Center KNOW HOW FUND
Project (1999-2002)
Katunskiy biosphere zapovednik (strict nature
reserve)
Centalno-Lesnoy biosphere zapovednik (strict
nature reserve)
Smolenskoe Poozerie National park
Ugra National park
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Project activities

• Trainings
• 1 stage
• Training for local authorities, Protected areas,
  NGOs of 8 regions. Socio-economic expertise of
  these regions.
• 2 stage
• Trainings for local coordinators of 2 pilot areas
  (authorities, PA and NGO)
• Study-tour to European parks
• 6 seminars on Sustainable livelihood programs and
  Tourism development
• 3 stage
• Trainings for local population
• Public presentations of the program
• Consultations in project development and
  implementation

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Project activities (pilot areas)
Tourism development

• Tourism development program
• Package of tourism products
• Infrastructure development
• Promotion
• Booklet production
• Search for partners
• Seminars for tourist companies

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Project activities (pilot areas)

• Micro-crediting mechanism
• Creation of Coordination structure
• Trainings
• Fund capitalization by local administration
• Rules and procedures
• Public presentation of the program
• Consultations and support for local population
• Granting of credits by tender

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Project activities (pilot areas)

• Guest houses development
• Development of souvenir production
• Reviving cultural traditions

Training Program development Credit
support Market research Promotion
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CONTACTS

• Svetlana Belova
• Ecocentre Zapovedniks
• Moscow
• Nakhimovskiy prospect, 32
• e-mail sv_belova_at_rambler.ru
• www.wildnet.ru
• 8-910-4506283