Duration: 2 years (2007-2008)
Implemented by: Wetlands International Black Sea Programme
Sponsored by: Dutch Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Netherlands (BBI-Matra Fund/ Management Programme for International Biodiversity)
Partners:
- Ministry for Environmental Protection of Ukraine;
- State Committee for Water Management of Ukraine;
- National Ecological Centre of Ukraine (NGO);
- National Environmental and Naturalistic Centre of Young People of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine;
- Members of Ukrainian Rivers Network (voluntary association of NGOs, citizens and local communities).
Background:
The valley of the Dnipro River plays an important role in the development of National Ecological Network. Its basin covers almost a half of the territory of Ukraine (49%). A number of protected areas important for biodiversity conservation are located in the valley of the Dnipro River and adjacent territories. Here are more than ten wetlands of international (mainly from shadow list) and national importance. An important ornithological migratory flyway passes along the Dnipro River. Presently in the Ukraine, there is a sufficient basis of legislative, financial and institutional mechanisms which support establishment of a nationwide ecological network. However, there is a lack of practical experience in establishing the sites of the ecological network and an apparent lack of knowledge among local authorities. Development of an econet (ecological networks) is not sufficiently coordinated between oblasts with regards to ensuring links between regionally developed parts of national ecological network. Another major factor and problem is the lack of adequate information on biodiversity and current status of natural ecosystems to develop regional schemes for ecological network. The concept of an ecological network is insufficiently understood by the general public. This can essentially limit perspectives and even the possibility of its establishment. Therefore, mass awareness creation on the econet and development of its educational and cultural functions is a strategically important direction. Past projects in the Dnipro basin created some scientific background for application of the concept of econet, and the establishment of the Dnipro corridor can be considered as a good starting point for the promotion of the process of biodiversity conservation in Ukraine.
Project goal:
To promote the development of the National Ecological Network in Ukraine along the Dnipro ecological corridor
Project objectives and activities:
Objective A: Develop the capacity of teachers, environmental NGOs and other local stakeholder groups to raise the awareness and understanding of local people and stakeholder groups on the value and need for econet development in the Dnipro
basin.
Activities:
A1. Prepare an educational toolkit for teachers, environmental NGOs and other local stakeholders on biodiversity conservation, econet development and integrated river basin management that will include series of lessons and presentations on CD.
A2. Organise trainings for teachers and NGOs representatives on biodiversity conservation, econet development and integrated river basin management.
A3. Publish a special issue of Living Ukraine newsletter (special issue on Dnipro ecological corridor).
Objective B: Develop the capacity of sectoral decision makers to use participatory, integrative approaches to biodiversity conservation and econet
development.
Activities:
B1. Prepare and disseminate an information pack on legal aspects, methodological approaches and public involvement in biodiversity conservation and econet development for staff of local branches Ministry for Environmental Protection, local authorities, decision-makers from different sectors economy (agriculture, water economy, forestry, fishery), the Parliament of Ukraine and URN members.
B2. Hold an intersectoral workshop on development of the Dnipro River corridor for regional (oblast) authorities, scientists, NGOs, mass media.
B3. Publish and disseminate proceedings of the workshop ‘Dnipro River Ecological Corridor: Current Status, Problems and Future’ including an indicative map of the corridor.
Objective C: Develop the wetland information base that will support the development of the econet.
Activities:
C1. Collect information about Dnipro River wetlands including their role for Dnipro flyway.
C2. Update the database on Ukrainian wetlands.
C3. Update the Ukrainian River Network web-site using the results of the project.
C4. Prepare and disseminate an executive summary of the project to all key national stakeholders.
Project target groups: The national, regional and local policy and decision makers; wetland managers and researchers; local authorities; teachers and schools; administration of protected areas; NGOs and members of Ukrainian Rivers Network.
Project outputs: Educational toolkit for teachers, environmental NGOs and other local stakeholders; information pack for policy and decision-makers, local authorities and NGOs; updated database on wetlands in the Dnipro River Basin; indicative map of the Dnipro River ecological corridor; proceedings of the intersectoral workshop.
Project outcomes: Increased awareness on econets and biodiversity conservation among the main stakeholders (governmental bodies, NGOs, schools); dialogue among them is started on the mentioned above issue, using workshops as a forum; first steps towards establishment Dnipro eco-corridor are implemented (like establishment of its indicative map and database of the wetlands along Dnipro corridor).
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