Enhancing National GEF Coordination, Communications and Outreach

1. Enhancing National GEF Coordination, Communications and Outreach Latvia Anita Drondina

2. Summary • Experience gained resulted in the preparation of the GEF project “Developing Capacities in Education and Research for Strengthening Global Environmental Management in Latvia” • ~ 500,000 USD from the GEF • Implementation will be based on the Consultative Council to the Ministry of Environment for Environmental Science and Education

3. Key factors • Historically high values for nature protection • National capacity for self-assessment in global environmental management (NCSA) launched from 2002 • In-depth analysis conducted on environmental education & research identifying many areas for improvement of implementation of global conventions • Seminars, working groups and discussions indicated high interest and motivation among education and science community to address the concerns of global environmental issues and improvement of the education and research infrastructure in this regard • Good baseline of NGO work in the area of environmental education

4. Key players • Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Education and Science; • Consultative Council to the Ministry of Environment established in 2003 assembling 20 representatives from environmental NGOs, professional associations and educational and science institutions; • Consultative Council to the MoE on Environmental Science & Education established in 2004 assembling representatives from universities, higher educational establishments and the ministries of Environment and Science & Education; • Consultative Council on Sustainable Development established in 2003 with representatives from all line ministries, the Union of local municipalities, the Association of Trade Unions, Confederation of Employers, Latvian Council of Science, Association of Regional Higher Educational Establishments, Latvian Science Academy and Environmental Protection Club.

5. Results and Achievements • Increased coordination among the Ministries of Environment and Science & Education, including a cooperation agreement established between these ministries and UNESCO on education for sustainable development • New law passed On Environmental Protection stating thatEnvironmental education and Education for sustainable development must be obligatory included as separated subject or integrated into each subject in all scholar programmes • Research priorities in Latvia now include Environmental science • International Conference conducted in 2007 on environmental science & education • Increased awareness on strengths and weaknesses in education sector pertaining to environmental issues • High ownership of the GEF project objectives • Informal partnerships established for obtaining the various objectives, as well as in mobilising co-financing and associated financing

6. Conclusions and Recommendations • GEF coordination and communication is best enhanced through the use of already established committees or working groups; • Existing GEF initiatives (NCSA, Enabling Activities – POPs, Biodiversity) provide excellent forum to discuss further follow-up initiatives; • Stakeholder continued involvement and motivation is possible to achieve with various activities which show progress to the end results; • GEF cross-cutting funding window addresses important national priorities and global commitments not necessarily covered under strictly under the conventions