Geographical focus & characteristics

1. Geographical focus & characteristics eastern Hungary and Slovakia, Carpathian Eco-Region Economically least developed Disadvantaged groups (Roma community) Valuable natural habitats (wetlands) Ecological problems (municipal wastewater, industrial pollution)

2. Programming areas Environment Local development Social inclusion Approach look at interactions community mobilization to improve participatory planning socio-economic development considering services of natural ecosystems

3. Strategy Stakeholder involvement – horizontal and vertical Interventions at local level – TA / capacity development / mobilization Micro-grant – demonstrations Policy mainstreaming / Lobbying

4. Social inclusion and regional development Cserehat Programme (2005-2010) Activities: Human capacity building with the assistance of external coaches that primarily affects the most disadvantaged communities, with special emphasis on the Roma Foundation and operation of the Cserehat Social Development Resource Centres (SDRC), which became local development supporting institutions. Grant scheme for local micro-projects (up to USD 10.000) Consequently, generation of macro-projects aiming at integrated development based on local partnership with an aim to tap available structural and other funds Results: local communities mobilized UNDP micro-projects (in 90% of the local communities) implemented A broad network of 1200 local development partners connected One third of the 103 winning local micro-projects are attributable to Roma organizations, groups or other organizations targeting the Roma with their projects Resource centre established and functioning More than 1000 people involved in in-come generation activities (60% Roma) over period of 12 months; 78% got long-term or part-time job (48% Roma) Active project participants: 1340 prs/69% Roma Established self-help groups: 61/ 90% Roma Partnership-based local flagship projects generated and elaborated Programme methodology and results communicated and mainstreamed into the national programme for 33 most disadvantaged regions

5. Social inclusion and environment Water Biodiversity (natural habitats – wetlands) Socio-economic development agricultural commodities matching the natural conditions Market/trade for „regional“ products Tourism

6. Social inclusion and environment Laborec-Uh project (2007-2012) Activities: Establishment of multi-sector cooperation network involving groups that originally represent opposite/conflicting interests (water managers, farmers, municipalities, environmentalists) – using participatory approach for the development of River Sub-Basin Management Plan Implementation of pilot land and water management initiatives that are based on ecological functions of natural ecosystems Wetland restoration – water retention areas and areas for extensive agriculture conversion of arable land into wetlands, improving BD value of degradated habitats, improving hydrological conditions of degradated habitats Introducing traditional / alternative agricultural commodities (mangalica pigs, technical hemp, fish-ponds, re-introducing cattle) - support in business plan development, processing facilities and marketing Mobilization of local community (passive community, no awareness on rural development) Work with schools - through children involvement increase their parents awareness of public issues Civic Association established to coordinate local initiatives Micro-grant aiming at community development and cooperation Participation in development planning Results: River Sub-Basin Management Plan (Cierna voda as tributary of Laborec / Bodrog / Tisa) Restoration of wetlands Small ecologically sustainable enterprises Integrated Local Sustainable Development Plan that provides for replication of pilot initiatives

7. Social inclusion and environment • Tisza Oxbows project (2006-2009 ) – support to 6 pilot sites • Activities: • Establishment of mechanism to support local initiatives – (active Local Action Groups - civic associations) • Alliance for Living Tisza established, Local Action Plan developed, to ensure sustainability of the Alliance, sustainability based on business support activities and projects • Living Tisza trade mark introduced, support provided in marketing and distribution of local products • Providing scientific background for integrated landscape management through harmonization of monitoring systems, lanscape-change historic research and developeing guides for invasive species management and Integrated Holistic Floodplain Management • Implementation of pilot land management initiatives that are based on ecological functions of natural ecosystems – micro-grant for: • Wetland restoration – water retention areas and areas for extensive agriculture • Introducing traditional / alternative agricultural commodities (traditional breed stock, planting traditional trees and plants and invasive species management,fish management in lakes and temporary river branches) • processing and marketing of local products (jam, dry fruit, vegetal-oil production facilities, marketing and building a shop for products, honey production, small slaughterhouses) • Mainstreaming local experience in national policy – lobbying • Results: • Alliance for Living Tisza established, local action groups strengthened, local interests recognized at national level • Integrated Local Sustainable Development Plan that provides for replication of pilot initiatives and is based on the scientific background of Integrated Holistic Floodplain Management • Restoration of wetlands • Small ecologically sustainable enterprises

8. Lessons-learnt- general • Plan, implement, monitor and adjust, allowing for flexibility within regions • and along the process; however main principles remain unchanged; • Predictability of external support helps but the clear time-lines • and exit strategy needs to be communicated from the outset to avoid • the culture of ‘dependency’; • Minimum co-financing requirement is not a deterring factor if not required • at the large scale; it increases ownership and builds in the sustainability; • Local leaders with an authority to reconcile interest of all sectors and groups • - trust factor very important • Potential of voluntarism remains largely unexplored, especially in the former • communist countries • Large infrastructure/structural projects too detached from the day-to-day life • of communities – do not bring the community mobilization/activation results;

9. Lessons-learnt -wetland restoration River (sub)Basin Management Plan – wetland restoration identified as measure to achieve „good quality“ of water individual localities identified and negotiated with owners/users Strong stakeholders cooperation expertise on hydrology expertise on ecosystems/BD, water management authority, land owners/farmers Land fragmentation (ownership) Resistance of farmers – economics prevails agri-environmental subsidies do not support conversion of arable land into grasslands in lowlands (not even in floodplain areas)

10. Lessons-learnt – social inclusion Project design - TA adjusted to preparedness of local community to absorb external assistance Community development and mobilisation – building capacities – local product marketing Microgrant scheme to support local demonstrations tangible but relatively small interventions (2,000-5,000 USD) Well targeted, clear and simple conditions Simple application process, locally managed One approach doesn’t fit all; what has worked in one region might not work in another even though they share common borders and are in proximity; Additional effort and instruments need to be deployed to reach out to marginalized communities; communication on its own is not enough to secure their ‘voice’ in planning for and participation in regional development;

11. Lessons-learnt– social inclusioncont. • Trust-building initiatives might be needed as a pre-condition to any involvement • of marginalized communities into the area-based planning • Start with small scale activities, build in trust, enforce communication and only • then scale up • Segregated Roma settlements – different approach as different set of issues • to be addressed • Ensure both Roma and non-Roma can benefit equally and have same access • to project activities/services • Initiatives targeting Roma communities only are not recommended

12. Recommendations • Identify and use joint economic motivation for conflict prevention and • Roma/non-Roma reconciliation • Build in couching/community mobilization methodology into the • programs addressing environmental and regional planning issues • Continuous and systematic community/couching/activation of specific • communities at least for the period of 3 years to bring about impact • Municipality (or other local government structures) to be on board from the • very beginning • Integrated and inclusive approach is preferable; Roma-focused projects do • not seem to work in the long term (potential to create more harm) • Micro-grant schemes to pilot ideas/initiatives bring very good and tangible • results (Euro 2-10.000 max)

13. Thank you…daniela.gasparikova@undp.orghttp://www.cserehat.huhttp://www.laborecuh.skhttp://europeandcis.undp.org/kosiceprojecthttp://www.elotiszaert.hu