GEF Small Grants Programme - Success Stories in CIS Countries

1. The GEF Small Grants Programme GEF Constituency Meeting – CIS countries October 11 - 13, 2011 Tashkent, Uzbekistan

2. SGP REGIONAL OVERVIEW

3. SGP REGIONAL OVERVIEW Regional Portfolio Distribution by Focal Area

4. SGP ARMENIAExamples of Successful Projects Strengthening the role of local Important Bird Area (IBA) caretaker groups in Biodiversity Hotspots of Armenia Goal: Strengthen the capacity of local caretakers in conserving and monitoring Important Bird Area sites within the priority corridors of the Caucasus hotspot Main Activities: Establishment of the Visitor Center and training of caretakers Key Results: Protected globally significant/endangered species Demonstration of energy efficiency (EE) improvement and Renewable Energy System (RES) use practices in a pilot residential building Goal: Reducing CO2 via less energy consumption/efficiency in housing sector Main Activities: Replaced old doors and windows, installed solar hot water and heating systems, EE lighting, and provided capacity development to the housing administration. Key Results: Decreased 13.5 tons of CO2/year, enhanced capacities of local housing administration, the project became a model for replication/scale-up Application of biological ponds for domestic wastewater treatment (LD,IW) Goal: Rehabilitation of degraded community farmlands Main Activities: Construction of a wastewater collector system and bio-pond Key Results: Restored 100 ha farmlands, prevented penetration of ~ 12 tons of N and 6 tons of P into IWs, BOD5 reduced from 260mg/l down to 40mg/l

5. SGP ARMENIACountry Level Impact SGP projects supported , documented and influenced: • At national level: 1 legal act on incorporation of ViperaDarevskii (IUCN) habitats into a national park zone • At local level: 2 decisions on eco-tourism in PAs as a means to protect biodiversity, 1 decision on POPs/toxic chemical; 2 decisions on land management and biodiversity conservation Successful projects scaled up and replicated: • Use of RES (solar energy) SGP activity in figures: • Globally significant species protected: 12 (IUCN) species, 56 national (National Red Book List) • Areas protected, rehabilitated or sustainably managed: 2 PAs, 4 Important Bird Areas, aprox. 120 ha of farmlands prevented from degradation, 400 ha of grasslands are managed in a sustainable way

6. SGP BelarusExamples of Successful Projects Conservation of owls in Brest region of Belarus Goal: Conservation and creation of conditions to increase endemic species Main Activities: Construction and placing of artificial nests for owls, environmental education of local population and students Key Results: Protected globally significant/endangered species Restoration of degraded wetlands Goal: Reducing CO2 emissions via restoration of degraded wetlands Main Activities: Construction of dams, environmental education of local population Key Results: Decreased about 40,000 tons of CO2 emissions, raised awareness about climate change, the project became a demonstration site and a model for replication, about 3000 families can be further engaged in traditional activity of gathering cranberries Disposal of wastes containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PSBs) Goal: Utilization of PCBs Main Activities: Inventory, work out logistical chain, repacking and utilization of PCBs Key Results: 19 tons of PCBs were utilized in a safe way, the project influenced on acceptance of new NAP for hazardous wastes

7. SGP Belarus Country Level Impact SGP projects supported and influenced: • At national level: 2legislative initiative on secondary bogging and toxic chemicals utilization • At regional level: Initiative of use solar panels at children’s recreational centres • At local level: 10 decisions on eco-tourism, 9 decisions on waste and land management; 17 decisions regarding the establishment and development of protected areas for biodiversity conservation, 5 bogs were rehabilitated and now sustainably managed Successful projects scaled up and replicated: • Restoration of degraded pits (USAID) • Protection of watersheds small rivers (USAID) • PCBs safe utilization (WB) SGP activity in figures: • National, European and Globally significant species protected: 51 • Areas protected, rehabilitated or sustainably managed: over 450,000ha of significant biodiversity; over 600 ha of forests. Reduction of CO2 by more than 77 000 tons from degraded wetlands per annum

8. SGP Kazakhstan Examples of Successful Projects Mitigation of threats to biodiversity by ecology tourism development Goal: sustainable use of biodiversity through ecotourism development Main Activities: strengthening the capacity of local community and demonstration of ecotourism opportunities Key Results: Established model for the sustainable use of biodiversity , community council supervised project activity and ensured sustainability, 28 guest houses opened by local community, additional $ 20,000 income for the local community per year Fodder base enhancement by the flood and hayfield mowing Goal: rehabilitation of degraded pastures through strengthening of livestock forage base Main Activities: creation of meadows and sown grasslands of wheatgrass, restoration of the dams Key Results: 736 ha of pastures rehabilitated, 1500 tons of hay is gathered per year, which fully supplies the whole village with forage

9. SGP Kazakhstan Country Level Impact SGP projects supported and influenced: Practices and approaches that have been taken into account during national legislation documents development – 8 projects SGP projects are included as: The best Central Asian practices on efficient land management -10 projects WOCAT best practices database – 1 project SGP projects replicated or up-scaled: • efficient water and land management SGP activity in figures: • Globally significant species protected: over 300 • Areas protected, rehabilitated or sustainably managed: over 20,000ha of globally significant biodiversity; over 30,000ha of rangelands. Natural Protected Areas covered by the SGP projects activity -15

10. SGP KYRGYZSTANExamples of Successful Projects We have to preserve endemic flower-Aigul Goal: conservation and protection of Aigul flower (Pentelium Eduardi) Main Activities: seasonal prohibition of grazing in flower habitat, alternative flower nurseries, development of ecotourism facilities , increase public awareness Key Results: Creation of 4 nurseries for Aigul flower, construction of 2 camping sites for tourists, conduction of Aigul flower festivals Implementation of “Kan” heating system Goal: replication and up scaling of in house heat saving technology Main Activities: technology transfer from Dungan minority to Kyrgyz population Key Results: cheap traditional Dungan heat saving technology became available for larger population living in severe climatic conditions Rehabilitation of wood and bush vegetation Goal: reduction of soil erosion and mudflow risk Main Activities: fencing of the area, regulation of grazing, planting wild fruit trees and bushes Key Results: 100 hectares of mountain slope were fenced. Grass cover restored in next year. Mudflows stopped. 12 families decided to stay in the village

11. SGP KYRGYZSTANCountry Level Impact SGP projects supported and influenced: • 8 geographical areas where interventions of GEF SGP promoted changes in the state of matters with global environmental benefits: Kyrgyz Ata-Fergana, Kulun Ata-Karashoro, Baubashata, Western Tienshan, Inner Tienshan and Central Tienshan, Issykkul. • SGP has created decentralized and effective management system and mechanism for operations at the local level. • More than 200 CBOs and NGOs, mostly in remote areas were created by GEF/SGP influence. According to the law, a legally registered CBO should consists of at least 10 households living in one location. It means that more than 20,000 people legally joined their efforts to protect the environment. SGP activity in figures: Conserved areas or under sustainable use: 4,300 hectares. Protection of the habitats of 4 plant species, 3 insects, 2 birds included in the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan. 3 of them are endemic. It is expected than after 10-15 years natural wood and bush vegetation can rehabilitate itself in the mentioned above hectares, that can store or sequester from 3,000 up to 20,000 ton of carbon per year.

12. SGP Tajikistan Examples of Successful Projects Conservation of agro-biodiversity through active involvement of local communities in three (3) Special Protected Nature Areas (SPNA) in Gissar region Goal: Conservation of biological diversity in PA by indigenous people and local community. Main Activities: awareness raising and public advocacy of 3 PA (Romit, Almosi and Park Shirkent; capacity development of community leaders, share best practices Key Results: Public awareness increased and enhanced; enhanced the capacities of local community and PA employees on PA management, including monitoring and co-management of Pas; best practices on conservation and development of the Protected areas demonstrated/ introduced. Demonstration of alternative, sustainable and effective land use and increase land production in 3 communes of Nosiri Khusrav district Goal: Promotion of SLM and sustainable agriculture best practices Main Activities: capacity building and environmental education on SLM, sustainable agriculture development and land farming techniques Key Results: established 3 demonstrational plots within local farmers; enhanced capacities on SLM and organic farming; best practices on SLM and sustainable agriculture development (SAD) were demonstrated among local communities

13. SGP Tajikistan Examples of Successful Projects Demonstrate alternative energy supply to local community trough construction of mini-Hydro-power station in Chashmasor commune, Faizabad district, Goal: Promote alternative and RES through sustainable use and management of water resources; prevention of deforestation and desertification Main Activities: Construction of 40kWt capacity Hydro Power Station (HPS) awareness raising on RES , local capacity built to ensure HPS co-management and sustainability through enhancement of community ownership and stewardship; Key Results: 40 kWt capacity HPS constructed to supply 200 families of Chashmasor commune with clean and affordable electricity; knowledge of local community on alternative/ RES increased and enhanced; enhanced local capacity to ensure sustainable operation and maintenance of Hydro Power Station

14. SGP Tajikistan Country Level Impact SGP projects supported, documented and influenced: • At national level: 2 Tele-debates broadcasted on national TV on conservation of Protected areas and 20 publications on the sustainable management of PAs, RES, SLM and SAD published in national /local newspapers; • At local level: 3 local development plans developed on PAs (forest code updated); Successful projects scaled up and replicated: • Use of RES (hydro-power stations, energy efficiency,. etc.) • Prevention of deforestation and promote SLM; SGP activity in figures: • Globally significant species protected: 14 (red book) • Areas protected, rehabilitated or sustainably managed: over 25,000 ha of globally significant biodiversity (PAs); 1,000 ha of grasslands; 3,000 ha of forests. • SGP projects cover 100,000 people that live in the remote rural areas of Soughd, Khatlon and Rasht regions out of which 22,000 people are direct beneficiaries of the projects activities;

15. SGP UZBEKISTAN Examples of Successful Projects Conservation of South Kyzyl-Kum biodiversity Goal: improve conditions for conservation of unique and threatened species of South Kyzyl-Kum Desert Main Activities: territory expansion, equipment, management plan Key Results: habitat area has been increased by three times for the conservation of unique and threatened species Micro hydro for remote mountain community - Chosh Goal: To equip a remote community with a source of energy to grind wheat Key Results: equipment installed and operational

16. SGP UZBEKISTAN Country Level Impact A strong base for promotion and spread of a few technologies and practices with clear environmental benefits has been built and keeps developing across the country: • Combating land salinization through laser levelling • Restoration of the pistachio tree stands • Decreasing pressure on fish stock through aquaculture • Biogas as a means to mitigate emissions and get access to energy Many tangible results achieved for individual communities and areas: • National PA system was expanded on over 13 000 ha. • More than 150 ha reforested directly plus many more indirectly as a result of our projects • A number of water saving technologies demonstrated which is extremely important for Uzbekistan in the view of adaptation to climate change • Many energy solutions advertised and promoted across rural communities

17. Final Notes • While SGP projects are small, when they are strategically implemented and build up over time, then the positive impacts go beyond the community to the country and even the global level. • SGP is a “fast and effective delivery mechanism” that allows communities, CBOs and NGOs who may not be able to access GEF funds to be able to do so and in the process build their capacity to be proactive actors in the country’s sustainable development efforts. • SGP can be a delivery mechanism for other donors who may wish to be a cofinancing partner and want to save on time and other costs by using an already existing and effective mechanism that brings communities, CSOs and government to work together.

18. Local Actions, Global Impact Questions? THANKS!