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Sustainable Development Initiatives of International Organizations:

Sustainable Development Initiatives of International Organizations: Example of Heifer International Viktor Teres , PhD, MBA, President of the International Charitable Foundation “Heifer Project International“, Ukraine. Plan of Presentation.

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Sustainable Development Initiatives of International Organizations:

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  1. Sustainable Development Initiatives of International Organizations: Example of Heifer International Viktor Teres, PhD, MBA, President of the International Charitable Foundation “Heifer Project International“, Ukraine

  2. Plan of Presentation • Overview: role of International Organisations (IOs) in promoting Sustainable Development (SD) • Heifer Ukraine at a glance • Heifer International at a glance • Carpathian region: challenges, opportunities of SD • Carpathian convention as a platform for SD in the region • HPI projects in Carpathian region • EU INTERREG IIIB CADSES Carpathian Project • Our partners: IOs, management authorities • What’s next: further opportunities/ needs to facilitate SD in Carpathians

  3. Overview: Role of IOs as Agents of Sustainable Development IOs: • Work with governments to help them meet obligations under international conventions (i.e. Carpathian Convention) • Assess/ monitor local needs; work with communities, all stakeholders to promote principles of sustainable development • Develop/ implement international/ national /regional/ local policy initiatives, including sustainable agriculture, rural development, ecotourism, forestry etc. • Publicize success stories and local needs • Build alliances, develop capacities of stakeholders What Heifer and its partners do in Carpathian region!

  4. Heifer Project InternationalinUkraine • Programme has been working in Ukraine since 1994 • Registered as an International Charitable Foundation “Heifer Project International” (ICF “HPI”) in 2000 • Key objectivein Ukraine: assisting rural communities, small businesses in rural area, farmers and their associations to raise the life standards and achieve self-support • Offices – Kyiv (11employees), Lviv (4 employees); regional representatives in Crimea and Odessa • 50 projects since 2004.

  5. Areas of Heifer work in Ukraine • Agroecology • Development of small rural businesses and Agricultural Service Cooperatives • Gender equity • Youth at risk / orphans • AIDS problems • Disaster rehabilitation

  6. Heifer International in the world Heifer International– international charitable foundation, with a mission to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. • Founded in 1944 in USA, Little Rock • Works in more than 50 countries • Supported over 10 mln. families • See more at: www.heifer.org

  7. Sustainability and Heifer International Headquarters Green Facts • Water is collected on roof in 25,000-gallon water tower, where it is cleaned by a natural filtration system; • As water moves around the building, it is filtered by native indigenous plants that remove impurities; • The building is crafted to maximize sunlight, with an east-to-west, narrow, curved design. • Brownfield recovery of the site before construction • Recycled ecologically friendly construction materials; • Recycling • Recognitions/ Awards • Platinum Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, 2007 • National American Institute of Architects Committee on the Environment’s (COTE) Top Ten Green Projects 2007

  8. Heifer International’s SD efforts in the field • Soil Conservation (incl. vermiculture) • Water Conservation • Agro-biodiversity • Agroforestry • Indigenous Breeds of Livestock • Zero-grazing

  9. Heifer International SD Projects in Mountain Areas Example: Project for the Sustainable Development of the High Mountains’ Biodiversity, Peru Project components include management and use of biodiversity conservation & the promotion of agroecology, incl. • incorporation of manure; • compost and humus; • crop rotation for the control of pests; • crop diversification on the family premises for greater food options; • reforestation of slopes and agroforestry with native plants; • use of medicinal plants for pest control and diseases; • recovery of native forages; • Improved cookstoves. “We used to cut down trees for firewood, but now we just cook with brush and no one cuts down any trees.”

  10. Carpathian Region • Europe’s largest mountain range! • Living environment for up to 18 million people! • Europe’s greatest reserve of pristine forest, refuge for brown bears, wolves, bison, lynx, eagles and some 200 unique plant species found nowhere else in the world • Continent’s cleanest streams and drinking water supplies • Unique natural, historical and cultural heritage • Heaven for wildlife and ecological networks within Europe

  11. SD principles in historical traditions of Carpathians • Ethnicdiversity corresponding to landscape diversity (7 major ethnic groups and more than six principal religious groups); • Sustainable mountain shepherding; • Good forest management practices(till XIX cent.); • Caring about wildlife and farm animals as seen in traditions, mythology; • Nature-related arts and crafts –environmentally friendly philosophy and life cycle.

  12. SD principles in Hutsul culture Where: Southeastern Carpathians (Ivano-Frankivsk and Chernivtsy regions, Rakhiv district of Zakarpattia region) What: • Construction: disconnectedness of farmsteads, unique close-circuit household complexes; low waste production; • Traditional animal breeds; • Folk arts/ crafts: carving, pyrography and encrustation, pottery, decorative weaving, carpet weaving etc.; - Respect to nature in traditions and habits; - Nature is personified, has deep impact on mythology. • Some environmentally friendly traditions/ beliefs: • Hutsul horse breed • Animals are an integral part of traditional celebrations (Christmas, Harvest festivities etc.) • Protecting water springs, trees (they are believed to have souls – f.i. mavky) • Caring about bird nests during mowing • Persuading injured game animals – a crime.

  13. Regional Challenges • Rural mountain areas are facing new threats posed by globalization processes • Negative demographic trends (aging population, low birth rates, abandonment of mountain regions - alarming migration rates) • Low level of local and foreign investment and technological upgrade • Low competitiveness of local produce • Lower income in agriculture in comparison with the rest of the country • High unemployment rates • Problem of younger generationsloosing the skills in traditional agriculture, crafts and other specialties • Threat of spreading of the big companies (logging, tourism) having no traditional relation to the land • Unsustainable water and forest management practices

  14. Carpathian Convention Unique agreement addressing exclusively mountain ecosystems • Signed May 2003 • Entry into force - 1 January 2006 • Ratification by the Parliaments of all the Carpathian countries • COP1 - 11-13 December 2006, Kyiv, Ukraine • Carpathian Project promoted by the programme EU INTERREG IIIB CADSES • Partnerships: MoUs with the Alpine Convention, the Ramsar Convention and Central European Initiative (CEI), cooperative agreement with EURAC

  15. Carpathian Convention Carpathian Convention provides: • trans-national frameworkfor cooperation and multi-sectoral policy coordination, including sustainable agriculture, rural development and forestry • platform for joint strategiesand policies for sustainable development • forum for dialogue and permanent communication between all stakeholders involved

  16. Heifer-Ukraine’s projects in Carpathians 1. Support of rural communities projects- mainly dairy cattle husbandry (9 projects) Number of heifers - Purchased: 283 Passed-on: 229 2. Revival of endangered breeds projects (6 projects) Carpathian Brown Cow Hutsul horse Ukrainian Mountain Sheep Purchased: 64 64 258 Passed-on: 24 25 66 3. Rural tourism development projects (7 projects), including EU INTERREG IIIB CADSES Carpathian Project and multi-component projects

  17. Projects on dairy cattle breeding in Carpathian mountain areas • Aim: support of dairy cattle husbandry by private households through providing them with heifers of the Simmental breed, artificial insemination, improving veterinary care. • 3 projects in Lviv oblast, 1994-2008: • 27-0810-01 Small Farm Dev’t in Drogobych raion • 27-0801-01Cattle Dev’t in the mountain area(Drogobych raion) • 27-0805-01 Skole District Dairy Cattle Breeding Improvement • RESULTS: • Provided 184 heifers, equipment for 2 veterinary centers and artificial insemination centers, specialized trainings, feeds, mineral fertilizers for pasture management. • 2 ASCs are established and received equipment (tractors, equipment for milk collection)

  18. Project on Dairy Goat Breeding in Nelipyno • Zakarpattia, 2002-2006 • RESULTS/ OUTCOMES: • Community received: • 54 does (female goats)and 2 bucks (male goats)in total • Trainings on goat breeding. • ASC “Nelipinskiy” created and provided with equipment. • 2) Since 2007, ASC sells pure-blood goats.

  19. Heifer Ukraine’s Initiatives in Rural Green Tourism • Revival of endangered breeds of farm animals in Hutsul Region (2002–2008. Budget: $139,810 ) • Agroecological Initiative: Revival of Hutsul Horse Breed in Carpathians (2003 –2008. Budget: $25,000 ) • HPI / Carpathian Project 1 (2005 –2009. Budget: $149,900 ) RESULTS: • Within the framework of these projects, 49 mares and 3 breeding stallions of Hutsul breed, 20 saddles, 3 coaches, 53 heifers, 155 ewes, 120 bee packages as well as other equipment, seeds, ornamental saplingswere provided for rural families. • Totally, 74 horses are provided, incl. pass-ons (about 15% of world population according to FAO) • All project participants are trained in veterinary management, marketing etc. • Additionally, 18 heifers, 19 mares and 53 ewes were passed on as the gift to other families by project participants. • During year 2006, income from “Green tourism” activity in these projects reached$2,700. • 2 ASCS are created and effectively operate.

  20. Eurasia Foundation project “Demonstration Modelof Sustainable Development in Ukrainian Carpathians” Budget: $70,465(Heifer-Ukraine:$43,050, Eurasia Foundation: $27,415) • AccommodationOutputs ofimplemented project, which lasted only for 1 year (2004-2005): BeginningEnd Difference Operating agrohouseholds 3859 21 Received visitors, inds. 12202250 1030 Households’ owners received additional income of $2,277from providing accommodation for tourists. • Horse routes (horseback riding, trip by coach) • 10 horse routes have been developed, manual on horse tourism “To Carpathians riding the horse” has been issued (500 copies) • Income from tourism -$9,208 (2005)

  21. Heifer Ukraine’s Initiatives in Rural Green Tourism (Carpathian project 2) 5 projects, incl.: • Helping rural families in the Bukovyna region (2007 –2012. Budget: $196,566) • Carpathian Project – Helping rural families in Turka raion, Lviv oblast (2007 –2012. Budget: $121,540) • Promoting rural tourism development for people residing in the area of “Skolivski Beskydy” National park (2007 –2012. Budget: $77,408) Outcomes: Rural families will receive 20 mares and 2 breeding stallions of Hutsul breed, 20 saddles, 1 cart, 60 heifers, 100 ewes and 7 rams, 50 bee packages, other equipment, seeds, ornamental saplings. All project participants undergo trainings in veterinary care, tourism marketing etc.

  22. EU INTERREG IIIB CADSES Carpathian Project - “Protection and sustainable development of the Carpathians in a transnational framework” • Funded by the EU Community Initiative INTERREG IIIB CADSES Environment Programme • Developed by UNEP (Vienna) and RTI Polska together with Carpathian Convention Signatories • Implementers: 18 governmental and non-governmental institutions/orgs from 10 countries, incl.Austria, Greece, Italy, Germany, Poland, Romania, Slovak Republic, Hungary, UkraineandCzech Republic • Approved in May 2006 • Aimed at solving of common problems, related with preserving of environment, historical and cultural heritage, economical and social development of the Carpathian Region • Total funding of the project is 4.260.000 EURO. Funding of Ukrainian part of the project, financed by TACIS is 225,000 EURO and direct funding of Heifer-Ukraine is 25,000 EURO.

  23. Carpathian project (2006-2008) • Outputs • Web page and web-portal created/ updated as an information and teaching tool : http://www.carpathianproject.eu/portal/; www.greentour.com.ua • Cultural heritage analysis conducted for future development • Socio-economic analysis of the Carpathian Area • Forestry and timber industry analysis • Analysis of human settlements • National spatial development strategiesand plans review • Developed 2 strategies (of rural tourism development; SME support in mountainous areas): short term - 3-5 year and long-term - >5 year plans • Developed professional skills in tourism - trainings, exchanges • Handbook for local authorities and development actors • National conferences, workshops to discuss and exchange experience

  24. Carpathian project: Skills development Trainings: • For tourism industry stakeholders – in Greece (20 people); • For members of households providing hospitality services; Topics of trainings and consultations:Rural tourism development; Arranging the rural tourist household;Horse tourism; Sustainable use of natural recourses for rural tourism development; Community social development; Fundraising and applying for grants. • For local authorities and NGOs – in Yaremche, 2008 “Development of rural tourism”, “Marketing in rural tourism” • For prospective inspectors of the Rural Green Tourism Network who are expected to certify private households providing hospitality services

  25. Carpathian Project • Some outcomes/ impacts: • Established active network of rural tourism objects and stakeholders; • Increased number of households, which provide green tourism services (up to 20-30% annually); • Introduced and widely supported voluntary system of categorization of accommodation places; • Increased role of local communities and private households in decision making on regional development; • Improved community socio-economical status (additional income).

  26. Partners of INTERREG IIIB CADSES Carpathian Project • Poland • RTI Polska • Podkarpackie region • UNEP GRID Warsaw • Institute of Urban Development • Institute of Spatial and Cadastral Systems • Italy • Retecamere • EURAC • Hungary • Hungarian Academy of Sciences - Centre for Regional Studies • CEEWEB Austria • UNEP Vienna ISCC • WWF DCP • Austrian Institute of East and Southeast European Studies Greece Prefecture Authority of Drama - Kavala – Xanthi Czech Republic University of Olomouc • Slovakia • REC Slovakia • Academia Istropolitana Bratislava Germany ISF Munich (Social Research Institute) Ukraine Heifer-Ukraine Romania Urbanproiect Bucharest Carpathian Convention: Secretariat, WGs

  27. Our partners in Carpathian region, Ukraine • International orgs/ NGOs • Union for Promotion of Rural Green Tourism Development in Ukraine (and its Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Zakarpattia Centers) • Lviv oblast center of green rural tourism • NGO “Halytski Oseli” • Kosiv raion Tourist Association “Hutsuliya” • Regional NGO “Hutslschyna’s Heritage” • NGO “Nature” • Zakarpattia Association of Local Development • Youth NGO “Ecosfera”… • Funding institutions • European Commission Delegation to Ukraine • Eurasia Fund Regional governmental institutions, public administrations • Oblast (regional) state administrations in Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, • Administrations of protected areas: National Nature Parks “Hutsulschyna”; “Skolivski Beskydy” Regional Landscape Park ASCs “Gasda" “Nelypinskiy" “Promin" “Silskiy Hospodar" “Fenix" “Flora" Local municipalities

  28. Other work of Heifer-Ukraine contributing to sustainable use of natural resources • Trainings on Agroecology • Working together with the community of Trostianets village in Odesa region to improve the sanitary and environmental state of the local pond • Vermiculture/ biogas/ compost components of current projects

  29. Planned Projects of Heifer-Ukraine in Carpathians • Flood Rehabilitation project; • Payment of environmental services and other positive externalities (PESOPE)project under SARD-M cooperation; • European Mountain ABCAlpine experience-Balkan future-Carpathian opportunity project

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