The GEF Small Grants Programme

GEF Constituency Meeting – CIS countriesOctober 11 - 13, 2011

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

SGP REGIONAL OVERVIEW

Country Start Up Date

Total Number of Projects

Grant Amount: In Cash Co-financing:

In Kind Co-financing:

ARMENIA 2008 10 350,000 USD 784,765 USD 153,741 USD

BELARUS 2005 70 2,447 ,629 USD 2,523,062 USD 368,138 USD

KAZAKHSTAN 1997 270 4,784,131 USD 3,283,071 USD 3,540,226 USD

KYRGYZSTAN 2001 229 3,105,804 USD 1,083,210 USD 2,208,999 USD

TAJIKISTAN 2009 8 149,940 USD 65,521 USD 112,199 USD

UZBEKISTAN 2008 44 1,006,529 USD 427,810 USD 465,011 USD

SGP REGIONAL OVERVIEW

Regional Portfolio Distribution by Focal Area

SGP ARMENIAExamples of Successful Projects

Strengthening the role of local Important Bird Area (IBA) caretaker groups in Biodiversity Hotspots of ArmeniaGoal: Strengthen the capacity of local caretakers in conserving and monitoring Important Bird Area sites within the priority corridors of the Caucasus hotspotMain Activities: Establishment of the Visitor Center and training of caretakersKey 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 farmlandsMain 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

SGP ARMENIACountry Level Impact

SGP projects supported , documented and influenced:•At national level: 1 legal act on incorporation of Vipera Darevskii (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

SGP Belarus Examples of Successful Projects

Conservation of owls in Brest region of BelarusGoal: Conservation and creation of conditions to increase endemic speciesMain 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 wetlandsGoal: Reducing CO2 emissions via restoration of degraded wetlandsMain 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 PCBsMain 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

SGP Belarus Country Level Impact

SGP projects supported and influenced:•At national level: 2 legislative 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

SGP Kazakhstan Examples of Successful Projects

Mitigation of threats to biodiversity by ecology tourism developmentGoal: sustainable use of biodiversity through ecotourism developmentMain 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 damsKey Results: 736 ha of pastures rehabilitated, 1500 tons of hay is gathered per year, which fully supplies the whole village with forage

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 projectsSGP projects are included as:The best Central Asian practices on efficient land management -10 projectsWOCAT 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

SGP KYRGYZSTAN Examples 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 awarenessKey Results: Creation of 4 nurseries for Aigul flower, construction of 2 camping sites for tourists, conduction of Aigul flower festivals

Implementation of “Kan” heating systemGoal: replication and up scaling of in house heat saving technologyMain Activities: technology transfer from Dungan minority to Kyrgyz populationKey Results: cheap traditional Dungan heat saving technology became available for larger population living in severe climatic conditions

Rehabilitation of wood and bush vegetationGoal: reduction of soil erosion and mudflow riskMain Activities: fencing of the area, regulation of grazing, planting wild fruit trees and bushesKey Results: 100 hectares of mountain slope were fenced. Grass cover restored in next year. Mudflows stopped. 12 families decided to stay in the village

SGP KYRGYZSTAN Country 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.

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 practicesKey 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 districtGoal: Promotion of SLM and sustainable agriculture best practicesMain Activities: capacity building and environmental education on SLM, sustainable agriculture development and land farming techniquesKey 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

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 desertificationMain 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

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;

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 DesertMain 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 - ChoshGoal: To equip a remote community with a source of energy to grind wheat Key Results: equipment installed and operational

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 levellingRestoration of the pistachio tree standsDecreasing pressure on fish stock through aquacultureBiogas 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

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.

Local Actions, Global Impact

Questions?

THANKS!