Key Facts (publication .PDF)
GEF Operational Program:
The Rio Conventions project is a multi-focal project funded under GEF Operational Program 12 Integrated Ecosystem Management: Capacity Building.
Duration:
The official approval of GEF’s funding was obtained on 22 March, 2006. The official start of the project by UNDP was given in November 2007. The expected end date of the project is 27 June 2010.
Budget:
The project overall budget is USD 1,528,000 of which USD 499,000 is a direct financing provided by GEF and the government of Bulgaria is providing USD 1,029,000 in co-financing.
Location:
The project is implemented on national level.
Expected Outcomes:
- Accredited training program on the integration of environment into regional development and spatial planning established. Key decision makers trained to integrate biodiversity, climate change and land degradation objectives into their activities related to regional development planning, implementation and evaluation.
- Set of uniform indicators and guidance for application are established for measuring the contribution of regional development policy and spatial planning to meeting global environmental objectives.
- A portal website dedicated to integration of biodiversity, climate change and land degradation issues into development planning is created.
- Knowledge materials developed with extensive information on practices from Bulgaria, neighboring countries, EU and other regions.
- Institutional improvements introduced at relevant ministries to sustain the capacities developed through the training program.
- One regional development plan and one municipal-level spatial development plan are revised to integrate global environmental objectives in a pilot region or group of municipalities through application of capacities developed above.
Project Achievements to Date:
- Project Management Unit established and operational since 15 November, 2006
- First project Steering Committee Meeting held on 19 February, 2007
- Inception Workshop held on 21 February, 2007 in Sofia.
- Participation in the final conference under the Greening Regional Development Programs Project, Budapest, Hungary, 16-18 May, 2007
- Project web site developed and launched on 30 June, 2007
- 1st Project Implementation Review completed, 30 June, 2007
- International entity for development of training programme package selected and contracted – Central European University (CEU), 27 July, 2007
- Bulgarian entity for development of training programme package selected and contracted – Sofia University (SU), 5 October, 2007
- Training needs survey conducted among 60 public officials from MRDPW and MoEW and their regional structures, 1 September – 30 October, 2007
- National data sources relevant to the implementation of the Rio Conventions identified and a database compiled, 15 October, 2007
- Project 2nd Steering Committee held on 23 October, 2007
- A kick-off meeting held with CEU and SU teams on 30 October, 2007
- GRDP publications reviewed and two publications adapted and translated, October – November, 2007
- A Study Trip to Cornwall, UK successfully conducted in the period 5-9 November, 2007
Forthcoming Project Activities in 2008:
- Midterm evaluation meeting held between Central European and Sofia University in Bratisalva, Slovakia, 29 January, 2008
- Establishment of an Electronic distribution list to key project stakeholders, February, 2008
- 1st project Advisory Board Meeting held, 29 Feb, 2008
- Publication of GRDP adapted and translated publications and dissemination to selected institutions, March 2008
- 3rd Project Steering Committee, March, 2008
- Indicators Consultation Seminar held in April, 2008
- Development of a Training Program for public officials from MRDPW and MoEW on how to integrate the objectives of the Rio Conventions into the regional and spatial planning processes in Bulgaria, April, 2008
- Workshop Public Private Partnerships for Sustainable Utilization of EU Funds and the UK Experience, May, 2008
- Pilot testing of the Training Program, April – June, 2008
- 2nd Project Implementation Review completed, 30 June 2008
- Data delivery consultation seminar with NSI, MRDPW, MoEW, ect. held, June 2008
- Completed review of staff hiring procedure, job descriptions, and staff evaluation at the MRDPW, July, 2008
- Production of Methodology and Ordinance for integration of global environmental concerns into regional development and municipal plans, September, 2008
- Establishment of inter-ministerial Task Force on cross-sector integration of global environmental concerns, September, 2008
- 4th Project Steering Committee Meeting, October, 2008
- Development of guidelines for civil participation in municipal and regional plans - print and dissemination, October, 2008
- Design and Printing of Guidelines on Indicators Use, November, 2008
- Midterm Evaluation Review successfully completed, 30 November, 2008
