COUNTRY: BELARUS
Enabling Activity Proposal in Biodiversity
Country
Republic of Belarus
Project Title
Add ons: Assessment of Capacity-building needs for
Biodiversity, Participation in CHM, and Preparation of
a Second National Report
GEF Focal Area
Biological Diversity
Country Eligibility
The Republic of Belarus ratified the CBD in 1993
GEF Financing
USD$ 183,700
Government Contribution (in kind)
Assessment of capacity building needs
CHM
Second National Report
TOTAL
USD $ 5,000
USD $42,000
USD $ 2,000
USD$ 49,000
Estimated Total Budget
USD$ 232,700
GEF Implementing Agency
UNEP
National Executing Agency
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental
Protection (MNREP)
Endorsement by NEA
Letter of Endorsement Attached
GEF Operational Focal Point
MNREP
Endorsement by GEF Operational Focal Point
Letter of Endorsement Attached
CBD Focal Point
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
CHM Focal Point
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Endorsement by CHM Focal Point
Letter of Endorsement Attached
Estimated Starting Date
May 2001
Project Duration
15 months
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EA Status
Scientists and experts from the Belarusian National Academy of Sciences and of other
leading scientific institutions and government agencies elaborated the national strategy and
action plan on conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in the Republic of
Belarus. This document was approved by the Government vide the Council of Minister’s
resolution No. 789 of 26.06.1997. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental
Protection provided the overall leadership to the project.
The First National Report was submitted to the CBD Secretariat in 1998.
As of April 2000, of the total UNEP/GEF grant of USD 81,300, USD 79,621 has been
expended leaving a small balance of USD 1,679.
Completion of the CHM process
Currently no CHM projects are being implemented in Belarus.
Background
Initial GEF funding enabled the Ministry to coordinate preparation of a NBSAP over a oneyear period. During this period the project:
 Established a National Biodiversity Task Force
 Reviewed existing knowledge of Belarus’s biodiversity and identifying key gaps. This is
available in the Analytic Review (in Russian language only, 111 pages)
 Conducted expert consultations with all relevant ministries and agencies on how to
determine priority workshops to better understand traditional biodiversity management
mechanisms as a guide to measures in their fields of activities
 Involved a great number of scientists, and highly qualified specialists in carrying out of
biodiversity-related scientific –applied work
 Finalized the national strategy and submitted it to the Council of Ministers for
endorsement
 National Strategy and Action Plan on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological
Diversity were published in Russian and English
 A number of booklets was published: Animals and Plants in Ecosystems, Especially
Protected Natural Territories and Objects, Birds of Prey of Belarus, Bison Regeneration
in Belarus.
 Connection to the Internet was established and web pages on Conservation and
Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity in Belarus in English and Russian were created.
Completion of the CHM process
Currently no GEF supported projects are implemented through the CHM in Belarus.
Project Objectives
1. To obtain national consensus on the specific mechanisms needed for on-going capacity
building to manage the use of biodiversity and ensure its conservation in accord with the
NBSAP.
2. Establish a CHM and operationalize the same.
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3. In accordance with the Decision V/19 of the Conference of the Parties, prepare a second
national report for submission to the Secretariat CBD by the deadline May15, 2001.
Priorities for assessing capacity building needs
Belarus’s NBSAP identified a broad range of specific measures where it was necessary for
the country to develop capacity to conserve and manage the use of biodiversity. These
included ecological improvement of scientific-technical and technological activities,
optimization of use of natural resources in various social and economic sectors, including
tourism and recreational activities. However it fell short of detailing the specific mechanisms
needed to address the capacity building needs of the tourism and recreational activities (see
Annex 2). Add-on funding will enable national consensus to be reached on specific capacity
building mechanisms and incentive measures that can be implemented by government,
private sector and community in order to stimulate the emergence of sustainable tourism with
net benefits for biodiversity. (see Annex C for relevant text from the Belarus NBSAP).
Participation in the CHM process
This proposal includes provision for the establishment of Belarus’s CHM and expand links to
the Convention’s CHM mechanism. In addition to meeting recurrent CHM costs the project
will establish an Internet site to incorporate pages on:
 Overview and analysis of the existing national biodiversity related programs and projects
as well as other relevant information with a view to create a national information database
on biodiversity
 Contact details for organisations in Belarus responsible for biodiversity management
 Information page for international biodiversity researchers
 Information page for importers and exporters of living things and their derivatives.
 Environmental information of interest to visitors to Belarus: conservation areas, sites to
observe, species of note etc.
 Creation of 2 CD on Red-listed fauna and flora of Belarus
 Dissemination of booklets, posters on threatened national biodiversity.
The proposal also provides for services to be hired to provide on-the-job training in use and
management of the CHM Internet site to project, CHM Focal Point. Extensive consultation
with all stakeholders will be held to elaborate a national program on establishment of the
National CHM and the CHM Focal Point. (Annex B).
Preparation of the 2nd National Report to the COP
The budget includes provision of USD$10,000 to assist with preparation of Belarus’s reports
to the COP, due with the CBD secretariat on 15 May 2001.
Belarus 2nd national report will be prepared by the Project Coordinator in consultation with
the National Biodiversity Advisory Committee and government and non-government
organisations involved in the use and management of biological resources. Draft reports will
be developed with two two-day national workshops and a local workshop with stakeholders
in association with the NBAC. The report will be prepared in a with the format and
guidelines issued by the CBD secretariat so as to measure the state of national
implementation of the CBD and review national priorities and actions.
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Time Plan and Sequencing
The project is designed to be completed over 15 months to ensure effective consultation processes.
Activity/Month
Contract project coordinator
Convene Task Force, finalise work plan.
Identify need for consultants' assistance, develop TOR’s & recruit as appropriate
Ecotourism assessment will consult widely with stakeholders to
 stocktake existing functional capacity
 detail capacity building needs
 assess gaps, inconsistencies and potential for overlaps/duplication
 identify most appropriate capacity building mechanisms
 present detailed and specific recommendations to the Task Force.
 releases draft recommendations on Ecotourism for public review.
A national workshop to examine recommendations to ensure complementarity
and demonstrate consensus for the package of capacity building measures.
Task Force recommendations are submitted to relevant ministries, departments or
other organisations for action.
Workshops to prepare a second national report
Completion of an overview paper summarising capacity building needs for
ecotourism management in Belarus
Submission of Second national report to the Secretariat CBD
Establishment and operation of CHM
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Institutional Framework and Project Implementation
The add-on request will follow previous execution arrangements where by the Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment Protection with the support of National Academy of Sciences of
Belarus will be entrusted with project execution and implementation on behalf of UNEP/GEF
(Table 1). A small multi-disciplinary Task Force will be established within the Ministry itself to
guide national consultants in guiding the project, compiling information and conducting
assessments. This Task Force will review and approve the second national report ensuring that the
views that will be expressed at the national workshops are fully taken into account.
The Task Force will be responsible for prioritising the capacity building needs to be addressed by
the project. It will convene meetings to provide more detailed inputs and advice on each key theme
of the assessment of capacity building needs, and lead consultations with stakeholder groups.
UNEP will provide overall technical backstopping, and will monitor project implementation as per
UNEP rules and procedures.
The Project Coordinator will be responsible for the organisation of project meetings and national
workshops including the final workshop to review reports and recommendations.
This project will employ a Project Coordinator and an Administration/finance assistant to provide
secretarial, technical and administrative support to the Task Force including overseeing
consultants, circulation of discussion papers and draft reports, ensuring public awareness of project
activities, budget management and coordinating consultations and workshops. Project staff will
also prepare media releases and information materials to ensure stakeholder understanding of the
issues being debated and awareness of the respective duties and responsibilities of governmental
and non-governmental agencies.
Two national and one local workshop will review the second national report and the results of the
capacity building needs assessment to ensure complementarity and demonstrate consensus for a
package of capacity building measures. Following adoption of any specific recommendations,
public awareness activities will ensure broad understanding of the mechanisms being
recommended. The Project Coordinator also will be responsible for the submission of second
national report, to the Government for endorsement and dissemination through the government to
the CoP/CBD.
Consistency of Approach and Procedures
The Implementing Agency and the GEF focal point of Belarus have satisfied themselves that the
proposal for additional funding complies with the Operational Criteria for the expedited financing
of biodiversity enabling activities.
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BUDGET:
Cost Estimates For Additional Enabling Activities (Biodiversity)
(US$ 000)
PRODUCT
PROCESS
APPROVED EARLIER
(no entry required)
Original EA, less costs of CHM activities
CHM support (provided through add-on module or project itself)
Total approved support
ADDITIONAL REQUEST
Assessment of Capacity-building needs for
1. Implementation of measures for general insitu and ex-situ conservation and sustainable
use
2. Methodologies to evaluate and mitigate
specific threats to biodiversity components
3. Biosafety
4. Initial assessment and monitoring programs,
including taxonomy
5. Conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity important for agriculture
6. Incentive measures (for sustainable tourism)
7. Access to genetic resources, benefit-sharing
and formulation of mechanisms for these
purposes
8. Preservation/ maintenance of biodiversity
related knowledge of indigenous and local
communities embodying traditional lifestyles
Sub total
Participation in the clearing house mechanism
Sub total
Preparation of a 2nd national report to COP
Sub total
Total new request
TOTAL
81,300
81,300
20,000
30,000
50,000
73,700
50,000
123,700
0
10,000
20,000
90,000
10,000
20,000
183,700
93,700
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Table 1 Composition of the National Biodiversity Task Force
Leader
:
Members
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M.M. Pikulik, National Academy of Sciences (NAS) of Belarus,
Institute of Zoology of the NAS of Belarus
Institute of Zoology of the NAS of Belarus
RB Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection
Department of Affairs of the President of the Republic of Belarus
Institute of Problems of Use of Natural Resources and Ecology of the NAS of Belarus
Institute of Experimental Botany of the NAS of Belarus
Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the NAS of Belarus
Belarusian Institute of Town Planning
Belarusian Research Institute of Town Planning
Research Institute of Economic Problems of the RB Ministry of Economics
Belarusian State University
Belarusian Technological University
ANNEX A
Priority for Capacity Building Needs
Priority
Nature based
Tourism and
Recreational
activities
Reasons for Priority
Work to be done
Lack of technical knowledge on
which to base biodiversity
management decisions.
To reach assess role and current
status of nature based tourism
and recreational activities
(‘ecotourism’), review relevant
international experience, reach
consensus with respect to
monitoring priorities,
community involvement,
drafting tourism code of
conduct, protocols, data
management and design
principles.
Currently no national
mechanism to track and
maintain records of naturebased tourism and recreational
activities exist.
Belarus lacks facilities for
effective nature tourism
marketing, research, and
monitoring, and mitigation
plans to control adverse effects
of tourism etc
Product expected
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Capacity building action
plan for tourism and
recreation activity
Consensus on
responsibility & capacity
sharing opportunities
Training needs assessment
Technical needs
assessment
Detailed costings and
budgeting proposals
Task Force to review present
capacity, opportunities for
capacity & responsibility
sharing, and identify training,
technical & financial capacity
building needs.
Develop a national policy paper
on nature based tourism and
recreational activities
(‘ecotourism’).
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Priorities for Capacity Building Needs
Priority
Participation in
the CHM process
Reasons for Priority
Lack of a mechanism ensuring
prompt and timely decisionmaking, exchange in relevant
technologies and results of
scientific researches, and
biodiversity related initiatives
implementation process.
Currently no national CHM
Focal Point exists.
Belarus lacks finances for
obtaining and dissemination of
information on the status of
biodiversity.
Lack of adequately experienced
and trained staff.
Lack of a corresponding CHM
Internet site.
Work to be done
To review the existing
international CHM-related
experience, identify priorities
and designate the CHM National
Focal Point.
To conduct extensive
consultations with all the
stakeholders concerned on how
to establish the National CHM
and designate its Focal Point.
To conduct a workshop on the
development and follow-up
adoption of an Action Plan,
identification of the National
CHM priorities, and establishing
links with the CHM of the
Convention.
To provide technical support to
the National CHM, establish
close links to the relevant
National CHMs in the EEC and
NIS countries.
To provide on-the-job training in
use and management of the
Internet in view to facilitate
work on the project.
Collecting and analysis of
information for establishment of
the relevant Internet sites:
- review and analysis of
completed and on-going
projects on biodiversity;
- review of submitted and
approved biodiversity
related programmes and
projects;
- contact information on
Belarus' organisations
involved in biodiversity use
and management;
- special information for
experts, exporters and
international importers of
living things and derivatives
thereof.
To create 2 CDs on Red-listed
species of Belarus' fauna and
flora.
To publicize and disseminate
posters and booklets on
biodiversity and current
biodiversity threats.
Product expected
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National Action Plan on
the establishment of CHM
National CHM
Electronic database on
biodiversity
National CHM Internet site
Trained and duly qualified
staff
2 CDs on Belarus' Redlisted species of fauna and
flora
Booklets on biodiversity
and its threats
Workshops on the
establishment of National
CHM
National CHM duly
equipped with PCs and
communication tools.
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Annex C: Tourism in the Belarus NBSAP
Although tourism is mentioned in the section on anthropogenic threat in the Belarus NBSAP (see A below), the
potential for sustainable tourism to contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use is not developed (see B
below). A good deal of further consultation and consensus building will be required to fully utilise the potential of
responsible tourism as a positive influence on biodiversity conservation.
A. Tourism and recreation activities: Today we are in the process of assessing and restoring our cultural
and material heritage and of understanding the fact that Belarus possesses a unique eco-logical capital.
The basis of this capital are national parks, reserves and other protected areas. However, there are two
problems arising from their use for tourist purposes. The first problem is to maintain these areas for
tourism and protect them from economic activities. The second one is to protect these areas from
tourists themselves. Unorganised inflow of people may, by itself, become a factor for the destruction of
natural complexes.
The vagueness of legislation and insufficient effectiveness of the regulations as regards tourism and
recreational activities failing to balance the recreation pressure on natural ecosystems has a negative
influence on the status of the whole range of flora and fauna species.
B. Tourism and recreation
Definition of the priorities and strategic interests in the development of ecotourism and possible
forms of international co-operation.
Development of principles and mechanisms for the use of natural territories (including national
parks, reserves and monument of nature) for tourist and recreation purposes.
Licensing of ecotourism.
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