Project summary
Strengthening the capacity of NGOs to create and use Wild Bird Indicators as tools to affect policy change for the achievement of the Convention of Biological Diversity and European Union targets to halt biodiversity loss by 2010.
Funded by GEF / SGP
Short name of the project: SEED Bird Indicators
Project partners:
Bulgaria: Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds /BirdLife Bulgaria – executing NGO
Belarus: Akhova Ptushak Belarusi / BirdLife Belarus
Macedonia: Macedonian Ecological Society
Romania: Romanian Ornithological Society / BirdLife Romania
Turkey: Doğa Derneği (Nature Society) / BirdLife Affiliate in Turkey
Poland: Polish Society for the Protection of Birds / BirdLife Poland
Lithuania: Lithuanian Ornithological Society / BirdLife Lithuania
PECBM (EBCC – BirdLife): Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme
(PECBM) is the initiative of European Bird Census Council (EBCC) and BirdLife
International.
Duration of the project:
2 years (September 2006 - September 2008)
Project estimated total budget:
$316.212,32 (includes all sources of funding)
Requested amount from GEF /SGP:
$ 146.626,32
Anticipated co-financing:
$ 121.746,00– in cash (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Black Vulture
Conservation Foundation)
$ 47.840,00– in kind (BSPB, OTOP, LOD, APB, DD, ROS)
Prepared by S. Barova and S. Spasov
October 2006

Project summary
Project purpose:
To work towards capacity strengthening of NGOs to create policy change in biodiversity conservation by creating and using EU accepted wild bird indicators. The project will improve capacity of the partner NGOs in Belarus, Bulgaria, Macedonia,
Romania, Turkey, Poland and Lithuania to implement citizen science projects, especially Common Bird Monitoring (CBM) and will raise awareness among relevant government institutions about wild bird indicators as a meaningful and scientifically robust way of progress towards achieving their obligations under the Convention on
Biological Diversity and other international treaties.
Project outcomes:
I.
Shared experience and increased knowledge across the countries involved for establishing and running a Common Bird Monitoring (CBM) scheme as a successful citizen based science initiative that is able to produce scientifically accurate and meaningful biodiversity impact indicators based on wild bird populations.
II.
Enhanced coordination between projects, programmes, sector agencies and organisations at all levels, leading to improved cooperation, communication and lesson learning for conservation of biodiversity.
III.
An appropriate and receptive policy environment established in each of the participating countries that is supportive of CBM, the results of which are indicative for and addressed and acknowledged by the national and sectoral policy and planning processes that influences the birds and the biological diversity in general by contributing to the PECBM scheme in creation and delivering policy relevant and scientifically robust indicators of bird populations, and hence biodiversity, for Europe.
IV.
Partnerships formed and a network established between involved NGOs, governmental agencies and academic circles to ensure the sustainability of running
CBM schemes, with improved capacity in the countries without CBM schemes and to set up international census plots where capacity for local schemes is missing.
V.
A general awareness and a supportive constituency formed to improve the operation of the CBM schemes in those countries which already have running schemes and their national official recognition and adoption on state level.
Outputs and activities:
The countries involved in the project are on a different level in terms of CBM scheme implementation and are thus divided into three major groups:
Prepared by S. Barova and S. Spasov
October 2006

Project summary
Group 1: Belarus, Turkey and Macedonia which do not have CBM schemes.
The main activities for this group are capacity assessment of the countries to start and implement full scheme or international census plots, training workshops, establishing international census plots and sending the data to the PECBM preparation of simple bird guides on local languages and information materials about CBM etc.
Group 2: Romania and Lithuania which have running CBM schemes but the Romanian scheme surveys a limited number of species and has a small number of sample plots and the Lithuanian scheme faces difficulties in data processing and also has a small number of sample plots.
The main activities of this group are producing information materials about CBM, indicators, simple bird guides etc., capacity building workshops and forums for decision makers, Preparation of old data from the national CBM scheme in digital form and sending the data to the PECBM, establishment of new census routes.
Group 3: Bulgaria and Poland which have full running CBM schemes but still do not have a full coverage of all regions and need to improve the knowledge of field workers.
The ,main activities for the group are producing information materials for participants and policy makers; producing an annual detailed report with the results from the CBM scheme and distributing it among relevant ministries, agencies, local inspectorates, municipality etc.; Develop the capacity for producing reports for each NUTS region (trends and/or densities of given bird species); 'audit' of national policy & legislation use of CBM outputs, capacity building workshops etc.; Setting up a system to collect field ornithological data form the volunteers via Internet etc.
The activities under the project and the expected outputs are focused on filling critical gaps in the functioning of the CBM scheme and in applying the Wild Bird Indicators as well as in bringing the three groups to the same level. In this connection close cooperation with decision makers is a key activity under the project, especially for the countries in group 2 and 3 because the successful application of Wild Bird Indicators and policy change in productive landscapes and sectors is related to the official recognition of CBM scheme results on a state level.
Prepared by S. Barova and S. Spasov
October 2006

Project summary
Outputs and activities Group 1: Turkey, Macedonia and Belarus
Outputs Activities Period of implementation and comments
Output 1. A needs assessment report based on the capacity and ability of the countries to implement full monitoring schemes and/or international census plots.
Output 2 Improved capacity for implementation citizen science projects (trained national/regional coordinators).
Activity 1.1 Assessing the capability of those countries to start and implement full schemes and/or international census plots
(feasibility study that will assess potential for coordination, potential of volunteers for fieldwork, potential for financial resources in long-term perspective).
Activity 1.2 Capacity building workshops (training the trainers) – presenting the idea and importance of wild bird populations as biodiversity indicators. Methodological background of the CBM schemes. Establishing and operating of CBM scheme. Export and sharing expertise and experience between countries on survey design, operation, reporting, network building, capacity building
- using bird populations as biodiversity indicators etc.
Activity 1.3 Establishing international census plots and sending the data to the PECBM.
Output 3 Surveyed international census plots in order to contribute to the PECBM and future full CBM.
Output 4 Raised awareness among target groups (relevant government authorities, academic circles, NGOs) of CBM and bird indicators
(produced and distributed information materials).
Activity 1.4 Producing information materials about biodiversity indicators and CBM scheme and delivering them to the governments and especially authorities responsible for EU integration, local authorities, nature conservation NGO’s etc.
Activity 1.5 Producing simple bird guides for common species in native languages.
Outputs and activities Group 2: Romania and Lithuania
Outputs Activities
Nov – Dec 2006
Feb – Apr. 2007
Apr – July 2007
Apr – Jul 2008
Aug-Nov 2007
Mar – May 2008
Nov – Feb 2007
Period of implementation and comments
Prepared by S. Barova and S. Spasov
October 2006

Project summary
Output 5 All relevant state institutions are aware that CBM scheme is running already and the scheme is officially recognized by the government (relevant institutions).
Output 6 Advocacy forum took place with the participation of all relevant organizations/ institutions.
Output 7 Raised awareness among target groups (decision makers, scientific communities, NGO’s and the wide public) of CBM and bird indicators
Output 8 Increased number of volunteers in the regions that are not covered properly, improved knowledge of the field workers in bird and habitat identification and methodology in general. New national census routes are surveyed.
Activity 2.1
Preparing and fulfilling a
Communication Strategy
“Wild Bird Populations as policy relevant and scientifically robust biodiversity indicators” – target groups are decision makers, scientific communities, NGO’s and the wide public.
Activity 2.2 Improving the
CBM schemes coverage and fieldworkers knowledge through:
2.1.1.Organizing national advocacy forum before the policy makers on biodiversity indicators based on wild bird population trends
2.1.2.
Producing information materials about biodiversity indicators and
CBM scheme and delivering them to the governments, local authorities, nature conservation NGO’s etc.
Oct – Nov 2007
Dec – Feb 2007
Feb – May 2008
2.2.1. Capacity building workshops in order to improve the knowledge of the fieldworkers and to attract new volunteers (wider public involvement)
2.2.2. Producing and distributing information materials about CBM among target groups of potential new observers (students, local groups of members that did not take part in the CBM, volunteers from other nature conservation NGOs)
Feb - May 2007
Feb – May 2008
Dec – Mar 2007
Jan – Mar 2008
Prepared by S. Barova and S. Spasov
October 2006

Project summary
Output 9
All CBM data computerized and sent to PECBM.
2.2.3.
Producing and distributing methodological instructions, filed forms and maps among the observers
2.2.4.
Producing and distributing basic bird guides and CDs with bird songs for beginners
2.2.5.
Establishing new national census routes
Activity 2.3 Preparation of old data from the national CBM scheme in digital form and sending the data to the PECBM
Oct 2006– Feb 2007
Jul – Oct 2007
Apr – June 2007
Apr – June 2008
June 2007 – Feb 2008
Prepared by S. Barova and S. Spasov
October 2006

Project summary
Outputs and activities Group 3: Bulgaria and Poland
Outputs Activity
Output 10 All relevant state institutions are aware that CBM scheme is running already and the scheme is officially recognized by the government.
Output 11 Advocacy forum took place with the participation of all relevant organizations/ institutions.
Output 12 Annual CBM report is produced and distributed among target organizations/ institutions.
Output 13 CBM results are published in the CHM website/paper materials.
Output 14 The capacity of each region is assessed. Local partnerships to cover coverage gaps established.
Activity 3.1 Preparing and fulfilling a Communication
Strategy “Wild Bird
Populations as policy relevant and scientifically robust biodiversity indicators” – target groups are decision makers, scientific communities,
NGO’s and the wide public
3.1.1.
Organizing international/national advocacy forum before the policy makers on biodiversity indicators based on wild bird population trends
3.1.2
Producing an annual detailed report with the results from the CBM scheme and distributing it among relevant ministries, agencies, local inspectorates, municipality etc.
3.1.3.
Develop the capacity for producing reports for each NUTS region
(trends and/or densities of given bird species)
3.1.4.
Publicizing and making available the CBM results through the
Clearing House Mechanism (CHM)
Period of implementation and comments
Sep – Dec 2007
Nov 2007 – Mar 2008
Mar – June 2007
Mar – June 2008
Jul – Oct 2007
Jul – Aug 2008
Prepared by S. Barova and S. Spasov
October 2006

Project summary
Output 15
Increased number of volunteers in the regions that are not covered properly, improved knowledge of the field workers in bird and habitat identification and methodology in general.
Activity 3.2
Strengthening the existing
CBM schemes through:
3.2.1. Capacity building workshops in order to improve the knowledge of the fieldworkers and to attract new volunteers (wider public involvement), especially in the regions/habitats which are not covered properly (NUTS regions as well)
3.2.2. Producing and distributing information materials about CBM among target groups (students, local groups of BSPB members that did not take part in the CBM, volunteers from other nature conservation NGOs, local authorities, Regional inspectorate of environment and water, Nature and
National Parks directorates etc.)
3.2.3 Producing and distributing methodological instructions, filed forms and maps among the observers
3.2.4. Producing and distributing basic bird guides and CDs with bird songs for beginners (Bulgaria only)
3.2.5. Producing and distributing
CBM newsletter for fieldworkers and relevant state authorities
(Bulgaria only)
Mar – May 2007
Mar – May 2008
Jan – June 2007
Dec 2007 – May 2008
Oct 2006 – Apr 2007
Jun – Sep 2007
Sep – Oct 2006
Mar – May 2007
Sep – Oct 2007
Mar – May 2008
Prepared by S. Barova and S. Spasov
October 2006

Project summary
Output 16
The farmland bird indicator is available (sent to the National
Institute of Statistics)
Output 17
National policy and legislation are reviewed, the weaknesses are identified and list with suggestions for refining is produced.
Activity 3.3
Feeding up the EU
Structural indicator for farmland birds
3.2.6. Setting up a system to collect field ornithological data form the volunteers via Internet.
3.3.1. Analyzing the CBM data for farmland birds and sending the results to the National Institute of
Statistics.
Activity 3.4
'Audit' of national policy & legislation use of CBM outputs. There are many policy documents, national legislation documents, which require results of bird monitoring. In many cases such different requirements are considered at national level separately without proper coordination. If such an 'audit' was done, we can show to national governments that CBM can contribute to suite of policy/legislation requirements. Such audit could list all relevant policies/legislation at national level, their requirements and relevance of CBM data to them.
May-Jul 2008
Sep – Oct 2006
Sep – Oct 2007
June-Jul 2007
Oct 2006-Feb 2007
Sep – Dec 2007
Output 18 Better attitude to the CBM scheme and its results among scientific and academic circles.
Activity 3.5 Establishment of collaboration with ecology and biology departments of Universities for research based on CBM results, capacity building (recruiting university students), and raising the credibility of CBM in academic circles.
Activity 3.6 Setting up a project website Output 19 Information about the project and CBM schemes in general available in the project website.
Oct – Dec 2006
Prepared by S. Barova and S. Spasov
October 2006

PROJECT TIMETABLE
2006
Responsible
2007 2008
Project summary
1.1. CCP (MES, DD, APB) +
PC
1.2 CCP (MES, DD, APB) +
PC
1.3 CCP (MES, DD, APB) +
PC
1.4 CCP (MES, DD, APB) +
LC
1.5 CCP (MES, DD, APB) +
PC
Prepared by S. Barova and S. Spasov
October 2006

Project summary
2006 2007 2008
Activities group 2
Responsible
2.3
2.1
2.2
2.1.1 CCP (LOD) +
PC
2.1.2 CCP (LOD) +
LOD, ROS
2.2.1 CCP (LOD) +
LOD, ROS
2.2.2 CCP (LOD) +
LOD, ROS
2.2.3 CCP (LOD) +
LOD, ROS
2.2.4 CCP (LOD) +
LOD, ROS
2.2.5 CCP (LOD) +
LOD, ROS
CCP (LOD) +
LOD, ROS
Prepared by S. Barova and S. Spasov
October 2006

Project summary
2006 2007 2008
Activity
Group 3
Responsible
3.1 3.1.1
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.2
3.1.4
3.2.1
3.2.2
3.3
3.2.3
3.2.4
3.2.5
3.2.6
3.3.1
PC + CBMC (BSPB,
OTOP) + BSPB,
OTOP
PC + CBMC (BSPB,
OTOP) + BSPB,
OTOP
CBMC (BSPB,
OTOP) + PC +
BSPB, OTOP
PC + CCP (OTOP) +
BSPB, OTOP
CBMC (BSPB,
OTOP) + PC +
BSPB, OTOP
CBMC (BSPB,
OTOP) + PC +
BSPB, OTOP
CBMC
OTOP)
(BSPB,
CBMC
OTOP)
(BSPB,
CBMC (BSPB,
OTOP)
CBMC (BSPB,
OTOP)
CBMC (BSPB,
Prepared by S. Barova and S. Spasov
October 2006

Project summary
3.4
3.5
OTOP)
PC + CCP (OTOP) +
BSPB, OTOP
PC + CCP (OTOP) +
CBMC (BSPB, OTOP)
+ BSPB, OTOP
3.6
ACRONMYMS FOR RESPONSIBLES: CCP – country contact person; PC – project coordinator; LC – local consultant; CBMC – common bird monitoring coordinator; BSPB – Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds; LOD – Lithuanian Ornithological Society;
ROS – Romanian Ornithological Society; DD – Doga Dernegy (Turkey); OTOP – Polish Society for the Protection of Birds; MES –
Macedonian Ecological Society; APB - Akhova Ptushak Batskaushchyny.
Prepared by S. Barova and S. Spasov
October 2006