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
• 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
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!
Heifer Project
International in Ukraine
 Programme has been working in Ukraine since 1994
 Registered as an International Charitable Foundation
“Heifer Project International” (ICF “HPI”) in 2000
 Key objective in Ukraine: assisting rural communities,
small businesses in rural area, farmers and their
associations to raise the life standards and achieve selfsupport
 Offices – Kyiv (11 employees), Lviv (4 employees);
regional representatives in Crimea and Odessa
 50 projects since 2004.
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
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
Sustainability and Heifer
International Headquarters
Green Facts
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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
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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
Heifer International’s SD
efforts in the field
• Soil Conservation (incl.
vermiculture)
• Water Conservation
• Agro-biodiversity
• Agroforestry
• Indigenous Breeds of
Livestock
• Zero-grazing
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.”
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
SD principles in historical
traditions of Carpathians
• Ethnic diversity 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.
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.
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 generations loosing 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
Carpathian Convention
Unique agreement addressing exclusively mountain
ecosystems
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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
Carpathian Convention
Carpathian Convention provides:
• trans-national framework for cooperation
and multi-sectoral policy coordination,
including sustainable agriculture, rural
development and forestry
• platform for joint strategies and policies
for sustainable development
• forum for dialogue and permanent
communication between all stakeholders
involved
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
Purchased:
Passed-on:
64
24
Hutsul horse
64
25
Ukrainian Mountain Sheep
258
66
3. Rural tourism development projects (7 projects),
including EU INTERREG IIIB CADSES Carpathian Project and multi-component
projects
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
• 27-0801-01 Cattle 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)
Project on Dairy Goat Breeding in
Nelipyno
Zakarpattia, 2002-2006
RESULTS/ OUTCOMES:
1)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.
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 saplings were 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.
Eurasia Foundation project
“Demonstration Model of Sustainable
Development in Ukrainian Carpathians”
Budget: $70,465 (Heifer-Ukraine: $43,050, Eurasia Foundation: $27,415)
• Accommodation
Outputs of implemented project, which lasted only for 1 year (2004-2005):
Operating agrohouseholds
Received visitors, inds.
Beginning
38
1220
End
59
2250
Difference
21
1030
Households’ owners received additional income of $2,277 from 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)
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.
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, Ukraine and Czech 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.
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 strategies and 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
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
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).
Partners of INTERREG IIIB CADSES
Carpathian
Project
Austria
Poland
Italy
Hungary
• UNEP Vienna ISCC •RTI Polska
•Retecamere
•Hungarian
• WWF DCP
•Podkarpackie
•EURAC
Academy of
• Austrian Institute of region
Sciences - Centre
East and Southeast •UNEP GRID
Greece
for Regional
Warsaw
European Studies
Prefecture Authority
Studies
•Institute of
of Drama - Kavala –
•CEEWEB
Urban
Czech Republic
Xanthi
Development
University of
Slovakia
•Institute of
Olomouc
•REC Slovakia
Spatial and
•Academia
Cadastral
Germany
Istropolitana
Ukraine
Systems
ISF Munich
Bratislava
Heifer-Ukraine
(Social Research
Romania
Institute)
Urbanproiect Bucharest
Carpathian Convention:
Secretariat, WGs
Our partners in Carpathian region, Ukraine
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
International orgs/ NGOs
Funding institutions
•European Commission
Delegation to Ukraine
•Eurasia Fund
ASCs
“Gasda"
“Nelypinskiy"
“Promin"
“Silskiy Hospodar"
“Fenix"
“Flora"
Local municipalities
•Union for Promotion of Rural
Green Tourism Development
in Ukraine (and its Lviv, IvanoFrankivsk, 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”…
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
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 ABC Alpine
experience-Balkan future-Carpathian
opportunity project