PROJECT IDENTIFICATION FORM (PIF)
PROJECT TYPE: Full-sized Project
TYPE OF TRUST FUND:GEF Trust Fund
PART I: PROJECT INFORMATION
Project Title:
Country:
GEF Agency:
Other Executing
Partner(s):
GEF Focal Area (s):
Integrated approach pilot
Conservation-oriented management of forests and wetlands to achieve multiple benefits
Belarus
7993
GEF Project ID:
UNDP
5495
GEF Agency Project ID:
Ministry of Environment and Natural
December
23, 2014
Submission Date:
Resources, Ministry of Forestry
Multi-focal area
60
Project Duration (mths):
IAP-Cities
IAP-Commodities
IAP-Food Security
Corporate Program: SGP
Name of parent program:
NA
Agency fee ($)
405,038
A. INDICATIVE FOCAL AREA STRATEGY FRAMEWORK AND OTHER PROGRAM STRATEGIES:
Objectives/Programs (Focal Areas, Integrated Approach Pilot,
Corporate Programs)
BD-1 Program 1
LD-3 Program 4
CCM-2 Program 4
SFM-1
SFM-3
Total Project Cost
Trust Fund
GEFTF
GEFTF
GEFTF
GEFTF
GEFTF
(in $)
GEF Project
Financing
1,954,132
444,121
444,121
421,187
1,000,000
4,263,561
Co-financing
5,000,000
1,200,000
2,750,000
3,800,000
1,350,000
14,100,000
B. INDICATIVE PROJECT DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
Project Objective: To introduce conservation-centered and financially self-sustainable approach to management of forests and
wetlands bearing internationally important biodiversity and important for climate and land integrity
Project Outcomes1
Project
Financing
Trust
(in $)
Component
Type
Fund GEF Project
CoFinancing
financing
Component 1.
INV
Outcome 1.1 Increased financial self sufficiency of globally
GEFTF
Improved
important PAs and private sector engagement in Protected Area
financial
revenue generation resulting from business plans developed and
sustainability
launched for key biodiversity areas (280,500 ha, home to IUCN
and
threatened European Bison, Greater Spotted Eagle, Aquatic
management
Warbler, etc.),
effectiveness
of forest and
wetland
biotopes in
globally
important
protected
areas
(280,500 ha)
Outcome 1.2 The effectiveness of management of forest
resources increased within the protected habitat of globally
threatened European Bison improved over 50,000 ha through
introduction of mosaic forest planning, helping to raise
productivity of the natural meadows and forests through
involvement of local communities.
1,725,658
6,400,000
Outcome 1.3 Financially self-sustainable wetland and woody
(shrubs, willow) biomass harvesting and processing program
launched over 2,000 ha/y in partnership with private sector at
three key PAs improving the status of habitat of over 50% of
the global populations of the Aquatic Warbler and Greater
Spotted Eagle,
Outcome 1.4 Financial sustainability of key Ramsar sites
supported through a community based cranberry picking and
processing program at Olmany mires, sustainable livestock
management at Turov Lug and community-based eco- and agro-
1
Details of outcomes and outputs are described further in the text. Ecological indicators of incremental values are described in the section on
Global Benefits.
1
tourism at several sites.
Component INV
II.
Sustainable
forest and
wetland
ecosystem
management
in buffer
zones and
economic
landscapes
adjacent to
Protected
Areas
Component
III. Forest
and wetland
restoration,
targeted
threat and
status
research and
monitoring
of globally
important
species
TA
Outcome 2.1 Changed paradigm of forest management at areas
with internationally important biodiversity introduced across
150,000 ha outside PAs: biodiversity-important forests
identified and mapped, forest management plans updated with
inclusion of biodiversity-conservation requirements; speciesfocussed forest management activities launched (change of
logging regimes; change of timing of vehicle and human
passage, promotion of mosaic reforestation, etc.); foresters
trained in maintaining and enforcing the protection regimes at
these sites.
GEFTF
1,319,219
5,000,000
1,015,657
2,000,000
Outcome 2.2 Degradation of peatland forests prevented as a
result of: complete up-to-date stocktaking and decision-making
mechanism for 250,000 ha of the drained and degrading
peatland forests across the country.
GEFTF
Outcome 3.1 Degraded habitat of Aquatic Warbler, Greater
Spotted Eagle, Great Snipe and other Ramsar bird species
restored over 1,500 ha within selected Protected Areas through
control of the spread of willows and invasive vascular plants,
assisted re-vegetation (with native Sedge species), and water
table regulation.
Outcome 3.2 The genetic status of Nalibokskaia Puscha micro
population of the European Bison improved through a program
on the exchange of individuals across micro-populations
Outcome 3.3 Populations of globally threatened Aquatic
Warbler supported through placement of fledglings (relocated
from neighboring micro-populations) at the restored wetland
sites
Outcome 3.4 Population of the globally threatened Greater
Spotted Eagle strengthened through artificial nests, regulation of
the disturbance factor and advocacy activities with local
communities
Outcome 3.5 Up to date research on and monitoring of
population status, trends, threats and conservation needs for
IUCN threatened species present in Belarus, as well a
monitoring of soil and ground water table condition, carbon
emissions avoided and carbon sequestered through project
interventions.
Subtotal
Project management cost
Total project costs
4,060,534
203,027
4,263,561
13,400,000
700,000
14,100,000
C. INDICATIVE SOURCES OF CO-FINANCING FOR THE PROJECT BY NAME AND BY TYPE IF AVAILABLE
Sources of Cofinancing
Name of Co-financier
Recipient Government
Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources
Recipient Government
Recipient Government
Other
GEF Agency
Other
Ministry of Forestry
Ministry of Energy
National Academy of Sciences
UNDP
Life AW
Total Co-financing
Type of Cofinancing
Grant
In-kind
Grant
In-kind
Grant
Grant
Grant
Amount ($)
9,000,000
100,000
2,000,000
200,000
300,000
1,500,000
1,000,000
14,100,000
D. INDICATIVE TRUST FUND RESOURCES REQUESTED BY AGENCY (IES), FOCAL AREA(S), COUNTRY(IES), AND
PROGRAMMING OF FUNDS
Country/
(in $)
Focal Area
2
GEF
Agency
Trust
Fund
UNDP
GEF
UNDP
GEF
UNDP
GEF
UNDP
GEF
Total GEF resources
Regional/Globa
l
Belarus
Belarus
Belarus
Belarus
Program
GEF Project Agency Fee
ming of Financing (a)
(b)
funds
SFM
Biodiversity
Climate Change
Land Degradation
Total (c)=a+b
1,421,187
1,954,132
444,121
444,121
135,013
185,643
42,191
42,191
1,556,200
2,139,775
486,312
486,312
4,263,561
405,038
4,668,599
E. PROJECT PREPARATION GRANT (PPG)
Is Project Preparation Grant requested? Yes
PPG AMOUNT REQUESTED BY AGENCY(IES), TRUST FUND, COUNTRY(IES) AND THE PROGRAMMING OF FUNDS
(in $)
GEF
Agency
Trust
Fund
UNDP
GEFTF
UNDP
GEFTF
UNDP
GEFTF
UNDP
GEFTF
Total PPG Amount
Country/
Regional/Global
Belarus
Belarus
Belarus
Belarus
Focal Area
Programming of
Funds
PPG (a)
SFM
Biodiversity
Climate Change
Land Degradation
40,000
55,000
12,500
12,500
120,000
Agency
Fee (b)
3,800
5,225
1,188
1,188
11,401
Total
(c) = a +
b
43,800
60,225
13,688
13,688
131,401
F. PROJECT’S TARGET CONTRIBUTIONS TO GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
4.
Corporate Results
1. Maintain globally significant biodiversity
and the ecosystem goods and services that
it provides to society
2. Sustainable land management in
production systems (agriculture,
rangelands, and forest landscapes)
3. Promotion of collective management of
transboundary water systems and
implementation of the full range of policy,
legal, and institutional reforms and
investments contributing to sustainable use
and maintenance of ecosystem services
Replenishment Targets
Improved management of landscapes and
seascapes covering 300 million hectares
Project Targets
280,500 ha*
120 million hectares under sustainable land
management
330,000 ha**
Water-food-ecosystems security and conjunctive
management of surface and groundwater in at
least 10 freshwater basins;
(Enter number of
freshwater basins)
20% of globally over-exploited fisheries (by
volume) moved to more sustainable levels
(Enter percent of
fisheries, by volume)
4. Support to transformational shifts
towards a low-emission and resilient
development path
5. Increase in phase-out, disposal and
reduction of releases of POPs, ODS,
mercury and other chemicals of global
concern
750 million tons of CO2e mitigated (include both
direct and indirect)
2,382,740 tCO2eq/10years***
Disposal of 80,000 tons of POPs (PCB, obsolete
pesticides)
(Enter number of
tons)
Reduction of 1000 tons of Mercury
(Enter number of
tons)
Phase-out of 303.44 tons of ODP (HCFC)
(Enter number of
tons)
Development and sectoral planning frameworks
integrate measurable targets drawn from the
MEAs in at least 10 countries
(Enter number of
countries)
6. Enhance capacity of countries to
implement MEAs (multilateral
environmental agreements) and
mainstream into national and sub-national
3
policy, planning financial and legal
frameworks
Functional environmental information systems
are established to support decision-making in at
least 10 countries
(Enter number of
countries)
* The project improves forest and wetland management at key biodiversity areas with a total area of 280,500 ha.
** Through Activity 2.1 the project improves the status of 150,000 ha of forest landscape. Further, through Activity 2.2 it improve
the condition of soil and ground water in peatlands forests at 250,000 ha. Since some of these areas are targeted by both activiteis,
there is about 70,000 ha overlap. Therfore, the total effect on wetland and forest landscapes is 250,000 + 150,000 – 70,000 =
330,000 ha.
*** Covers:
- benefit of avoided deforestation resulting from revision of logging practices introduced under Output 2.1. Accounted for under FAO Exact
Model, module LUC Deforestation
- benefit of peatland forest restoration, resulting from Output 2.2. Accounted for under FAO Exact Model, modules 5.1 and 5.2
- benefit of open peatland restoration, resulting from Output 3.2. Accounted for under FAO Exact Model, module 5.2
- benefit of improved grassland management at Turov Lug, Output 1.4. FAO Exact Model, module 4.1.2 (grasslands systems remaining grassland
systems)
- benefit of replacement of fossil fuels with peatland biomass, produced by Output 1.3. FAO Model not applicable. Research of German and
Belarus scientists. Harvesting biomass and production of grassland pellets replace fossil fuel at a rate of 15.6 tCO2/ha. The project will harvest
biomass for pellet production within its life (4 years) at an area of 2,000. The direct effect therefore is 31,200 tCO2-eq avoided. In 10 years
accounting period, used otherwise in the FAO model, this means 31,200*2.5 = 78,000 tCO2 avoided.
Total accounted for by FAO Model (spreadsheets available on request) = 2,304,740.
+ Peatland biomass harvesting benefit = 78,000.
Grand Total = 2,382,740.
PART II: PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
PROJECT OVERVIEW
A.1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION
A.1.1 Global environmental problems, and drivers of environmental degradation that need to be addressed
Overview of values
Belarus has 16 Ramsar Sites, three Biosphere Reserves and 51 Important Bird Areas. The forests and wetlands of
Belarus are home to populations of 25 IUCN-VU and CR species, including substantial populations of (% of global
population in parenthesis) European bison Bison bonasus (VU) (24.3%); Aquatic warbler Acrocephalus paludicola
(VU) (25.8-43.0%), Greater spotted eagle Aquilla clanga (VU) (10.9-12.3%), as well as NT species sucha as Great
snipe Gallinago media (NT) (3%), Black-tailed godwit Limosa limosa (NT) (8%), Eurasian curlew Numenius arquata
(NT) (0,3%). The European Bison is the largest land-based mammal of Palearctic, and the last and only representative
of wild bison in Europe. It is symbol of the country and the flagship species. The dominant ecosystems in Belarus are
forests and wetlands, covering 8.6 mln ha (39.3% percent of the country) and 0.86 mln ha correspondingly. Belarus
hosts a divide between two geobotanic regions: the region of European Broad-Leafed Forests and the region of
Eurasian Coniferous Forests. The northern part of the country spans large coniferous woods and numerous lakes, bogs,
and rivers. The central part hosts vast agricultural and industrial landscapes. The southern part, also known as the
woodlands, is well known for its fen and transition mires, broad-leafed forests, crisscrossed by Flatland Rivers with
extremely waterlogged floodplains.
Drivers of degradation
Effectivenss and sustainability of management of forest and wetland ecosystems in globally important protected areas
is inadequate with respect to protection of species
The key wetland and forest sites bearing globally important biodiversity (target of the project) cover about 280,000 ha.
These are: Nalibokskaia Puscha, Belavezhskaia Puscha, including Dikoe reserve, Zvanets, Sporovo, Mid Pripyat,
Olmany wetlands, Servech, Turov Lug. As of 2014, 16 sites have management plans in place, including those with
international significance. The management plans stipulate priority conservation actions needed for optimal
management and non-deterioration of the internationally important biodiversity. However, the declaration of the
conservation priority is still not embedded in forest and wetland management practice in key PAs.
The forests in PAs and around PAs where European Bison populations exist have been managed in a way which has
left very little open space between vast massifs. The Bison requires those spaces, and needs them to have high
4
production; in their absence the bison moved in many cases to agricultural fields for food, resulting in conflicts with
agricultural enterprises and local farmers. The openings in fact used to exist in most of the forests populated by the
European Bison, but due to the fact that they have not been maintained as openings, they have overgrown and lost the
original vegetation composition. Mosaic forest planning and management in the habitat of the European Bison is one of
the main prerequisites to maintain its population. A financially sustainable mechanism for creation or restoration of
meadows within forests, accompanied by carefully designed paths and observation points (for research and tourism
purposes) needs to become a standard forest management approach in such areas, which will help to sustain the food
base of this species, which is associated with meadow communities and their productivity in spring and fall.
Many forest PAs with globally important biodiversity, are attractive sites for internal and international tourism and
recreation. Yet, by recent assessment this potential is not taken full advantage of. Private eco- and agro-tourism
developed widely in the past 5 years, with many local farmers now hosting tourists on week-ends, holidays or business
trips. Yet, while bordering on PAs, only very few have established a link to PAs. The tourism sector, and local
communities engaged in it, lack appropriate marketing and promotion approaches as well as thoroughly conceptualised
revenue-sharing mechanism with the conservation sector. By independent assessment, with appropriate marketing and
revenue sharing mechanisms involving local communities, tourism for European Bison, Aquatic Warbler, and other
flagship species could raise the PA income by at least 15%.
In wetland PAs, the key cause of the loss of habitat is linked to disruptions in the ground water table and negative
vegetation successions (overgrowth of open wetlands with shrubs (including invasive species), willows and reeds).
Passive protection alone (formal designation, limiting mining, agriculture or other resource extractive activities),
therefore does not lead to optimal conservation status of these sites. The biodiversity value of open fens and bogs of
Belarus is the result of long-term human-nature interaction. Before 1950s, i.e. before large areas were drained, reeds,
shrubs and woody vegetation would be prevented from emergence by local people who would cut peatland vegetation
by hand for hay. Once large neighboring areas had been drained in the mid-1950s, local farmers got easy access to
large neighboring newly dry areas for hay-making, and so cutting of un-drained peatlands fell dramatically as a result,
and by 2012 virtually ceased. Although shrubs and woody vegetation are alien to open peatlands, when they emerge
and when people do not cut them, their proliferation can be very quick. This is because drainage of surrounding areas
leads to lowering of the groundwater table and changes in the nutrient structure of soil and water in a way which favors
the spread of shrubs and trees. By 2012, the proliferation of shrubs and trees onto open fens and bogs has grown to a
dramatic extent, threatening the very existent of open fen and bog peatlands as a biotope. This negative succession of
vegetation entails disappearance of unique species of flora and fauna found only on open peatlands. The populations of
threatened bird species such as Great Snipe, Curlew and Aquatic Warbler have been badly affected by this process.
These species are indicators of the overall health of the peatland ecosystems, and their decline signifies the overall
degradation of the peatlands they breed in. Furthermore, the proliferation of shrubs and undergrowth in the peatland
floodplains of the Pripyat river has become so dense that it has started to block the stream of the river, leading to higher
levels of spring floods and more devastating consequences for infrastructure and dwellings along the river.
Uncontrolled expansion of shrubby and woody biomass at Belarusian peatlands has been increasing over the past 30
years. These sites bear over 30% of the global populations of Aquatic Warbler and Greater Spotted Eagle, and their
loss means the loss of the global population. As an example, in Zvanets, proliferation of shrubs led to a drop in Aquatic
Warbler from 5,500 to 2,300 signing mails, which is over 60% decline. Similar trends have been observed in Servech,
Sporovo and Dikoe. Therefore, active conservation management (physical removal of shrubs at large scale) is required
to maintain the health of peatland ecosystems.
With limited funding from the baseline PA program and international projects, the vegetation in some of the wetland
PAs was being managed for one or two years, but when funding ceased, the areas started to quickly overgrow again.
Overgrowth by willow, shrubs and reed resulted in drastic declines in populations of Aquatic Warbler and other birds
covered by the Ramsar conventions. The issue therefore is in finding a long-term sustainable mechanism that would
help the PAs to manage the vegetation in wetland PAs on an ongoing basis. When the management plans were
designed, little attention was given to finding partnerships with local farmers or businesses to make this happen. There
was a lack of analysis of the costs and benefits of harvesting, processing and using wetland biomass as fuel, which is
the crux of the issue. In the country, overall, there is lack of expertise in using wetland biomass as alternative fuel.
Inadequate forest management of biodiversity important areas outside PAs
Mature broad-leaf and small-leaf forests, as well as peatland forests play an important role in maintaining the high
biological diversity. At the same time, these forest categories are mostly production forests; the logging regimes
followed in them mostly take no account of the presence of biodiversity, and hence present a major threat to the habitat
5
of many species. Forest communities with dominance of mature oak, ash and asp trees are currently shrinking. Of all
forests, mature forest stands cover just 12%, and therefore demand attention with respect to forestry regimes, assisted
regeneration, and maintenance of biodiversity in them. Very few of these forests are currently protected. Belarus has a
relatively high share of certified forests. Despite the fact that over 50% of productive forests of Belarus are certified
under the FSC or the European Certification scheme, biodiversity values are not accounted for properly in the
management of forests. There are about 150,000 ha of such forests, where forest management plans need to be
adjusted to take cognizance of the biodiversity values that these forests have. But there is a deficit of technologies for
effective (from conservation and financial perspective) use of forest and wetland resources in harmony with
biodiversity conservation principles. One of the root-causes of this is the missing information on the distribution of
globally important species in forests. In the process of forest use planning, only National Red Data book species
(census as of early 1980s) are taken into account. Changes in the distribution ranges of many bird species are not
considered; distribution of numerous rare plants is ignored. In the course of the past 10 years there were multiple cases
when logging took place in what later turned out to be a rare biotope / habitat of a globally important species (e.g.
Greater Spotted Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Black Stork, Eagle Owl, and Capercailzie). Lack of data collection,
identification techniques, poor knowledge of the value and conservation approaches to protection and wise
management of such habitats in the forest sector are key weakness of the status-quo. There is no mechanism for
officially assigning a protection status to such forest habitats. For example, the status of the European Bison and
Greater Spotted Eagle depend not only on protection of nesting sites and mating areas. Foraging grounds, such as open
meadows and grasslands adjacent to forests, are equally important as they are key trophic biotopes of these species, and
hence need to be protected too. As another example, agricultural activities in fields adjacent to nesting sites of birds-ofprey need to ensure non-disturbance during the breeding season.
Large areas of drained forest peatlands have lost their productive capacity and can no longer be used gainfully for
forestry. A drop in the water table by 0.5-0.7 meters, as a result of drainage, has brought about changes in vegetation
structure and the disappearance of valuable vegetation associations, impoverishment of the species composition, loss of
organic content, release of carbon through mineralization (5-22 tC/ha/y) , loss of local livelihoods (berries, mushrooms,
fish nurseries, hunting). Belarus has a substantial population of the Great snipe (NT); this species depends on presence
of open bogs amidst forests. The bogs need to be maintained so that their overgrowth is avoided (through regulation of
the groundwater table); this practice is currently not in place, and the Great snipe population is under risk. This is just
one example of poor hydrological management in peatland forests. Belarus has 232,379 ha of drained peatland forests.
Most of these forests are not effectively used and do not ensure the expected build up of timber. The hydrology of most
of these areas remains disrupted (i.e. groundwater table much below surface). Inappropriate management (or complete
lack of management) of the groundwater table in drained peatland forests results in degradation of habitat, drying out
of peat soil, release of carbon dioxide thorugh soil mineralization, and loss of small rivers. Several years ago
Belgiproles conducted an inventory of all drainage facilities in peatland forests. However, in that process they only
described the condition of the drainage canals and sluices. They took no account of the natural successions on peatland
forests, changes in forest productivity and did not assess the impact of the forest drainage on the state of species.
Without such analysis it is impossible to decide on most appropriate peatland forest use regimes.
Inadequate state of research and monitoring of globally important biodiversity, and lack of demonstration of potential
for species and habitat management and restoration work on threatened species
For several globally important species there is a gap in the monitoring data (population, distribution, and threats) and
poor understanding of their habitat requirements. Just a year ago, Belarus discovered 13 invertebrates and 5 mollusks
with EN a VU status, including Dolomedes plantarіus, Dytіscus latіssіmus, Graphoderus bіlіneatus, Cerambyx cerdo,
Lycaena helle, Lopіnga achіne, Euphydryas maturna, Phyllodesma ilicifolia, Unіo crassus, Pseudanodonta
complanata. But up to now there has no stocktaking of the species: data on their population sizes, habitat requirements,
distribution, threats and conservation measures is not available. Belarus has paid more attention to monitoring of
mammals and birds; for other species monitoring and research has been lacking due to insufficient understanding of
their value. There are only few experts in the country knowledgeable about the species. There is a need to include all
globally important species in to the GIS based monitoring network managed by the Academy of Sciences.
There is also a gap in that the potential has not been demonstrated for targeted species and habitat management
restoration techniques to contribute significantly in strengthening populations of threatened species. By expert
assessment, about 700 ha of areas in Servech, Vygonoschanskoie, Olmany mire, Turov Lug and Dikoe, require urgent
habitat management (removal of invasive species, reconstruction of nesting habitats, regulation of disturbance factor,
6
such as uncontrolled collection of cranberries by local population). These areas are home to Aquatic Warbler, Greater
Spotted Eagle, and Great Snipe, and therefore require urgent attention.
Belarus has created (introduced into the wild) a sizeable population of the European Bison. Belarus currently has 1,156
individuals of the species which all originate from just 7 individuals. The overall population size is considered
adequate, however, due to cross-breeding the genetic diversity of the population remains low. Belarus implemented the
so-called “metapopulation” model for the conservation of the European Bison. The species was reintroduced and
distributed as 9 wild micro populations. All of them originated practically from one and the same genetic group, the so
called Belavezhskaia Puscha group. The pure size of the total country’s population, however, does not alone ensure
long term stability. Low genetic diversity of the bisons bred by the Belavezhskaia Puscha nursery turned out to result in
weak habitat adaptation capacities of this species. The distribution of the species is patchy – small (micro) populations
scattered across the country’s forests. At the moment the above mentioned weak adaptability demonstrates threats to
several micro populations and puts a question mark on the survival of the whole country’s population. This includes
the Nalibokskaia Puscha micro population (second important after Belavezhskaia Puscha micro population). Belarus
had lacked capacity so far for any activities to strengthen the genetic populations, e.g. exchange in genetically strong
individuals among Belarus micro populations or exchange with the micro populations from Poland. The GEF project
could be an important element in addressing this gap.
Similarly, the stability of the population of the Aquatic Warbler could also be raised through exchange of individuals
from different (neighboring) groups to facilitate a situation where site memory would drive the birds to move from
inadequate nesting grounds to more favourable sites, ensuring overall higher breeding success. The total size of the
Belarus population of the Aquatic Warbler is 2,900– 5,500 signing males, distributed at 15 nesting sites, all of which
are located at 50-260 km from each other, which significantly bars the movement of the birds from one group to
another. The GEF project would be instrumental in creating new micro populations through re-location of fledglings.
A.1.2 Baseline scenario and associated baseline projects
The State Program on the Development of the Forest Sector through 2015, implemented by the Ministry of Forestry
(total funding USD 130 million) is the national framework-setting document for the forest sector of the country. The
objective of the program is a gradual increase of forest cover through reforestation and afforestation. It also supports
forest certification and technological innovations in the timber production industry. Despite the fact that over 50% of
forests in Belarus have obtained international certification, biodiversity-centered management of forests has not been
applied (see further discussion in the barriers section), especially with respect to globally important species. This
program is will support the GEF Project with cofinancing of activities in Component II.
A major baseline element is provided by the Protected area support and expansion program for the period 2015-2019,
supervised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (total envisaged cost USD 12 million).
The program envisages advancement of the legislative basis for the PAs; support to the integration of the PA network
into the All European network of protected areas; finalization of management plans for all internationally important
protected areas and investment in conservation activities on them; restoration of disturbed meadow and wetland
ecosystems, support to tourism and sustainable use of natural resources at PAs, as well as support to implementation of
international treaties in the area of biodiversity. The baseline program will co-finance activities for Component I.
Conservation and management of the European Bison will be implemented within the Action Plan on Conservation
and Management of Bisons (2015 – 2019), recently adopted by the Council of Ministers. The ultimate objective of this
baseline program is to ensure long term survival of the country’s population of the European Bison, through: inventory
and identification of sites suitable for new micropopulations; establishment of at least 2 new micropopulations,
monitoring and research on genetic state of the bisons; cross breeding scheme launched (across micropopulations);
veterenary control (disease control, immunization). Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources will manage the
program. The budget of the program is limited – only 1.2 mln over 5 years. Yet, this is one of most important basline
programs of the project, and it will be cofinance the GEF project and will be implemented in full coordination with it,
especially with respect to mechanisms for habitat protection outside PAs (Component II), and cross-breeding trials
(Component III).
These initiatives in the baseline scenario are significant insofar as they provide basic support to the PA system and
forestry sector. However, they are inadequate to ensure long term ecological and financial sustainability. The summary
of the scenarios with and without the GEF investment is provided in a table in the section on Incremental Cost
Reasoning.
7
A.1.3 Proposed alternative scenario, with description of expected outcomes and components of the project
The alternative scenario introduces changes to management of forests and wetlands in and outside of key biodiversity
areas with the objective of making it financially more sustainable and more efficient with respect to the conservation
effect. The focus on both KBAs and surrounding landscape is justified from the Aichi Target and ecosystem approach
perspective, recognizing that protection of natural capital only within PAs is not going to improve its status. The three
components proposed by this project address the corresponding three barriers.
Component I is focused on changing forest and wetland management practices in key key biodiversity areas (Servech,
Nalibokskaia Puscha, Sporovo, Zvanets, Turov Lug, Olmany Mires, and Dikoe). This component will design and
launch mechanisms for financially sustainable foresty and regulated tourism at habitats of globally important species. It
will do so with engagement of foresters, PA administrations, private sector and local communities. The project will
complement and advance the existing PA management plans with new approaches to forest management and
meticulously designed business plans, by working with private sector and local farmers for mosaic forest management,
sustainable grassland management, cranberry picking, wetland biomass production, and tourism. The stability of the
European Bison micro population in Nalibokskaia Puscha will be ensured through a mechanism aiming at restoring and
maintaining productivity of its feeding grounds, forest meadows. This will help bring bisons to their natural feeding
grounds and avoid conflicts with farmers caused by animals feeding in neighboring agricultural fields. These activities
will be accompanied by creation of infrastructure (paths and towers) for observation of the European Bison.
Nalibokskaia Puscha is located just 90 km from Minsk (capital) and therefore has high potential for drawing tourisms
for Bison watching. Long term contracts will be signed between the PA Administrations and local farmers on
management of the forest meadows and tourism services in the long term, enduring non-deterioration of the grounds.
Farmers will be supported with technology, equipment and know-how needed to restore and maintained the
productivity of the meadows and tourism infrastructure and marketing. The state of the meadows and the Bison
populations will be regularly monitored, and conservation activities adjusted as necessary. In Olmany mires, a
sustainable mechanism for regulated cranberry picking will be launched, aiming at stipulating regimes (timing,
collection paths), harvests and benefit sharing between the PA and the local communities, so that benefit from this
resource can be sustainably used for reinvestment in conservation activities, while removing the disturbance factor for
the Greater Spotted Eagle (which has its main home in this area). In Turov Lug the project will design and implement a
self-sufficient scheme of sustainable grazing (again with involvement of local communities), as a means to maintain
the vegetation cover in the needed condition for the biodiversity.
In Sporovo and Zvanets the project will launch a sustainable wetland biomass collection and processing scheme. With
appropriate technologies and equipment, the project will enable harvesting of shrubs and reeds producing about 2,500
tons of dry biomass annually. At the PPG stage, the project will design an economic plan for harvesting, processing
and use wetland biomass, indicating roles and responsibilities of actors involved, technological requirements and time
table for the implementation. The action plan will be discussed and agreed with local authorities and land users. Access
points to the wetland will be constructed to enable the harvesting. The project proponents have pre-defined several
private sector companies present in the area with experience and equipment for wetland and woody biomass processing
(subsequently producing and selling pellets). In partnership with them and PA administrations, technologies for
harvesting and mulching of the biomass will be delivered and users trained. The project team has pre-defined
storehouses and drying space for the biomass (as part of co-financing to the project from project partners), as well as
pelletting equipment. Upon mulching and drying, the wetland biomass will be mixed with forest biomass and will be
used in woody boiler houses of the neighboring villages or sold externally (demand for biomass is high both in Belarus
and neighboring Poland). As an example, the excess of the biomass could be sold to the woody pellet production
factory in Drogichin district, and the income earned will be reinvested into active conservation management at the
protected areas. At the PPG stage, fuel supply contracts will be prepared with local public buildings and with
commercial purchasers to enable the above transactions. The project will support the harvesting for the first two years,
whereupon the income earned from the supply of biomass will become sufficient to maintain the harvesting, processing
and pelletting equipment and machinery.
Component II is focusing on sustainable management of biodiversity-important forests outside PAs. The project will
redesign forest management plans for forests at a total area of 150,000 ha, following identification of forest biotopes
that host IUCN threatened species. The sites will be described, condition and threats to biodiversity documented,
conservation and management measures regimes defined and sites officially declared as biodiversity important forests.
The project will launch concrete forest management activities aiming at changing of logging regimes, changing of
trails for vehicles and people, and promotion of mosaic (forest-meadow) planning. Site survey and mapping will be
8
done using GIS technologies, and results widely shared across forest districts in Belarus, enabling replication of the
practices and subsequently identification and protection of all biodiversity important forests hosting IUCN threatened
species.
Further, the project will improve the management of 260,000 ha of peatland forests, describing biodiversity status and
threats, developing and launching activities for their restoration and sustainable management. The state of peatland
forests before and after drainage will be compared and based on their condition and previous natural state, the project
might recommend one of two scenarios based either on reconstruction of drainage infrastructure (where it would be
feasible to raise the productivity of forests) so that the ground water table is below the surface; or on regulation of the
water table at the soil level so that the peatland forests revert to their natural state (in areas with high level of
degradation or in areas with presence of peatland dependent species). The details of the mapping and decision making
mechanism for these ecosystems will be designed at the PPG stage. The actual restoration of the water table then will
be demonstrated, tentatively at an area of 2,000 ha, lessons shared with all peatland forest districts for wide replication
(immediate replication potential assessed as 10,000 ha). The outcomes of this project will be integrated in the Forest
Sector Development Program (one of the baseline programs).
Component III is advancing the state of monitoring and research on globally important species, and demonstration of
active habitat management and restoration techniques to strengthen populations, and will also ensure monitoring of
project environmental benefits.
The proposed research primarily represents scientific monitoring of the effectiveness of the planned project activities.
For the biodiversity, this includes monitoring of the dynamics in the density, number and distribution of the indicator
species targeted by the project. The basic inventory and population counts will be financed from the co-financing. In
order to judge the success of wetland and forest wetland restoration activities, ground water tables will be monitored as
well as vegetation compositions which will allow to assess the state of wetlands before and after project interventions.
There is a series of basic targeted research interventions (e.g. specific studies on the genetic state of the European
Bision, factors defining the dynamics of the populations of Aquatic Warbler and Greater Spotted Eagle) will be
covered by co-financing.
Incremental GEF financing of new special research is needed to study the state and distribution of poorly known
species of global importance (13 invertebrates and 5 mollusks with EN a VU status, including Dolomedes plantarіus,
Dytіscus latіssіmus, Graphoderus bіlіneatus, Cerambyx cerdo, Lycaena helle, Lopіnga achіne, Euphydryas maturna,
Phyllodesma ilicifolia, Unіo crassus, Pseudanodonta complanata. Up to now there has no stocktaking of the species:
data on their population sizes, habitat requirements, distribution, threats and conservation measures is not available).
Equally, there are no conservation actions planned or implemented. While the research on the populations and counts
would be supported fromt the co-financing, the GEF funding on this element is critical as it will ensure management
planning and implementation of key priority actions to protect these poorly known speces. Thus with the basic
cofinancing and incremental GEF funding for management activities, the project will help Belarus to have a complete
picture of its Key Biodiversity Areas, their status and plan and implement conservation measures effectively, in line
with Aichi Targets. The project will develop and launch conservation activities for these species, raise the awareness of
the public, conservation and enforcement officers at the central and local levels.
The project will look into the issue of the feeding base and genetic stability of some of the micropopulations of the
European Bison. The project will design plans for ensuring positive trophic conditions for the Bison in sites with a
deficit thereof during the vegetation period. This approach will be used as a basis for the financial mechanism on
Bison-focused sustianable meadow management activities of Component I. The project will assess the genetic status of
different micropopulations of the European Bison and prepare proposals for the strengthening of the genetic pool of the
herd, subsequently design and implement exchange of genetically important individuals between Belarus and Polish
micropopulations. The project will aim to reduce the habitat fragmentation of the Aquatic Warbler through creation of
new micropopulation by relocation of fledglings to restored wetland biotopes. Young birds memorize the nesting sites
when they are 30-50 days old; the project will put young birds of this age in the restored wetland biotope. Assisted
revegetation (using native sedge species) will also be implemented to speed up the restoration of Aquatic Warbler
habitat. The placement of Aquatic Warbler fledglings taken from neighboring micro-populations is believed by leading
international scientists on this species to be one of the most promising activity, and it is supported by the International
Aquatic Warbler Conservation group. The world population of Aquatic Warbler amounts now about 12100-13800
singing males with 2900-5500 in Belarus. 4 sites in Belarus are supporting over 80% of the world population. The
center of modern distribution range are the protected areas in Belarus targeted by this project. The problem is that the
key habitats are situated at distance of 80-300 km from each other which results in isolation. The genetic differences
9
between the sub-populations are suspected to be among the key reasons of species continued disappearance. Isolation
of populations creates also practical problems in the area of species conservation. Even after some wetlands are
restored, however the restored sites could not be occupied by Aquatic Warblers due to habitats isolation. Thus, it is of
great relevance to develop and test the methodology of distribution of globally threatened bird species with fragmented
range from sites with high numbers to new favorable for breeding habitats restored as a result of special activities. The
new methodology of species distribution could be used for restoration of lost species habitats in Germany, Hungary
and other countries. Literature analysis has shown that relocated young birds return for breeding not to the place of
hatching but to the place where they were released, even if they were relocated at distance of hundreds and thousands
kilometers from the hatching place. In Olmany mires the project will stabilize the population of the Greater Spotted
Eagle (aiming to have 15-25 pairs) through artificial nest construction, regulation of the disturbance factor and
hydrological restoration. According to BirdLife International, the global population of the Greater Spotted Eagle is in
the range of 810 – 1,110 pairs; 150-200 pairs are nesting in Belarus. One of the key drivers of the decline is low
nesting success of the species. On average, for Belarus, over a multi-year period of monitoring, the nesting success of
the Greater Spotted Eagle, had been recorded at 57%. This is 20% below the default value for this species needed for
continued normal reproduction of the species accounting for natural mortality of fledglings (Meyburg et al., 2004). One
of the causes of low nesting success is lack of suitable trees with developed crowns with trunk forks at peatland forests.
Birds are forced to create nests in very unstable bases – in the cross-sections of fallen trees, at rotten brunches, etc. It
has been proven that this causes exceptionally high clutch mortality or fledgling mortality and fall of nests. The project
relies on literature studies for the species suggesting that artificial nests could contribute to raising the breeding
success. For higher effectiveness, this will be tested in the least disturbed area with highest group of the species
(Olmany mires, 18-20 pairs); if successful, the experience will be replicated throughout Belarus, Lithuania and Poland.
The project will ensure regular monitoring of the biodiversity, soil and carbon benefits. It will monitor threats and
status of globally important species, together with the METT system and the financial scorecard to trace the financial
sustainability of the targeted PAs. For the biomass activities, a system for monitoring of the efficiency of biomass
harvesting will be put in place. It will monitor the condition of the wetland before, during and after harvesting
(indicator species and vegetation proportions).
Separately, a system for precise identification of the carbon benefits will be put in place by analyzing the volumes of
biomass harvested and burnt, heating values and comparing with type, volume and heating value of the fossil fuel (gas
or diesel) that would have been used otherwise. Having the knowledge on the valume of biomass harvested and used as
fuel will allow to know the carbon emissions avoided. The research of German and Belarus scientists indicates that
harvesting biomass and production of grassland pellets replaces fossil fuel at a rate of 15.6 tCO2/ha.
The project will implement 3 workshops in different parts of the country to present and distribute its experience.
A.1.4&5 Incremental cost reasoning and global environmental benefits
State of ecosystems under baseline
-
-
-
Current funding priorities and funding availability under PA
Baseline Program is sufficient
to cover basic support to
existing PAs, but lacks sitebased sustainable financial
mechanisms to incorporate
systematic consideration of
global environment benefits, or to support conservation and
management of sites with
globally important biodiversity.
Management plans of sites with
globally important biodiversity outdated and lack strategies
and actions on ensuring
financial sustainability.
Forest sector programs advance
certification but do not ensure
Summary of GEF scenario
Biodiversity
System for financially viable conservation
and management measures for key
biodiversity areas in place, with
engagement of private sector and local
communities
Degraded wetland and forest habitat of
globally important species restored and
managed sustainably
Business plans introduced as a concept
and applied to generate additional revenue
for sites with globally important species
and critical actions launched to ensure
non-decline of populations,
Data available on status and threats to all
globally important biodiversity in the
country; recommendations made and
action taken to conserve them in-situ
Increment
-
-
-
Financial sustainability of the
protected area system up by 15%
(precise baseline and target values
to be set through the Financial
Sustainability Scorecard, to be
prepared at the PPG stage)
METT scores of 6 PAs with
globally important species up by
25% on average (precise baseline
and target values to be set through
the Financial Sustainability
Scorecard, to be prepared at the
PPG stage)
Non-decline in the population size
of the European Bison (tentatively
stability at 1,300 individuals)
Populations numbers stable of
Greater Spotted Eagle (225 pairs),
10
conservation and sustainable management of forests which
host habitat of globally
important species
European bison populations
unstable due to low genetic
diversity of micro populations
and unresolved issues of the
feeding base
Populations of globally
important birds (Aquatic
Warbler, Greater Spotted
Eagle) decline due to habitat
degradation and lack of
restoration and sustainable
management, as well as high
disturbance facto
Limited data on status and
threats to poorly known
globally important species
(such as invertebrates, plants,
mollusks).
-
-
-
-
Forest sector conserves and wisely
manages forest areas with globally
important species.
-
-
Climate Change
Know how designed and launched in
practice for sustainable harvesting of
wetland biomass for subsequent pellet
production, insuring stability of the
biotope and replacement of fossil fuels
Release of carbon prevented and
sequestration capacities restored of soil
and vegetation at 250,000 ha of degraded
peatland soils
Models for biomass harvesting and
peatland forest degradation embedded in
PA and forest sector for subsequent
replication
In the LULUCF Sector,
emissions from degraded
peatland and peatland forests
(soil mineralization caused by
lowered ground-water table)
will continue at 250,000 ha,
producing at between 5-15
tCO2-eq/ha/y
No decisions and know how
made in practice for restoration and sustainable management of
degraded peatland forests
Overgrowth of wetland with
invasive shrubs and reeds leads
to destruction of fen biotopes,
and there is no mechanism in
place for sustainable biomass
harvesting
-
-
-
-
-
The current forestry
baseline program would not
ensure coverage of the gap
in the data on distribution,
status, threats and
conservation needs for
forest habitat that hosts
internationally important
species
No experience in
designation, protection,
management planning and
enforcement of biodiversity
important forests
Continued degradation of
peatland forests at 250,000
ha and lack of experience in
-
-
-
Aquatic Warbler (6,000 singing
males).
Habitat degradation and disturbance
threats to European Bison, and
globally important birds removed.
(Measured through METT .
Data gaps covered on status, threats
and conservation actions
recommended and are under
implementation for previously
poorly known species
The project results contribute to
CBD PoWPA (expansion of PAs,
integration of PAs in wider
landscapes, and community
engagement schemes) and Aichi
targets.
Avoided emissions and increased carbon
sequestration functions of peatland and
forest ecosystems resulting from:
Avoided deforestation of at least
11,000 ha resulting from redesigned
management plans for globally
important forests at 150,000 ha
Peatland forest restoration over
10,000 ha,
Open peatland restoration over
2,000 ha
Improved grassland management
over Turov Lug (700 ha)
Replacement of fossil fuels with
peatland biomass and pellet
production over 2,000 ha,
Total avoided emissions + carbon
sequestered = 2,382,740 tCO2eq/10y.
-
-
-
Sustainable Forest Management
Inventory of biodiversity in all forests with
important biodiversity, and identification
and sustainable management triggered for
150,000 ha of such forests. Volumes,
timing and modes of logging adjusted;
conservation measures implemented to
ensure no-disturbance of the forest species
Training of foresters and communities in
forest management planning and
enforcement of sustainable forest
management practices
250,000 of degraded peatland forests
inventories, decision taken about their
conservation and wise use
10,000 ha of degraded forest peatlands
restored
- Biodiversity conservation principles
integrated in the forestry sector over
250,000 ha.
- 150,000 ha of biodiversity-important
forests designated and put under
good management ensuring stability
of their ecosystem functions, such as
genetic reserves, habitat of
biodiversity and avoided GHG
emissions (figures under CCM
block) .
- 10,000 ha of degraded peatland
forests restored and decisions on
restoration / wise management made
for 250,000 of peatland forests
throughout the country
11
their restoration and
sustainable management
-
-
-
-
Under the current forest
management program, there
will be continued soil and
vegetation cover degradation at
250,000 ha of degraded drained
forest peatlands and lack of
decision on restoration and
wise use thereof
Levels of the ground water at
forest peatlands will remain
low producing negative impact
ton surrounding areas
(desiccation of small rivers, soil
dry out, peat mineralization.
Precise indicators will be set at
the PPG stage through the
MPAT tool).
Lacking know how and
practical experience for soil and
vegetation recovery in forest
peatlands
Lack of experience in
sustainable livestock
management and biodiversitysensitive grasslands
-
-
Sustainable Land Management
Inventory of all drained peatlands
(250,000 ha) in place and a decision
making mechanism launched insuring
their restoration and sustainable
management
At least 10,000 ha of peatland forests are
expected to be restored in practice as a
result of project scenario
Sustainable livestock management at 700
of Turov Lug demonstrated
-
Ground water table over 250,000
of disturbed organic peat soils
stabilized
Peat mineralization and soil dry
out prevented over 10,000 ha
Positive impact on rivers and
meadow ecosystems adjacent to
peatland forests resulting from
the improved hydrological
condition and sustainable
grazing activities
A.1.6 Innovativeness, sustainability and potential for scaling up
Innovativeness: Traditional PA projects have focused on passive protection: designation of PAs and new legislation.
This project takes the strategy of ACTIVE protection, arguing that just passive measures are not enough to reach Aichi
Targets. The project introduce innovative sustainable financing mechanisms for habitat management of globally
important species, such as PA-private sector partnership for wetland biomass management, and community based
management of European Bison feeding grounds and ecotourism. These mechanisms have been tested before not only
in Belarus, but more widely in the region. The project also promotes innovative habitat and species management
activities aimed at strengthening populations of the globally important species, such as the creation of new micro
populations and exchange of individuals of European Bison among micro populations of Belarus and Poland. These
innovative approaches, if proved successful, can go a long way in resolving the habitat fragmentation threats and
ensuring long terms stability of the populations of globally important species. While activities of the project have been
tightly packed to address precise risks and barriers, they nonetheless produce not only biodiversity but indisputable
benefits for soil and ground water stability, forest ecosystems, and climate (through avoiding soil and forest
degradation and enhancing their sequestration potential). This is especially true for the peatland forest block of
activities in Component II. The multifocal nature of this project, there, is believed to be innovative in itself.
Sustainability: The project design by itself is aiming at ensuring that the PA system with globally important
biodiversity obtains mechanisms that last for long: the active habitat management will engage private sector and local
communities and will be based on careful economic planning, to ensure costs are covered in the long term and benefits
are shared between economic actors (private sector and communities) and PAs, and reinvested in conservation
activities. This will not only have positive financial influence on the PA management, but will ensure that the habitat of
globally important species is maintained in optimal condition in the long term. The sustainability of activities in the
peatland forest sector (decision making mechanism and know how on rehabilitation of degraded peatland forests) will
be ensured by incorporation of the project results in the baseline State Forest Sector Development Program, whereupon
funding is going to be allocated to the wise use of peatland forests from State Budget. Similarly, the results of the
activities in Component III are going to be embedded in the PA Program and/or European Bison Conservation baseline
program, ensuring that conservation and sustainable management examples piloted by the project continue beyond the
project life.
12
Replication and dissemination. The replication of project results will be enabled through the baseline programs of the
Government (PA Program, Forestry Development Program, European Bison program), as part of commitment and
cofinancing of the Government agencies implementing these programs. Successful models of habitat management in
wetlands and forests will be embedded in the PA management and business plans, and forest management plans not
only of the areas targeted by the project, but by larger areas. The positive replication potential for peatland forest
activities is assessed to be 250,000 ha, whereby gradually within this whole area, the Government over the course of 20
years would be able to decide and apply either restoration or other sustainable use paths, developed by the project. The
peatland forest restoration potential alone is assessed to be 10,000 ha. The replication potential for biomass harvesting
– over 20,000 ha. The project will conduct workshops across areas with highest replication potential to demonstrate the
experience and help other economic and forest users to implement the same practices in their districts. The habitat and
species management activities supporting European Bison and Aquatic Warbler have high potential to be replicated in
Poland and Lithuania.
A.2. STAKEHOLDERS. WILL PROJECT DESIGN INCLUDE THE PARTICIPATION OF RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS FROM
CIVIL SOCIETY AND/OR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE? YES
Stakeholder
The Ministry of Natural
Resources and
Environmental
Protection (MNREP) of
Belarus





The Academy of
Sciences
(Scientific and Practical
Center – NPC – on
Bioresources; Institute
on Use of Nature)
The Ministry of Forestry
(Belgosles)

PA administrations of
Belavezhskaia Puscha,
Nalibokskaia Puscha,
other PAs targeted by
project activities
Local communities







Roles and responsibilities in the project
national implementing agency for the project
heads the cross-ministerial steering committee for the project
ensures regular monitoring of project progress and, with UNDP, takes measures to
address problems in implementation
Oversees the implementation of the conservation activities related to conservation and
sustainable management of European Bison populations
takes the lead on project activities aimed at ensuring sustainability and replication for
activities aiming at the financial sustainability of protected areas
provides its substantial technical expertise and resources for the scientific assessments
needed to implement project activities in all three components
provides in-kind co-financing in the form of the laboratory, equipment, and research
facilities
Takes the lead in the identification and designation of HCVF
Takes the lead in the inventory of the peatland forests,
Ensures sustainability and replication of peatland forest restoration and sustainable
management activities
Key partner for implementation of financial mechanisms in Component I
Ensures coordination with private sector and local communities
Participates in the habitat and species management activities for Aquatic Warbler,
European Bison and Greater Spotted Eagle (Component III)

actively engaged in the development of income-generation activities protected areas
that are a focus of the project as well as at the forested peatland pilot sites that are to be
restored, withdrawn from logging and designated for sustainable use
Private sector
 Biomass processing and pellet production industries, as well as tourism operators will
be among key partners of the implementation of the financial mechanisms in
Component I.
A.3. Gender considerations. Are gender considerations taken into account? Yes
The project will generate benefits for women as a target group in a number of significant ways. Most importantly, the
economic benefits from enhanced income generation opportunities in cranberry gathering will accrue
disproportionately to women. Some 80% of the gatherers are women, who therefore are most affected by the loss of
peatlands. The number of women gatherers at pilot sites is expected to increase on average 4 times. Furthermore, the
project will use participatory approaches to involve all members of the community in planning income-generating
activities, not only those related to cranberry gathering but also Bison habitat management, and wildlife viewing. The
project’s work related to income-generating activities will seek to understand gender-specific roles (and the associated
gender-differentiated vulnerabilities/ impacts) in carrying out these activities. The project will promote participation of
13
women in the decision making process by ensuring women are represented on the project steering committee and
working groups of which will be established for increasing stakeholder participation in PA management and triggering
income-generating activities. In completing the GEF tracking tools, gender disaggregated information will be provided
where requested. Finally, to promote equal opportunities in employment, UNDP will encourage qualified women
applicants for positions under the project as per UNDP rules and regulations. In addition, the project will ensure that
women benefit from greater participation in the restoration works planned at the pilot sites.
A.4. RISKS
Risk
The project is too ambitious for the
amount of resources available
Level
M
Climate change does not lead to
catastrophic impacts
L
Work of machinery during
restoration and management of
habitat might damage flora and
fauna of wetlands (soil compaction,
ditches formation, etc.)
М
Demand and price dynamics in
wetland biomass (pellets) might
influence project activities
M
Mitigation
During PIF preparation the project activities were designed with careful analysis
of their cost-effectiveness. The ambition of the proposed framework is considered
to be just right for the amount of resources available from the GEF and cofinancing. Further analysis will be carried out at the PPG. At the implementation
stage, the management unit will carefully watch the implementation on a regular
basis vis-à-vis the resources and in case of mismatch, the Project Steering
Committee, in agreement with implementing agencies and GEF Secretariat
(where relevant) might be called in to consider a corresponding change to project
outputs or strategy. At the same time, it is equally likely (as has been the evidence
with all previous and present GEF projects) that new co-financing is going to be
identified beyond the one confirmed at the PIF or CEO endorsement stage.
More frequent drought, warmer summers and changed winters are some of the
climate change symptoms in Belarus. During the preparation of its National
Communication to UNFCCC and implementation of the peatland project, Belarus
developed good knowledge on climate change impacts on the vegetation and
fauna structure of the country. The expert teams which will be working on
forestry and PA plans will use that material to make sure that proposed solutions
do incorporate the climate change risks.
All works will be conducted taking into account the standing ground water table
and soil condition, mostly likely the main bulk of work will be carried out during
the winter season when minimal to no damage would be expected. The project
will take stock of the lessons learnt from the wetland ecosystems management in
Poland and Lithuania. The project experts have understanding of what kind of
machinery (light weight) is necessary to work on wetland soils without damaging
them.
Presence of private sector agents who already work on biomass production shows
that the demand and prices for them have remained stable over the course of the
past 10 years. The experience of similar projects (GEF elsewhere) as well as nonGEF projects (e.g. funded by EU in Belarus) confirms that the viability of
conservation approaches and technologies and their marketability depends on (1)
quality of feasibility study, (2) experience during implementation, (3) careful
monitoring and ADJUSTMENT of proposed approaches after their piloting. All
three elements above will be paid careful attention, given that UNDP has rich
experience in engaging best national and international specialists in biomass
production. In addition the project will learn from wetland biomass projects in
Lithuania and Poland and will develop its business plan with knowledge of the
most cost-effective and biodiversity efficient approaches.
A.5. COORDINATION
UNDP is currently implementing a GEF project on sustainable management of all types of peatlands. The primary
focus of this project is on development of a National Strategy and Action Plan for Conservation and Sustainable Use of
Peatlands, on restoration and sustainable management of peatlands in agriculture, as well as on expansion of IUCN
Category IV protected areas on peatlands. This project builds the important policy and regulatory basis for peatlands. It
also promotes legal protection, through extension of the PA network on peatlands. This current UNDP-GEF initiative
is focusing on forest and wetland biodiversity of global importance and on active management of protected areas that
will ensure long term financial sustainability of the key biodiversity areas. The two approaches – formal protection on
the one hand, and implementation of active management and financially sustainable mechanisms on the other, are
highly complementary and are key to ensure long survival of important biodiversity, stability of soil and ground water
resources and avoided emissions from land-based sources. UNDP will coordinate the activities of both projects through
exchange at the expert level and through joint steering committee meetings.
14
This project had been consulted with the World Bank, which is developing a Forest Sector Loan and a GEF-6 project,
in parallel to this UNDP-GEF initiative. The biodiversity/ecosystem management, required under BD Program 9
(mainstreaming) is only a small fraction of the World Bank project and has peripheral value, the primary focus being
on forestry in the climate change context. In contrary, this UNDP GEF initiative focuses solely on management of
ecosystems that are home of globally important biodiversity (under BD programs on protected area sustainability). The
two initiatives strengthen the forestry sector in two parallel and non-overlapping topics. The Ministry of Environment,
as the key implementing partner of both initiatives, had coordinated the preparation of the two initiatives to ensure
complimentarity and avoid overlap. The World Bank project, focuses on forest structure improvement, forest fire
management, forest management information systems, improving effectiveness of silvicultural practices, management
and embedding conservation values into forest management in the face of the climate change (such as management of
invasive species). None of these are part of the UNDP GEF project, which focus, instead on financial sustainability of
KBAs in the forest and wetland ecosystems (Component I), on identification, mapping and sustainable management of
globally important conservation forests based on the criterion of providing habitat for globally important species
(Component II), on peatland forest inventory, management and restoration (Component II), as well as on habitat and
species management activities for globally important species (Component III). Coordination between the two projects
will be ensured through the oversight from the Ministry of Environment as well as through regular consultations
between World Bank and UNDP both at the preparation as well as implementation stages.
The Government of Lithuania is developing a project under the EU Life program aiming at management of habitat of
the Aquatic Warbler. This GEF Belarus project will implement activities that would stabilize or increase the population
of this globally important species at key biotopes in Belarus (Sporovo, Zvanets, Mid-Pripyat). This will trigger positive
trends in the movement of the species towards similar ecosystems in neighboring countries, including in Lithuania.
Therefore, the activities in Lithuania aiming at the improvement of nesting conditions there, which would run in
parallel to the GEF project in Belarus, would double the chances for the stabilization of this species. In the same venue,
the project also produces synergy with similar Aquatic Warbler nesting site management initiatives financed by EU
Life in Germany and Poland.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSISTENCY OF THE PROJECT WITH:
B.1 IS THE PROJECT CONSISTENT WITH THE NATIONAL STRATEGIES AND PLANS OR REPORTS AND
ASSESSMENTS UNDER RELEVANT CONVENTIONS? YES.
The project directly supports the achievement of Aichi Target 12: By 2020 the extinction of known threatened species
has been prevented and their conservation status, particularly of those most in decline, has been improved and
sustained, and, through the landscape approach, it substantially contributes to the following Targets:
•
•
Target 5: By 2020, the rate of loss of all natural habitats, including forests, is at least halved and where feasible
brought close to zero, and degradation and fragmentation is significantly reduced.
Target 15: By 2020, ecosystem resilience and the contribution of biodiversity to carbon stocks has been enhanced,
through conservation and restoration, including restoration of at least 15 per cent of degraded ecosystems, thereby
contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation and to combating desertification.
The project is fully consistent with the National Strategy and Action Plan on Biodiversity which is currently being
updated in line with Aichi targets. Measures to prevent decline of CR, VU, and NT species (including those directly
covered by this project) is going be one of the main directions of the new NBSAP. The NBSAP will also prescribe
development and implementation of management plans for PAs, restoration of degraded wetland and forest
ecosystems, as well as mechanisms for financial sustainability of PAs, such as through engagement of local
communities. The project also supports other objectives of NBSAP, including those related to monitoring and research
on globally important species, improved information and data management in biodiversity.
The project is in line with the 2009 National Strategy for the Implementation of Ramsar Convention. Project’s focus on
wetland ecosystems and biodiversity supports such objectives of this Strategy as wetland habitat restoration, and urgent
measures to protected globally important wetland biodiversity. The project will also help Belarus implement priority
actions listed under Belarus’ National Communications to UNFCCC, which underscores the need to concentrate on
land-based sources and design projects to curb emissions and increase carbon sequestration. In this respect the project
will design approaches for minimizing emissions from peatland forests (Component II).
PART III: APPROVAL/ENDORSEMENT BY GEF OPERATIONAL FOCAL POINT(S) AND GEF AGENCY(IES)
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A. RECORD OF ENDORSEMENT OF GEF OPERATIONAL FOCAL POINT (S) ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT(S):
(Please attach the Operational Focal Point endorsement letter(s) with this template).
NAME
POSITION
MINISTRY
Ms. Lya Malkina
First Deputy Minister, GEF OFP
Ministry of Environment and Natural
Resources
DATE
(MM/DD/YYYY)
October 13,
2014
B. GEF AGENCY(IES) CERTIFICATION
This request has been prepared in accordance with GEF policies and procedures and meets the GEF criteria for project
identification and preparation under GEF-6.
Agency Coordinator,
Agency name
Adriana Dinu
UNDP-GEF Executive
Coordinator
Signature
Date
(MM/DD/YYYY)
12/23/2014
Project Contact
Person
Maxim Vergeichik
Regional Technical
Advisor, EBD
Telephone
Email Address
+ 421 259
337 152
maxim.vergeichik@undp.org
C. Additional GEF Project Agency Certification (Applicable Only to newly accredited GEF Project Agencies)
For newly accredited GEF Project Agencies, please download and fill up the required GEF Project Agency
Certification of Ceiling Information Template to be attached as an annex to the PIF.
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