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PROJECT RESULTS
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In the course of its work, the Office ensured the implementation of the Program major objectives. The main Project results are as follows:
1. The Office involved on a competitive basis state organizations of the Republic of Belarus, civic associations, higher educational institutions and scientific research institutes in the implementation of Program-related project proposals. Interested organizations were advised on requirements for preparation and submission of project proposals and on project implementation mechanisms.
2. The Office facilitated the creation and activities of the Program Scientific Council affiliated with the Committee and called upon to make a scientific assessment of submitted project proposals and of major results of accomplished projects. To ensure compliance with the IDRC and UNDP requirements the Office provided advice to the Council when the latter was making scientific assessments.
3. The following projects were implemented:
3.1. “Identification of needs: analysis of water conservation legislation and experience and development of conceptual approaches to the Dnipro River water quality management and improvement”. Executing agency: Civic Association “Belarus Engineering Academy”
3.2. “Specialized Field Studies of the Dnipro Basin Water Quality”. Executing agency: Republican Unitary Enterprise “Central Scientific Research Institute for Integrated Use of Natural Resources”;
3.3. “Specialized Field Studies of the Dnipro Basin Water Quality (Phase 2)”. Executing agency: Republican Unitary Enterprise “Central Scientific Research Institute for the Integrated Use of Natural Resources”; (The results of the Belarus field study carried out as part of the Bilateral Ministry of Natural Resources/ IDRC Field Study Program served as the basis for a book, which is currently in print.)
3.4. Creation of the Center for Automated Water Conservation Information Exchange. Executing agency: Republican Unitary Enterprise “Central Scientific Research Institute for Integrated Use of Natural Resources”;
3.5. Development of the Geographic Information System for Managing Belarus Dnipro Basin Water Quality”. Executing agency: Republican Unitary Enterprise “Central Scientific Research Institute for Integrated Use of Natural Resources” (The Project has been completed, the final technical report having been highly assessed and endorsed at the National Committee meeting on February 6, 2004.);
3.6. “Development of the Water Ecosystem and Water Ecosystem Biodiversity Integrated Assessment System for Specially Protected Areas of the Dnipro Basin”. Executing agency: Inter-Agency Center for the Study of Problems of National Parks and Nature Reserves affiliated with Belarus State University.
The Office also monitored the implementation of the above projects and administered their funding.
4. In light of the results of the above projects and in view of funds savings a decision was made to endorse funding for the Project “Assessment of the Current Status of Drinking Groundwater Sources in the Dnipro Basin and of Natural Protectibility of Groundwater in the Belarus and Ukrainian Dnipro Basins”. Executing agency: Republican Unitary Enterprise “Central Scientific Research Institute for the Integrated Use of Natural Resources”. Despite a very short execution period (from October 2003 to February 2004), the Project report has already been submitted to the Russian and Ukrainian National Committees for endorsement. The Belarus National Committee has already made a high appraisal of and approved the Project technical report by its decision of February 6, 2004)
Aside from the main executing agencies listed above, the Program represents a collective effort of over 15 Belarus organizations such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus, oblast and Minsk city committees for natural resources and environmental protection, Hydrometeorology Department, Republican Center for Radiological Control and Environmental Monitoring of the Hydrometeorology Department, organizations accountable to the Ministry of Health and the Housing and Communal Services Ministry, State Unitary Enterprise “National Cadastre Agency”, Institute for the Study of Problems Related to the Natural Resources Utilization and Ecology (NAS Belarus), Zoology Institute (NAS Belarus), Berezinskiy Biosphere Reserve, and the Scientific Hydroecology Laboratory of the Belarus State University.
5. Under one of the Program main objectives requiring the establishment of management bodies of the GEF Program which will manage the GEF Program funds in the Republic of Belarus, the Office acted as a coordinating body for projects being implemented in the Republic of Belarus under the GEF Program and coordinated participation of Belarus experts in all the components of this Program, namely:
5.1. The Office created Belarus working expert groups to work on focal (thematic) issues of the Program. It also ensured the participation of leaders of these groups in a series of coordination meetings devoted to focal activities as well as the participation of Belarus members of working groups in meetings of international working groups and in projects addressing focal issues.
5.2. The Office facilitated the creation in Belarus of regional activity centers for clean production and pollution prevention and control. Also, a number of events were organized as part of the center’s activities such as working groups’ meetings to review the centers’ work results and work schedules, study tours outside of Ukraine for specialists, participation in international conferences devoted to the above issues. In addition, the Office managed the centers’ maintenance funds.
The Office administered funding for the Creation of the Environmental Management System at the Open Joint-Stock Company Mozyrsol Project implemented by the Clean Production Center.
5.3. The Office assisted in the implementation of a number of biodiversity projects (administration of project funds), namely:
Overview of the legislative and regulatory framework governing biodiversity conservation of the Dnipro Basin and mobilization of public participation and support”. Executing Agency: Educational Institution “Management and Social Technologies Department”, Belarus State University;
“Scientific substantiation of the creation of a protected area in the Dnipro River flood-lands (Zhlobin – Rechitsa stretch) which forms part of the Dnipro River environmental network”. Executing agency: Civic Association “Akhova Ptushak Belarusi”;
“Analysis of forest exploitation and management in the context of conservation of the Dnipro Basin biological and landscape diversity”. Executing agency: State Scientific Institution “V.F.Kuprevich Experimental Botany Institute, NAS Belarus”.
5.4. The Office was involved in preparatory work for the Improvement of Internet Connection of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection” Project and administered the Project funds;
5.5. Contest of project proposals under the Small Grants Program for nongovernmental organizations. Assessment of submitted project proposals and maintenance (monitoring) of selected projects, namely:
“Status of near-shore aquatic and meadowland vegetation of the Dnipro River flood-lands in the vicinity of large industrial developments of the Gomel Region”. Executing agency: Gomel City Environmental Youth Association Polesiye;
“The Dnipro River: its history and future. Folklore and educational tour along the banks of the Dnipro Basin rivers”. Executing agency: International Civic Association Ecosfera”;
“Production of the film about ecological problems of the Belarus Dnipro River”. Executing agency: Civic Association EcoMir Fund;
“Let us save the Dnipro River through public participation”. Executing agency: Civic Association EcoPravo;
“Bio-environmental monitoring, water protection and environmental rehabilitation of the Dnipro Basin”. Executing agency: A.D.Sakharov International Environmental University (Republican Center of Public Ecological and Educational Monitoring Network);
“National Dnipro River week in Belarus”. Executing agency: Civic Youth Association “Environmental Initiative Belaya Rus”;
“Let us Bring Up an Ecologically Conscious Person. Publication of methodological guidelines for ecology lessons in infant schools”. Executing agency: International Civic Association Ecoyurexpert.
As a result, three executing agencies were singled out for their high performance - the International Civic Association Ecoyurexpert, the Civic Youth Association “Environmental Initiative Belaya Rus”, and the Civic Association EcoPravo; Their representatives were awarded Small Grants Program diplomas at the National Committee meeting of February 6, 2004.
5.6. Administration of project funds. Belarus NGOs Forum on Dnipro River Environmental Problems Project.
5.7. The Office executed the Project (administered funds) Holding of the International Forum of Belarus, Russian and Ukrainian NGOs on Dnipro River Environmetal Problems. The Forum provided an opportunity for the civil communities of the three countries to discuss their proposals for the SAP (October 29-31, 2003)
5.8. The Office involved Belarus experts in the preparation of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis, Program key thematic reports and implementation of some projects implemented under the Program and coordinated by the Russian and Ukrainian sides.
5.9.Coordination of works under the Belarus component of the UNIDO project – identification of the so-called industrial and agricultural “hot spots”, analysis and assessment of [waste] management policy and operating rules for use of industrial waste sedimentation tanks (reservoirs).
5.10. Coordination of works under the IAEA’s Program component.
5.11. Necessary arrangements were made to ensure participation of Belarus representatives in the first meeting of the Dnipro Basin Council.
5.12. Arrangements were made to present the Belarus component of the Program at the 5th Pan-European Conference “Environment for Europe” (May 21-23, 2003, Kiev)
5.13. Arrangements were made to ensure participation of Belarus experts (Interministerial Committee) in the preparation of the Strategic Action Program and national action plans on the Dnipro Basin environmental rehabilitation.
From July through October 2003, the Program Office organized and conducted three meetings of the Inter-Ministerial Committee responsible for SAP/NAP formulation. Of these, two meetings were held on site (July 2003 – in the Mogiliov city and October 2003 in the Molodechenskiy District). Also at the same time, the Office organized several meetings of NAP/SAP formulation working groups.
5.14. Organization of the 2nd meeting of the International Dnipro Council in the Republic of Belarus (November 25-26, 2003). Among those attending were 60 representatives from Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. The meeting had a significant influence on the Program implementation process and was greatly appreciated by both the IDBC session participants and the Program leadership.
5.15.Organization in Belarus of a number of meetings and scientific and practical seminars devoted to the implementation of Program major components, including a meeting of the Joint Program Management Committee. Participation of Belarus experts (i.e. Committee members and working group members) in meetings and seminars held in Russia and Ukraine.
5.16. Arrangement and holding on a regular basis of 12 meetings of the Program Management Committee in Belarus. Throughout its operational period - from September 2000 to March 2004 - the Office organized 13 National Committee meetings. See Appendix III for the meeting minutes. The signed copies of the minutes, appendices thereto and meeting materials are being kept at the Office and are available upon request.
5.17. Organizational support for all foreign experts visiting Belarus under the Program. In particular, the Office received and assisted the IDRC consultant who examined the Belarus environmental protection system, notably water conservation, to develop recommendations on the improvement of this system and to identify possible avenues of cooperation between the IDRC and national organizations involved in water conservation efforts[1]. The Office also organized visits to examine opportunities for establishing computer linkages among water management institutions and scientific laboratories of the riparian countries and prospects for designing GIS water quality information systems. In addition, the Office organized a visit of the IDRC auditor Mr. David Horn who assessed progress in implementing the Program.
5.18. Continuous administration of Program funds in compliance with the IDRC requirements (analysis, updating and advice on the preparation of project budgets; preparation of financial briefs; control over budget items; analysis and preparation of reports on actual total Program expenditures and UNDP account balances) and the UNDP’s requirements (regular review of the Program budget; preparation of direct payment requests; preparation of requests for equipment purchases and equipment specifications; coordination of conclusion of agreements on directed financing of executing agencies (advance payments); preparation of financing reports; issuance of business travel warrants, preparation of travel warrant payment requests; preparation of contract requests and contract award documentation for contractors, etc.). All basic financial documents, documents prepared in the UNDP format and fiancial reports are being kept at the Office in a systematized manner and are available for auditing. Program financial activities were audited on an annual basis by a company hired for this purpose by the UNDP representative office (Belarus).
5.19. The general public was constantly brought up to date on the Program progress: submission of information to the Program Information Bulletin and Belarus periodicals; and participation in national radio and television broadcasts. The Belarus mass media were kept informed about all important Program activities in Belarus through weekly announcements issued by the UNDP representative office (Belarus) (Week Ahead). Information on the Program activities was posted on websites of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and UNDP representative office (Belarus). Also, a number of interviews were given to the Russian and Ukrainian radio and periodicals.
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[1] The EkologiaInvest Institution and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection would very much appreciate it if you could share with them the results of Ms. Anzhela Markova’s work which could be used to improve the Belarus water management system and in future cooperation with various international financial organizations. We would be very grateful to the IDRC if it would help us obtain these materials.
