Sustainable DevelopmentInitiatives 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

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!

IOsIOs:

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 self-support

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

• AIDS problems

• Youth at risk / orphans

• 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 RockWorks in more than 50 countriesSupported over 10 mln. families See more at: www.heifer.org

Sustainability and Heifer International Headquarters

Green Facts• 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• 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 cultureWhere: 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 ConventionUnique agreement addressing exclusively mountain

ecosystems

• 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 ConventionCarpathian 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 projects1. Support of rural communities projects - mainly dairy - mainly dairy cattle husbandry cattle husbandry (9 projects)

Number of heifers -Purchased: 283Passed-on: 229

2. Revival of endangered breeds projects2. Revival of endangered breeds projects (6 projects)

Carpathian Brown Cow Hutsul horse Ukrainian Mountain Sheep

Purchased: 64 64 258Passed-on: 24 25 66

3. Rural tourism development projects3. 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: 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 3 projects in Lviv oblast, Lviv oblast, 1994-20081994-2008::

•27-0810-01 27-0810-01 Small Farm Dev’t in Drogobych raionSmall Farm Dev’t in Drogobych raion•27-0801-0127-0801-01 Cattle Dev’t in the mountain areaCattle Dev’t in the mountain area (Drogobych (Drogobych

raion)raion)•27-0805-01 27-0805-01 Skole District Dairy Cattle Breeding ImprovementSkole District Dairy Cattle Breeding Improvement

RESULTSRESULTS: : -Provided 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)

Zakarpattia, 2002-2006

RESULTS/ OUTCOMESRESULTS/ OUTCOMES: :

1)Community received:• 54 does (54 does (female goatsfemale goats)) and and 2 2 bucks (bucks (male goatsmale goats)) in total• Trainings on goat breeding. • ASC “Nelipinskiy” created and provided with equipment.

2) Since 2007, ASC sells pure-blood goats.

Project on Dairy Goat Breeding in Nelipyno

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 onpassed 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):

Beginning End DifferenceOperating agrohouseholds 38 59 21Received visitors, inds. 1220 2250 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)

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.

Heifer Ukraine’s Initiatives in Rural Green Tourism (Carpathian project 2)

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 4.260.0004.260.000 EURO. Funding of Ukrainian part of the project, financed by TACIS is 225,000225,000 EURO and direct funding of Heifer-Ukraine is 25,00025,000 EURO.

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 (2006-2008)

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 ProjectSome 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• UNEP Vienna ISCC• WWF DCP • Austrian Institute of

East and Southeast European Studies

Poland•RTI Polska •Podkarpackie region •UNEP GRID Warsaw •Institute of Urban Development •Institute of Spatial and Cadastral Systems

Hungary •Hungarian Academy of Sciences - Centre for Regional Studies •CEEWEB

Italy•Retecamere •EURAC

GreecePrefecture Authority of Drama - Kavala –

Xanthi Czech RepublicUniversity of

Olomouc Slovakia

•REC Slovakia •Academia Istropolitana Bratislava

GermanyISF Munich (Social Research Institute)

Romania Urbanproiect Bucharest

UkraineHeifer-Ukraine

Carpathian Convention: Carpathian Convention: Secretariat, WGsSecretariat, 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•Union for Promotion of Rural Green Tourism Development in Ukraine (and its Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, 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 DevelopmentYouth NGO “Ecosfera”…

Funding institutions •European Commission Delegation to Ukraine•Eurasia Fund

ASCs“Gasda"“Nelypinskiy"“Promin"“Silskiy Hospodar"“Fenix"“Flora"

Local municipalities

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