Projects

Short Description:

Overall goal

The intended Impact of the project: The Natural Protected Area Biosphere reserve “Prutul de Jos” is managed sustainably taking into account climate change impacts and delivers ecosystem services for local communities.

The project's expected outcome is: Climate resilience of the Natural Protected Area Biosphere reserve “Prutul de Jos” is enhanced and communities and local authorities have increased their capacities for climate change adaptation.

Expected results

Expected Outputs:

Output 1: Climate change risks identified, and priority adaptation measures implemented in a participatory manner within the Biosphere reserve “Prutul de Jos” area;

Output 2: The information and awareness about the value of the protected area and its ecosystem services as well as climate change impacts is increased;

Output 3: Capacities of local and national level actors (women and men) on climate resilience and effective management of the Natural Protected Area Biosphere reserve “Prutul de Jos” are strengthened;

Output 4: The institutional and regulatory framework for integrated management of the Biosphere reserve “Prutul de Jos” and the Sub-Basin Frumoasa-Crihana River is strengthened in a participatory manner.

Target group / Beneficiaries

The project aims to reach approximately 10,439 direct rural beneficiaries (out of who about 50% are women, 10% are socially vulnerable persons) from all 10 communities in the project’s target area. The direct beneficiaries will also include 85 officials from national and local authorities as well 150 representatives of other groups such as civil society organisations, media etc. as well as businesses in the area.

Activities

The following activities are foreseen under the project's four outputs.

Output 1: Conducting a gender sensitive and socially inclusive climate change climate vulnerability assessment of the Biosphere Reserve “Prutul de Jos”; mapping of vulnerability hotspots and conflict Areas; mainstreaming climate change adaptation measures into local policy documents based on climate vulnerability assessment; implementing priority adaptation interventions in the implementation area

Output 2: Conducting a social perception survey about the value of the protected area and its ecosystem services as well as climate change impacts; conducting an information and awareness raising campaign at national and at implementation area level about the value of the protected area and its ecosystem services as well as climate change impacts.

Output 3: Conducting a capacity development programme at national and at implementation area level

Output 4: Elaboration of the Sub-Basin Management Plan for the Frumoasa – Crihana River; support for strengthening the administration and further management of the Committee of the Sub-Basin Frumoasa – Crihana River; support for establishment of the administration and further management of the Biosphere Reserve “Prutul de Jos; legal support and mediation for ensuring good governance in Biosphere Reserve “Prutul de Jos” and in Sub-Basin Frumoasa – Crihana River.

Context

The project will be implemented in the Lower Prut area in the Southern part of the Republic of Moldova including the Prut River and the floodable lakes. A wetland stretches along the Prut River, covering a mosaic of water ecosystems, meadows, and forests. The territory (more than 14,771 ha) is a part of Cahul district, that consists of the town of Cahul as buffer region and the administrative-territorial boundaries of the communities Brînza, Cî?li?a-Prut, Coliba?i, Crihana Veche, Giurgiule?ti, Manta, Slobozia Mare, Vadul lui Isac and V?leni.

The Biosphere Reserve "Prutul de Jos" of Moldova has become the first protected area of Moldova, which has gained international status. With the recent adoption of several regulatory acts in Moldova including the Law on the foundation of the Biosphere Reserve "Prutul de Jos" in 2018, a solid base and incentives for further development and expansion of protected areas within the country were created. Based on a climate vulnerability assessment of the area the project strives to develop national and local stakeholders' capacities to enhance the foundations for an effective, while inclusive management of the protected area.

Public awareness raising about environmental issues, including the value of the protected area and its ecosystem services as well as climate change impacts, is an important element of the project's implementation strategy.