Projekte

Kurzbeschreibung:

Projektziel

The purpose of this assignment is to design a programme document with particular focus on the development and conservation of the Simien Mountains National Park (SMNP) and improvement of the livelihoods of communities living in the adjacent woredas of the Park aligned with the global strategic directions of the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC).

The overall objective of the new programme is to contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development in the North Gondar Zone through conservation and sustainable use of the SMNP natural resources and promotion of alternative livelihood opportunities through an integrated regional development approach and private sector involvement.

Erwartete Ergebnisse

The specific objective of the assignment is to develop an options paper, design and prepare a new programme for further advancing SMNP natural and cultural heritage in line with international standards and for the socio-economic benefit of the surrounding communities as well as the Amhara region. The services cover three phases, Phase 1 presenting programming options, Phase 2 developing a Programme Document, and Phase 3 preparing Terms of Reference for a possible tender procedure. Services regarding Phase 3 are optional.

The new programme will tentatively aim at the following results:

Biodiversity and natural resources in the SMNP are better protected and ecosystem services improved;

the local communities around the SMNP benefit economically from improved sustainable land management and alternative livelihood opportunities;

sustainable ecotourism is promoted;

capacities of national, regional and local authorities are strengthened.

Zielgruppe

A programme design steering committee will be set up and co-chaired by the State Minister for Culture and Tourism and ADC Head of Cooperation. It is envisaged that the PDSC will be comprised of representatives of ADC, Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Bureau of Finance and Economic Cooperation Amhara Region, 2 Private Sector Representatives (one local, one national), 2 Development partners, 1 environmental and 1 community development NGO, and one representative of academia.

Consultation and agreement with the national authorities is pursued during the entire service contract by the Contractor in close consultation with the ADC office.

Maßnahmen

The assignment will include the following tasks:

Study/desk review of documents,

Field visit to SMNP and surrounding woredas for collection of basic data and information, focus group discussions and individual interviews,

Inception Report,

Development and Submission of options paper,

Stakeholder consultation workshops,

Development and submission of programme document,

Technical tender document (Option).

Hintergrundinformation

Since 1998 ADC has been engaged in supporting the rehabilitation and sustainable management of the SMNP as well as in improving the food security and socio-economic situation of the communities in the North Gondar Zone in order to reduce use pressure on the SMNP. Major achievements include the expansion of the park area and gazetting of the new Park boundaries, the establishment of a Park office and strengthening of park management, afforestation of the Park with indigenous species, the reduction of human and animal encroachment, protection of biodiversity, the development of tourist and other infrastructures, the training of tour guides, formation of ecotourism cooperatives, and support for voluntary resettlement of the local communities from the park core area to nearby village/town(s). ADC also supported the regional and federal government institutions’ efforts to protect the park and maintain its status as World Natural Heritage Site as well as to improve the livelihoods of the communities along the park. Challenges persist to ensure long term conservation of the Park and its ecosystem services, and to reduce both pressure on natural resources and local communities’ dependency on the natural resources of the park. ADC is committed to further support Ethiopia’s efforts in developing the SMNP and the region through a new programme based on an in-depth, participatory programme design.