Caspian Environment Programme Public Participation Melina Seyfollahzadeh Grants

Caspian Environment Programme Public Participation Melina Seyfollahzadeh Grants & Public Participation Manager Information Management & Public Participation Wksp in Transboundary Water Cooperation June 2005 - St. Petersburg

Caspian Environment Programme BACKGROUND INFORMATION • Caspian Environment Programme ( CEP) - inter-governmental umbrella Environmental Programme - assisted by International partners - safeguarding the marine environment of the Caspian Sea • Funded by GEF/EU TACIS/Industry • CEP launched in 1998 in Ramsar • Started in 1999 in Baku • Programme Coordination Unit (PCU) first in Baku and now in Tehran • Works with countries through national Focal Points (NFPS)

Caspian Environment Programme ACHIEVEMENTS Ø Regional coordination mechanism and dialogue Ø Framework Convention (Tehran Convention) Ø Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) Ø National Caspian Action Plans (NCAPs) Ø Strategic Action Programme (SAP) - SAPICs Ø Matched Small Grants Programme Ø Priority Investment

Caspian Environment Programme & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION OBJECTIVE Enhanced and Informed Stakeholders & intersectoral participation in the management of the Caspian environment • CEP places emphasis on Public Participation • In the Project Document Phase I and II • Highlighted in the Strategic Action Programme (SAP)

Caspian Environment Programme & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION TEAM • Matched Small Grants and Public Participation Advisors (MPPAs) in each Caspian countries; • Two persons in Programme Coordination Unit • Stakeholder Analysis Advisor • International Public Participation Advisor (IPPA) • Caspian Concern Groups (CCG)

Caspian Environment Programme & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ACTIVITIES Ø Background Analysis - Ground Truthing (GT) - Stakeholder Analysis (SHA) Ø Strategy Setting - Formulation of Public Participation Strategy (PPS) Ø Public Awareness - Website, E-Bulletin, Brochure, Booklet, Databases (Media, NGO, …), Networking (NGO, Media), Public Awareness Campaigns (POPs, Eco. Net, …), Educational Posters, Promotional Items Ø Grants - Matched Small Grants Programme (MSGP) - Micro Environment Programme (MEG)

Caspian Environment Programme & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION STRATEGY v Process - Participatory Drafting PCU Discussion Consultation/discussion at regional/national/local level: - Final regional feedback - Principal agreements v Regional Ownership - Voluntary Guidelines/Strategy - Flexible framework

Caspian Environment Programme & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION STRATEGY v Objectives • • Generally, facilitate the establishment of an effective mechanism for public participation in environment management of the Caspian Sea Specifically, involve public in decision-making, planning/design, policy formulation, implementation & monitoring of CEP activities v Pillars Ø Awareness raising and facilitating a systematic and transparent information flow Ø establishing and strengthening the legal and institutional basis for participation

Caspian Environment Programme & INTERVENTIONS Levels: -Regional -National -Local Interventions Stages: -Diagnostic Issues at different levels Actions to be taken Stakeholders involved -Design -Implementation -Monitoring

Caspian Environment Programme & Public Participation Strategy Objectives Pillars PP Mechanism Awareness raising/Info flow Public Involvement Capacity Building Monitoring -NGOs -CEP -Secretariat of Convention Interventions at different stages and different levels

Public Participation CHALLENGES • • • New in the region Has to be bought by the Govts Capacity Building issues Language barrier Networking issues Budget Constrains

Caspian Environment Website WEBSITE www. caspianenvironment. org