Caspian Environment Programme

Public Participation

Melina SeyfollahzadehGrants & Public Participation Manager

Information Management & Public Participation Wksp in Transboundary Water Cooperation

June 2005 - St. Petersburg

Caspian Environment ProgrammeBACKGROUND 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 ProgrammeACHIEVEMENTS

Regional coordination mechanism and dialogue

Framework Convention (Tehran Convention)

Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA)National Caspian Action Plans (NCAPs)Strategic Action Programme (SAP) -

SAPICsMatched Small Grants Programme Priority Investment

Caspian Environment Programme & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

OBJECTIVE

Enhanced and Informed Stakeholders & inter-sectoral 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 Background Analysis

- Ground Truthing (GT)- Stakeholder Analysis (SHA)

Strategy Setting- Formulation of Public Participation Strategy (PPS)

Public Awareness- Website, E-Bulletin, Brochure, Booklet, Databases

(Media, NGO, …), Networking (NGO, Media), Public Awareness Campaigns (POPs, EcoNet, …), Educational Posters, Promotional Items Grants

- Matched Small Grants Programme (MSGP)- Micro Environment Programme (MEG)

Caspian Environment Programme & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION STRATEGY

Process- Participatory- Drafting- PCU Discussion - Consultation/discussion at regional/national/local level: - Final regional feedback- Principal agreements

Regional Ownership- Voluntary Guidelines/Strategy - Flexible framework

Caspian Environment Programme & PUBLIC PARTICIPATION STRATEGY

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

Pillars Awareness raising and facilitating a systematic

and transparent information flow establishing and strengthening the legal and

institutional basis for participation

Caspian Environment Programme & INTERVENTIONS

Interventions

Issues at different levels

Actions to be taken

Stakeholders involved

Levels:

-Regional

-National

-Local

Stages:-Diagnostic

-Design

-Implementation

-Monitoring

Caspian Environment Programme & Public Participation Strategy

Objectives Pillars Interventions

PP Mechanism

Awareness raising/Info flowPublic

Involvement

Capacity Building

Interventions at

different stages and different

levels

Monitoring-NGOs-CEP

-Secretariat of Convention

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 WebsiteWEBSITE

www.caspianenvironment.org