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SUMMARY OF THE SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS PROJECT
(BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION CENTER)

The Biodiversity Conservation Center (BCC), within the framework of the Management Strategy for Russian National Parks project (implemented under the auspices of the DFID – British-Russian Development Programme), has developed conceptual bases for the Sustainable Livelihoods of People Involved in Russia’s National Parks. This document has been published twice. The project is currently being implemented in a number of model areas.

The Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) Concept is based on the Seville Strategy and Agenda XXI and has been adapted for Russia.

A number of documents are planned for 2002: they will be based on practical experience of the SL mechanism in Russia and distributed to all protected areas and rural authorities.

Model areas for SL mechanism development include 2 nature reserves: Katunsky (Altai Republic) and Central-Forest (Tver Oblast) and 2 national parks – Ugra (Kaluga Oblast) and Smolenskoe Poozerie (Smolensk Oblast). Both national parks plan to apply for Biosphere Reserve Status (the Ministry of Natural Resources supports this).

The Biodiversity Conservation Center has already developed management plans for Katunsky and Central-Forest nature reserves. Management plans for Ugra and Smolenskoe Poozerie national parks will be completed by the end of the year. The main objective of these management plans is to improve the management of protected areas by integrating these areas into the regional socio-economic context. In fact, these management plans are Biosphere Reserve designation programmes for Ugra and Smolenskoe Poozerie national parks. The Ministry of Natural Resources will co-ordinate the development plans of all stakeholders for the next 5-7 years.

SL programmes are practical mechanisms for biosphere concept implementation. All institutional programmes are implemented by steering bodies. These steering bodies include representatives of the protected area, local authorities, business, and NGOs.

The following SL programmes are being developed in model areas:

• micro-credit programmes for local communities (on the basis of open tenders of local business ideas);
• 2-level training programmes, including practical assistance in business plan development for participants of micro-credit programmes;
• private sector involvement in tourism development in national parks through rent tenders and auctions on areas, objects, and tourism routes;
• community involvement in visitor service in national parks (visitor accommodation in private guest houses);
• local handicraft revival programmes;
• fishery tourism development programme;
• use of the Katunsky Nature Reserve Logo to Promote Organic Production in Planned Collaboration Area (buffer zone).

Twenty micro-credits and 2 grants have been provided within the framework of 4 micro-credit programmes. In addition, 7 applications for micro-credits will be funded in the near future. The main micro-credit areas identified through open tenders include organic agriculture, sustainable tourism, and small service-related businesses.

In all, 42 SL projects are already under way:

• 5 institutional projects;
• 10 support projects;
• 5 enabling projects;
• 22 micro-projects proposed by local people.

A BCC questionnaire for participants in SL projects has revealed the high effectiveness of SL programmes in establishing constructive relations between protected areas and local communities. Protected area managers and local authorities agree. SL programmes often produce better results than traditional environmental education programmes.

Sergei Tarasov,
BCC Senior Specialist

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