1. Ministry of Regional Development and Public works Global Environment Facility United Nations Development Programme Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process ( Rio Conventions Project) Inception Workshop 21 February, 2007, Sofia

2. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project The Road to the World Summit in Rio UN Conference on the Human Environment – 1972, Stockholm: economic development vs. environmental degradation The Burtland Commission (World Commission on Environment and Development), 1983 Our Common Future Report, 1987 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), 3-14 June, 1992, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Key outputs: -The Rio Conventions: international efforts towards preserving biodiversity and counteracting climate change and land degradation

3. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project The Rio Conventions The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, ratified by Bulgaria on 17.04.1996. Major goals: -Scientific and technical cooperation -Regulatory measures on access to genetic resources -Shared benefits from genetic resources -Recognition of the role of indigenous and local communities

4. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project The Rio Conventions The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, ratified by Bulgaria on 12.05.1995. Major Goals: -Stabilise the concentrations of Green House Gases -Establishment of National inventory -Formulation of national and regional programs -International co-op and joined-up approach -Industrial responsibility

5. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project The Rio Conventions Kyoto Protocol, 1999. In force since 16 Feb, 2005. Major Goals: -A 5% reduction on 1990 levels by 2008 - 2012 (for Bulgaria – 8% reduction of emissions to the levels from 1988) -Establishment of new financial mechanisms: Emissions Trading System, Joint Implementation, Clean Development Mechanism

6. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project The Rio Conventions The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, ratified by Bulgaria on 21.02.2001. Major goals: -Mitigation the effects of droughts -Mitigation of desertification due to: over- exploitation, deforestation, bad irrigation -Facilitate awareness and participation in local communities -Promoting access to new technology -Introducing their own strategies

7. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project Project Background National Capacity Self Assessment (2002 -2004): formulation of a country Capacity Building Strategy and Plan for the 3 UN Conventions Project Development Phase and stakeholder consultations (Feb-Jun ‘05) Final approval by GEF – 22 March 2006 Project start-up - Nov 2006

8. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project Project Management Implementing Agency: Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works (MRDPW) Partners: Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) Steering Committee Members from: MRDPW, MoEW and UNDP, chaired by National Project Director, MRDPW. Meets bi-annually Advisory Board: wider stakeholder group. Meets once per year PMU: Project Manager and Project Administrator, UNDP

9. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project Duration and Budget Project Duration Nov, 2006 – Oct, 2010 Project Budget Total: USD 1,528,000 Global Environmental Facility: USD 499,000 Government of Bulgaria: USD 1,029,000 Total GEF budget by Outcomes: Outcome 1: USD 256,000 Outcome 2: USD 180,000 Outcome 3: USD 63,000

10. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project Outcomes Outcome 1: Improved methodologies, skills and information management system for mainstreaming global environmental issues into regional development Major outputs: -Accredited training program -Training of 130 key employees at MRDPW and MoEW -Data Sources review -Set of sample Indicators and integration into GIS -Development and dissemination of publications -Web site and web portal

11. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project Draft Curriculum of the Training Program to be Developed – 1 Suggested Components: Module 1. Basic Theoretic Background: -Sustainable Development – history, definitions -Instruments for SD: theory, good practices from the EU, legal framework, strategies, partnerships, indicators -Integration of the SD concept into EU policies -Engagements of Bulgaria in the area of SD and evaluation of the progress: local legislature, international conventions and treaties -Mechanisms for Stakeholders Participation

12. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project Draft Curriculum of the Training Program to be Developed – 2 Module 2. Practical Skills: -Methodology for application of the developed indicators in the regional and territorial planning -Monitoring of the implementation of indicators -Skills for using GIS for application of indicators -Skills for integration of recommendations from ecological evaluations, EIAs, etc. in the process of regional and territorial planning

13. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project Sample Set of Indicators

14. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project Outcomes Outcome 2: Institutional changes that support mainstreaming of global environment into regional development and spatial planning are in place Major outputs: -Study visit in a selected EU institution -Changes in staff hiring and evaluation procedures -Adaptation of methodologies for strategic EIA and regional development legislature -Lessons learnt publications

15. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project Outcomes Outcome 3: One pilot regional development plan and one municipal-level spatial development plan are revised to integrate global environmental objectives. Major outputs: -Pilot testing of indicators through integration into one regional development plan -Pilot testing of indicators through integration into one municipal spatial plan

16. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project Project Timeframe

17. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project Major activities in 2007 1.Develop a Training Programme for public officials from MRDPW and MoEW (March – Dec 2007) -Identification of a suitable international academic organization -Identification of a partner Bulgarian academic organization -Select an initial cohort of trainees and conduct a pilot course 2.Identify and select suitable indicators for monitoring impact of “new” regional and spatial planning policies (June – Dec 2007) -Survey of relevant data sources (NSI, GIS databases, etc.) -Developed set of indicators through Operational Programs and other strategic docs review

18. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project Major activities in 2007 3. Develop and launch a project web site (Feb – April 2007) 4. Organize a study visit for national key discussion makers (Sept – Nov 2007) e.g. Environment Sustainability Theme Manger Office, UK http://www.gos.gov.uk/goeast/european_funding/environmental_sustainability/ 5. Develop good practices materials based on the final results from Greening Regional Development Programs Project (June - Dec 2007): http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/grdp/ http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/grdp/ -European-wide network co-financed by the INTERREG IIIC programme -Exchange of practices on how to develop regions while minimising the impact on the environment

19. Integrating Global Environmental Issues into Bulgaria’s Regional Development Process Project THANK YOU!