Regional workshop under “Climate Forum East” project

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Climate Forum East Newsletter Issue 5, July 2014

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4th CFE Regional CFE Partner meeting

On December 11, 2013 in the framework of the “Climate Forum East” project, a regional workshop was held in Tbilisi.

Continued on pages 3

PROJECT INFORMATION

The main objective of Climate Forum East is to strengthen the capacity of civil

society organizations (CSO) to actively participate in policy dialogue with local and national authorities, EU institutions and international organizations on climate change adaptation.

Expected results: development of national and regional CSO networks; national

and regional climate vulnerability assessments; advocacy and communication; awareness raising and education activities for youth; establishment of the regional Climate Forum East in EaP countries.

Project partners: Armenian Red Cross Society, Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society,

Georgia Red Cross Society, Belarus Red Cross Society, National Ecological Center of Ukraine, Ecospectru (Moldova).

Lead: Austrian Red Cross

International partners: Environment Agency Austria, Red Cross/Red Crescent

Climate Center, World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF).

Project duration: January 2013 – December 2014 (24 months)

Budget: The project is funded by the European Union, additional funding is

provided by the Austrian Development Agency, the Austrian Red Cross and World Wide Fund For Nature.

More news:

4th

CFE Regional CFE Partner meeting page 2

Regional workshop under “Climate Forum East” project page 3

Advocacy and communication training (17-19 January, 2014), Minsk, Belarus page 4

Ensuring Network members active involvement page 5

Armenian Climate Forum News page 6

National meeting regarding biodiversity and climate change adaptation (CCA) in Georgia page 7

Meeting of the Georgia Civil Society Organization network on Climate Change Adaptation to give feedback on the national climate vulnerability assessment page 7

Strategic meeting of working group on climate change, Kiev,13-14 December 2013 page 8

A drawing exhibition organized within the framework of Climate Forum East page 9

A meeting within the framework of Climate Forum East page 9

The Red Crescent garden page 10

CFE EU policy training in adaptation to climate change, Chisinau, Moldova page 11

National advocacy training, Chisinau, Moldova page 11

In the framework of Climate Forum East (CFE) project Austrian Red Cross (AutRC) and Georgia Red Cross Society (GRCS) organized the fourth Regional CFE partner meeting on the 5-6 February, 2014 in the hotel “Premier Palace” Bakuriani, Georgia.

Continued on page 2

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In the framework of Climate Forum East (CFE)

project Austrian Red Cross (AutRC) and Georgia Red

Cross Society (GRCS) organized the fourth Regional

CFE partner meeting on the 5-6 February, 2014 in

the hotel “Premier Palace” Bakuriani, Georgia.

Project partners Armenian Red Cross Society,

Georgia Red Cross Society, Belarus Red Cross

Society, Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society, Ecological

Centre of Ukraine, ECOSPECTRU (Moldova), National

Ecological Centre of Ukraine (NECU) participated in

the conference, as well project technical advisors

Fund for Nature, Danube Carpathian Programme-

Austria (WWF DCP), and the Red Cross/Red

Crescent Climate Centre based in the Hague.

Over a two-day meeting CFE coordinators from six

countries presented progress reports, plans of actions

for six months, and jointly planned forthcoming

regional and sub-regional events with the project

manager. Phyllis Rachler, WWF DCP, presented

progress results from the mid-term evaluation. Based

on interviews with Network Coordinators/National

Focal Points, with two Network Members of each

country, analysis of project documents, log frame,

monthly reports, she gave recommendations to the

partners from all 6 countries. Also, future perspective

of the Climate Vulnerability Assessments (CVAs)

finalization was discussed during the meeting.

The meeting was facilitated by Phyllis Rachler, WWF

DCP, mid-term evaluation expert, Sonja Greiner CFE

Project Manager- Austrian Red Cross, Louisa Whitlock

a Climate Change expert of the Red Cross/Red

Crescent Climate Centre, and Natalia Gozak WWF DCP,

Ukraine.

4th CFE Regional CFE Partner meeting

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On December 11, 2013 in the framework of the

“Climate Forum East” project, a regional workshop

was held in Tbilisi. The workshop was attended by

representatives of the Georgia Red Cross Society,

Armenian Red Cross Society, Azerbaijan Red

Crescent Society and Climate Vulnerability

Assessment (CVA) report writers from the same

countries. The aim of the meeting was to discuss

draft Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA)

reports, ongoing activities and future perspectives in

the frame of the project. It should be mentioned

that an exhibition of paintings by school pupils on

the topic of climate changes is being organized in

the frame of project. The paintings were presented

by the meeting participants. After the decision of

selection committee the winner will be chosen and

will be awarded with a prize.

Regional workshop under “Climate Forum East” project

Issue 4, May 2014 Issue 5, July 2014 Climate Forum East Newsletter Climate Forum East Newsletter

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Issue 5, July 2014

Advocacy and communication training (17-19 January, 2014), Minsk, Belarus.

Climate Forum East Newsletter

In the framework of the Climate Forum East project, an Advocacy and Communication training took place on the 17-19 January, 2014 in Minsk, Belarus. Representatives from Belarus Red Cross Society and national organizations (among them “Ecoproekt”, “Zelenii grodnov” and others) participated in the meeting. The aim of the training was to expand participants' knowledge about the possibilities of legislative and other instruments for conservation of the environment; and to help participants develop advocacy campaigns and communication strategies on specific climate change issues. During the event each group created its own map with the most topical issues of climate change in the country. Participants also reviewed national legislation (including international conventions) on climate change and participated in a role-play “Climate solutions through planning and implementation of advocacy campaigns.” During the game a problem of marshland reclamation should have been solved. The participants were divided into several groups: citizens, ecological NGOs, Executive Committees, the Ministry of Energy, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. The objective of each group was to advocate its own campaign: citizens and ecological NGOs wanted to stop marshland reclamation. However, state structure had already developed the State Programme “PEAT”.

During the training participants also studied principles and methods of effective advocacy and developed result-oriented advocacy campaigns by themselves.

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The last six months of the Climate Forum East project implementation in Armenia were marked by the active involvement of the Armenian Climate Forum members in the process of Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) preparation, project follow-up discussions, and community activities. First, on October 30-31st, 2014, Armenian Climate Forum Network members gathered in Tsakhkadzor to discuss the CVA process and to sign a Memorandum of Understanding. It is worth mentioning that the Network was also represented by national minority organizations. Moreover, besides 17 organizations that signed the MoU, 7 new organizations are currently waiting to join the Network. Second, in order to raise the awareness of teachers, pupils and their family members on climate change adaptation, a drawing competition was organized in Vayots Dzor region. 12 schools were selected to take part in the event. Before conducting the drawing competition one day training of trainers (ToT) in climate change was organized for 24 teachers (2 from each selected school). Moreover, they received booklets developed by the “Khazer” Ecological Cultural NGO, a member of the Armenian Climate Forum, and printed within the framework of the Project. In addition, stationary for conducting the drawing competition together with video material on climate change was distributed to target schools. Furthermore, 3 winners from each school were selected and awarded with incentive prizes. Afterwards, Armenian Climate Forum members selected the best picture from each school and the three best pictures on regional level.

Ensuring Network members active involvement

For those winners on regional level a trip to Yerevan will be organized in May 2014. Overall, 100 pupils from each school, in total 1200 pupils have participated in the event.

Third, all 36 selected pictures together with Armenian Climate Forum member organizations messages on Climate Change have been included in a 2014 Calendar developed and printed within the framework of the Project, thus ensuring visibility of the Armenian Climate Forum Network and CFE Project.

Moreover, the process of CVA was presented in December in Tbilisi during regional meeting of Climate Forum East Project. On January 31, Armenian Climate Forum Network gathered in Yerevan based “Ani Plaza” Hotel to discuss the first draft of CVA presented by Aram Gabrielyan. Several network members have also presented drafts of case studies on five priority areas that comprise the basis for CVA. Additionally, network members agreed to send their comments on the CVA in 10 days, so that the author would be able to include them into the report. After of the presentation of the case studies and the inclusion of comments and remarks, the CVA process has entered into its final stage, where translation and basic design are carried out.

Finally, before leaving to Tbilisi for the “Responding to Climate Change in Eastern Partnership Countries” Regional Conference, Armenian Climate Forum members met at the Armenian Red Cross HQ to discuss the continuation of the project in 2015. As a result, 13 recommendations were underlined and presented in Tbilisi. Moreover, the Armenian version of CVA was printed and presented at this conference as well. A group of seven representatives of the Armenian Climate Forum, including the CVA expert participated in this event.

Issue 5, July 2014 Climate Forum East Newsletter

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In December 2013 the “Sustainable Development’’ NGO, a member of the Armenian Climate Forum, started a new project. A solar energy system will be installed in “Syunik Regional Psychiatric-Neurological Dispensary” CJSC. As a result of the project the company will save 1.700.000 drams, about 6300 m3 natural gas and 21.700 KWH per year. Aluminum doors and economic lamps will also be installed and 600000 drams will be saved. 2.300.000 drams will be saved all together annually and the emission of 12 tonnes of CO2 greenhouse gases into the atmosphere will be prevented per year. It has also been planned that the Armenian State Engineering University Kapan branch will be provided with 5 models of using solar energy according to the project in order to introduce to the students and other interested people the benefits of the system. The project is supported by UNDP, the Global Ecological Fund Small Grants Project (GEF SGP) and total funding is 61.700 US dollars. Thanks to project supporters and those who have been taking an active part in decreasing environmental issues in Syunik region.

Issue 5, July 2014 Climate Forum East Newsletter

Armenian Climate Forum News

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On 20 November 2013, a national meeting regarding biodiversity and climate change adaptation was conducted by Georgia Red Cross Society (GRCS) in Hotel Irmeni in Tbilisi.

The aim of the meeting was to discuss biodiversity and climate change adaptation (CCA) with representatives of partner organizations. A technical advisor from the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre Louisa Whitlock, as well representatives of various organizations (“NACRES”, “Georgian Water Global Partnership”, “Georgian Energy Efficiency Foundation” and others) participated in the meeting.

The Network Coordinator of Climate Forum East project discussed ongoing activities and future perspectives of the project. Then, the facilitator of the meeting Kakha Artsivadze from NGO NACRES (Biodiversity conservation and research ) talked about biodiversity and its related risks, general overview of climate change and its related risks, international effort and practice in climate change and Georgia state policies related to climate change adaptation and sustainable agricultural practices.

Issue 4, May 2014

On 25 February 2014, in the framework of the CFE project, the Georgia Red Cross Society (GRCS) conducted a national meeting, where Georgia Climate Vulnerability Assessment (CVA) authors Anna Rukhadze and Ina Vachiberidze presented draft CVA report to the Georgia CSO network on Climate Change Adaptation members.

During this meeting the main areas of focus of the CVA report were identified and the draft report and recommendations were presented and discussed with the CSO network members. Comments and recommendations from the CSO network have been included into the final version of the report.

Representatives from Georgia Red Cross Society, Austrian Red Cross, as well representatives from international and national organizations (e.g. Mercy Corps - Georgia, World Wild Fund (WWF) in the Caucasus, Caucasus Environmental NGO Network (CENN) and others) participated in the meeting.

Climate Forum East Newsletter

National meeting regarding biodiversity and climate change adaptation (CCA) in Georgia

Meeting of the Georgia Civil Society Organization (CSO) network on Climate Change Adaptation to give feedback on the national climate vulnerability assessment.

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Issue 5, July 2014

The working group of non-governmental organizations on climate change completed its work this year by strategic planning. Members of the group that came from all over Ukraine discussed the results of the international climate negotiations in Warsaw, implementation of state projects under the Green Investment Scheme and especially the development of a national emissions trading scheme in Ukraine. Anjia Kollmuss from an international NGO "Carbon Market Watch" explained the mechanism of the Doha amendment effect on Ukraine during the second period of the Kyoto Protocol, and described the new market and non-market mechanisms for the period after 2020.

During the first day of the meeting, Maria Storchylo (expert on climate change, NECU) presented the features of the international negotiations on ratification of the second period of the Kyoto Protocol and the positive and negative aspects of the implementation of the national emissions trading market in Ukraine.

Andriy Zhelyeznyy presented an assessment of the implementation of the work of the insulation of premises of public buildings through the scheme of Green investments (www.470mln.org.ua, www.facebook.com/470mln). In particular, he said that construction works were not completed or performed poorly.

Participants learnt the rules of the public monitoring of insulation and facilities and offered system of on-line reporting.

During the second day of the meeting of the WG a strategic discussion and activity planning session of climate change areas for 2014 were held. The discussion was moderated by Olga Vlasyuk (Coordinator of climate change adaptation, NECU). The further work of climate change working group will include following areas: • Communication activities on adaptation to climate change; • Analysis and comments on the National Action Plan on adaptation to climate change; • Assessment on the local level of the vulnerability of cities to climate change; • Support of youth in the organization for climate change adaptation campaigns;

• Continue education on the topic climate change adaptation through educational activities for schoolchildren and students; • National campaign to draw public attention to the negative impact of coal power stations; • Communication of climate change to religious confessions; • Monitoring in solving climate issues at the national level, and impact on governments; • National campaign for analyzing the use of funds in the budget for energy facilities; • On-line access to a set of tools for climate protection actions in the framework of a campaign "Take it and do it ."

During the session "Information campaign on climate change for children and youth", which was moderated by Irina Stavchuk (Curator of climate department, NECU ), representatives of NGOs learnt about the features of training and communicating climate information to schoolchildren, students and the general public during street protests. General discussion was focused on the difficulties of information campaigns and ways to overcome them. Participants shared experiences of the best practices of information campaigns and learnt how to prepare environmental reports for general public.

In the section "Adaptation to climate change in cities” Olga Shevchenko (Candidate of the Geographical Sciences, Professor Assistant of Meteorology and Climatology at Shevchenko Kyiv National University) presented the latest results of the research of vulnerability of urban ecosystems to climate change.

The NGOs Working Group on Climate Change would like to thank the European Commission, the Austrian Red Cross, the UN Fund for Democracy and the Swedish NGO AirClim for financial support of the meeting. Special thanks to Anjia Kollmuss of Carbon Market Watch for attending the meeting.

Climate Forum East Newsletter

Strategic meeting of working group on climate change, Kiev, 13-14 December 2013

Climate Forum East Newsletter

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An exhibition of drawings by children on the subject of

climate change was held at the Absheron Picture Gallery on 5 December 2013, with the organizational support of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society (AzRCS) and financial support of the Austrian Red Cross and the European Union. The exhibition was organized within the framework of the Climate Forum East project, and displayed the winning entries of a national drawing contest on the theme of “Climate Change through Children’s Eyes”. Selected schools from Ganja, Mingechevir, Lankaran, Sabirabad and Baki Regional Centers took part in the contest, and the drawings of these schoolchildren were collected and exhibited at the gallery. In their drawings, the children expressed their thoughts about how they see climate change. The main purpose of the exhibition was to climate change, which is a global problem, world to the attention of the general public, and to raise awareness of the problems that may arise as a result of climate change.

A drawing exhibition organized within the framework of Climate Forum East

Vice-Presidents of the AzRCS Gafar Askerzadeh and Ramazan Sultanov, the Secretary General of the AzRCS Bayram Veliyev and other staff of the National Society, the Head of Baku Office of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Sabina-Mehbubi-Iran, the Head of Azerbaijan Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross Denis Duran, the representatives of the Embassy of Austria in Azerbaijan, the representatives of NGOs included in a network of “Climate Forum East ” project and other guests visited the exhibition.

Issue 4, July 2014 Climate Forum East Newsletter

A meeting within the framework of Climate Forum East

On the 13th of March 2014, a meeting of the members of the Climate Forum East network was held at the Headquarters of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society.

During the meeting the Climate Forum East project experts Shamil Ismayilov and Gamza Yusubova presented the results of their national Climate Vulnerability Assessment report and shared information on the reasons for climate change in the world including our republic with participants of the meeting.

During the meeting discussions were held about trainings and seminars that are envisaged in accordance with the action plan. Also, the place and date of the tree-planting campaign were determined.

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Issue 4, May 2014 Issue 4, May 2014 Climate Forum East Newsletter Climate Forum East Newsletter

The Red Crescent garden

On the 12th of April 2014, within the framework of

the Climate Forum East project the staff and

volunteers of the Azerbaijan Red Crescent Society

planted 280 trees on the territory of Talistan village

of Ismayilli district. Elderly people of Talistan village,

representatives of non-government organizations,

and representatives of Talistan village authority,

members of local municipality, staff and volunteers

of Ismayilli local branch of the Azerbaijan Red

Crescent Society all participated in this tree-planting

humanitarian action. On behalf of the elderly people

of Talistan village, Aliramzi Maharramov thanked the

organizers of the humanitarian action the Azerbaijan

Red Crescent Society.

Issue 5, July 2014 Climate Forum East Newsletter

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Issue 4, May 2014 Climate Forum East Newsletter CFE EU policy training in adaptation to climate change, Chisinau, Moldova.

The EU policy training took place on November 4-8, 2013 in Chisinau, Moldova. During the training, participants received an overview of the objectives of the EU climate policy until 2020, the 2030 Framework and the 2050 Roadmap. Experts also presented the 2007 Green Paper on Adaptation and the 2009 White Paper “Adapting to Climate Change: Towards a European framework for action.”

The CSO Networks learnt and discussed how adaptation priorities can be translated into national level policy. Examples of successful adaptation strategies in the European Union showed our network what strategies could be used on national level.

As a special interest of the countries, adaptation of cities to heat stress and social aspects for preparedness and dealing with heat waves was presented and discussed.

A national advocacy training took place on the 13th March 2014 in Chisinau, Moldova. Representatives of Moldavian network member’s and national organizations (among them “ECOSPECTRU”, “Ecosfera”, “AO Ecostrategii”,”AO Demetra” and others) participated in the meeting. During the training participants reviewed national legislation (including international conventions) on climate change. During one of the sessions civil society organization representatives identified the main problems in climate change in Moldova and possible ways of involvement of civil society to solve those problems. Additionally a map of climate related problems in Moldova was created.People discussed climate solutions through planning and implementation of advocacy campaigns and civil society role in adaptation to climate change. Representatives were also trained on the implementation of principles and methods of effective advocacy with target oriented planning.

Climate Forum East Newsletter Issue 5, July 2014

National advocacy training, Chisinau, Moldova.