United Nations Development Programme Republic of Belarus Project Document
Project Title Local Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (LEED)
1.1 National capacity to develop and implement social inclusion policies and programmes at the local level and to foster Expected CP Outcome: inclusive job creation and entrepreneurship are strengthened.
1) Sustainable ecotourism strategies are developed and legislative and regulatory reforms that favour eco- tourism Expected Output(s): development are facilitated; 2) The capacity of ecotourism MSMEs and business support organizations is strengthened; 3) Public outreach and marketing of the region as an ecotourism destination is established.
Executing Entity: Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus (MST)
Implementing Entity: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Brief Description The goal of Project is to strengthen the role of the private sector in the economies of Brest and Grodno regions and in the thriving tourism sector of the Republic of Belarus. The goal will be reached through the support of the development and growth of private micro-, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) operating in the ecotourism sector, stimulating local initiative and job creation, and promotion and marketing of the project territories as tourist destinations both within the country, and beyond. The project will assist in educating the population of sustainable ecotourism practices, cooperation opportunities with local authorities and private sector, and broadening the market place of ideas.
Programme Period: 2011-2014 Total resources required: $ 1 946 000 US dollars Key Result Area: Ecotourism MSMEs’ competitiveness increased Total allocated resources: $ 1 946 000 US dollars Atlas Award ID: 00080822 Start date: 1 April 2012 End Date: 30 September 2014 United States Agency for International LPAC Meeting Date: 9 November 2011 Development (USAID) – 1 946 000 US dollars Management Arrangements: National Implementation
Agreed by Name Title Signature Date
Executing Entity: Mr. Oleg L. Kachan Minister of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus
UNDP: Mr. Farid Garakhanov UNDP Resident Representative a.i.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...... 3 PART I: SITUATION ANALYSIS ...... 4 NATIONAL CONTEXT...... 4 LINK TO OTHER RELEVANT INITIATIVES AND NATIONAL PRIORITIES ...... 6 PROJECT PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS ...... 7 PART II: STRATEGY ...... 9 PROJECT OBJECTIVE, OUTPUTS AND ACTIVITIES ...... 9 PART III: RESULTS AND RESOURCES FRAMEWORK ...... 17 PART IV: ANNUALWORK PLAN ...... 22 PART V: MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS ...... 30 SCHEME 1. ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE PROJECT ...... 31 PART VI: PROJECT MONITORING FRAMEWORK ...... 32 QUALITY MANAGEMENT FOR PROJECT ACTIVITY RESULTS ...... 32 PART VII: LEGAL CONTEXT ...... 34 PART VIII: ANNEXES...... 35 ANNEX I. PROVISION OF UNDP COUNTRY OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES IN EXECUTION OF THE PROJECT .... 35 ANNEX II: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE ...... 37 ANNEX III: TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR PROJECT MANAGER ...... 38 ANNEX IV: RISKS ANALYSIS ...... 40
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
CIS Commonwealth of Independent States CBO Community based organizations EC European Commission EU European Union EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development GEF SGP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program GOB Government of Belarus IBA Important Bird Areas IFC International Finance Corporation MNREP Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of the Republic of Belarus MSME Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise MST Ministry of Sports and Tourism NGO Non-governmental organization NPO Not for profit organizations NSSD-2020 National Strategy for Sustainable Socio-Economic Development of Belarus until 2020 RCNREP Region Committee of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection PSC Project Steering Committee SME Small and Medium Enterprise SPNA Specially protected nature areas UNCBD United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity UNDP United Nations Development Program USAID United States Agency for International Development
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PART I: SITUATION ANALYSIS
NATIONAL CONTEXT Tourism has now become the world's largest industry, responsible for more than one in twelve jobs globally1. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UN WTO), there were over 700 million international travelers in 2000 which grew to over one billion in 2010. The global industry is expected to generate over $5 trillion in economic activity and in 2009, has created over 225 million direct and indirect jobs worldwide. Although estimates vary, according to the UN WTO, ecotourism globally is growing at a rate of 20-30%, making it the fastest growing sector of the world's fastest growing industry - tourism.
Out of all service sectors, tourism is one with the highest potential for growth in Belarus with a 135% increase in tourism services over the last year - outstripping retail trade, public services, and agriculture. Ecotourism has always been a niche sector in the overall tourism sector, but it has also served as an effective tool for local economic development, and rural development in particular. Up to 95% of ecotourism actors are private entrepreneurs with the rest 5% represented by farms. Official statistical data provides only scarce data on the sector. For example, receipts from agro-ecotourism2 increased 195% from 2009 to 2010; the number of agro-ecotourism B&Bs/farmsteads grew by 41% in 2010 from 2009 and reached a total of 1,247 agro-ecotourism B&Bs; there was a 3700% increase in the number of them from 2006 to 2010. This sharp increase happened to a large extent thanks to the favorable conditions created for agro-ecotourism B&Bs by legislation which removed all types of taxes except a lump sum tax of $12 per year3. Agro- ecotourism development was also facilitated by the state supported program of Belagroprombank4, which has provided loans at the preferential rate of 5% since 2008. At the end of 2010 in Brest regions 151 farmsteads were registered, in Grodno region - 180 farmsteads. The highest concentration of farmsteads in Grodno region can be seen in Grodno, Lida, Korelichy, Novogrudok, Smorgon and Schuchin districts. In Brest region the highest concentration is in Brest, Kamenets, Kobrin, Baranovichy and Ivanovo districts. This fact can be explained by various reasons including proximity to cities, which are generating tourism flows and creating demand, existence of natural and historical heritage sites, human factors such as existence of community leaders who act as "engines" of ecotourism development process.
In spite of this significant growth, ecotourism services in Belarus still face numerous challenges in measuring up to the international standards of hospitality, managerial and marketing skills of ecotourism actors and business support organizations, and building up business and marketing networks for the tourism services promotion.
In order to promote ecotourism as a propeller of local, and national socio-economic development, generation of jobs and additional income to the population of rural areas, as well as popularize Belarusian culture, history, and nature, national efforts should be complemented by building capacity of the relevant actors at the local level through bringing international expertise and best ecotourism practices to the country, fostering functional public-private dialogue, and employing advanced marketing techniques for ecotourism services.
Description of project regions
Project regions of Grodno and Brest are notable for very active pace of ecotourism development and high concentration of natural, historical and cultural landmarks. The western areas of Brest and Grodno regions border Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania and occupy an area of 57,700 square kilometers (28% of the total area of Belarus). The target region has many well-preserved ancient temples, cloisters, palaces, castles, and parks that provide insight into the many cultures that have shaped the history of Belarus. There are many historical buildings, including the oldest building in Grodno - Kolozha Church (12th century), and Mir Castle (16th century) which is UNESCO World Heritage site. Belovezhskaya Pushcha national park is located there and contains the largest primeval forest in Europe, which is another UNESCO World Heritage site.
1 Center for Responsible Tourism, www.responsibletravel.org 2 The GOB uses the term "agro-ecotourism" to refer to visitors who stay at farmsteads to experience agricultural life first hand. Visitors have the opportunity to work in the fields alongside real farmers and eat natural, simple and home-made meals, targeting rural areas and small towns up to 20,000 inhabitants. 3 Decree #372 "On Agro-Ecotourism Development", with amendments in 2010, creating favorable conditions for agro-ecotourism B&Bs - registration by notification principle, absence of taxation except the lump sum of $12 per year. These conditions apply both for individuals in agro- ecotourism business, and for agricultural organizations. 1 Belagroprombank is one of the largest banks in the country, with specific focus on agriculture; it is largely controlled by the state. Information on the program in agro-ecotourism can be found on: http://www.belapb .by/rus/agrotourism/prog/ (in Russian). 4
The target regions have six wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, which offer unlimited opportunities for ecotourism. The following site descriptions were adapted from Annotated Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance:
• Kotra, a 10,584 ha area in Grodno Region, forms part of a massive transboundary tree-dominated wetland connected to Lithuania's Cepkeliai Ramsar site. The site is said to be the last area of unutilized tree-dominated wetlands in Belarus. • Mid-Pripyat State Landscape Zakaznik. This 90,447 ha floodplain in Brest region is a key waterbird nesting and stop-over site, meeting both the 20,000 birds and 1% water bird criteria for international importance (among others), and the river is crucial to the hydrological regime of the Polesie Lowland region and its groundwater and to the health of the Dnieper. • Olmany Mires Zakaznik, 94,219 ha National Landscape Reserve in Brest Region, is known as one of Europe's largest natural complexes of bogs and transitional mires. It is a critical site for nesting and migrating water birds and a key nesting site for the globally threatened Spotted Eagle Aquilla clanga. • Prostyr, 6,800 ha National Landscape Reserve in Brest Region, is an important bird area. Located between the rivers Pripyat, Prostyr, and Styr, it forms a transboundary wetland into Ukraine. It is a breeding ground of the globally endangered Aquatic Warbler and known as one of the most important nesting sites during migration. • Sporovsky Biological Reserve, 19,384 ha reserve in Brest Region, is located in the floodplain of the middle course of the Yaselda River. The reserve includes one of the largest lowland mesotrophic sedge fen mires in Europe. It is one of the largest European habitats of the Aquatic Warbler, a globally threatened species. • Zvanets, 15,873 ha reserve in Brest Region, is known as the largest European esotrophic fen mire with small mineral islands dispersed throughout the area, and covered by forests and shrubs.
The region is rich in intangible cultural heritage, some samples of which are being considered for inclusion into the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List. They are the rite "Wedding loaf" from the village of Motol, Gorodnetsky ceramics, the rite of Urya in Dyatlovsky district, Kotchyn quadrille in Grodno, "Namskaya Easter" in Ivatsevitchy district, wood carving craftsmanship in Pruzhany district. All this can form a basis for formation of new region's image - as an ecotourism destination not only for tourists from the neighboring countries, sharing a lot of history and culture with the Belarusian people, but also for travelers from far abroad.
Existence of such mechanisms as Euroregion "Neman"5, "Belovezhskaya Puscha", "Bug", partnership between the municipalities in organizing joint events and programs provide good operational framework for inter-municipal and cross-border cooperation.
As a result of local communities' initiative and the activities of many governmental and non-governmental organizations, involved into the abovementioned projects, ecotourism development process is dynamic in the region. This has been institutionalized in the following forms:
• Two regional Public Councils for agro- and ecotourism development are established in Grodno and Brest regions. They are a good example of public-private partnership and they actively work as advisory institutions. Their impact in policy-making is still rather limited though. • Two sustainable development concept documents for Grodno and Brest regions were written by experts (by the initiative of the Public Councils). But these are just recommendations which haven't been implemented so far. • Sustainable development concept documents are designed in Ivanovo, Zelva and Stolin districts (with ecotourism being considered a priority in them). • Local Agenda 21 is designed and published in Zheludok, Beloozersk, Zditovo, Sporovo, Vygonoschansky rural municipalities, all of them focused on ecotourism. But these documents have not been integrated into local authorities' official documentation and haven't been really used so far. • Information centers for sustainable development and ecotourism are opened in Zheludok settlement (Schuchinsky district, Grodno region) and in the village of Motol (Ivanovo district, Brest region). The centers are created under local municipalities and are very much dependent
Euroregion "Neman" (http://beleuroregion.by/ ) 5
on the external support. There are also Tourism information centers in Brest (state-owned) and in Grodno (NGO-run). Moreover, in the framework of an EU cross-border project "Communication without limits" during this year 7 more tourism info-centers will be opened in Grodno region. • There are two Greenways developed and two corresponding partnership declarations signed in Ivanovo district of Brest region "Yanovskoe koltso" and in Zelva district of Grodno region - "Zelvensky dyjarush".
There are still some significant problems related to actual implementation of the strategic documents mentioned above, and threatening the operational effectiveness and sustainability of the created structures. The problems are mostly related to the lack of funding mechanisms for the implementation, or the fact that some strategies were developed autonomously and independently of the other relevant players.
As mentioned above, generally favourable legislation in the sphere of ecotourism has resulted in an increase in the number of ecotourism service providers and a rise in ecotourism related revenues. However, tourism- related goods and services span over 20 different sectors of economy (such as road service infrastructure, public catering, B&Bs, crafts and souvenir production, small retail, guide and tour services, transportation, etc.). While the legislation regulating simple agro-tourism services is considered to be quite favorable for this sector development, the obstacles for clustering by ecotourism actors of different form of ownership and/or representing different economic sectors have not been explored yet.
Given the rich natural, historical and cultural heritage sites concentration in the Brest and Grodno regions and the fact that there is national, regional and local political support for ecotourism development as addressed in legislation and public claims, an ecotourism project will be a constructive strategy to promote private MSME growth in Belarus, local economic development, contribute to job creation and local revenue capture as well as ensuring the preservation of nature, culturally and historically significant sites.
Ecotourism can both negatively influence biodiversity, if managed improperly, as well as serve as an important asset for biodiversity conservation. Negative impacts caused by too many or wrong kind of tourists, e.g., causing illegal harvest of wildlife and animal species, lead to unsustainable ecotourism practices. To avoid potential negative impact of ecotourism activities on nature, UNDP will follow international guidelines for sustainable tourism, and raise public awareness on better natural resource management and wise nature use. If sustainable, ecotourism initiatives can lead to additional revenue capture which can be used for nature preservation.
LINK TO OTHER RELEVANT INITIATIVES AND NATIONAL PRIORITIES The project is in line with major national programs and legal acts, regulating ecotourism related activities in Belarus, among which: The National Strategy of Sustainable Development till 2020; Socio-Economic Development Program for the Republic of Belarus 2011-2015; National Tourism Development Program for 2011 – 2015; Regional programs for ecotourism development; Presidential Directive #4 of December 31, 2010 “On development of entrepreneurial initiative and encouragement of business activity in the Republic of Belarus”; Presidential Decree #372 of June 2, 2006 “On measures for agroecotourism development in the Republic of Belarus”; State Program for the Development of Specially Protected Natural Areas (2008-2014); State Program for the Social and Economic Development and Integrated Use of Natural Resources of Pripiatskoe Polessie (2010-2015); State Program for Augustov Channel Development (2009-2011).
In addition, the project will coordinate its activities with other relevant major national programs and other ongoing initiatives in Belarus, such as the following projects and initiatives implemented in Belarus by UNDP and other partners:
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- Small Grants Program of the Global Environment Facility (GEF SGP) in Belarus, which provides opportunities for NGOs and CBOs to address environmental issues on the local level and support sustainable livelihoods development; - The UNDP/EU project "Support to the development of a comprehensive framework for international environmental cooperation in the Republic of Belarus", which targets development of ecotourism routes and guidelines on best ecotourism practices at Yelnia nature reserve; - EU, USAID, and Eurasia Foundation project "Leveraging Partnerships for Sustainable Development in Rural Belarus"; - The European Commission's cross-border cooperation projects in Poland-Belarus-Ukraine , Latvia- Lithuania-Belarus and the Baltic Sea Region; - SME loans provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and International Finance Corporation (IFC) through Belarusian banks; - USAID "Belarusian Entrepreneur Support and Training" program, implemented by IFC, etc.
The project will build up on the experience and make use of the relevant methodologies, information and training materials, developed within the following recently completed projects of UNDP Belarus and other donor organizations: - UNDP/EU project "Sustainable development at the local level", completed in 2010. The project addressed Local Agenda 21 and Greenways development in 35 pilot areas, including those in Brest and Grodno regions. - USAID program "Belarusian Entrepreneur support and Training". - UNDP project "Promoting private sector activity in the regions by strengthening the small business development centers", which was active in Brest region, completed in 2010. - UNDP project "Support to Microfinance Development in Belarus", completed in 2010. - UNDP/EU Project "Area-Based Development of the Chernobyl-affected areas", completed in 2010. The project was focusing on local communities and small entrepreneurs as an engine of socio- economic development of the contaminated areas of Gomel region. - UNDP/GEF Project "Sustainable Development to Belarusian Polesie", which supported ecotourism development in Polesie region (2006-2011).
PROJECT PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS
The Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus (MST) will be the Executing Entity on behalf of the government of the Republic of Belarus. Its main roles and functions are outlined in Part V. Management Arrangements. Other project partners include: State/Governmental Entities - Ministry for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (MNREP), Ministry of Forestry and regional Forestry Enterprises, and Ministry of Culture; - Brest and Grodno Region Executive Committees, District Executive Committees of pilot project districts; - Administrations of Specially Protected Areas (SPAs) in Brest and Grodno region; - Euro-regions "Bug", "Nieman", "Avgustovskaja Pushcha", "Belavezhskaja pushcha"; - Research and education establishments: National Academy of Sciences, Regional universities in Brest and Grodno regions.
Non-state actors - Local private sector: local entrepreneurs, owners of farmsteads, business support service providers, business associations, etc; - Providers of business and consulting services for local ecotourism actors (business-incubators, on- line incubators, centers for sustainable rural development, etc.); - NGOs and not-for-profit organizations (NPOs) working in the field of entrepreneurship, rural and tourism development, and nature conservation; - Local communities, community leaders, community-based organizations (CBOs).
The project also envisages close engagement with the relevant agro-ecotourism actors from the neighboring EU countries, including but not limited to the following organizations: • ECEAT Poland (European Centre for Eco- and Agrotourism - www.eceatpoland.pl). • Polish Environmental Partnership Foundation (Greenways development - http://www.epce.org.pl).
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• Zulawski Oddzial Stowarzyszenia Naukowo - Technicznego Inzynierow i Technikow Rolnictwa z siedzib w Starym Polu. • Lithuanian rural tourism Association «Lietuvos Kaimo Turizmo Asociacija» (http://www.countryside.lt).
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PART II: STRATEGY
In terms of the project, "ecotourism" is used in the widest sense that per se is tourism based on sustainability principles. As cited by the International Ecotourism Society6, ecotourism is "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people." It performs educational, natural and cultural preservation functions, as well as directly benefits the economic development of local communities; and fosters respect for different cultures and for human rights7. It is a powerful mechanism for advancing social, economic and environmental objectives in the areas in which it takes place. Ecotourism offers new opportunities for micro and small and medium sized enterprise investment, employment opportunities and community development (ecotourism sites, farmsteads, recreation areas, food services, tourism stock rental, souvenir shops, eco-trails and Greenways8, eco- museums, transportation services, local craft production and retail, etc.).
Engagement with the Government: The project will help the civil society and private sector build relationships with government structures and create a platform for increased public-private dialogue and advocacy on private business interests. Although the concept of public-private partnerships is not very well developed in Belarus, some private organizations would donate funds for certain causes. The project will research opportunities of promoting this concept through its activities. Within the framework of the proposed project, people and organizations are generously donating their time, in-kind contributions, and co-funding.
Local Capacity Building: The project will provide assistance to NGOs and associations involved in the tourism industry in general and the ecotourism sector in particular. It will also be supporting a participatory process involving the stakeholders from local government, businesses, civil society and the population in developing and implementing a long-term economic development strategy with an ecotourism component. The project will also increase the sustainability of tourism service providers, B&B owners, and other enterprises involved in agro-ecotourism by providing training and technical assistance to improve or create a tourism service enterprise, enhance the overall quality service standards, and range of tourism services. Assistance will also be provided through the targeted support of competitively selected local ecotourism initiatives.
PROJECT OBJECTIVE, OUTPUTS AND ACTIVITIES The overall goal is to strengthen the role of the private sector in the economies of Brest and Grodno regions and in the thriving tourism sector of the Republic of Belarus This goal will be achieved through addressing the following objectives:
1. Creating favorable environment for the ecotourism private sector development and introduction of public-private partnership mechanisms into the sustainable local development strategies; 2. Strengthening capacity of private ecotourism stakeholders and business support organizations; 3. Establishing sustainable public dialogue, conducting information and education campaigns, promoting the region as an ecotourism destination; 4. Effective project management.
Spatial Boundaries
In selecting pilot territories for the project implementation, where applicable, the project will move away from the administrative district as a traditional territorial pilot unit, the borders of which have consistently proved to be artificial and meaningless in the case of ecotourism. The project will largely rely on the concept of tourism destination (TD). A TD within this project will be understood as a geographic area with some basic infrastructure and active ecotourism agents, united around or sharing a set of unique historical, natural, cultural and economic characteristics (i.e. a phenomenon, attraction, or other sort of potential local tourism product). These destinations can be different from the tourism zones, specified in the Decision of the Council
6 TIES, 1990, http://www.ecotourism.org 7 Honey, Martha (2008). Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise? (Second ed.). Washington, DC: Island Press. 8 Greenways are multifunctional trails for non-motorized users, typically leading along linear green corridors, historic trade routes, rivers and railways. They are managed by local people in order to encourage sustainable development and healthy lifestyle. Greenways provide a framework for community-based initiatives and projects related to nature conservation, cultural heritage preservation, sustainable tourism and mobility. Greenways seek to address needs of locals and visitors and to provide a positive contribution to the local economy. (Sopron Declaration of the Greenways Programme for Central and Eastern Europe, 2006) 9 of Ministers, 2005.9 TDs could come in different sizes, with the biggest ones possibly covering an area larger than one district, and the smallest ones falling within the boundaries of one rural municipality. The TD approach is based on the "cluster" model of tourism, which involves a number of interrelated activities and takes into account the interests of all stakeholders engaged in ecotourism. The concept of clustering for maximizing entrepreneurship gains and sharing the burden of entrepreneurship risks has been widely recognized as a very efficient way of doing business. In each TD the project will forge public-private dialogues and will assist stakeholders in development and implementation of ecotourism development strategies.
UNDP will apply the bottom-up approach to ensure that participation in the project is based on the grass- roots initiative. The selection of TDs for project support will be conducted on a competitive basis. The Project Team will elaborate an application form and the support documentation with the conditions of the competition, eligibility requirements, and a guide on the application and selection processes and criteria. The mentioned documents will be discussed by the Project Steering Committee (PST) and approved by UNDP and MST. At least 16 tourism destinations of different scale (approximately 8 in each region) are planned to be selected for the project support. The applications from the TDs submitted for the competition, will have to represent the consolidated interests of the local tourism MSMEs and other ecotourism actors, local governance and self-governance bodies, non-governmental organizations and communities, as well as contain provisions for resource mobilization and co-funding.
In order to reach the objectives mentioned above, the following project activities will be implemented:
INCEPTION PHASE:
* A kick-off event, gathering at least 40 representatives of relevant stakeholders will be conducted in each region (one in Grodno and one in Brest). The participants will be informed about the launch of the project, its goals, objectives, and approaches. The events will also be used to publicize the call for applications for project support from the various TDs (already existing or those expected to be formed). The information about the launch of the project and the call for applications will be circulated also through national, regional, and local media, popularized through the web-sites of UNDP, regional and local executive committees, relevant NGOs, and business associations. * The assessment and selection of applications based on pre-determined criteria will be conducted in by the PST. * The project will hire a team of ecotourism experts (e.g. an environmentalist, an infrastructure expert, a business-consultant, etc.) to assess each winning TD assets and potential. The experts will produce a complex TD profile report with development recommendations for each tourist destination, which will be shared with the PST and the respective applicants.
OBJECTIVE 1. Creating favorable environment for the ecotourism private sector development and introduction of public-private partnership mechanisms into the sustainable local development strategies.
Activity 1.1. Assessment of legal and regulatory barriers, conflicts and gaps that hamper the development of MSMEs in the ecotourism sector The project will assess legal and regulatory barriers, conflicts and gaps affecting MSMEs working in the ecotourism sector, with the participation of market stakeholders, involving business unions and other business support organizations in the advocacy work, and provide at least a 30-page long report. The assessment will focus on several areas:
* Analysis of regulatory and legal acts regulating ecotourism at the local, regional and national levels in Belarus; * Analysis of pending legislation and policies related to ecotourism; * Comparative analysis of the regulatory and legal framework governing ecotourism in a country with an advanced ecotourism sector (to be determined in the course of the project); * Comparative analysis of the regulatory and legal framework governing ecotourism in Poland, Lithuania and Ukraine; * Survey and analysis of opinions and perceptions of stakeholders (business operators, representatives regional/local authorities, civil society, academics, business associations, etc.).
9 Decision of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of May 30, 2005 "On creation of tourist zones" 10
On the basis of these activities, a set of policy recommendations and proposals for legal modifications will be developed, discussed through public consultations and forwarded to the relevant authorities with the support of the MST.
Activity 1.2. Public discussions of proposed policy recommendations and legal modifications
To ensure broad participation, stimulate active public discussions of the results of the assessment of legal and regulatory barriers, and foster public ownership of the recommendations, at least four round tables will be organized with the involvement of ecotourism service providers, relevant NGOs, academics, business associations, business support organizations, local and national government representatives, etc. Where possible, Regional Public Councils for agro- and ecotourism development will be invited to take the lead in the public discussion process and follow up with the advocacy for necessary changes.
MST will act as a rule-making subject, who will take the responsibility for coordination and preparation of the recommended changes into the national legislation in this sphere.
Activity 1.3. Trainings on ecotourism strategies elaboration
The Project Team will review the skills and expertise of ecotourism service providers, business associations, local and regional governments, NGOs and other stakeholders in strategy development and implementation, and prepare a written report. Based on the review, the project will organize at least six training events for public and private stakeholders (e.g., three in each oblast). The trainings will be tailored to needs and the level of maturity of the audience and two trainings will be delivered by an international trainer/expert. At least six national trainers with previous experience in strategic planning will also take part in the trainings and receive an extra day of training-for-trainers.10
Activity 1.4. Study tours on best practices in strategy design and implementation
The project will organize three study tours for at least 50 participants to Poland and Lithuania (or another European country) to introduce stakeholders to the best practices in the design, formulation and implementation of successful ecotourism strategies. This activity will reinforce the strategy trainings by showing practical examples that may be feasible in Belarus. It is expected that participants will take advantage of the study tours to forge long-lasting cross-border partnerships.
Activity 1.5. Ecotourism strategies development in the pilot TDs
In each TD the Project Team will assist regional and local stakeholders developing ecotourism strategies aimed at sustainable local economic development and growth of MSMEs operating in the ecotourism sector. The formulation of strategies will involve all the relevant stakeholders and will consist of a number of steps, including the base-line data collection from municipalities, regional authorities and ecotourism actors, the analysis of existing local and regional development agendas especially those related to ecotourism, and the assessment of local resources and potential investments from outside. The process will be guided and facilitated through the on-going expert support and consultations (50 hours of expert work time per TD on average).
To facilitate the strategy formulation process, the project will organize at least two participatory strategic planning workshops in each pilot TD (32 in total for 16 TDs). The workshops will serve as a platform for an effective dialogue between the public and the private sector.
As a result, high-quality strategic documents for tourism destinations development will be produced by the local stakeholders in a participatory manner.
10 After the training the national trainers will be able to serve as strategic planning specialists, providing methodological and information support as consultants, educators or trainers on topics of general and ecotourism strategic planning. 11
OBJECTIVE 2: Strengthening capacity of private ecotourism stakeholders and business support organizations
Activity 2.1. MSMEs and business support organizations' capacity building needs assessment
The project will conduct an assessment of the needs for capacity building interventions for private stakeholders (MSMEs) and business support organizations in the area of ecotourism, and provide at least a 30-page long report. The project will ensure that these interventions are demand driven and needs based. The needs assessment will be carried out in collaboration with specialized partners, including relevant NGOs and the IFC's Belarusian Entrepreneur Support and Training Program (funded by USAID).
Activity 2.2. Training of trainers
10-14 motivated and experienced representatives of business associations, business support facilities, NGOs, consulting companies or individual consultants will be invited to become local ecotourism business advisors11 by participating in an intensive Training of Trainers (TOT) event in which they will acquire and improve their training skills on business development and management in the ecotourism sector. The event will be organized in collaboration with specialized partner organizations, including ecotourism NGOs, business support organizations and the Belarusian Entrepreneur Support and Training Program implemented by IFC's. An international ecotourism business consultant and local advisors will be able to build the participants' expertise in areas such as hospitality standards, customer relations, ecotourism marketing, budgeting, finance, housing management and maintenance, provision of recreation services, etc.
Activity 2.3. Training program on ecotourism development and management, foreign language training
The project, in collaboration with specialized partners, including relevant NGOs, business support organizations and the IFC's Belarusian Entrepreneur Support and Training Program, will design and run a training program for MSMEs in the ecotourism sector. The local advisors, trained under TOT activity mentioned above, will deliver the trainings; participation of international trainers (one or two) is also possible. Some topics of the training program will be: principles of general management, bookkeeping, access to loans and other financing, business planning, hospitality standards, customer relations, webpage administration, ecotourism marketing and promotion, housing management and maintenance, provision of recreation services, etc.
At least 40 trainings will be provided to at least 300 ecotourism service providers. Ecotourism stakeholders from other Belarusian regions can be invited to participate in the trainings.
The project will also provide foreign language training for interested ecotourism stakeholders by covering up to 60% of costs charged by local foreign language instruction companies.
Activity 2.4. Manuals on ecotourism development
A substantive book with practical guidelines on how to start-up, acquire financing and manage effectively businesses in the ecotourism sector, as well as business models in ecotourism ready for replication will be developed and published in 1,500 copies. It will be based on already existing and updated materials produced by the UNDP and other organizations, as well as new materials prepared by experts based on the current demands of the sector.
On the basis of the needs assessment under Objective 2, the project will support the development and publishing of other necessary ecotourism business-related materials.
Activity 2.5. Mapping of existing business support providers
The project will create an inventory (a hard copy publication and internet-based electronic database) of business support organizations and private consulting firms capable of providing advice and guidance on local economic development, focusing on ecotourism issues. The database will be distributed in the pilot
11 After the training, the advisors will be able to serve as specialists providing ecotourism advice and support as consultants, educators or trainers. 12 areas to help MSMEs and potential entrepreneurs to access information and services necessary for successful business start-up and development, as well as to NGOs and local authorities involved in ecotourism development. To ensure sustainability, the database maintenance will be handed over for operation to an interested partner after the project is over.
Based on the assessment of existing business support services, gaps and priority areas in ecotourism support services provision will be identified, which will be reflected in the qualifying criteria for the Contest of Local Initiatives.
Activity 2.6. Study tours
The project will organize at least five study tours (100 people) for MSME's, business support service providers, and NGOs in a European country with an advanced ecotourism sector. The study tours will be designed to maximally cover weaker areas of business development in the project regions.
Activity 2.7. Contest of Local Initiatives
In line with the elaborated TD development strategies, as well as private stakeholders and business support providers' capacity building needs assessment, the project will hold a contest of local initiatives which will provide funding to NGOs, business support organizations, and other non-governmental entities operating in the area of ecotourism. The project will provide support to competitive applicants on the basis of clear and carefully elaborated requirements and qualifying criteria which will be designed by the project in consultation with the project partners and stakeholders.
The contest of local initiatives will be used to support clustering activities, create and enhance the business support infrastructure, etc. The project support will be a vehicle for spurring partnerships, developing new ecotourism routs, developing ecotourism attractions, piloting innovations in ecotourism, creating employment opportunities in the project areas, etc.
The project is planned to support about two larger initiatives with the budgets around of $50,000 to allow competitively selected Belarusian NGOs to implement broad scope activities in ecotourism sector development and assist in the LEED project implementation. Funding up to $15000 will be provided to about 30 smaller and more specialized initiatives each for more specific and smaller scale initiatives of NGOs, business support organizations, and other nongovernmental entities.
The project will conduct a donor coordination meeting prior to the Contest announcement, where all the relevant donor organizations providing funding to MSMEs for similar purposes will be invited (such as EBRD, IFC, US Embassy, Word Bank, UNDP/GEF, etc). At the meeting donor coordination mechanisms will be elaborated to ensure synergy, pool resources, and avoid duplication.
The Project Team will prepare the Contest information materials and application guidelines. All interested applicants (i.e. NGOs, ecotourism site owners, business support organizations, business associations, Public Councils for agro- and ecotourism development) in target regions will be provided with a full package of support materials in hard copy or electronic version.
Two awareness raising workshops (1 in each region) on the Contest of Local Initiatives will be conducted to alert and motivate non-governmental entities (NGOs, business associations, MSMEs, etc) to participate in the Contest. The workshops will provide information on eligibility and application requirements, outline the linkages to regional strategies, and present partnership opportunities. The workshops will also cover alternative financing opportunities from national and international donors - GEF SGP, EC, etc., as well as financing institutions and loan facilities - EBRD, IFC, etc. The call for applications will also be announced in the local and national media, as well as on the relevant web resources.
Six support workshops and trainings will be conducted at a later stage to assist the grantees through the financial reporting according to UNDP procedures, Environmental Impact Assessment and development of Environmental Report where feasible, visibility requirements in line with the Project Marking plan and USAID Branding Strategy and other issues emerging in the process of project implementation.
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The Project Team will also be available to answer queries and provide support to grantees as the initiatives are implemented.
Activity 2.8. Methodology on tourism-related statistical data collection
The project will work with the local and national authorities to identify gaps in statistical methods of assessing the economic impact of tourism (ecotourism) sector in the regions. Assessment will provide recommendations for the use of innovative methodologies in line with the World Tourism Organization's approach, including 30 pages long report. Based on this assessment a new methodology will be developed, allowing the local/regional authorities to more accurately assess the number of tourist travelers in the region and the volume of revenue raised in the tourist sector, thus improving their policy-making capacity. The corresponding guidebook will be published.
The methodology will be piloted in at least one project region (Brest or Grodno).
OBJECTIVE 3: Establishing sustainable public dialogue, conducting information and education campaigns, promoting the region as an ecotourism destination
Activity 3.1. Ecotourism market research
A market research will be conducted to define and study the potential for ecotourism products, information, communication, and communities' education needs and gaps in the project areas. 1) The market demand versus market supply in the ecotourism sector will be analyzed, and a database of Belarusian and foreign tour operators actively involved in ecotourism activities will be created. 2) The extra demand for ecotourism information (in addition to the existing information sources), communication, and education of local communities will be studied. A report, providing recommendations for TDs' marketing strategies, will be formulated as a result of the research, and will be communicated to the interested stakeholders (e.g. tour operators, authorities, site owners) and followed up within the framework of public awareness and education campaign and production of promotional and visibility materials.
Activity 3.2. Training for media representatives and economic journalists
The project will provide two specialized trainings to business journalists (the total of 40 participants) on the features, value, and potential of ecotourism in order to promote more in-depth coverage of the ecotourism sector and its opportunities. The target audience will be the journalists working for printed and on-line information /analytical editions covering economic issues and/or focusing on the life of rural communities in the regions of Belarus. This activity will help launching a public awareness campaign and lead to increased activism of potential customers of ecotourism services, reduced skepticism of local authorities responsible for tourism support infrastructure, etc.
Activity 3.3. Press and promotional tours
In order to further stimulate interest in ecotourism among the population of Belarus and increase the coverage of ecotourism in the mass media, the project will organize a series of press and promotional tours for journalists, tour operators and tourist companies to visit and promote the TDs targeted by the project. Four tours will cover all pilot TDs in both regions. These tours will be organized by UNDP on the principles of cost efficiency and competitive selection of participants, and will involve only those participants who will be dedicated to further promotion of ecotourism in Belarus and abroad. Cost-share from the participants will be thought for the participation in these tours.
Activity 3.4. Public awareness and education campaign
This activity will be conducted in cooperation with NGOs, which will be selected on a competitive basis. Public awareness and education activities will target policy makers, community members, tour operators, entrepreneurs, NGOs, educational institutions, etc., and it will be coordinated with the related activities of MST, educational institutions, and local administrations. The campaign will focus on the benefits of ecotourism and include the preparation and delivery of a series of thematic publications, articles in the mass media, press conferences, extensive informational materials, public events, fairs, promotional tours,
14 educational opportunities for children and local communities to visit the cultural and historical landmarks, etc. The campaign will make extensive use of interactive ways of delivering the message, including local contests for the local brand development, or local arts and crafts. This campaign will translate into an increased appreciation of ecotourism potential, recognition of importance of ecotourism for local development; in turn entrepreneurs will be encouraged to participate in new tourism product development to increase supply. The project team will make sure that the campaign is in line with USAID Branding Strategy and Marking Plan, as well as UNDP visibility rules.
Activity 3.5. Computer training for rural residents and MSMEs
The activity will be conducted in cooperation with NGOs with a solid background in educational activities for adults, selected on competitive basis. Rural audiences and locally operating MSMEs will receive specialized trainings (for at least 300 people) on computer and internet use to get acquainted with modern business practices in marketing and networking as well as increase access to quality information.
Activity 3.6. In-country networking visits and study tours
The project will organize four networking visits/ study tours for local stakeholders to the project sites to disseminate best practices and success stories in ecotourism development, share experiences in public- private cooperation mechanisms, and tourism destination marketing.
Activity 3.7. Development of promotional and visibility materials, and marketing tools for promoting ecotourism
The project will facilitate the development and production of promotion and information materials, which will be used to promote project regions as tourism destinations and market unique regional tourism products. In particular, the following activities and materials can be supported:
- promotional campaigns on TV; - promotional web-campaigns; - multilingual multi-media CDs with tourist destinations of Western Belarus grouped by type and location; - promotional leaflets and brochures for specific target audiences (for example, tourism products grouped by educational purposes for schoolchildren, which can cover history, natural studies, and arts); - information displays; - other printed materials.
The project will ensure coherence with project Marking Plan, USAID Branding strategy, and UNDP visibility rules.
In order to reach both national and international tourism markets the multilingual promotional and marketing materials will be widely presented to potential partners (like tour operators) and potential tourists from Belarus and neighboring countries. The project will support marketing of the region by supporting networks between tour operators, promoting participation of municipalities, enterprises and service organizations in regional tourism fairs.
The project will assist in presentation of target districts and particular TDs at several national and international tourism fairs such as: - "Tour business" International tourism exhibition (Minsk, Belarus). - "Recreation" International spring tourism fair (Minsk, Belarus). - "Tour Salon" (Poznan, Poland). - "Warsaw Tour & Travel Show" (Warsaw, Poland). - "International Travel Market" (Warsaw, Poland). - "VIVATTUR" (Vilnius, Lithuania). - "International Travel Trade Fair "Balttour" (Riga, Latvia).
Activity 3.8. Development of online databases and online maps
The project will list all the ecotourism destinations in the pilot regions, provide them with a brief description, and work to insert them in the existing electronic databases and ecotourism interactive maps placed on
15 major relevant web-sites (such as the web-sites of the regional and local authorities, tour operators, business support service providers). The project will support enhancing features, content and traffic of select ecotourism/ tourism web portals to develop professional online ecotourism marketing tools. The project will also seek partnership with the relevant stakeholders to place the regional ecotourism destinations in GPS system, and publish paper maps of the project areas.
Activity 3.9. International partnership/promotion conferences on ecotourism development
Two large-scale conferences (mid-term and final) will be organized by the project and will be planned to bring together at least 60 participants each from Belarus and neighboring countries. The conferences will present the already achieved results to broader audiences and will serve as a platform for sharing experiences in ecotourism development, as well as establishing national and cross-border partnerships.
The participants of the conferences will be from NGOs, business associations, ecotourism MSMEs, government institutions, and tour operators. The event will receive extensive coverage by national and local mass media. The conferences will be linked to one of the project events (a fair, a festival, or a new tourism destination opening ceremony), in order to bring more attention and support to the event and ecotourism services providers working in the region and foster ecotourism cluster-to-cluster cross-border partnerships.
OBJECTIVE 4. Effective Project Management
Activity 4.1. Project registration, core staff recruitment, and inception. The project is to be registered within approximately 3 months since project documents are submitted for registration as per the established procedure. The date of the project registration will be considered the official start of the project implementation, after which core personnel will be contracted, the project office will be rented rented, and maintenance and communications will be secured during project implementation.
Activity 4.2. Project monitoring and evaluation will be performed regularly during the lifetime of the project by the Project Team in accordance with the Annual Work Plan and the Project Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (see Part IV. Monitoring and Evaluation).
Activity 4.3. Project management and functioning of project offices. All planned activities implemented and project resources delivered in full according to the annual detailed work plans. The project will apply a uniform gender mainstreaming approach throughout all the project activities implementation in line with the provisions below: * Responders for surveys and assessments, as well as participants for trainings and study tours will be selected with respect of existing gender composition in the corresponding target audience. * Whenever possible, gender balance will be ensured, with the minimum ratio of 35 % of underrepresented gender for one-gender-dominated target audiences. * The analysis of the surveys and assessments envisaged by the project will be based on gender disaggregated data.
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Part III: Results and Resources Framework
Intended Outcome as stated in the Country Programme Results and Resource Framework: 1.1 National capacity to develop and implement social inclusion policies and programmes at the local level, and to foster inclusive job creation and entrepreneurship are strengthened. Outcome indicators as stated in the Country Programme Results and Resources Framework, including baseline and targets: Indicator (2): Employment growth/number of SMEs created in regions; Baseline: Rate of SMEs growth and/or unemployment rate at sub-national level; Target: Average annual growth rate of employed in SMEs – 5%. Partnership Strategy: Executing Entity – Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus Project title and ID (ATLAS Award ID): “Local Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (LEED)” (ID 00080822) INTENDED OUTPUTS RESPONSIBL INPUTS OUTPUT TARGETS FOR (1-3 YEARS) INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES E PARTIES (USD) INCEPTION PHASE 88000 At least 16 project pilot areas (tourism Targets for Year 1 - A kick-off event in each region UNDP destinations (TDs)) are selected through - Project Team is hired; project offices are set in - Competitive selection of applications MST open competition. operation. - Tourism profile reports are compiled by MNREP Indicators: - Selection criteria for the pilot tourism destinations are an expert team. Ministry of 1. Number of stakeholders participating elaborated and approved by the PSC. Forestry in a kick-off event - The official Project launch at the national level and the Brest and 2. Number of received applications kick-off events in Brest and Grodno regions are held. Grodno The competition for the project support is announced. ExComs - 16 pilot TDs are selected on competitive bases. - Profile reports for the winning TDs are prepared with the engagement of an expert team.
OBJECTIVE 1. Creating favorable environment for the ecotourism private sector development and introduction of public-private partnership mechanisms into 143900 the sustainable local development strategies Baseline: Targets for Year 1 1.1. Assessment of legal and regulatory UNDP 1. Policy and regulatory environment for barriers, conflicts and gaps that hamper MST ecotourism development is -Based on the expert assessment report of the the development of MSMEs in the characterized by gaps and conflicts. legislation and its public discussions, policy and ecotourism sector 2. Local ecotourism stakeholders lack regulatory change recommendations are developed. strategy-development skills. 3. The existing strategies are not - The capacity of local stakeholders in strategic planning 1.2. Public discussions of proposed UNDP developed in a participatory manner and is strengthened through trainings and study tours; policy recommendations and legal MST
are not followed up with real national strategic planning consultants are trained. modifications Brest and implementation. - Strategic planning process for the pilot TDs is started. Grodno Indicators: ExComs 1. Number of amendments to legislative, Targets for Year 2 1.3. Trainings on ecotourism strategies UNDP regulatory documents accepted by local elaboration and national government. At least 16 high quality ecotourism development MST
2. Number of eco-tourism strategies strategies are elaborated. developed (16); 1.4. Study tours on best practices in UNDP 3. Number of institutions/organizations strategy design and implementation MST with capacity strengthened in strategy elaboration (50); 1.5. Ecotourism strategies development UNDP 4. Number of cross-border partnerships in the pilot TDs MST built (50). 5. The number of public-private dialogue MNREP participants (150) 6. Gender balance among the public- private dialogue participants is maintained (at least 35% of the under— represented gender).
OBJECTIVE 2. Strengthening capacity of private ecotourism stakeholders and business support organizations 818000
Baseline: Targets for Year 1 2.1. MSMEs and business support UNDP 1. Ecotourism service providers - Based on the capacity building needs assessment a organizations' capacity building needs MST business skills need improvement and training program for private ecotourism stakeholders and assessment business support organizations’ capacity business support organizations is developed (trainings + is low. study tours). 2. The range and quality of business 2.2. Training of trainers UNDP - An inventory of existing business support providers in support services is insufficient. MST ecotourism is created. 3. Ecotourism-related data collection is 2.3. Training program on ecotourism UNDP not unified and contradictory. - The manual on ecotourism development is elaborated development and management, foreign and published; national consultants in ecotourism MST language training Indicators: business are trained (10 people). Ministry of 1. Number of - Eligibility criteria for the Contest of Local initiatives are Culture institutions/organizations/persons developed. 2.4. Manuals on ecotourism UNDP received capacity building in eco-tourism -Ecotourism statistical data collection methodology is development MST management. produced.
2. % of organizations that reported Targets for Year 2 -Capacity building trainings and study tours are held for
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improved management practices as a ecotourism actors. 2.5. Mapping of existing business UNDP result of received capacity building. -The Contest of Local initiatives has been held, winners support providers MST 4. Number of new types of services and are identified, and corresponding agreements are new service providers for ecotourism signed. MSMEs. -The new ecotourism statistical data collection 2.6. Study tours UNDP 4. Number of ecotourism destinations , methodology is piloted. MST cluster-based partnerships, innovative Targets for Year 3 2.7. Contest of Local Initiatives UNDP, MST ecotourism products developed in each - The training program for private ecotourism funding region. stakeholders and business support organizations is recipients completed (300 entities benefit). Local initiatives targeted at the development of the 2.8. Methodology on tourism-related UNDP sector at large and specific tourism destinations in statistical data collection MST; Brest particular are implemented. and Grodno ExComs
OBJECTIVE 3: Establishing sustainable public dialogue, conducting information and education campaigns, promoting the region as an ecotourism destination 199000
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Targets for Year 1 UNDP Baseline: -Ecotourism market and information research is completed. 3.1. Ecotourism market research MST 1. Little available marketing Targets for Year 2 information/visibility on ecotourism 3.2. Training for media representatives UNDP - Intermediate international conference for 60 participants destinations in project regions and economic journalists MST (especially beyond the country). from Belarus and neighboring European countriesis Indicators: conducted to promote partnership and exchange experience. 1. Number of publications on ecotourism 3.3. Press and promotional tours UNDP in national and local mass media (at - At least 60 local stakeholders have visited other project MST least 50). areas for best practices sharing. 3.4. Public awareness and education UNDP, MST, 2. Number of TDs promo info available - At least 40 journalists of national and local mass media campaign partner in foreign languages (increase by 60%). are trained. 3. Number of tourists (foreign and implementing - At least 50 journalists and tour operators have visited the domestic) visiting agro-ecotourism organizations project sites. attractions (increase by 50%). 3.5. Computer training for rural residents UNDP, MST, 4. Number of national and international Targets for Year 3 and MSMEs partner tour operator including the project TDs - Public awareness and education campaign is implementing into their commercial proposal. implemented in all target areas. organizations 5. General awareness about - At least 300 MSME and local communities 3.6. In-country networking visits and UNDP opportunities ecotourism offers representatives are trained in computer skills and internet study tours MST (increase by 60% at least). marketing techniques. - Printed and electronic promotional materials, information 3.7. Development of promotional and UNDP stands and souvenirs are developed, produced and visibility materials, and marketing tools MST disseminated among target audiences. for promoting ecotourism
- At least 10 databases and web-sources up-dated. Ecotourism paper maps for Brest an Grodno regions are 3.8. Development of online databases UNDP published. and online maps MST - Final international conference for 60 participants from Belarus and neighboring European countries is conducted 3.9. International partnership/promotion UNDP to promote partnership and exchange experience. conferences on ecotourism development MST
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OBJECTIVE 4. Effective project management 569792
Project implementation Salaries for staff, offices’ rent, office UNDP 569792 equipment for 3 offices, project visibility, MST other expenses)
UNDP General Management Services UNDP 127308 (7%)
Grand total 1946000
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PART IV: ANNUALWORK PLAN
a) Indicative annual Work Plan: Year 2012
TIMEFRAME (calendar year) PLANNED BUDGET EXPECTED OUTPUTS PLANNED ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBLE PARTY Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Funding Source Budget Description Amount
- Hiring the Project Team and UNDP, MST setting project offices in operation INCEPTION PHASE - -Elaboration of selection criteria for pilot tourism destination
- Kick-off events in Brest and Grodno region UNDP, MST, MNREP, Ministry of Forestry, Contractual - Selection of 16 TDs for Brest and Grodno ExComs services - 8000 project support. seminars 72100
Local Consultants
- Preparation of tourism profile 71300 80000 reports for the winning TDs USAID 1.1. Assessment of legal and Local Consultants OBJECTIVE 1. Creating favorable regulatory barriers, conflicts and UNDP, MST 7600 71300 environment for the ecotourism gaps that hamper the development private sector development and of MSMEs in the ecotourism sector Contractual introduction of public-private 1.2. Public discussions of UNDP, MST, Brest and services - partnership mechanisms into the proposed policy recommendations Grodno ExComs 4000 sustainable local development and legal modifications seminars 72100 strategies; Contractual 1.3. Trainings on ecotourism Baseline: UNDP, MST services - trainings 32500 1. Policy and regulatory environment strategies elaboration 72100 for ecotourism development is 1.4. Обучающие поездки по теме characterized by gaps and conflicts. UNDP, MST Travel 71600 передового опыта разработки и 25000 2. Local ecotourism stakeholders lack реализации стратегий
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strategy-development skills. 3. The existing strategies are not 8000 developed in a participatory manner and are not followed up with real implementation. Indicators: 1. Number of amendments to legislative, regulatory documents accepted by local and national government. 2. Number of eco-tourism strategies UNDP developed (16). 1.5. Ecotourism strategies Local consultants development in the pilot TDs MST 3. Number of 71300 institutions/organizations with MNREP capacity strengthened in strategy elaboration (50). 4. Number of cross-border partnerships built (50). 5. The number of public-private dialogue participants (150). 6. Gender balance among the public- private dialogue participants is maintained.(at least 35% of the under—represented gender). OBJECTIVE 2. Strengthening 2.1. MSMEs and business support 6000 capacity of private ecotourism Local Consultants organizations' capacity building UNDP, MST stakeholders and business support needs assessment 71300 organizations Baseline: International 11000 1. Ecotourism service providers’ 2.2. Training of trainers UNDP , MST business skills need improvement and Consultants 71200 business support organizations’ 2.3. Training program on Contractual 3000 capacity is low. UNDP, MST services - trainings ecotourism development and 2. The range and quality of business management, foreign language Ministry of Culture 72100 support services is insufficient. training Travel 71600 3. Ecotourism-related data collection Local Consultants 15000 is not unified and contradictory. 2.4. Manuals on ecotourism UNDP, MST Indicators: development 71300 1. Number of institutions/organizations/persons 2.5. Mapping of existing business received capacity building in eco- support providers tourism management.
2. % of organizations that reported improved management practices as a result of received capacity building. 3. Number of new types of services and new service providers for ecotourism MSMEs. 2.6. Study tours 4. Number of ecotourism destinations, cluster-based partnerships, innovative ecotourism products developed in
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each region. 2.7. Contest of Local Initiatives UNDP, MST, Brest and Local Consultants 2.8. Methodology on tourism- related statistical data collection Grodno ExComs 71300 13000 OBJECTIVE 3: Establishing Contractual sustainable public dialogue, 8000 conducting information and education 3.1. Ecotourism market research UNDP, MST services - research campaigns, promoting the region as 72100 an ecotourism destination Baseline: 3.2. Training for media representatives and economic 1. Little available marketing journalists information/visibility on ecotourism destinations in project regions 3.3. Press and promotional tours (especially beyond the country). 3.4. Public awareness and Indicators: education campaign 1. Number of publications on 3.5. Computer training for rural ecotourism in national and local mass residents and MSMEs media (at least 50). 3.6. In-country networking visits 3000 2. Number of TDs promo info UNDP, MST Travel 71600 available in foreign languages and study tours (increase by 60%). 3.7. Development of promotional 3. Number of tourists (foreign and and visibility materials, and domestic) visiting agro-ecotourism marketing tools for promoting attractions (increase by 50%). ecotourism 4. Number of national and international tour operator including 3.8. Development of online the project TDs into their commercial databases and online maps proposal. 5. General awareness about 3.9. International opportunities ecotourism offers partnership/promotion conferences (increase by 60% at least). on ecotourism development Contractual 157100 services – individuals 71400; Objective 4. Effective Project UNDP, MST Equipment and Management Project Implementation Furniture 72200; Miscellaneous expenses74500 Total for 2012 381200
b) Indicative Annual Work Plan: Year 2013
TIMEFRAME PLANNED BUDGET EXPECTED OUTPUTS PLANNED ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBLE PARTY Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Funding Source Budget Description Amount
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1.1. Assessment of legal and regulatory barriers, conflicts and OBJECTIVE 1. Creating favorable environment for the ecotourism gaps that hamper the development private sector development and of MSMEs in the ecotourism introduction of public-private sector partnership mechanisms into the 1.2. Public discussions of sustainable local development proposed policy recommendations strategies; and legal modifications Baseline: 1.3. Trainings on ecotourism 1. Policy and regulatory environment strategies elaboration for ecotourism development is 1.4. Обучающие поездки по теме UNDP, MST Travel 71600 characterized by gaps and conflicts. передового опыта разработки и 50000 2. Local ecotourism stakeholders lack реализации стратегий strategy-development skills. 3. The existing strategies are not 16800 developed in a participatory manner and are not followed up with real implementation. Indicators: 1. Number of amendments to legislative, regulatory documents accepted by local and national government. 2. Number of eco-tourism strategies 1.5. Ecotourism strategies Local Consultants developed (16). UNDP, MST 3. Number of development in the pilot TDs 71300 institutions/organizations with capacity strengthened in strategy elaboration (50). 4. Number of cross-border partnerships built (50). 5. The number of public-private dialogue participants (150). 6. Gender balance among the public- private dialogue participants is maintained.(at least 35% of the under—represented gender). OBJECTIVE 2. Strengthening capacity of private ecotourism 2.1. MSMEs and business support stakeholders and business support organizations' capacity building organizations needs assessment Baseline: 1. Ecotourism service providers’ business skills need improvement and 2.2. Training of trainers business support organizations’ 2.3. Training program on Contractual UNDP, MST, Ministry of capacity is low. ecotourism development and services - trainings 36000 Culture 2. The range and quality of business management, foreign language 72100 support services is insufficient. training (continued)
3. Ecotourism-related data collection 2.4. Manuals on ecotourism is not unified and contradictory. development
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Indicators: 1. Number of 2.5. Mapping of existing business Contractual 10000 institutions/organizations/persons support providers UNDP, MST services - research received capacity building in eco- 72100 tourism management. 2. % of organizations that reported improved management practices as a result of received capacity building. 75000 3. Number of new types of services and new service providers for 2.6. Study tours UNDP, MST Travel 71600 ecotourism MSMEs. 4. Number of ecotourism destinations, cluster-based partnerships, and innovative ecotourism products developed in each region. UNDP, MST, funding Grants 72500 378000 2.7. Contest of Local Initiatives recipients
2.8. Methodology on tourism- related statistical data collection OBJECTIVE 3: Establishing sustainable public dialogue, conducting information and education 3.1. Ecotourism market research campaigns, promoting the region as an ecotourism destination 3.2. Training for media Contractual Baseline: representatives and economic UNDP, MST services - trainings 1. Little available marketing 6000 journalists 72100 information/visibility on ecotourism destinations in project regions 3.3. Press and promotional tours UNDP, MST Travel 71600 (especially beyond the country). 20000 Indicators: 1. Number of publications on Contractual services 72100 ecotourism in national and local mass 3.4. Public awareness and UNDP, MST, partner 20000 media (at least 50). education campaign implementing organizations Audio Visual and 2. Number of TDs promo info Printing costs available in foreign languages 74200 (increase by 60%). Contractual 3.5. Computer training for rural UNDP, MST, implementing 3. Number of tourists (foreign and services - trainings residents and MSMEs partners 13000 domestic) visiting agro-ecotourism 72100 attractions (increase by 50%). 3.6. In-country networking visits Командировочные 4. Number of national and UNDP, MST international tour operator including and study tours расходы 71600 6000 the project TDs into their commercial proposal. 3.7. Development of promotional Audio Visual and 5. General awareness about and visibility materials, and UNDP, MST Printing costs 15000 opportunities ecotourism offers marketing tools for promoting 74200 ecotourism
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(increase by 60% at least).
3.8. Development of online databases and online maps
Travel 71600 3.9. International partnership/promotion conferences UNDP, MST Audio Visual and 24000 on ecotourism development Printing costs 74200 Contractual services – 206346 individuals 71400;
Project Implementation UNDP, MST Equipment and Objective 4. Effective Project Furniture 72200; Management Miscellaneous expenses74500 Total for 2013 876146 c) Indicative Annual Work Plan: Year 2014
TIMEFRAME PLANNED BUDGET EXPECTED OUTPUTS PLANNED ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBLE PARTY Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Funding Source Budget Description Amount
OBJECTIVE 2. Strengthening 2.1. MSMEs and business support capacity of private ecotourism organizations' capacity building stakeholders and business support needs assessment organizations Baseline: 2.2. Training of trainers 1. Ecotourism service providers’ 2.3. Training program on Contractual UNDP, MST, Ministry of business skills need improvement and ecotourism development and services - trainings 21000 Culture business support organizations’ management, foreign language 72100 capacity is low. training 2. The range and quality of business 2.4. Manuals on ecotourism support services is insufficient. development 3. Ecotourism-related data collection 2.5. Mapping of existing business is not unified and contradictory. support providers Indicators:
1. Number of 2.6. Study tours UNDP, MST Travel 71600 institutions/organizations/persons 50000 received capacity building in eco- tourism management. UNDP, MST, funding 2.7. Contest of Local Initiatives Grants 72500 2. % of organizations that reported recipients 200000
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improved management practices as a result of received capacity building. 3. Number of new types of services and new service providers for ecotourism MSMEs. 2.8. Methodology on tourism- 4. Number of ecotourism destinations, related statistical data collection cluster-based partnerships, and innovative ecotourism products developed in each region.
OBJECTIVE 3: Establishing sustainable public dialogue, conducting information and education 3.1. Ecotourism market research campaigns, promoting the region as an ecotourism destination Baseline: 3.2. Training for media
1. Little available marketing representatives and economic information/visibility on ecotourism journalists destinations in project regions 3.3. Press and promotional tours (especially beyond the country). Contractual Indicators: services 72100 30000 1. Number of publications on UNDP, MST, partner 3.4. Public awareness and Audio Visual and ecotourism in national and local mass implementing organizations education campaign Printing costs media (at least 50). 74200 2. Number of TDs promo info available in foreign languages (increase by 60%). Contractual UNDP, MST, partner 7000 3. Number of tourists (foreign and 3.5. Computer training for rural services - trainings implementing organizations domestic) visiting agro-ecotourism residents and MSMEs 72100 attractions (increase by 50%). 4. Number of national and international tour operator including 3.6. In-country networking visits UNDP, MST Travel 71600 the project TDs into their commercial and study tours 3000 proposal. 3.7. Development of promotional 5. General awareness about Audio Visual and and visibility materials, and opportunities ecotourism offers UNDP, MST Printing costs 15000 marketing tools for promoting (increase by 60% at least). 74200 ecotourism Contractual 3.8. Development of online UNDP, MST databases and online maps services 72100 5000
3.9. International Travel 71600 Audio partnership/promotion conferences UNDP, MST Visual and Printing 24000 on ecotourism development costs 74200
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Contractual services – 206346 individuals 71400;
Project Implementation UNDP, MST Equipment and Objective 4. Effective Project Furniture 72200; Management Miscellaneous expenses74500 Total for 2014 561346 UNDP General Management Support 127308 (7%) TOTAL BUDGET 1946000
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Part V: Management Arrangements The project will be implemented in the national execution modality in accordance with the guidelines and recommendations contained in Resolution 47/199 of the UN General Assembly, directed towards greater decentralization of UNDP-funded activities. As a follow-up to the Resolution, a letter from the UNDP Administrator of 17 December 1993 authorizes UN/UNDP Resident Representatives to provide direct organizational, administrative and other technical support to national organization implementing project activities. UNDP guidelines UNDP/ADM/93/46 also authorize UN/UNDP Resident Representatives to conduct procurement of equipment, contract local consultants and other technical expertise and undertake other expenditures in accordance with the project budget, as well as to maintain bookkeeping and financial records of nationally executed activities by analogy with the maintenance of the UN/UNDP Office Administrative Budget.
UNDP will be responsible for the project delivery under a Cooperative Agreement with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). To achieve the aforementioned project outputs, UNDP will ensure necessary support and conditions for the implementation of the project by the Executing Entity. In order to achieve these outputs, UNDP may propose alternative or complementary project activities to those identified in this Project Document subject to the approval of the Executing Entity.
The Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus will act as the Executing Entity for the project. MST will be primarily responsible for the successful implementation of the project activities, sustainability of the achieved results, as well as reporting to the Belarusian state authorities. The Executing Entity will closely cooperate with UNDP to ensure that all the project activities are planned and implemented in a manner appropriate to the project’s goals and objectives. Where necessary and justified, the Ministry may use support services of the UNDP Office in Belarus to meet the responsibilities mentioned above (see Annex I). UNDP will provide support in administrative and financial matters, the recruitment of consultants, and the organization of study visits and international travel as well as the cooperation with partners in other European countries.
Coordination of the project activities as well as representing and supporting the project objectives at high decision-making levels will be the responsibility of the National Project Coordinator who will be appointed by MST.
For effective and timely project implementation a Project Team and a Project Manager (PM) will be hired in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures. At the same time, in order to mitigate project management risks the contracting of the Project Manager and the project team specialists will be conducted in consultations between UNDP, USAID, and MST.
The PM will report to the UNDP representative and the National Project Coordinator, and bear the responsibility for the day-to-day management of the project, and the Project Team in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures, the national legislation of the Republic of Belarus, and his/her Terms of References (please see Annex III).
The PM will elaborate a detailed annual work plan for the first year of the Project implementation in cooperation with the representatives of the donor, implementing partners, engaged governmental entities, and local communities. Subsequent detailed annual work plans will be designed by the PM in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures. The work plans will be approved by the project Steering Committee and signed by the UNDP representative and the National Coordinator.
In order to support the project activities in the pilot TDs and to render consultative and administrative assistance to the recipients of project funds within the Contest of Local Initiatives, a regional project office will be set in operation in each project region, which will be staffed by the Project Team personnel. The coordination of the project activities at large as well as the work of the regional offices will be performed by the Project Team specialists based in the central project office in Minsk (see Scheme 1. Organizational Structure of the Project).
A Project Steering Committee (PSC) will monitor and analyze the project implementation process and give recommendations on the most effective project implementation strategy to ensure that the Project results are achieved, and related activities are coordinated. PSC will also approve annual work plans and key
Project documentation related to the TDs selection and the Contest of Local Initiatives (see Annex II for PSC Terms of Reference).
Scheme 1. Organizational Structure of the project
PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE
National Coordinator UNDP Office Representative
Project Manager UNDP Office (project Project Team №1 support Minsk services) Finance-administrative assistant
2 full-time, 2 part-time specialists, driver
Project Team №2 Project Team №3
Grodno Brest 2/3 specialists (5 staff members in two regional offices)
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PART VI: PROJECT MONITORING FRAMEWORK
Project monitoring will be conducted in accordance with the established UNDP procedures. UNDP will assess progress, identifying operational difficulties, alerting relevant staff to implementation problems and other problem areas, and recommending remedial action.
Monitoring of the project will be an ongoing activity ensuring the transformation of inputs through activities into outputs and the planned and stated results according to the programs work plan. Specifically the monitoring process will include the following: collecting baseline data for major indicators and measuring performance against the baseline information; standardized exchange of information between all involved parties in the implementation of the project to ensure that activities are implemented in an appropriate and coordinated way; recording of minutes of envisaged meetings organized by the various actors involved in project implementation will assist in monitoring processes and procedures;
Representatives of the USAID shall be invited to participate in the main monitoring and in the evaluation missions relating to the performance of the project. The results of such missions shall be reported to the USAID. This is without prejudice to any evaluation mission which the USAID as a donor may wish to perform.
Project audit will be conducted in accordance with the UNDP requirements and relevant Belarusian legislation.
Quality Management for Project Activity Results
Creating favorable environment for the ecotourism OBJECTIVE 1. private sector development and introduction of Start: April 2012 public private partnership mechanisms into the Finish: February 2013 sustainable local development strategies Goal Conductive environment for the private sector development in ecotourism
Description To achieve the mentioned objective activities 1.1-1.5 will be implemented Date of Quality Criteria Method of evaluation evaluation
1. Clear and stable policy environment that Project reports. 1Q and 3Q of encourages eco-tourism development and Monitoring reports. 2012; investments is created. Round tables agendas. Lists of participants. 1Q of 2013 2. Expertise of local authorities in strategic Pre- and post- training participants’ self- planning is improved. assessment questionnaires. 3. Sustainable dialogue between private and public stakeholders is created. 4. Several high-quality sustainable ecotourism strategies developed
Start: May 2012 OBJECTIVE 2. Strengthening capacity of private ecotourism stakeholders and business support organizations Finish: September 2014 Goal Improvement in range and quality of the offered ecotourism services Description To achieve the mentioned objective activities 2.1-2.8 will be implemented Date of Quality Criteria Method of evaluation evaluation
1. Access to information and business Project reports. 3Q of 2012; support services among private ecotourism Monitoring reports. 1Q and 3Q of agents is enhanced. Reports on the local initiatives implementation. 2013-2014
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2. Innovative ways of doing business are Round tables agendas. Lists of participants in introduced. the trainings and study visits. 3. Local ecotourism stakeholders’ capacity Pre- and post- training participants’ self- is enhanced. assessment questionnaires. 4. Several new tourism destinations/ecotourism products are created/existing ones upgraded.
Establishing sustainable public dialogue, conducting Start: August 2012 OBJECTIVE 3 information and education campaigns, promoting the Finish: September 2014 region as an ecotourism destination Goal Attracting internal and external tourists to the ecotourism destinations in the project territories Description To achieve the mentioned objective activities 3.1-3.9 will be implemented Date of Quality Criteria Method of evaluation evaluation
1. TDs in the pilot regions are included into Project reports. 3Q of 2012; major databases and maps. Round tables agendas. Lists of participants in 1Q and 3Q of 2. The volume and quality of available the trainings and study visits. 2013-2014 ecotourism information is improved. Monitoring of relevant information sources 3. Increased general awareness about including the Internet. opportunities ecotourism offers Pre- and post- training participants’ self- assessment questionnaires. Pre- and post- focus groups OBJECTIVE 4 Efficient management and monitoring mechanisms are Start: January 2012 established within the project framework Finish: September 2014 Goal Effective implementation of the project activities in accordance with the approved annual work plan within the approved budget. Description The following activities are foreseen to achieve the goal: Drafting annual work plans. Implementation of project activities. Reporting in line with the approved timeframe. Date of Quality Criteria Method of evaluation evaluation Project delivery percentage Annual financial reports 3Q of Implementation of all the planned project Final project report 2012, 2013, activities 2014 .
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PART VII: LEGAL CONTEXT
This project document shall be the instrument referred to as such in Article 1 of the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement between the Government of Belarus and UNDP, signed on 24 September 1992.
Consistent with the Article III of the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement, the responsibility for the safety and security of the executing entity and its personnel and property, and of UNDP’s property in the executing entity’s custody, rests with the executing entity.
The executing entity shall: a) put in place an appropriate security plan and maintain the security plan, taking into account the security situation in the country where the project is being carried; b) assume all risks and liabilities related to the executing entity’s security, and the full implementation of the security plan.
UNDP reserves the right to verify whether such a plan is in place, and to suggest modifications to the plan when necessary. Failure to maintain and implement an appropriate security plan as required hereunder shall be deemed a breach of this agreement.
The executing entity agrees to undertake all reasonable efforts to ensure that none of the UNDP funds received pursuant to the Project Document are used to provide support to individuals or entities associated with terrorism and that the recipients of any amounts provided by UNDP hereunder do not appear on the list maintained by the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1267 (1999). The list can be accessed via http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/committees/1267/1267ListEng.htm. This provision must be included in all sub-contracts or sub-agreements entered into under this Project Document.
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Part VIII: Annexes Annex I. Provision of UNDP country office support services in execution of the project
The UNDP country office may provide at the request of the Ministry of Sports and Tourism the following support services for the activities of the project:
(a) Identification and/or recruitment of project personnel; (b) Identification and facilitation of training activities; (c) Procurement of goods and services;
The procurement of goods and services and the recruitment of project personnel by the UNDP country office shall be in accordance with the UNDP regulations, rules, policies and procedures.
Pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Standard Basic Assistance Agreement (SBAA) between the Government of Belarus and UNDP, signed on 24 September 1992, and provisions of the project document, the provisions on liability and privileges and immunities shall apply. The Government shall retain overall responsibility for the nationally managed project through its Designated Institution. The responsibility of the UNDP country office for the provision of the support to the Designated Institution shall be limited to the services detailed in the table below.
Any claim or dispute arising under or in connection with the provision of support by the UNDP country office shall be handled pursuant to the relevant provisions of the SBAA.
In accordance with the provisions of the project document “Local Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (LEED)”, the UNDP country office shall provide support at the request of the Ministry of Sports and Tourism as described in the table below. Cost-recovery by UNDP country office for providing support services shall be funded from the project budget in a way specified in the table below.
Cost to UNDP of Schedule for the Amount and method of providing such support Support Services provision of the reimbursement of UNDP services (where support services (where appropriate) appropriate) Amount of reimbursement is based on the quantity of In accordance with Based on request transactions performed and Processing of payments the country office for payment reimbursed quarterly through pricelist the UNDP accounting system Atlas Amount of reimbursement is based on the quantity of Based on request In accordance with Procurement of goods and transactions performed and and project annual the country office services reimbursed quarterly through work plan pricelist the UNDP accounting system Atlas Based on request Amount of reimbursement is and project based on the quantity of In accordance with Staff and consultants` annual work plan transactions performed and the country office selection and reimbursed quarterly through pricelist recruitment process the UNDP accounting system Atlas
Based on request Amount of reimbursement is and project based on the quantity of In accordance with annual work plan transactions performed and Travel arrangements the country office reimbursed quarterly through pricelist the UNDP accounting system Atlas Based on request Amount of reimbursement is Administrative support and project In accordance with based on the quantity of service (pouch service, annual work plan the country office requests and reimbursed visa support, customs pricelist through the UNDP accounting clearance, etc) system Atlas periodically Amount of reimbursement is based on the quantity of In accordance with requests, service timeframe IT support service Based on request the country office and reimbursed through the pricelist UNDP accounting system Atlas periodically
Based on UNDP In accordance with 1% of the UNDP resources country office the approved cost of Communications service contributed to a project is communication communications charged twice per year through plan services the UNDP accounting system Atlas
If the requirements for support services by the country office change during the life of a project, the annex may be revised with the mutual agreement of the UNDP Resident Representative and the Ministry of Sports and Tourism.
International Public Sector Accounting Standards are financial reporting standards used in UNDP.
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Annex II: Terms of Reference for the Project Steering Committee The Project Steering Committee (PSC) will be created to monitor the project implementation and advising on strategic project issues. It shall consist of representatives from the following organizations: 1 representative from the Executing Entity – Ministry of Sports and Tourism 1 representative from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection 1 representative from the Ministry of Forestry 1 representative from the Ministry of Culture 1 representative from the Ministry of Economy 1 representative from UNDP 1 representative from USAID 2 representatives from the Regional Executive Committees involved in the pilot projects 2 representatives from the civil society 2 representatives from the private sector Each organization above shall appoint its representative to the PSC. The Project National Coordinator from the MST performs the functions of the Chairperson. The members of the PSC shall be convened by UNDP for an initial meeting after the project is approved. 1. FUNCTIONS The main functions of the PSC include: Analysis and elaboration of recommendations on the project implementation strategy and long-term planning. Support to implementation of the project. Consideration and approval of project progress and final reports. Consideration and approval of annual work plans and key Project documentation related to the TDs selection and the Contest of Local Initiatives, etc. Evaluation of the attained project results.
2. PROCEDURES The PSC shall be convened as deemed necessary, but no less than twice a year. The first meeting of the PSC members shall be organized immediately after project registration. The Project Manager shall act as the PSC executive secretary. He/she shall also be responsible for the preparation of the materials required for the PSC sittings. The executive secretary does not vote on the PSC decisions but has an advisory function. The time and venue of the sittings shall be coordinated by the executive secretary with its members. Each PSC member must be informed on the venue, time and agenda in advance. The PSC sittings shall be legally competent if quorum is in place when at least half of the PSC members are present. In exceptional cases, the PSC members may be polled by telephone or email. All organizations involved in the project are entitled to submit proposals to the PSC. The PSC sitting minutes shall be signed by the Chairperson. The PSC decisions shall be taken on the basis of the consensus of the participants. Representatives of appropriate state structures, business associations and NGOs can be invited to the PSC sittings as deemed necessary. The decision on the recipient of equipment procured within the project will be taken by PSC members during the PSC sitting.
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Annex III: Terms of Reference for Project Manager
Project Title: Local Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (LEED) Position Title: Project manager Duty Station: UNDP, Minsk, Belarus Duration of Assignment: 36 months (full time)
Scope of Assignment: Background The Project Manager assumes overall responsibility for the successful implementation of all project activities and the achievement of planned project outputs. He/she works under supervision of UNDP and in coordination with the Project National Coordinator assigned by the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus.
The objective of the assignment is to ensure effective project management and monitoring.
Duties
Supervise and coordinate the project to ensure its results are in accordance with the Project Document and the rules and procedures established in the UNDP Programming Manual; Supervise and coordinate the work of the Project team, including regional offices; Assume primary responsibility for the daily project management - both organizational and substantive matters, budgeting, planning and general monitoring of the project; Prepare detailed annual work plans, to be approved by UNDP Resident Representative and the Project National Coordinator, ensure adherence thereto; Prepare terms of reference for national consultants and subcontractors in line with relevant UNDP procedures; Prepare annual project reports (APR) in line with UNDP procurements, as well as any other reports requested by the MST or UNDP; Monitor the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the project budget lines; Assume overall responsibility for meeting financial delivery targets set out in the agreed annual work plans, reporting on project funds and related record keeping; Guide and coordinate the work of national and international consultants and subcontractors and oversee its compliance with the agreed work plan; Organize and supervise workshops and trainings needed during the project; Liaise with relevant ministries, national institutes and other relevant institutions in order to involve their staff in project activities as necessary and gather and disseminate information relevant to the project; Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the project; Coordinate project activities with other related technical assistance programs in Belarus; Maintain regular contact with UNDP Country Office and the Project National Coordinator on project implementation issues of their respective competence; Undertake any other actions related to the project as requested by UNDP or the Project National Coordinator.
Expected results - Successful delivery of agreed project outcomes and milestones, as indicated in the Project Document.
Time period Deadline (month number since project Milestone commencement) Start of activities 1 End of activities 36
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Qualifications:
Higher education in economics, environmental management, public administration, law, management, sustainable development; advanced degree or academic training in these areas would be considered an asset; Extensive project implementation experience, with skills in facilitation and coordination development activities, and demonstrated ability to work in an independent manner; Previous experience in the area of eco-tourism, entrepreneurship, and SME development Working experience in the field of sustainable development and environmental protection is highly desirable; Working knowledge of UNDP rules and regulations is an asset; At least 3 years of relevant professional work experience in international project management; Computer literacy; Excellent written and spoken English and Russian are required.
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Annex IV: Risks Analysis
OFFLINE RISK LOG
Project Title: “Local Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (LEED)” Award ID: Date:
# Description Date Type Impact & Countermeasures / Mngt Owner Submitted, Last Status Identified Probability response updated by Update 1 Project registration October Operational Project registration Intensive initial consultation UNDP UNDP October delay 2011 delay will postpone the with all the Governmental 2011 start of the project that parties responsible for project in its turn will lead to registration. reduction in the time available to the planned activities implementation. Tight project implementation schedule can affect adversely the quality of the anticipated project outputs. 2 Tourism Destination October Organizational Conflicting or Planning of project activities in UNDP UNDP October borders not 2011 overlapping schedules close coordination with the MST 2011 corresponding to the of training and strategy- relevant stakeholders’, with administrative developing activities for consideration of their divisions present an different TDs can make geographic location, obstacle for the it impossible for the schedules, and convenience. concerned local local authorities authorities concerned to fully involvement and participate in all of them coordination which will hamper full- value public-private dialogue.
3 Lack of initiative of October Organizational Restrictions of The risk is mitigated by UNDP UNDP October local 2011 Regulatory programmatic project information and public MST 2011 communities/ecotou activities awareness raising that is part rism actors, limited of Inception Phase and close functional involvement of the Regional capabilities of local Executive Committees. authorities and/or The MST will assist the project the lack of local to facilitate dialogue and co- leaders. operation between citizens, communal, business and governmental organizations. 4 Delay in the December Operational Delay in getting the Intensive consultations with Ministry UNDP, MST December preparation and 2011 Project Document the Ministry of Economy on of 2011 approval of the signed. Shifting of the improving the Project Econom Project Document start of implementation Document y for March- April
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