United Nations Development Programme Republic of Belarus Project Document
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
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 2 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 3 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