Implementation of the UNESCO Biosphere Program by the local community Reet Kokovkin Manager of the LEADER LAG Why Hiiumaa is so special?

• Hiiumaa is the part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve • We have a unique nature • 70% of forest • About 455 Million years ago we were hit by huge meteorite • Unique culture and language • Maritime history

Hiiumaa ecological forest National costumes and dance Hiiumaa hit by the huge meteorite some 455 million years ago. Artesian wells in Kärdla World’s eldest still working lighthouse since 1533 First Estonian ship sailing around the Kap Hoorn in 1854, built in Hiiumaa Biosphere programm area in

• In 1989, The Biosphere area of West Estonian islands Hiiumaa, Saaremaa, Muhu and Vormsi was created with UNESCO certificate • 1990-2002 there were 3 local activity centres impelenting research, education and culture programs on National and EU funding, ca 25 officers. • Since 2002 the progam was implemented by NGOs, no National nor local support Biosphere programm area in Estonia

• In 2013 new Strategy elaboration started for Hiiumaa LAG. The main objective: to implement the UNESCO MAB progam in our area. • In 2013, a position of officer of biosphere program was introduced by the National Environmental Board. • In 2014 a Strategy of sustainable development in the territory of the Biosphere program area was adopted by the Ministry of Environment. • In 2016 the cooperation agrements were signed between LAGs in the area and Environmental Board

What is LEADER LAG

• LEADER is the European Union rural development measure

• The decision making level of granting project applications is in community

• LAG – Local Action Group. Hiiumaa is 1 group.

• LAG must consist of representatives of public, private and third sector. Currently we have 83 members incl all 4 local administrations, 35 enterprises and 44 NGO

• LAG operates according its Strategy approved by the Ministry of Rural Affairs Strategy 2014-2020

• The overall objective of the strategy is targeted at: „Achieving of balanced territorial development of Hiiumaa economy and communities, incl creation and preservation of jobs„ Objevtives of the strategy 1

• 1. Support to the innovative, enhancing local resources and skills, creating value-added jobs and creative small business that is directed towards new markets • Measure 1 : Investment support for entrpreneur Objevtives of the strategy 2

• 2. Creation of the environment for life and business in which the community needs for quality services are performed • Measure 2 : Investment support for public and NGO sector Objevtives of the strategy 3

• 3. Active and targeted cooperation to acquire and implement new knowledge and skills • Measure 3 : Innovative community (for knowledge exchange and learning) Objevtives of the strategy 4

• 4. Targeted and effective development cooperation for the benefit of Hiiumaa community that supports the sustainable development • Measure 4 : Joint Development Biosphere Program in LAG Strategy

• The Strategy states clearly the implementation of the UNESCO program "Man and Biosphere„ : Protection of the Nature with the means of Education, Science and Culture • In the evaluation process of applications the indication to Biosphere area strategy has a strong influence on final score of points. Projects should be focused towards the use and improvement of local ressourses (incl green economy and food) and skills. How we do it?

• Each year our NGO – Hiiumaa LAG – grants the support to projects best fulfilling the strategy • Applications are evaluated according to the Strategy, EU and National legistlation and rules • The process is transparent and fair • For the period 2014-2020 we recived 2 035 150 euros from the Rural Development Plan Last period 2009-2013

• 358 project were granted • The most significant of these were:

abattoir –solved the problem of processing local ecological beef and lamb in 2012. Opening of the Vaemla Product Development Centre LEADER supports Hiiumaa Caffee Days

• Hiiumaa Caffee’s Days – made a change in paradigm in our country : it is possible to produce and offer home made cooking • The event was initiated in 2006 by volunteers, 10 years later is spread all over Estonia • In 2016 the organisers received the National award What is the impact of Cafeteria Days? • Statistics of visitors is easy: we can county ferry tickets! • 10 000 people stay at least 2 days in the island spending statisticly 50 euros per day • The total turnover for the island for one weekend is 1 MEUR • The problem is: how to channel this most suitably to the island economy. Kärdla cafeteria day 2015 Cafe Orientale presented Cafee Flower Power, raising money fo music school Last period 2009-2013

• Village houses in , Kõpu, Kuri and were renovated Creating new envoronment for business and community activity Saving old historical buildings and building new Orjaku village developments Kõpu village developments Kuriste village centre Last period 2009-2013

Maritime traditions • Building of two traditional sailing ships  NGO Halulaev reconstructed sailing ship Lisette  NGO builds new 2 mast galleas

• Transnational project on Maritime traditions  Partners from Finland and Denmark  Became a finalist in The Nordic-Baltic Leader Cooperation Award

Last period 2009-2013

• Local food  Transnational cooperation project Growing Gastronauts – partners from England, France and Saaremaa  Deals with local food short supply chain, school food and awarennes building among children, local authoritis and parents  Won a 1st prize in The Nordic-Baltic Leader Cooperation Award Was listed among 14 best EU cooperation projects for the period 2009-2013

Celebrated project „Growing Gastronauts“ Current period 2014-2020 For Public sector Some examples of projects: Käina Municipality - distribution of connection points on optical cable for end consumer 22 482 EUR Käina Municipality – Market area for local food products in Käina 63 819 EUR  Municipality – Reconstruction of indoor Athletic hall 34 492 EUR Current period 2014-2020 Private sector  HTÜ Tootmine – New production premices for local bakery 160 000 EUR  Liisi Kummer-Leman Moe Muusa – reconstruction of premices for small designe factory 17 463 EUR  Triibuvineer OÜ – procurement of production equipment 9 281 EUR  Dagovet OÜ - Hiiumaa veterinary clinic 98 036 EUR  Pitsu OÜ – Elaboration and marketing textile products with traditional patterns 3134 eur New production premices for local bakery Current period 2014-2020 Transfer of knowledge  NGO Hiiu Veis ja Lammas – Quality program and research for traditional lamb product 15 667 EUR  NGO Halulaev – compleating building of Halulaev 20 092  NGO Hiiumaa Tourist Association - Virtual reality in Hiiumaa exhibition booth in tourist fairs 21 502 EUR Project: Quality program and research for traditional lamb product LAG for local development

Transnational cooperation projects 2016….

 Green Energy and local food (preparatory with LAGs Bornholm Denamrk and Skane Sweden)  Maritime traditions (preparatory project with LAG Karhuseutu Finland)  Local food (Preparatory project with LAG Gotland Sweden)  Rural Flavours (preparatory project with LAG Karhuseutu, LAG Comarca de LaCarq Spain, Lag Bura Croatia)  Local food more visible (National coopration project with FLAG Hiiumaa)  ONE BELT ONE ROUTE - BALTIC SILK ROUTE (preparaptory project finalised with a signed agreement and cooperation project with LAG Karhuseutu Finland and LAG PUSZCZA KNYSZYNSKA Poland  Local food for local people (National cooperation project with LAGs Pärnu and Lääne)  Exchange of experience on Biosphere program implementation (support of Nordic Council of Ministers, with Vidzeme LAG Latvia and Blekinge LAG Sweden) In 2016 Hiiumaa was nominated as the Food Destination of Estonia LAG for local development • We successfully organised the fund rising to buy the computer tomograph for our hospital in 2011-2013 • Our contact: www.kogu.hiiumaa.ee/

• Reet Kokovkin [email protected]

Thank you for your attention!