Implementation of the UNESCO Biosphere Program by the local community Reet Kokovkin Manager of the Hiiumaa LEADER LAG Specialist on international affairs of Hiiu County Govenrment Why Hiiumaa is so special? • We have a unique nature • 70% of forest • Long history • About 455 Miljon years ago we were hit by huge meteorite • Unique culture and language • Maritime history Hiiumaa ecological forest Hiiumaa hit by the huge meteorite some 455 billion 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 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 • The evaluation of applications has a strong emphasy 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 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: Vaemla 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 • Two ladies – Ere Naat and Ly Kaups initiated event in 2006, that 10 years later is spread all over Estonia • In 2016 they 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 Orjaku, Kõpu, Kuri and Kuriste • Creating new envoronment for buiness 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 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 • 1st application round is completed 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 Emmaste 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 Current period 2014-2020 Transfer of knowledge NGO Hiiu Veis ja Lammas – Quality program and research for traditional lamb product 15 667 EUR NGO Soonlepa Development Centre – Alternative energy supply for modul buildings 40 545 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 LAG for local development Each year we carry on study tours for our members • In 2016: To Bornholm and Sweden – Energy and local food To Saaremaa – local food and marketing To Latvia and Sweden – exchange of experience on Biosphere program implementation 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! .