UNESCO Chair on UNESCO Chair on Geoparks and the sustainable development and the sustainable development of insular and coastal areas. of insular and coastal areas. University of the Aegean, University of the Aegean, Greece

UNESCO/Global Geoparks Network GRANT FOR GEOPARKS in Small Island Developing States

MALDIVES FOREWORD

Since the UNESCO Global Geoparks resilient territories, as demonstrated merged in 2015 with the International during the current pandemic. Geoscience Programme, these Yet, the concept remains exceptional sites have received largely unknown in Small Island increased international recognition and Developing States (SIDS), interest. They have demonstrated their despite their rich and diverse important contribution to sustainable geological features and enormous development, by reconciling the potential to create Geoparks. protection of the geological heritage of international value with local UNESCO is therefore strongly economic activities, mainly through committed to engaging with the GGN geo-tourism. Geoparks promote the in a dedicated strategy to promote interlinkage between their geological, Geoparks and build capacity and natural and cultural heritage and raise is proud to launch the GGN Grant awareness for natural hazards and initiative, together with our local climate change. We believe in their partners. We trust that soon these bottom-up approach, driven by the regions will see more UNESCO commitment of local communities and Global Geoparks, in support of our indigenous peoples. It makes them common heritage, planet Earth.

Shamila Nair-Bedouelle UNESCO Assistant Director-General for the Natural Sciences

The Global Geoparks Network to present candidatures for new (GGN) was founded in 2004 under UNESCO Global Geoparks, the the auspices of UNESCO aiming GGN in close collaboration with to encourage networking and UNESCO launched, in 2021, a new international collaboration between initiative: The UNESCO/GGN Grant rural territories with an important for Small Island Developing States. geological heritage and in need of new UNESCO and the GGN call sustainable development policies. initiatives in all Small Island The GGN was expanded rapidly to Developing States to take advantage include territories in all continents of this grant and the knowledge and but with less representation in experience in building and managing Small Island Developing States, Geoparks all around the globe. areas with great importance for Thanks to this grant, I hope that our planet. Small Island Developing the recognition of UNESCO Global States include areas of geological Geoparks in the Small Island significance, ecological wealth and Developing States could contribute cultural value ideal for the development to the sustainable development of of UNESCO Global Geoparks. these Nations on which depend to a In order to encourage and support large extend the future of our planet. local authorities and communities,

Professor Nikolaos Zouros Global Geoparks Network President UNESCO Global Geoparks

A collaboration agreement UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, By raising awareness of the importance 2001 is signed between UNESCO Division of Earth Sciences and unified geographical areas where of the area’s geological heritage in history the European Geoparks Network sites and landscapes of international and society today, UNESCO Global geological significance are managed Geoparks give local people a sense of 17 European and 8 Chinese with a holistic concept of protection, pride in their region and strengthen their 2004 geoparks get together at UNESCO headquarters in education and sustainable development. identification with the area, Paris to form the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) A UNESCO Global Geopark (UGGp) uses The creation of innovative local its geological heritage, in connection with enterprises, new jobs and high quality During the 38th General all other aspects of the area’s natural and training courses is stimulated as new 2015 Conference of the Organisation, the 195 Member States of cultural heritage, to enhance awareness sources of revenue are generated UNESCO ratified the creation and understanding of key issues facing through geoturism, while the geological of a new label, the UNESCO Global Geoparks, expressing society, such as using our earth’s resources of the area are protected. governmental recognition of resources sustainably, mitigating the the importance of managing effects of climate change and reducing outstanding geological sites and landscapes in a holistic manner. natural disasters-related risks.

At present, there are in 2021 169 44 UNESCO Global Geoparks countries

UNESCO supports efforts in all partner of UNESCO for the operation countries to establish UNESCO of the UNESCO Global Geoparks. Global Geoparks all around the Global Networking serves to develop models world, in close collaboration with the of best practice and set quality- Global Geoparks Network (GGN). Geoparks standards for territories that integrate The Global Geoparks Network is a the protection and preservation of Network non-profit and non-governmental Earth heritage sites in a strategy organization founded in 2004 as an for regional sustainable economic international partnership developed development. All UNESCO Global under the umbrella of UNESCO. The Geoparks are institutional members Global Geoparks Network is the official of the Global Geoparks Network. Atlantic

Small territories of huge importance

AFRICA, INDIAN OCEAN, MEDITERRANEAN AND SOUTH SEA (AIMS)

CARIBBEAN PACIFIC

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a distinct group of 39 UN Member States No UNESCO and 20 Non-UN Members that face unique Geopark exists, social, economic and environmental until now, among vulnerabilities. They are located in three these Nations. geographical regions: the Caribbean, the Pacific and , Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and South China Sea (AIMS).

Among the 169 existing UNESCO Geoparks, 10% are base in small islands where they play an essesntial role for geological heritage conservation and promotion, climate change awareness, population involvement and establishment of new strategies for geotourism and integrated sustainable economical development.

Belitong UGGp () Lanzarote UGGp () Oki Island UGGp () 4,800 km2 of land Its total surface is 2,500 km2, Total surface of 673.5 km² and 13,000 km2 of sea area, comprising 866 km2 of land (including a marine area 327.5 km²). with a population of 288,771. with 151.000 inhabitants. with a population of 24.500. Specific challenges. Many possibilities.

Rich geological heritage Unique biodiversity Multicultural heritage 46% of all SIDS present an active and SIDS, thought of as biodiversity A huge geographical range that dangerous geological heritage of “hotspots,” have been regarded as generates extremely diverse cultural international value with one or more making the greatest contribution conditions between regions and volcanoes with eruptions possible at to global biodiversity proportional their peoples. Their history reflects anytime. Many SIDS also offer important to their size, as they contain the economic, social and cultural sites, witnessing the memory of the some of the richest reservoirs of rich exchanges and what they have evolution over time of Earth and sea. plants and animals on Earth. given to the rest of the world.

Climate change risks A mandatory sustainability Empowering new generations SIDS are located in some of the Their special geographical situation Facing the loss of traditional societal most vulnerable regions of the world and their huge natural and cultural structures and values and the declining level and are exposed to intense and richness makes SIDS unique for of youth employment and job opportunities, frequent natural and environmental visitors, but at the same time, the SIDS young generation needs strong hazards with increased deleterious confronts them with a number support to become change agents for social, environmental and of challenges and vulnerabilities. sustainability within their own communities economic consequences. Sustainable tourism and Geotourism and fundamental actors in SIDS climate is more than necessary in SIDS. change mitigation and other challenges. UNESCO/Global Geoparks Network GRANT FOR GEOPARKS in Small Island Developing States

The UNESCO/Global Georparks Network Grant is a tailor made consultancy service specifically dedicated to support local teams to develop a UNESCO Geopark project. The grant includes several steps and actions. GGN Experts will advise and accompany the granted territory from the initial idea to the official application as UNESCO Global Geopark. All services provided through the grant will be free of charge for the territory.

Analysis of the territory Field mission Two GGN Experts will be The two GGN Experts will conduct dedicated to each granted a 10 day mission to the granted territory. They will hold digital territory. During this mission, the meetings with the granted experts will visit the main sites of territory to analyze the context the granted territory, engage with and prepare the field mission. local communities, government representatives, local associations, potential Geopark partners and other relevant stakeholders.

On-line assistance Training After the mission, the GGN This grant also includes the Experts will prepare a report participation of the granted with the different steps that the territory’s Managers in the granted territory will need to take yearly UNESCO Global Geoparks and the challenges it will need intensive courses as well as their to resolve. The experts will keep integration into the UNESCO on providing guidance through mentorship and knowledge digital meetings in view of a formal exchange programme. submission of an application file. Supporting local initiatives

We target emerging Geopark initiatives in Small Island Developing States, but also existing nature parks and national parks with geological features of international value, intermunicipalities, associations involved in rural development and other management bodies that would like to start developing a viable Geopark.

The assessment criteria will in the first place be based on:

the presence of an existing management body and of people with interest in the UNESCO Global Geoparks concept and able to engage in this endeavour and support the initiative;

the presence of geological heritage of international value;

the basic understanding and affinity of candidates with the UNESCO Global Geoparks concept.

Secondary criteria will relate to government support, funding perspective, tourism potential, security and community involvement.

How to present a candidature

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Interested candidates should Complete the attached form and The three best proposals will be download the form from the link send it before 31st October 2021 notified by 15th November 2021. http://globalgeoparksnetwork.org/ to [email protected] and application-form-SIDS-grant.pdf [email protected]

October, 31st 2021

For any further information regarding this UNESCO/Global Geoparks Network Grant or the UNESCO Global Geoparks in general, please contact m.patzak@.org, [email protected] or [email protected].

Useful information related to UNESCO Global Geoparks can be found on the following websites:

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/natural-sciences/environment/earth-sciences/unesco-global-geoparks

www.visitgeoparks.org

http://www.globalgeoparksnetwork.org UNESCO/Global Geoparks Network GRANT FOR GEOPARKS in Small Island Developing States

GLOBAL GEOPARKS NETWORK Musée Promenade UNESCO Chair on Geoparks Montée B. Dellacasagrande and the sustainable development of insular and coastal areas. 04000 – Digne les Bains – University of the Aegean, Greece http://www.globalgeoparksnetwork.org

© Photo copyrights – UNESCO: page 2; Global Geoparks Network: pages 2, 6; Discovery UGGp: page 3; Araripe UGGp page: 3; Haute-Provence UGGp: page 3; Qeshm UGGp: page 3; Yimengshan UGGp: page 3; Rinjani-Lombok UGGp: page 3; Belitong UGGp: page 4; Lanzarote UGGp: page 4; Oki Island UGGp: page 4; Guy Martini: page 5; UNICEF/Marco Dormino: page 5; UNDP/Silke von Brockhausen: page 5; Unspalsh (Nicolas Weldingh: page 5); Pexels: (Asad Photo Maldives: page 1; Erickson Balderama: page 5; Francesco Ungaro: page 5; Anna Shvets: page 6; Quang Nguyen Vinh: page 7).