The Global environment facility Small Grants Programme

An overview of 46 ongoing projects in i.r.iran

Table of content Black bear, The bear with a white necklace (IRA/SGP/OP5/Y3/STAR/BD/13/01(177))…………………………...3 Rescue of Caspy the Caspian Seal (IRA/SGP/OP5/Y7/CORE/BD/2018/032/193)……………………………………..7 Local Women Communies of Chahkou Village (IRA/SGP/OP5/Y2/STAR/CC/13/08(174))…………………….13 Control of Pakistani Kahoor (invasive plant) (IRA/SGP/OP5/Y7/CORE/LD/2018(202))…………………………..15 The Future Environmentalists (IRA/SGP/OP5/Y7/CORE/IW/2018(199))………………………………………….…....17 Seascape/ Coral Ecosystems (IRA/SGP/OP5/Y7/CORE/IW/2018(196))……………………………………….………...21 The Sea that is our Home (IRA/SGP/OP5/Y8/CORE/IW/2018(212))……………………………………………………...22 Green Agriculture and (IRA/SGP/OP5/Y7/CORE/BD/2018(206))…………………………………….23 Asiac Leopard, power of nature (IRA/SGP/OP5/Y7/CORE/BD/2018(203))………………………………………....25 An ongoing story of three related projects on health, air polluon and urban and rural waste Biodiesel (IRA/SGP/OP5/Y7/CORE/CC/2018/003(194))……………………………………………………………………………………….29 (IRA/SGP/OP5/Y8/CORE/CB/2018(222))………………………………………………………………………..37 Energy Efficiency and Energy saving (IRA/SGP/OP5/Y7/CORE/CC/2018(197))……………………………………..39 Community Conserved Areas Lessons Learned From the Past (IRA/ICCA‐GSI/2018(192))…………………...41 In memory of Mr. Hadi Fahimi…………………………………………………………………………………………………………...43

Writer and producer: Fariba Aghakhani Designer: Mehdi Almasi Director and editor: Laleh Daraie Support by: Asiyeh Rezaei Special thanks to the projects for their cooperaon

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Black Bear come to these habitats for feeding from Introducing the black bear to local communies fruits and people come to gather the leaves for seled within or around the black bear habi‐ handicras. This was hotspot of conflict that we tats, especially those areas with dominant tried to change it to hotspot point to solve the prob‐ vegetaon type by Nannorrhops ritchiana in lem by introducon of ABB to local communies the range of Nikshahr in Sistan and Blaoochi‐ specially those who are direct stakeholders and let's stan province as hotspot conflicts points and Asiac Balck Bear which is known as “Baloochi work together for parcipatory planning to manage pilot to run the project. bear” in Iran, is one of the most important human‐bear conflicts in the region. And the main Providing Financial Support to reduce the nega‐ ecological species that is classified as result was finding local NGO, Baloochbaf, in collabo‐ ve atude of the local communies to‐ “Crically Endangered” in Red List of raon with "Borderless wildlife conservaon Socie‐ wards black bear by considering increasing IUCN. Its Habitats in Iran are Mountainous ty" as the execuve sector for the project. number of people who injured by bear aack Areas of Kerman, Sistan & Baloochistan and Hormozgan provinces, which are the most western area of Asiac Black Bear distribuon in the world. The most important point which should be regarded is that, the basis of the establish‐ ing this parcipatory project with the aim of conserving the black bear in Sistan & Baloochi‐ stan, is the result of previous studies and procedural projects, especially those pro‐ jects which were accomplished by financial The results of that research that shows the in‐ supports of SGP. Also the output of research creasing trend of Human‐bera conflicts in the re‐ projects led to formaon of the basic idea of gion was the main reason to plan such conserva‐ collaborave conservaon through using the ve projects. Also the main challenge for man‐ local handicras potenal. agement this conflict was "money" for those peo‐ Following the academic research tled ple who have injured in bear aack. This reason “Idenfying the Ecological Status of Asiac and negave atude of local communies be‐ Black Bear in Kerman Province, Dehbakri re‐ cause of bear Damage to their livestock and gar‐ gion” accomplished as master degree final pa‐ dens was main reason to kill the bear. So provid‐ This project in its framework, tried to compensate Guarantee the of financial support per by Mr. Hadi Fahim as Baer Specialist Group ing financial support to compensaon such dam‐ the financial damages by using the local potenals and Black Bear conservaon by relying on member of IUCN and manger of most of Asi‐ age and injuries was base goal in the project. But which was very effecve in changing the negave local knowledge and handicra potenal that ac Black Bear Projects as the professional ex‐ what makes this idea different is planning to iden‐ percepon in the region. Factually, one of the most makes them independent from financial re‐ pert in this filed and by considering valuable fy and implementaon local processes and apply valuable results of this project was creang the sources outside the region and reduce uncer‐ results as the first academic ecological study indigenous knowledge about handicras and friendly link and peace making in the local communi‐ tainty of sustainability of the project. bring them as local financial support to solve con‐ of this species in Iran, Jahad‐Daneshgahi re‐ es around or in habitat of black bear in the prov‐ Regeneraon of local handicras (basket weav‐ search instute of Yazd university suggested flict challenges by considering the main plant in ince which was leading to sustainable conservaon. ing) with emphasis on Nannorrhops ritchiana to run the same project for idenfying ABB the region (Nannorrhops ritchiana) as common The objecves of the project was the same as be‐ as a common point plant between human habitats in Siatan & Baloochistan. point between local communies and Baloochi low: and bear.

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Promote and rising general awareness of people cras and conservaon of black bear. The  Publishing the pamphlets for introducing the go to Dazestan for cung the leaves, stu‐ in other provinces about the importance of most important achievements of the project handicras products dents and ladies as the main audience Asiac Black Bear in Iran as index species in are: group) about the role and impotence of  Designing the logo for local society and prod‐ east‐southern provinces by markeng handi‐ black bear and the ways of protecng  Formaon of Baloochbaf society as a local ucts cras from ABB habitats themselves in bear aack point to connue the goals and processes o  Publishing the map for hotspot of human‐  Producing the Infographic poster of black Sustainability of the project: the project bear conflicts in Nikshhar suburb on the basis bear as one of the basic tools for training  Idenficaon of all potenal handicras of field studies and also the informaon got The project is sustainable when both local people in local workshops from the local people for idenfying the con‐ relying on Nannorrhops ritchiana and the endan‐ products and documentaon with domes‐ flict points  Introducing and markeng the products gered species which feed of the plant, are benefit‐ c names, applicaons and producing pro‐ and domesc cooperave stores to the ed. Nannorrhops ritchiana is a plant used by hu‐ cess For markeng them by Asiac Black  Training the local communies ( gardeners, external markets out of the province as man and bear which can be developed for local Bear brand. Stockbreeders, basket sellers and those who value added for more effecve fi‐ handicras as well as to conserve nancial support the black bear. In fact this project tried to revive the old handicra  Cost financing the people by insisng on black bear. Moreo‐ harmed by black bear around ver, to promote the awareness of TangeSarhe village through selling the people on the crical situaon process of the products of this species which would mo‐  Idenfying people for conn‐ vate people can have an effecve uing the project especially in mar‐ role on the sustainability of Black keng and communicang with Bear conservaon and preserving people outside the area such as handicras. Mr. Raeesi in Fazllohi village region Reconciliaon between responsi‐ (GhasrGhand suburb) ble bodies for conservaon and  This project has been candi- domesc handicras of people, date and selected as the best par- which was created through facili‐ cipatory conservaon projects tang acvies, was very im‐ which implement by private envi- portant for achieving the project’s ronmental NGOs by Department goals and helping the governmen‐ of Environment of IRAN tal organizaon to reach their mis‐  Represenng the discoveries of sions in regard to movate local this project as a successful project communies for parcipatory in naonal Conference of environ‐ plans. The sustainability of con‐ ment servave and livelihood projects are depended on generaon of  Represenng the discoveries local bodies and parcipaon of all of this project as a successful pro‐ stakeholders. This objecve is ac‐ ject in the conference of “enabling complished through establishment rural communies invited by Teh‐ if Baloochbaf society as a local ac‐ ran University and the center of ve society in the field of handi‐ rural studies in Tehran University.

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Rescue of “Caspy” the Caspian Seal

Caspy at the Relief Center

Release Caspy to its home, the Caspian Sea

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The project is being implemented in Golestan, Mazandaran and Gilan Provinces (the southern coastline of Caspian Sea).

Poster and booklet published for educaonal/ awareness raising workshops

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Bags produced by the local women of Gomishan Village

The training workshops for local women in Gomishan Village, Golestan Province Awareness raising workshops for fishermen, since they are the most important group which can help protect and avoid damage to these crical species. 150 fishermen from each of the three provinces parcipated in the workshops.

The educaonal workshops for school students through books and posters published by the project . More than 300 students have parcipated in these workshops which were held in schools of Gilan Province

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Two NSC members during a site visit to Pish- Pishgam Local Women Organizaon of gam Local Women Organizaon East Chahkou

ToT Workshops in western part of Qeshm Island by Toseye Yaran Mehr in a framework of GEF SGP project Women and Alternative Livelihoods and support of Qeshm Geo Park and Local Women Communities of Qeshm QFA Environmental Bureau Chahkou Village

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Traditional Knowledge in Conservation of Plant

Control of Pakistani Kahoor (invasive plant)

The Pakistani Kahoor (Prosopis juliflora) is an invasive specie that has been in‐ being involved in planng nave species and a group of volunteers are involved troduced to Qeshm Island and some of coastal areas of southern Iran. This pro‐ in guarding the area from further infestaon by livestock which can transfer the ject has engaged the local community in controlling the threat of expansion of seeds through their feces. As well as, this site is used as a meeng center for this invasive plant by using the exisng potenals of community‐based work in raising awareness sessions among local communies specially the local women Qeshm Island (at present a Global Geopark by UNESCO). The project has select‐ about the nuisance of in island ecosystems especially this spe‐ ed a pilot area (based on the baseline map of the vegetave cover of the island) cies. Although the government has not yet supported this project since they do to implement a community‐based work in de‐roong the exisng plants and not believe that this specie is invasive. The project site has been contributed by disposing them properly. Furthermore, local schools and other volunteers are one of the local community member.

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Youth: The Rude‐Shur and Rude‐Shirin wetlands The project “ Parcipatory conservaon in southern Iran (Minab area) have been of marine and coastal wetlands in Shur The Future registered as internaonally important and Shirin rivers of Minab by strengthen‐ wetlands (Ramsar Site). In recent years, ing livelihoods that are in harmony with Environmentalists these rivers have been facing low water nature of Tiab and Kargan villages‐ IRA/ debits. The communies living down‐ SGP/OP5/Y7/CORE/IW/2018(199)” which stream and near the coast are gradually started in 2018 aims to work on Man‐ losing their aquac and terrestrial natural grove forest, raise awareness and build resources, which has undermined their capacity of the local community in con‐ livelihoods. Some of the threats other servaon and sustainable use of wetland than the low water levels are, overfishing, resources based on their indigenous polluon, unplanned and mismanaged knowledge and know‐how. development projects, as well as .

PAGE 12 Parcipatory Mangrove Culvaon 17 18

Boat ride and bird-watching in

Tiab Seaport

To provide sustainable liveli- hoods and to preserve both the natural and cultural heritage of Mul-stakeholder parcipaon the target area with parcipaon of local community members from Tiab and Kargan villages.

Promoon of local handicra (needle work) as an alternave liveli- hood, Tiab Seaport

Cerficate of Local Guide Training

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Seascape The sea that is our home Coral Ecosystems In collaboraon with Community Con‐ been idenfied through the work of this Fisheries is one of the main livelihoods of this knowledge and know‐how to other served Area in Suza Village, as important group for the first me for helping with the fishery Qeshm Island in Persian Gulf, this recognion of this important and rare site. coastal communies of Qeshm Island and coastal communies in Qeshm Island and project helps with the awareness raising This documentary has signed‐up in an in‐ southern areas of Iran, and degradaon of the mainland. Therefore, the local commu‐ about the important so corals in the vi‐ ternaonal wildlife conservaon film fes‐ marine resources, as a result of for exam‐ nity of Salakh Village in collaboraon with cinity which is being damaged due to fish‐ val in 2019. ple polluon and overfishing, affects ma‐ other partners, are holding training work‐ ing acvies in the area. The main coral Also, as part of the marine cluster, this pro‐ locaons are marked with GPS and a sea rine resources and local livelihoods. In Sa‐ shops and producing knowledge materials ject will link with other SGP projects in the map from the coral site is under prepara‐ area for strengthening the network of ma‐ lakh Village, which is a fisheries hotspot, on the need for conservaon and sustaina‐ on to share with the local fishery commu‐ rine projects and their parcipatory con‐ local communies had an innovave way of ble use of marine resources. nity for beer parcipatory conservaon. servaon. restoring their marine resources by dump‐ A documentary is produced from the sea fan coral and so coral bed which has ing objects into the sea. This idea was used in a previous SGP project for restoraon of coral reefs which was documented for the experiences from SGP: protecon interna‐ onal waters. GEF Assembly 0f 2010. The project combined tradional and scienfic knowledge which resulted in building “pyramid shape” structures that were in‐ Designed by Dr. Laghaei with inputs from local community serted into the sea. Aer monitoring, it was proved to be successful in building arficial reefs and sustaining fisheries at local levels. The advantage of this technique was that it used local materials (reinforced concrete) and local know‐how and human resources. The present project builds on experiences of the previous project and aims to transfer

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With , winters are warm‐ ons gradually increases and farmers er and springs are colder, periods of gradually collect best seeds and establish drought are longer, and more unpredict‐ their own Seed Bank which is being able. However, there is a deep local shared among a network of farmers in knowledge among farmers in Iran that is 24 provinces. Green Agriculture helping for building resilience against these changes. This project is based on and Food Security

the experiences of the previous GEF/ SGP/UNDP project through which farm‐ ers are more capacitated to idenfy en‐ demic seeds and land races (namely wheat and barley) and use them in their culvaons. In fact the frequency of gen‐ otypes with adaptaon to local condi‐

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The Persian Leopard project is the third on which is directly related to the species. project supported by the GEF SGP/UNDP To conduct this project, monitoring objec‐ conducted since 2011 to specifically ad‐ ves have been developed together with dress the Persian Leopard in Iran. Achieve‐ the relave techniques to be used in each ments in the previous projects became a monitoring site. significant step to develop the current pro‐ The project primarily selected a network of ject. reference areas in various provinces across This project aims a major topic specified in the leopard range using probability sam‐ the Persian Leopard Naonal Acon Plan in pling techniques to ensure the suitability of A monitoring reference area in Lorestan province (Photo: A. Sanei)

Photo by: Asian Leopard Specialist Society relaon to establishment of the leopard the collected data for the relave analysis. naonal monitoring scheme for the first However, this monitoring program with me in the country. In the Leopard Acon collaboraon of the local communies Plan, “monitoring” has been addressed in does not only provide the data to monitor several ways including 4 different levels of the leopard status for a long term, but also reference areas. Among them, two levels develop a conservaon level across the se‐ are to monitor the habitat and the popula‐ lected non‐Protected sites. This fact is al‐

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ready assessed in our earlier pilot program the project achievements, an innovave more regions across the country, while as other tradional skills in producing vari‐ in Dashtestan County of southern Iran ver‐ financial mechanism was also included. To there is lack of documentaons addressing ous types of carpet and in parcular the ifying that conducng monitoring acvi‐ build up this new mechanism, surveys this type of handicras, the paerns and Kilim, the project is establishing a local‐ es by the help of trained members from were conducted in selement areas symbols are inherited from one generaon based mechanism to support the trained local people significantly reduce poaching around and inside the leopard habitats in to the next. Supporng indigenous people local members for a long term monitoring and illegal acvies that negavely affect Sabzevar Township of northeastern Iran. to save and restore their historical in each established reference area. leopard and prey species in the area. Thus, knowledge about mentally weaving as well

Hand spinning (Photo: A. Sanei)

the program add a conservaon level indi‐ Carpet/Kilim/Jajim weaving is a main ac‐ Carpet Weaving (Photo: A. Sanei) rectly to the available protected areas vity of much of local communies across which is based on the collaboraon of the Iran that has a long history in their life local communies. style. Yet, due to the lack of market, local To develop this scheme with acve parci‐ people are losing interest to produce paon of local communies and to sustain these historical handicras. Such as many

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An ongoing story of And the other side of this story, WCO: a skin disorders including skin cancers. three related projects on health, air pollution waste stream generated at a considera‐ Moreover, the disposal of these waste and urban and rural waste ble rate of 1.5 million kg daily in Iran oils into the environment has led to the

Iran, a country with a populaon of over mentaon: and its desny is ed with numerous contaminaon of soil and health and environmental concerns. (underground) water resources endan‐ 81 million people, consumes over 100 mil‐ Creang public awareness regarding More specifically, due to the presence gering the exisng biodiversity. Taking lion liters of mineral diesel daily! A coun‐ the huge amounts of fossil fuels con‐ of trans fay acids in these oils, recy‐ all into consideraon, producing bio‐ try, whose residents living in mega cies sumed in the country, their devastave cling these wastes back into food and diesel from WCOs is undoubtedly a are severely suffering from air polluon; a consequences, and the vital necessity to feed industries has posed serious promising soluon to effecvely re‐ tragedy ending the lives of over 30 individ‐ move towards zero‐carbon economy. health concerns including gastrointes‐ spond to these mul‐aspect problems. uals every single day as far as the official Introducon and promoon of eco‐ nal cancers while their use in toiletries stascs are concerned! Respiratory and friendly energy alternaves to mineral such as soaps has increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases, impaired brain diesel; i.e., biodiesel produced from development in children, and tens of oth‐ waste cooking oil (WCO). er diseases and disorders are among the Technology development and inno‐ disastrous consequences of growing uli‐ vaon to convert WCO into biodiesel: zaon of fossil fuels such as diesel in Iran! design and fabricaon of user‐friendly Having said that, the queson would be highly efficient reactors. what to do? This was in fact the queson Creang commitment among differ‐ we, the Extension Group of Environmen‐ ent walks of life including policy‐makers talists (EGE) were asked in the year 2012 and authories regarding the im‐ at the SGP/GEF/UNDP Office in Tehran portance of replacing mineral diesel aer presenng the above data and stats. with its renewable, environmentally‐ That queson and the following responses friendly alternave, i.e., WCO biodiesel. were the stepping‐stone of the reless efforts iniated under the support umbrel‐ la of SGP/GEF/UNDP, aimed at offering mul‐aspect soluons and their imple‐

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Chapter 1: Project going live! ran, Iranian Research Organizaon for Chapter 2: Pursuing objecves! on of WCO biodiesel named BD‐Pro©

Project IRA/SGP/OP5/Y2/STAR/CC/12/04 Science and Technology (IROST), etc.), Pursuing the objecves of the above‐ was designed, fabricated, and patented. (170): “Establishment of the Regional Scienfic and Academic Sociees (Iranian menoned project and along with exten‐ These reactors were placed in a Training Site for Praccal Training of Sustainable Society (IBS)), and Private Sector sion, educaonal, and media acvies, Site officially inaugurated in the College Management of Waste Cooking Oil for (Bist Chain Fast Food Restaurants, Hani efforts were also focused on open innova‐ of Science, University of Tehran, and were the Producon of Biodiesel as a Model in Restaurants, Sepahan Bargh Afsahn Co., ons and technology creaon. In line used in the organized workshops and Megacies”. Through the very first stages etc.). with that, the first generaon of localized training programs. of the project, different from related do‐ Within the framework of this project, restaurant‐scale reactors for the produc‐ mains realized the importance of the tens of workshops were organized and project and the social and health benefits held and more than 100 radio programs it could bring about and got themselves as well as several TV programs were pre‐ aligned with the roles pre‐defined by pared and broadcast. It is esmated that project managers, i.e., EGE and the spon‐ through the course of this project, over sor, i.e., SGP/GEF/UNDP. Those players 100,000 individuals were directly or indi‐ included media (Danesh and Javan Na‐ rectly exposed to the trainings of the pro‐ onal Radio Channels), Universies and ject and obtained the awareness original‐ Research Instuons (University of Teh‐ ly intended, maybe beyond the expecta‐

ons of the project managers and spon‐ sor.

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Chapter 3: There is no limit to innova- These reactors are completely automac on and enhancing efficiency! and are fabricated in different working Chapter 4: Creang infrastructures! ard No.: 20067) at the Iranian Naonal Having that in mind, our engineers and capacies ranging from 60 to 200 L per Now that technology was available and Standards Organizaon (INSO). We also experts in EGE designed and fabricated day. In fact, BD‐Expert© reactors made awareness was created; the need for in‐ worked with the Ministry of Industry, the second generaon of localized res‐ possible biodiesel producon by unskill‐ frastructures and policy‐making would be Mine and Trade to establish the necessary taurant‐scale reactors for the producon ful individuals for the first me in Iran. felt more than ever! Frequently asked codes required for obtaining permits to of WCO biodiesel named BD‐Expert©. queson from EGE experts included; Are produce various types of includ‐ there naonal biodiesel standards? If ones ing biodiesel. Establishment of Iranian Bio‐ would like to produce WCO biodiesel, how fuel Society (IBS) in the Ministry of Sci‐ they should obtain necessary permits? ence, Research and Technology and the Who is in charge of biofuels related affairs Biofuels Commiee in the Vice Presidency in the country including biodiesel? And so for Science and Technology, etc. are on. among the other efforts put into paving

In response to these quesons and con‐ the way for replacing fossil fuels with their cerns, we took extra miles went way be‐ eco‐friendly alternaves such as biodiesel. yond words and effecvely contributed to the preparaon and establishment of na‐ onal biodiesel standard (Naonal Stand‐

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Chapter 5: Pung science into pracce to laboraon with the experts of the Environ‐ MOU was signed between the Vice Presi‐ ious blends of WCO biodiesel (B2 to B15) improve lives! mental Management Office, the BD‐ dency for Science and Technology, Tehran over a period of 2 months. To date, over

The true value of innovaon, educaon, and Expert© reactor would be hosted by the lo‐ Bus Company, and a private company to 60,000 L of WCO biodiesel has been pro‐ extension is to change the as‐usual destruc‐ cals during their big ceremonies and wed‐ run a pilot project throughout Tehran mega duced and used leading to the migaon ve to subtly beneficial behaviors city. In this naonal project, 20 buses of of 160,000 kg of carbon dioxide green‐ with effecvely producve and the Tehran bus fleet were powered by var‐ house gas. construcve counterparts. Hence, more than ever, it would be felt Chapter 6: Sustainable producon! ve impacts achieved in the domains of necessary to create social impacts The project “Establishment of a 400 L/day the environment and public health. MOU in line with the UN Sustainable De‐ Pilot Biorefinery for sustainable manage‐ with University of Tehran to host the 400 velopment Goals (SDGs). This mile‐ ment of waste cooking oil for biodiesel L/day Biodiesel Biorefinery and its estab‐ stone was reached through the producon in order to be used in public lishment and operaon on one hand and guidance and invaluable experi‐ transport fleet as a model in mega cies” witnessing the blossom of almost a dec‐ ence‐sharing by SGP/GEF/UNDP and the dings and while everyone`s having fun cele‐ brang, youngsters would was iniated in the year 2018. This was to ade long endeavors have more than ever convert the WCO generat‐ ensure a sustainable producon/supply of kept us movated for future efforts to fur‐ ed during cooking into WCO biodiesel to meet the minimum re‐ ther contribute to the protecon of the WCO biodiesel. “Killing two quirements of Tehran bus fleet for WCO environment and improvement of public birds with one stone”, they biodiesel and the connuaon of the posi‐ health. would produce some biofu‐ el for the cars and would prevent the disposal of the oily wastes into the unique presence of the above‐menoned naonal ecosystem of the island. players. In an move sponsored by the BD‐Expert© also aracted the aenon of Qeshm Island Environmental Management the private sector and a unit with a daily Office, a unit of BD‐Expert© was delivered producon capacity of 200 L was delivered to Qeshm local communies and they were to a private company located in the North given necessary trainings. Since then, in col‐ West of Iran. Moreover, and a trilateral

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Permaculture is another GEF SGP project has been menoned since this project was award‐ The Network of Promong Students of the seeds) and share knowledge in media ed the United Naons Equator Prize. Permaculture (NPSP), is a group of univer‐ and web. At the 2015 Paris Climate Conference al‐ so known as COP21 – the Umbrella sity students acve in sustainable agricul‐ Based on their experience and the valua‐ Group of Naghadeh NGOs from Iran was ture and Permaculture. The students were ble documentaons developed by this able to implement awarded the United Naons Equator group, the project “Knowledge sharing for Prize. This prize is the flagship pro‐ in pilot site (Permaculture Garden) located promoon of Permaculture agriculture gramme of the Equator Iniave. This in the Islamic Azad University, Science and through documentaon and network internaonal award recognizes outstand‐ Research Branch of Tehran. They have also forming between stakeholders and ing community efforts to reduce poverty, documented the processes and the differ‐ strengthen the conversaon among them‐ protect nature and strengthen resilience ent stages of Permaculture in form of vid‐ IRA/SGP/OP5/Y8/CORE/CB/2018(222)” in the face of climate change. The Equa‐ eo clips, posters and brochures. NPSP has was approved in order to promote climate tor Prize, which aims to recognize collec‐ ve acon, commended the innovave also conducted several training workshops smart agriculture, permaculture and low and collaborave approach taken by the where the documentaons have been farming to different shared among the parcipants. The work‐ seven community NGOs connected to stakeholders like farmers, NGOs, local Naghadeh. These community iniaves shops include, Introducing the Permacul‐ communies, academies, media, govern‐ cooperated to restore and conserve sat‐ ture, Agricultural Biodiversity, Dry‐land mental and private sectors. Also this pro‐ ellite wetlands surrounding Lake Ur‐ Farming Technics and Climate Smart Agri‐ ject will be a good plaorm for knowledge mia. The effort succeeded in restoring culture Methods, publish brochures on sharing of Permaculture through docu‐ over 1,600 hectares of valuable wetland Permaculture Garden on Azad Keyhole Garden, Clay pot irrigaon sys‐ mentaries, books, brochures, newsleers areas. This was the first me an organizaon from Iran had received this presgious award University, Tehran tem, create a seed bank (gather and share and form a network between local farm‐ and was awarded among 1,400 communies ers. considered from all over the world. The group parcipated Mr. Sirous Entekhabi and Ms. in the 18th Interna‐ Manizheh Hajighasemi from onal Exhibion of En‐ Umbrella Group of Naghadeh vironment of Iran in NGOs receiving the Equator February 2019. Prize from Ms. Helen Clark, For‐ NPSP has also pub‐ mer UNDP Administrator (right) lished a journal which was selected as one of and Mr. Magdy Martinez‐ the best Journals in the Soliman, UN Assistant Secretary 2nd Student Journals General, Assistant Administra‐ Fesval of Azad Univer‐ tor & Director of the Bureau for sity in 2018. In this Policy & Programme Support journal the Sirangoli (left) Wetland Project which 37 38

Energy Efficiency the Energy Efficiency Organi‐ zaon of Iran. Energy saving Organizing educaonal sem‐ Zistyar Energy, by building capacity to compleng regulaons in the Mechanical inars on the development of monitor the operaon of heang systems Building Secon. community awareness on energy management for en‐ (including in the UN common in Tehran has Promoon measures to raise awareness vironmental authories and developed a tool to help customers to among school students with energy op‐ depues of urban services achieve energy savings through automa‐ mizaon discussions in the form of distrib‐ in 22 areas of Tehran in co‐ on as well as developing a community of ung more than one million cartoons relat‐ operaon with the Environ‐ pracce from servicemen since 2007. ed to building energy opmizaon in 4,000 ment and Sustainable Devel‐ Achievements of the GEF SGP supported school classes. opment Office of Tehran projects: Cooperaon with the country's voca‐ Municipality Improvement of technical knowledge onal educaon and training organizaon Implementaon of 10 Pilot related to the implementaon of soluons and development of a standard of training Energy Opmizaon Pro‐ for improving the energy efficiency of for job skills for installaon of intelligent jects in the Heang Facilies HVAC. control systems for heang engine engi‐ of Residenal Buildings in neers. Effecve aendance at the review ses‐ Tehran, in the form of an ES‐

Cooperaon with Iran's Tech‐ CO Contract, and Review the nical and Vocaonal Training Challenges and Problems Organizaon and the develop‐ and Barriers to Imple‐ ment of a standard of training menng Such a Projects. for job skills for the installaon

of intelligent control systems Cooling/Heang intelligent system

for central cooling systems. densaon Chillers" can be menoned. Preparaon and presentaon Establishment of Consorum to imple‐ of numerous arcles at scien‐ ment Energy Efficiency Projects in Buildings fic seminars and conferences to Idenfy Challenges of Energy Services with the aim of improving the Projects in Iran with the support of the technical knowledge of engi‐ Reducing 15-20% of natural gas saving with intelligent sys- Presidenal Vice Presidency for Science and neers and students in general tem Technology. with high efficiency central cooling systems. Among these papers, a The execuon of the ESCO pilot project sions of secon 19 of the Naonal Building paper entled "The Scienfic Comparison at the Tehran Big Power Distribuon Com‐ Regulaons and providing experiences and of Energy Consumpon and Environmental pany under the supervision of the Japan In‐ technical suggesons for amending or Consideraons for Absorpon and Con‐ ternaonal Cooperaon Agency (JICA) and

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Community Conserved Areas (CCA/ICCA) communication model (as shown below) for This template has been used in the Lessons Learned From the Past participation of all the UNINOMAD and “Nomadic Working Group” and has been Tribal members in which all the stakehold‐ successful. ers will be engaged and none of the groups The preliminary session of Planning Strate‐ Group, Cenesta, Damoun and SGP was held would be excluded. The Secretariat should gic Support to Community Conserved Areas on 17 January 2018. In this session the No‐ consist of nomadic representatives and the with the participation of representatives madic Working Group who were also old material held in Cenesta should be trans‐ from UNINOMAD, Nomadic Working members of UNINOMAD had developed a ferred to this nomadic secretariat. Following the discussions and suggestions in this ses‐ sion the below model was completed which was named the Horizontal Communication Model. In memory of our dear friend and col- league, Dr. Mohammad Taghi Farvar. In this Horizontal Communication Model, Dr. Mohammad Taghi Farvar will be missed, the secretariat’s email information including and his passing away has been a great loss username and password will be available to to community work in Iran and to people he inspired. As Chairman of the Board of Centre all the members of the Union, representa‐ for (CENESTA) and tives of local communities, and Union funds. an active member of GEF SGP projects he Therefore, this will result in the transparen‐ will be remembered for his contributions to- wards the recognition of the local communi- cy, capacity building and ownership and will ties policy making for conservation of envi- also ease the provision of information and ronment. He helped to found and served as main advocate for UNINOMAD and UNICAM- documentation of the independent nature EL—associations of pastoral local community of the union. Other organizations and insti‐ peoples from certain regions of Iran. tutions such as Cenesta, Damoun and etc., In 2008, he co-founded the ICCA Consorti- um, an international association working to- for communication with the Union, should ward the appropriate recognition of and sup- send the request email or letter to the sec‐ port to the territories and areas conserved by indigenous peoples and local communities retariat to provide all the affairs through the (also known as ICCAs—territories of life). He Secretariat. Since all members, representa‐ served as President of the ICCA Consortium for three consecutive terms. tives, funds have access to the secretariat, (1942-2018) Horizontal Communicaon Model for UNINOMAD based on lessons learned from the past they can easily inform their communities.

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In memory of our dear friend and colleague, Mr. Hadi Fahimi. His dedication towards conservation of the wildlife was exceptional and worked tirelessly for the betterment of society. He was an ex- ceptional human being who devoted himself wholeheartedly as a conservationist. Hadi and the teams involvement in GEF SGP projects was an assur- ance for its success. He passed away in a tragic plane crash on 18 February 2018 in Zagros Mountains His beautiful soul will shine forever and ever. (1980-2018)

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The Small Grants Programme (SGP) is a corporate programme of the Global Environment Fa- cility (GEF) implemented by the United Naons Development Programme (UNDP) since 1992. SGP grantmaking in over 125 countries promotes community-based innovaon, capacity de- velopment, and empowerment through sustainable development projects of local civil socie- ty organizaons with special consideraon for indigenous peoples, women, and youth. SGP has supported over 20,000 community-based projects in biodiversity conservaon, climate change migaon and adaptaon, prevenon of land degradaon, protecon of internaonal waters, and reducon of the impact of chemicals, while generang sustainable livelihoods.

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