NGO BIOS participation in international forums related to public participation, access to justice and access to ecological information

In its consistent work in sustainable agriculture, NGO BIOS was also acquiring information and expertise related to the three main pillars of the Aarhus Convention. Upon gaining sufficient knowledge and expertise, especially in public participation, it moved to promoting its experience and sharing information at international level at its own initiative and as requested by various international organizations and institutions. This was achieved and implemented through a series of interrelated steps: 1. Gaining knowledge, expertise and experience; 2. Sharing knowledge, expertise and experience in national forums with international participation; 3. Sharing knowledge, expertise and experience in international forums. A more detailed outline of each step is given below.

1. Gaining knowledge, expertise and experience

NGO BIOS started its operation in 1995 with projects focused more on purely scientific objectives, such as: • International Soil Erosion Conference (Chisinau, 1995). Co organizers were the Ministry of Agriculture and Foodstuffs, the Scientific Institute for Pedology, Agrochemistry and Soils Amelioration; • Scientific conference with international participation “Soil Science in the Republic of at the end of the 2nd Millennium” (Chisinau, 1999), financed by USIA. Co- organizers of this activity were IREX and Moldovan Society of Soil Science, etc. • Development of a computer model for soil erosion prognoses and sustainable land use management funded by RSS Scheme for 3 BIOS researchers (1998 – 2000).

At the same time the staff and Board of the organization realized that beneficiaries’ access to information was limited. So, it was decided to use a more practical approach with a large involvement of final beneficiaries: farmers, rural inhabitants, poor people of Moldovan rural space, children and young people, but also with connection to the research community and public authorities.

• Training in sustainable agriculture with local and USA experts for scientists, farmers and decision makers. (Chisinau, , Balti, 1996), financed by USAID. EPT/Moldova was the co-organizer of the events; • Project on use of wastes for training of invalid children in environment protection and handicraft skills financed by Counterpart Foundation (Chisinau, 1996); • Sustainable agriculture project in Cretoaia village funded by the Dutch foundation NOVIB (1998); • Sustainable agriculture project on slopes funded by the Dutch foundation CORDAID (1999); • Sustainable agriculture three year programme funded by the foundations Cordaid and Novib (2000-2002); • The benefits of diversity, introducing LEISA and organic farming to Moldova (with Avalon Foundation) funded by the Dutch foundation Cordaid (2001);

This step culminated with the implementation of the three-year programme “Best Farmer’s Teacher is Farmer” funded by the Dutch foundations Cordaid and Novib (2002-2005), which incorporated a large learning component in the area of access to information and public participation. Within this project, BIOS staff and partners were exposed to a training course by an expert from UK who has carried out practical projects in Asia in Participatory Rural Appraisal, Participatory Farmer Research, etc. They have also benefited from 4 study tours in Participatory Approaches to Rural Community Development at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK, in which they learnt from the best and most genuine sources, including from disciples of Robert Chambers with expertise and first hand experience gained in development work in Africa and East Asia.

The learning process within the organization is continuing. Access to updated information in Aarhus Convention related areas is pursued consistently such as through: • involvement of the staff in international projects (in the International TACIS Project “Ecological Training, Information and Public Participation in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Modova and ” in 2004). • direct participation in training courses o international training course in methodology of training in environmental protection, (Mangalia, , 2001); o training course in enterpreneurship, business and methodology of training (Cambridge, United Kingdom, 2001); o the structure and the decision making process of the EU institutions and the role of NGOs (ECAS, Brussels, Belgium, 2007) o in October 2007, one staff member will participate in a training course provided by the Wagenigen University, the Netherlands, in application of participatory tools for coordination of activities and system approach and networking in Food Safety.

2. Sharing knowledge, expertise and experience in national forums with international participation

Thus, in order to share and to exchange expertise, information and experience in the relevant areas with other entities, NGO BIOS has organized and co-organized numerous activities and events. Among them the most prominent are the following: • In 1998 NGO BIOS became an information Resource Center of the International Regional Exchange Board (IREX, USA), which allows it to get materials in sustainable development and sustainable agriculture from IREX and to disseminate it among those concerned. • NGO BIOS was co-organiser of local, national and international conferences and seminars in 1995-2007 in Chisinau, Orhei, Calarasi, Balti, , Gordinesti, Cajba, Sirota, Balti, Butesti, , Cretoaia, , Republic of Moldova. • Awareness building events based on materials of the UNFCCC, UNCCD, UNCBD, the Ramsar, Stockholm, Aarhus, Danube Conventions were organised in cooperation with National Farmers Federation, Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, State Ecological Inspectorate, REC/Moldova, the Department “Programmes for children, teenagers and youth” of the State company “Teleradio- Moldova”, the World Bank/GEF Project “Enabling Activities related to the Implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Republic of Moldova” and other stakeholders. • NGO BIOS participates in training and research events organised by national and international governmental agencies and NGOs in the area of nature conservation, sustainable development, environmental protection and public participation.

3. Sharing knowledge, expertise and experience in international forums

At this stage NGO BIOS started to be recognized at the international level, especially as having expertise and practical experience in public participation in community development work at local level, assuring access to ecological information for poor rural community members, successfully cooperating and networking with local and central authorities, other NGOs, CBOs and research institutions, etc.

a. Involving stakeholders: modalities of public participation • NGO BIOS is accredited to UNFCCC and UNCCD and accreditation gives clear rules related to modalities of public participation in them. • NGO BIOS is member of the International Union of Soil Sciences and the World Association of Soil and Water Conservation and participates in development of various documents related to soil and water conservation • NGO BIOS developed together with Ecological Movement of Moldova the Plan of Actions for education, training and information in framework of the World Bank/GEF Project “Enabling Activities related to the Implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants in the Republic of Moldova” as well as the Communication Strategy for POPs and performs awareness building and training events. • Within UNDP/GEF project “Needs assessment for capacity building at national level” NGO BIOS has reviewed and evaluated the reports of the national experts on overall situation and on existing capacities for implementation of the three Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, UNCCD, CBD). The evaluation reports have provided insights into the methodology of evaluation as well as the comprehensiveness of the reports. • Within NGO Ecospectru Project “Ecological Network Creation on Pruth River”, funded by GEF, NGO BIOS assesses socio-economic situation, its main trends and problems; social survey, including people’s perception of project activities as well as a project risks analysis, develops activities and measures for poverty eradication, mechanisms for community participation, as well as costs assessment.

b. Presentation of reports related to BIOS experience in soil, water and biodiversity conservation, including public participation and community development NGO BIOS staff and Board members were invited and participated in many international forums, the most notable of them being: • 9th International HCH and Pesticides Forum (Chisinau, Moldova, 2007); • Workshop on “Combating desertification and poverty in dry lands. Promoting the participation of civil society and decentralized cooperation in the framework of UNCCD implementation” (Rome, Italy, 2006), • Workshop on Best Agricultural Practices (Belgrade, Serbia, 2006); • European Regional Workshops on the Implementation of Article 6 of the UNFCCC (Mons, Belgium, 2003), • Conference „Persistent Toxic Substances Contamination of the European Region“ (Brno, Czech Republic, 2003), • 1st Regional Session of the Global Biodiversity Forum for Eastern Europe (Chisinau, Moldova, 2003), • 1st session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC-1) of the UNCCD (Rome, Italy, 2002), • Regional Meeting for Northern Mediterranean, Central and Eastern European and other affected Country Parties in preparation of the first Session of the CRIC (Geneva, Switzerland, 2002), • International Seminar “Urban Agriculture and Cities in Transition” (Sofia, Bulgaria, 2002), • XXI European Agricultural Law Congress and Colloquium of the CEDR (Helsinki, Finland, 2001), • Business and NGO Forum “Environment and Sustainable Development in the Danube- Carpathian Region” (Bucharest, Romania, 2001); • 3rd International Crop Science Congress 2000 ICSC. (Hamburg, Germany, 2000), • Conference: Soils in Central European Countries, New Independent States, Central Asian Countries and in Mongolia. Present Situation and Future Prospects (Prague-Czech Republic, 2000), • 16th Congress of Soil Science (Montpellier, France, 1998); • “NGO Nature Week” organized by Council of Europe (Strasbourg, France, 1995); • Seminars, organized by Council of Europe and Bavarian Academy for Nature Protection (Ojcow, Poland, 1999, Medno, Slovenia, 1998, Krivoklatsko, Czech Republic, 1996, Sarrod, Hungary, 1995, Erding, Germany, 1994); • European Summer School: Sciences, Society, Environment, organized by French Government and a number of Research Organizations (Chamrousse, 1995), • International Symposium on Soil Erosion and Sustainable Development of Steep Lands (Kunming, 1996), etc.

c. Participation with comments in discussions of International Forums • International workshop on involving the public in international forums dealing with matters relating to the environment Geneva, Switzerland, 2007); • II International Symposium on Desertification and Migrations (Almeria, Spain, 2006), • Forum “Desertification and Civil Society” (Montpellier, France, 2006), • Workshop “Identification of high nature value of agricultural land in Eastern Europe, Caucuses and Middle Asia, organized by UNEP and European Eco-Forum (Chisinau, Moldova, 2006), • 10th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), (Buenos Aires, Argentina, 2004), • International Seminar “Urban Agriculture and Cities in Transition” (Sofia, Bulgaria, 2002), • 6th Meeting of the CoP of the UNFCCC (The Hague, The Netherlands, 2000), • 13 Sessions of the SBI of UNFCCC (Lyon, France, 2000), • 5th Meeting of the Conference of Parties (CoP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC Bonn, Germany, 1999), etc.

In most of the attended international forums BIOS staff and Board members presented reports, description of experience in pilot villages, posters. They also got involved in Review of National Action Plans, Discussion Groups debates, asked questions and offered comments during plenary and subject group discussions, assisted in preparation of draft documents, chairing sessions and working on follow up documents.

The products of many such activities attendances are reflected in numerous works, proceedings and publications of the respective international organizations, the most relevant among them being: 1. Third National Report on the implementation of the UNCCD in the Republic of Moldova (co-author). Chisinau, 2006, 88 p. 2. Environmental Performance Reviews, Republic of Moldova, Second review, (co-author)/ Economic Commission for Europe, Committee on Environmental Policy, New York and Geneva, Chisinau, 2005, 163 p. 3. Republic of Moldova. National Implementation Plan for the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants, (co-authors). Chisinau, 2004, 80 p. 4. National inventory of persistent organic pollutants of the Republic of Moldova/Workshop “Persistent Toxic Substances Contamination of the European Region”, (co-author) Brno, Check Republic, 2003, 45-48 pp. 5. Viability and types of rural industries in the Republic of Moldova/XXI European Congress of Agricultural Law, Tom 2/3, Helsinki, Finland, 2003, 225-249 p. 6. First National Communication of the Republic of Moldova under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (co-author). Chisinau, 2000, 74 p 7. Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change/ 3rd International Crop Science Congress 2000 ICSC. Book of Abstracts. Hamburg, Germany, p. 3. 8. Ways for Improving Soil Cover Condition/Conference: Soils in Central European Countries, New Independent States, Central Asian Countries and in Mongolia. Present Situation and Future Prospects, Prague-Czech Republic, 26-29 august 2000, 148-154 pp. 9. State of Soil Cover in the Republic of Moldova: Situation between Crisis and Catastrophe (in English) / Soils in Central and Eastern European Countries in the New Independent States, in Central Asian Countries and in Mongolia, East European Soil Bureau, Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, 2000, p. 281-289 10. Impact of Human Activities on Soil Erosion Depending on Land Ownership in Moldova/ 16th World Congress of Soil Science. August 20-26, 1998. - Montpellier, France. 11. “Cinderella Cave” Threatened / IUCN. The World Conservation Union. Central and Eastern Europe. - March, 1996. - p. 9 12. EPT Project in Moldova / IUCN. The World Conservation Union. Central and Eastern Europe, March 1996, p. 11 13. Policies for Steep Land Protection in Moldova and Worldwide / International Symposium on Soil Protection, June 17-21, 1996, Kunming, China 14. Soil Protection Agricultural System on Slopes / International Symposium on Soil Erosion and Sustainable Development on Steep Lands. June 17-21, 1996 - Kunming, China. pp. 63-64. 15. Rural Areas, Agriculture and Environment in Moldova / Rural Law, Nature Conservation and Restoration, Strasbourg, 1995.

They were also reflected in products and publications of NGO BIOS. We developed and published over 60 publications, 2 video films, 4 audiocassettes in the field of sustainable agriculture, environment protection, community development. Among the most important publications are the following: 1. Farmer’s Book in Romanian / NGO BIOS, Chisinau, 2005, 264 p. 2. An ecological ethnical code for the citizen of the 21st century / NGO BIOS, REC Moldova, Chisinau, in English and Romanian, 2005, 24 p. 3. Urban Agriculture in Chisinau, in English, Republic of Moldova / NGO BIOS, Chisinau, 2005, 60 p. 4. BIOS quarterly bulletin Biosynopsis, 25 issues. It is issued regularly starting in 2000. 5. Spring which inspires us. Book of children poems and drawings on soil and forest protection in Romanian/ NGO BIOS, Chisinau 2001, 79 p. 6. For fruitful cooperation between researchers and farmers in III millennium. Proceedings of the Conference / NGO BIOS, Research Institute for Soil Science and Agrochemistry, Bucharest, Romania, REC Moldova, National Farmers Federation of Moldova. in Romanian Chisinau 2001, 265 p. 7. Seen and Unseen Wealth. Book of Children Fairytales in Soil Protection, in Romanian / NGO BIOS, Chisinau, 2001, 96 p. 8. Technological Education in Primary School / NGO BIOS, Cahul, 2001, 115 p 9. Sustainable Agriculture – for us and Future Generations in Romanian / NGO BIOS, Chisinau, 1999, 48 p. 10. Scientific Conference with international participation “Soil Science in the Republic of Moldova at the end of the Second Millennium”. Conference Proceedings. /IREX, MNSSS and NGO BIOS, Chisinau, Moldova, September 1999, 172 p.

d. Involving the public in internationally funded projects • One staff member has worked part time as National Trainer in the International TACIS Project “Ecological Training, Information and Public Participation in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Modova and Ukraine” in 2004. Within that project she guided the training in Moldova, carried out TOT events for various stakeholders and participated in development of Aarhus Convention related documents, including a training manual. • One staff member has worked part time for Carl Bro (2005-2006) to provide Training and Demonstration Workshops in good agricultural practices and consultancy services for Analysis of Current Legislation and Enforcement, Review of Agrichemical Inventories and to provide in framework of the UNDP/GEF Danube Regional Project: “Strengthening the Implementation for Nutrient Reduction and Transboundary Cooperation in the Danube River Basin”. He did training for agricultural and ecological students, as well as for the farmers and decision makers utilising participatory approach. • Two staff member worked part time in UNDP/GEF Project “Enabling Moldova to prepare its first National Communication in response to its commitments to the UNFCCC” (1998-2000), including in: inventory of greenhouse gases following the guidelines adopted by the CoP; assessment of potential impacts of climate change (CC) in Moldova; analysis of potential measures to abate the increase in greenhouse gas emissions in Moldova and to adapt to CC; preparation of a national action plan to address CC and its adverse impacts; preparation, publication and presentation of the first national communication of Moldova to the Conference of the Parties of the UN FCCC, strengthen the dialogue, information exchange and cooperation among all the relevant stakeholders at the national and local levels; training of beneficiaries in vulnerability and adaptation to climate change, organization of conferences, seminars, round tables; publication of scientific and awareness building materials, creation of framework for follow up activities in CC issues. • NGO BIOS was awarded an assignment in TACIS Project “Support for development of agricultural education, research and advisory services” (2001) in the development of the concept of sustainable agriculture; • NGO BIOS staff took part in implementation of Environmental Policy and Technology Project for Moldova (EPT/Moldova, 1995-1996), funded by USAID, in the following: research and demonstration of soil conservation actions, soil erosion monitoring and plant protection activities; training, education and awareness building actions for trainers and farmers. NGO BIOS performed training for farmers, trainers and decision makers.

NGO BIOS members utilise genuine participation tools in research, awareness building, education and training events, such as: • Participatory Learning and Action (PLA), • Logical Framework Approach (LFA), • Objective Oriented Project Planning (OOPP), • Participatory Rural Communication Appraisal (PRCA), • Participatory Farmer Research (PFR), • Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), • Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA).

NGO BIOS is pursuing the objectives of ensuring access to ecological information, access to justice and public participation through its cooperation with international entities, such as: • UNCCD; • UNFCCC; • Council of Europe Committee on Rural Law; • International Union of Soil Science, • the World Association of Soil and Water Conservation, • Overseas Development Group of the University of East Anglia; • Etc.

NGO BIOS PARTNERS

At local level • Independent Farmers • „TarSalAgro” Joint Stock Company • “Buteştenii Grup” JSC • “Pirojcov-Izvoraş” Farmer Enterprise • "Plai - Sîrbu" Individual Enterprise • Stauceni Agricultural college CBOs of Butesti, Cretaia, Tartaul dev Salcie, Zarnesti, Cajba villages • NGO Cutezatorul • Institute for Territory Planning "Ghiprozem" • Teachers & Children from Tartaul de Salcie, Cretoaia, Butesti, Cobani Schools & Kindergartens • Professors & Students from State University, Agricultural University • Zonal Ecological Agencies from Cahul, Edinet & Balti • Local Public Administraţion from Tartaul de Salcie, Cajba, Buteşti, , Creţoaia, Dusmani, of Centru District of Chisinau, Gordinesti, • Edineţ branch of “Moldsilva” State Asociation • Department of Agriculture of Balti judet • Invalid Society of Centru District of Chisinau Invalid Society of Riscani District of Chisinau Scaut Asociation of Cahul judet • North Station of Agriculture Agrochemical Service • Art School • NGO TpT (Youth for Youth)

At national level • National Farmers Federation of Moldova • REC Moldova • NGO EcoTerra • Ministry of Agriculture and Processing Industry Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development • State Ecological Inspectorate • World Bank/GEF Project “Enabling Activities related to the Implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in the Republic of Moldova” • EPT/Moldova • Ecological Movement of Moldova • National Soil Science Society of Moldova • Academy for Public Administration • NGO “Biodiversity Protection” • IREX Moldova • Research Institute of Pedology & Agrochemistry, Chisinau • Department for Youth of Radio/Moldova Company • Research Institute of Farm Crops “Selectia” • NGO "ProBio" • Research Institute of Biological Plant Protection • Research Institute of Agriculture Agrochemical Service • NGO “Mester Popular” • Central Typography

At regional level • Central Research Station for Soil Erosion Control, Perieni, Romania • Research Institute for Soil Science & Agrochemistry, Bucharest, Romania • Foundation for Environment, Agriculture and Global Change Information Technology, Bucharest, Romania

At international level • Overseas Development Group of the University of East Anglia • Avalon Foundation, the Netherlands • CANCEE

Contact data: NGO BIOS Tel./Fax: (373-22) 28-53-43; (373-22) 28-20-09 E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected] ; 6th str. Pomicultorilor # 16, Chisinau, [email protected] MD-2028, Republic of Moldova. Home Page: www.bios.ong.md