Annex III

Terms of Reference

Study tour on learning from Slovak experience on sustainable use, management and environmental protection of the karst fields and peatlands

A. Background

UNDP, starting in 2009, is implementing four-year project Mainstreaming Karst Peatlands Conservation into Key Economic Sectors. The project’s goal is to ensure long-term conservation of the internationally important natural karst systems in BiH and set an example of their conservation across the region. The project objective is to strengthen the policy and regulatory framework for mainstreaming the requirements for conservation of karst and peatland biodiversity into productive sectors (mining, water use) and spatial planning at Cantonal level in Livanskoje .

Most of the territory of and (BiH) is mountainous with at least 30% of the area in the karst regions of the Dinaric mountain range. The most important karst field in BiH is with an area about 41,000 ha. It is one of the largest karst fields (polje) in the world and represents a significant part of the Cetina River catchment area, influencing water availability also in the neighboring . It is situated at an altitude of about 700 m a.s.l.. Together with the surrounding mountains (Kamešnica and in the South, and Cincar, Staretina and Šator in the North and West) it forms a unique geomorphological and ecological entity. Livanjsko polje contains an impressive network of surface and subsurface water bodies, including rivers, springs, lakes, oxbowes. Unique phenomenons are estavelas, holes in the field's bottom that connect underground relief with the field's surface in hydrological and hydro-biological respects. Livanjsko polje is one of the rare fields in the Dinaric Alps where natural process of karstification is still ongoing. This is a unique natural phenomenon that is driven by carbonate particles, hard water, and in some cases microorganisms.

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The karst field has extremely rich biodiversity at all levels: genes, species, and ecosystems. It is especially rich in wetland species of vascular flora, including dozens of endemic and relict species. According to the EU Bird Directive, Livanjsko polje is an Important Bird Area, and it is of unique international value for the Corncrake, an internationally important bird indicator species. For the Balkan Peninsula, the site is of great conservation interest as it has maintained unique peat-bearing bog, marsh, lowland oak forest and grassland habitats important for several breeding birds, such as Montague´s Harrier, Corncrake, Lesser- spotted Eagle, Redshank, Snipe and Great Bittern. Since karst fields have largely declined in the area, some of the species now only live exclusively in Livanjsko polje as they have become extinct everywhere else. During September 2008, Livanjsko Polje has been officially recognized as a Ramsar wetland of international importance, which gives an additional value to this area of the B&H.

Livanskoje Polje is shared among three municipalities, Livno, and B. Grahovo. There are 67 villages. 50 belong to Livno Municipality, 9 to Tomislavgrad and 8 to Municipality. One of the main barriers to mainstream karst biodiversity interests in spatial and sector policies is that Cantons and municipalities lack capacity for analysis of economic and environmental strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats related to possible options of land use at karst areas.

There are 3 major threats to karst fields and peatlands, stemming either from productive activities, or from unsustainable use of karst fields by local people:

1. Unsustainable water use resulting in disturbances in the karst field water balance important for flood and dry meadows biodiversity (the threat is not actual, but highly probable)

2. Peat extraction

3. Un-ecological behavior patters among rural people

Taking into consideration aforementioned and the objective of the UNDP Karst Project on supporting local stakeholders to integrate karst and peatland needs in the BiH cantonal spatial planning policies and procedures, it would be of the key importance to facilitate a number of practical events and preparation of important documents which will provide good models and examples of practices in the area of biodiversity protection. Having in mind that institutions and organizations from Slovak Republic have a big experience on environment protection and landscape planning in accordance with principles of sustainable development, it will be of the great interest to bring together Slovak expert and B&H stakeholders in the field of environment/biodiversity protection to exchange their experience and knowledge.

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B. Assignment

The provider of the services will organize the study tour for 15 BiH local and national authorities, society representatives and other stakeholders in order to enhance their capacities in preparation and implementation of planning policies and procedures, by-laws and methodological guidance, management and sustainable use of karst fields and peatlands. Provider will also present the best solutions and share Slovak experience in the field of sustainable use of the karst fields applicable specifically in Livanskoje Polje. Participants should be provided with Slovak experience on restoration, conservation and sustainable management practices and biodiversity in general and should be introduced to harmonization of the environmental legislation of the Slovak Republic with regulations and procedures of the European Union.

The main objectives

Ø To learn about Slovak experience and best practices in the field of sustainable use of karst fields and peatlands and their protection Ø To gain solid practical ground and information in legal and institutional set-up on national and local level Ø To increase awareness and knowledge of BiH stakeholders in economic and environmental research capacities for recognizing options and different scenaria for short-term, mid-term and long-term visions and management plans Ø To increase the knowledge about public participation and stakeholder involvement, transboundary cooperation and understanding of responsibilites of different stakeholders Ø To gain experience in integrated planning and management and efficient ecological approach meeting human needs while maintaining karst areas ecosystem integrity.

Basic indicators

Ø 15 BiH stakeholders trained in the field of protection, management and sustainable use of karst fields and peatlands Ø Increased knowledge in legal and institutional set-up Ø Established cooperation with Slovak organizations dealing with karst fields and peatlands management and protection Ø Review of the rules and guidelines on basic principles of management, protection and sustainable use of the karst fields and its peatlands on local and national level.

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Place and time of the study tour

Five-day study tour (plus two travel days) should be organized to Slovakia within October 2009. Time- schedule and content will be agreed with the UNDP and should include also social activities.

Description of the activities and services required

1. Preparatory activities

a. Communication with UNDP office in Bosnia and Herzegovina and UNDP office in Bratislava

b. Selection and approval of 15 participants in cooperation with UNDP BiH

c. Identification and agreement on the Study tour priority areas

2. Organisation of the Study tour

a. Logistics, transportation and hotel arrangements, arrangement of visa, etc. (in cooperation with UNDP BiH), interpretation;

b. Program preparation and organisation: experts to be consulted, institutions and sites to be visited, social event (e.g. dinner, sightseeing or similar) and other activities (informal meetings, roundtables, discussions, etc.);

3. Drafting study materials

Draft of the study materials should include basic rules and guidelines regarding basic principles of management, protection and sustainable use of the karst fields and peatlands on local and national level used in Slovakia and/or Europe. This material will serve as a basic source of knowledge and information for BiH stakeholders and experts for development of their own guidelines and application of the best practices in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Qualification required

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The level of efforts and scope of the work require an organization employing skilled professionals with extensive experience in the field of management, protection and sustainable use of karst fields. The organization must provide at least three references of successful performance of similar assignments. The official language of the study tour will be Bosnian. Therefore, study materials, guidelines, etc. should be prepared in this language.

C. Proposal content and form

Offeror is required to submit the proposal in hard copy as well as on CD-R divided into two parts: technical proposal and financial proposal (see also Annex I – Instructions for Offerors and Annex V – Price Schedule).

Technical proposal should include and clearly describe the following:

· Complete program of the event – topics to be covered, experts to be consulted; description of relevant institutions and sites that will be visited (e.g. Ministry of Environment, Slovak Environmental Agency, non-governmental or research organization), other proposed activities (informal meetings, roundtables, discussions, etc.) and social program (e.g. dinner, sightseeing or similar); · Time schedule of the meetings and lectures, including one social event; · Basic structure, topics to be covered and methodology for development of the study materials; · Methodology of study tour evaluation; · Description of general logistics – what type of transport (public transport, rented mini/bus…) will be used; type of accommodation and other services provided, including type of premises for lectures, technical equipment, refreshment, etc · CVs of key persons (experts and management team); · 3 references of successful performance of similar assignments.

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