This project is funded by the European Union

Clima East ’s pilot project “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands”

Inception Report

KYIV 2013

Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS ...... 3

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... 4

1. INTRODUCTION / PROJECT DESCRIPTION & START ...... 5

1.1. Project context and objectives ...... 5

1.2. Project scope ...... 5

1.3. Project start, relevance and country ownership ...... 6

2. INCEPTION PHASE RESULTS ...... 6

2.1. Clima East Regional Launch Event ...... 6

2.2. Stakeholders involvement and participation ...... 7

2.3. Project implementation approach /pilot site ...... 8

2.4. Project Management Arrangements ...... 9

2.5. Inception Workshop ...... 10

2.6. Public outreach and visibility ...... 10

2.7. Quality Management Mechanism ...... 11

3. INCEPTION PHASE CONCLUSIONS ...... 13

4.PROJECT RESULTS AND RESOURCES FRAMEWORK...... 14

ANNEXTURE ...... 17

Annex 1. Key project stakeholders ...... 17

Annex 2. Agenda of the Project Inception workshop ...... 20

Annex 3. List of participants of the Project Inception workshop ...... 22

Annex 4. Press -release of the Project Inception workshop ...... 26

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Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

Acronyms

ATLAS Corporate business platform of UNDP AWP Annual Work Plan CO Country Office EC European Commission ENP European Neighbourhood Policy ENPI Eastern Neighborhood Partnership Instrument EU European Union GHG Greenhouse gas GIS Geographic Information System ICDU Institute for Community Development (Ukrainian NGO) LPAC Local Project Appraisal Committee M&E Monitoring and Evaluation NIM National Implementation Modality NGIS National Green Investment Scheme of Ukraine NGO Non-Governmental Organization NPD National Project Director PAC Project Advisory Committee QPR Quarterly Progress Report RCU Regional Coordination Unit of UNDP in Bratislava RLP Regional Landscape Park (protected area type in Ukriane) RTA Regional Technical Advisor CSO Civil Society Organization SEIA State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine SLM Sustainable Land Management TOR Terms of Reference PB Project Board PIU Project Implementation Unit USAID United States Agency for International Development UNDP United Nations Development Programme USD United States Dollars UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

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Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Clima East Ukraine’s pilot project “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands” is a part of the larger EU-funded project package assisting the Eastern Neighbourhood Partnership Countries and Russia in approaches to climate change mitigation and adaptation. The main aim of the package is to show through pilot projects the feasibility of ecosystem-based approaches to climate change, meaning that intact ecosystems can have a strong and cost-efficient positive effect both on climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The Ukrainian project deals with peatland ecosystems. Peatland ecosystems are characterized by a substantial accumulation of organic matter in soil (peat), and theses large stores of carbon and nitrogen are especially vulnerable to global climate change. The destruction or drainage of peatlands does not only release CO2 and N2O but also destroys important ecosystems that are essential for biodiversity. Therefore the objective of the pilot project in Ukraine is to demonstrate how within one landscape certain areas of abandoned degraded agricultural peatlands that emit carbon can be restored, while adjacent areas can be protected at the same time to increase carbon sequestration

The project is funded by the European Union and co-funded by the UNDP. The project is envisaged for 4 years (2013-2016) and its total budget is 2,601,296.00 USD, out of which EC financing is 1,800,000.00 EUR (2,337,660.00 USD), and the UNDP share totals to 100,000.00 USD.

The project is implemented by UNDP Ukraine. The project National Implementing Partner from the Government side is the State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine, which has been among the initiators of the project proposal. Other key national project partners include: oblast (regional) state administration (Beneficiary), rayon state administration (Recipient), ICO “Institute for Community Development” and All-Ukrainian NGO “Association of protected areas of Ukraine” (national NGO partners). Additional key national partner – the State Water Resources Agency of Ukraine – has been identified during the project inception phase.

This document provides an overview of key activities that have been carried out during the project inception phase, identifies changes that have occurred from the time of the Project Document formulation, updates context specific information and provides an outline of activities that should be undertaken moving forward.

The inception phase of the project started in June 2013 after official signing of the Project Document on June 10, 2013 between UNDP in Ukraine and the State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine (on behalf of the Government of Ukraine). The inception phase was completed after the project Inception Workshop held on September 12, 2013.

The project inception workshop was held on 12 September 2013 in Chernihiv and 54 participants from national and local authorities, international organizations (EU, UNDP, USAID), all-Ukrainian and local environmental NGOs, academia, neighboring countries and media.

During the inception period important progress has been made and the following outputs delivered: - Key partners have been engaged to the project implementation. - The project has become fully operational. - Project inception workshop was conducted on 12 September in Chernihiv. - Work with the pilot communities (villages) aimed at the development of a socio- economic model for peatlands re-wetting on private and public lands has started. - Project launch caught wide media coverage.

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Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

1. INTRODUCTION / PROJECT DESCRIPTION & START

1.1. Project context and objectives

Project context In Ukraine up to 1 mln ha of peatlands were drained during the last century that turned peatland- based wetlands from sink to source of carbon. The economic value of drained peatlands has dropped soon after the melioration. During the last decades the ownership of drained peatlands has partially changed from state to private and the land is mostly neglected.

As a result, drained peatland-based ecosystems with mixed, private-public structure of land ownerships are sources of GHG emissions with very low use for local development. Moreover, limited experiences are available for peatlands rehabilitation at ecosystem level with respect to climate change mitigation, local communities’ development and biodiversity conservation.

The aim of the “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands” project as a part of the Clima East pilot projects package is to demonstrate the relevance of nature management techniques for climate mitigation and adaptation.

The project objective is to create a model of peatlands restoration to produce cost-efficient positive effect both on climate change mitigation and adaptation, ecosystem’s health and local economy.

Project rationale Drained peatlands release CO2 and N2O up to many hundreds of years after initial drainage. Emissions do not end with the termination of land use, but continue until all peat is gone or the drainage system collapses. The substantial greenhouse gas emissions from peatland drainage can largely be avoided through peatland rewetting and restoration. Moreover, emissions/ emission reductions from peatlands should be correctly quantified and transparently reported.

Specific objectives of the pilot project in Ukraine are to contribute to the climate change mitigation capacity building by means: (1) building capacity of the National GHG inventory system of Ukraine in the Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry (LULUCF) sector, namely in organic (peat) soils carbon stock changes accounting; (2) developing and testing at pilot region practical ecosystem-based approach for degraded private arable peatlands conversion to semi-natural conditions with high value for local people and biodiversity conservation.

1.2. Project scope

The project targets Nizhyn Rayon in Chernigov Region, which is one of ten regions of Ukraine, where 95% of drained peatlands are located.

The Project consists of 3 major components (Activities), which will be addressed within the four-year (2013-2016) implementation period:

Activity 1 is to develop a country-specific methodology for accounting GHG emissions and removals from organic (peat) soils (LULUCF sector) and relevant dataset for all types of organic soils in Ukraine, since no such inventory has been undertaken so far; and will also create the basis for the inclusion of peatlands in the Green Investment Scheme on the national level.

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Activity 2 is dealing with the restoration of natural hydrological regime at approximately 3,000 ha of degraded agricultural peatlands to prevent emissions of carbon and restore habitat adjacent to neighbouring natural peatlands which have high value for biodiversity and which will be further designated as protected area under Activity 3.

Activty 3 is aimed at strengthening the protection of existing peatlands areas in Chernigov region and increasing the protected area coverage by 16,000 ha. This activity will demonstrate the importance of the ecological connectivity between degraded peatlands and the remaining natural peatlands. While it is important to restore degraded peatlands, it is equally important to retain high conservation status of those peatlands which are remaining in their natural state. This will enable to retain the carbon sequestration function of the peatlands and their biodiversity support and other ecosystem functions.

1.3. Project start, relevance and country ownership

The Project Document was pre-finalized in January 2013; and in search of additional relevant national partners, a survey among Ukrainian CSOs was conducted, followed by a capacity assessment of the selected two national NGOs (ICO “Institute for Community Development” and All- Ukrainian NGO “Association of protected areas of Ukraine”) proposed as national NGO project partner to implement some key project components.

The Local Project Appraisal Committee (LPAC) meeting was held on 15h March 2013 and resulted in confirmation of the project outcomes and objectives as valid and relevant, and the endorsement of the project proposal by all stakeholders.

The Project Document was officially signed between the UNDP in Ukraine and the Government of Ukraine (The State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine (SEIA) on 10 June 2013, and the Head of division on GHG inventory of the State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine was appointed as the National Project Director. 2. INCEPTION PHASE RESULTS

Following the signature of the Project Document and appointment of the National Project Director the UNDP country office initiated a process of engagement of the defined project partners to the project implementation, organization of the Project Management Unit (PMU) and other activities to make the project fully operational.

2.1. Clima East Regional Launch Event

During 2-4 July 2013 the delegation of Ukrainian Government officials (representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine and budget facility "National Center for accounting of GHG emissions") and UNDP participated in the EU Clima East project package launch workshop “Clima East: Supporting Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in Neighborhood East and Russia" held in Brussels, Belgium.

During the seminar the National Project Director, Head of division on GHG inventory of the State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine Mr. Valentin Shlikhta reported on the key directions of climate policy in Ukraine and the relevance of the planned project interventions. He also proposed to include to the project work-plan additional activities addressing some urgent for Ukraine issues with respect to its climate policy and obligations under UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol.

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Ms. Alla Tynkevych from UNDP CO in Ukraine presented the Project concept, aim, objectives and expected outputs.

2.2. Stakeholders involvement and participation

The sound involvement of the National Implementing Partner (The State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine) at all stages of the project development and at the project implementation start, as well as an active participation of the Project National Director in the working meetings with stakeholders to roll-out project activities during July–August 2013 enabled relatively quick start of the project implementation and culminated in the organization of Project Inception Workshop on 12 September 2013.

New Stakeholder identified During the project inception period when reviewing the project workplan and strategy, additional key project stakeholder – The State Water Resources Agency of Ukraine was identified, consulted with and further engaged to project implementation.

The State Water Resources Agency of Ukraine (The State Water Agency) is the central body of executive power with activity directed and coordinated by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine through the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine. The State Water Agency is designated to implement governmental policies on water management and land reclamation, management, use and reproduction of surface water resources.

As the State Water Agency is responsible for operation of irrigation and drainage systems, and regional branches of the Water Agency in general have the drainage systems on their balance sheets, involvement the Water Agency as a key project stakeholder is essential to ensure implementation the project Component (Activity) 2 on the rewetting of degraded drained agricultural peatlands within the bounds of Smolianka drainage system.

It is envisaged that the State Water Agency will be a project national partner (beneficiary) to support and facilitate the project component 2 implementation to ensure the overall direction and sustainability of the project outputs related to improving environmental conditions of drained lands; provide, as necessary, support and approval to carry out works for restoration of hydrological regime at the project pilot sites

Stakeholder consultations The Kick-off meetings with other key project stakeholder identified during the project formulation stage were also held during July-August and participated by the Project National Director, Project Manager and UNDP CO. All stakeholders confirmed the relevance of the project objectives and activities to the national/local priorities, and their participation in the project implementation. Specifically, the working meetings were held by the PMU with the following organizations and authorities: - 18 July 2013: working meeting with Mr. Oleksandr Mykytyuk, Representative and CEO of ICO “Institute for Community Development” to be engaged for implementation of the project component 2 “Demonstrating a model for restoration of agricultural peatlands at 3,000 ha in Smolianka site, Polesie, northern Ukraine”. - 23 July 2013: working meeting with Ms. Rimma Oleksienko, Deputy Director of Agricultural Development, Chernihiv Region State Administration. - 12 August 2013: field visit to Smolianka site in Nizhyn rayon of . - 12 August 2013: working meeting with Mr. Oleg Buzun, Head of Nizhyn rayon council. Project Inception Report 7

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- 21 August 2013: working meeting with Mr. Mykola Stestenko, President of All-Ukrainian NGO “Association of protected areas of Ukraine” to be engaged for implementation of the project component 3 “Scientific-methodological support of regional landscape park's establishment and strengthening its functional capacity”. - 30 August 2013: introductory meeting with Mr. Vasyl Stashuk, Head of the State Water Resources Agency of Ukraine aimed at discussing potential role of the Water Agency in the project. 10 September 2013: working meeting Ms. Tetyana Dadasheva, Head of the directorate on regulation of natural resources and ecological networks of the Department of ecology and natural resources, Chernihiv oblast state administration, to discuss the cooperation under the project component 3 aimed at strengthen the protection of the existing natural peatlands at 16,000 ha neighbouring on those areas which will be restored, and the arrangement of a Regional Landscape Park.

The detailed description of key project stakeholders and their roles within the project is provided in Annex 1.

2.3. Project implementation approach /pilot site

During the working meetings and consultation held within July-August 2013, all stakeholders confirmed that the project objectives, components/activities and intended results (outputs) remained valid and in line with the set national policies and local development priorities.

Specifically, as for the Component/Activity 1: the universality of the currently used IPCC methodology for estimating GHG emissions by sources and removals by sinks decreases the efficiency of the National GHG inventory, as default methods cannot consider regional disparities within country. Uncertainties are particularly high in land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector input data and estimates. Due to lack of relevant dataset and methodology, the National GHG Inventory System of Ukraine uses the default Tier 1 method of mineral soils for the forest area on organic soils and peatlands, which leads to a (sometimes severe) underestimation of emissions. Thus, taking into account the enormous differences in emissions between mineral and organic soils, there is an urgent need in the development of a country-specific methodology of carbon stocks and fluxes assessment for organic (peat) soils, wherein the project is supposed to be instrumental.

As for the Component/Activity 2: restoration of degraded peatlands in the area where no other donor projects have been active will be implemented in Chernihiv region, which is one of ten peat- rich regions of Ukraine, located in Eastern Polesie in the northern part of the country. Chernihiv is a historically agricultural region, and the degraded peatlands were formerly pastures and hayfields. Taking into account the threats associated with the abandoned peatlands (peat fires, carbon & nitrogen emissions, loss of productivity) a new land-use pattern is required (and will be supported by regional and local authorities) to ensure sustainable use of the land and socio-economic benefits for the communities.

The exact pilot site(s) for the rewetting within the bounds of Smolianka drainage system will be proposed and selected during the first year of the project implementation on the basis of certain criteria considering soil type, water level, land ownership and land-use structure, technical conditions for restoration etc.

Project Component/Activity 3 will support the national efforts to increase the percentage of protected areas (which is now 5,7% of Ukraine’s territory) and contribute to the biodiversity protection.

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Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

2.4. Project Management Arrangements

Implementation of the project is guided by UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPPs). This project is implemented within the framework of Country Programme Action Plan 2012-2016 under the National Implementation modality (NIM) and the State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine as the National Implementing Partner. NIM mechanism of project implementation ensures a principal role of the state in the project activities and national ownership for the project outputs (results) and impact, providing expert and technical support without substitution of the national structures/mechanisms. The UNDP provides the support needed for project implementation through the Project Assurance role and the Operations, in particular HR, Finance and Procurement Units.

The ultimate responsibility in the NIM for managing the project is placed to a senior Government official who is designated as the National Project Director (NPD).

The Project Management Unit (PMU) structure is very light even though the project envisages vast range of activities requiring various expertize. The core project team consists of Project Manager, Project Associate and an Expert on protected areas management. After thorough selection process conducted in May-June 2013, the Project Manager was hired and assumed her responsibilities since 09 July. The Project Manager is responsible for day-to-day management and decision-making for the project. The Project Manager’s prime responsibility is to ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project document, to the required standard of quality and within the specified limits of time and cost.

During July 2013 the ToRs for the key project positions were updated, the selection process was held and the Project Associate and Expert on protected areas management have started their work within the project since 09 September.

Thus by an early September 2013 the project has become fully operational with the PMU and all relevant stakeholders in place. The project management structure is presented here below:

Project Organisation Structure

Project Board Senior Beneficiary Executive Senior Supplier Chernigov oblast state State Environmental EC, UNDP administration Investment Agency

Project Assurance UNDP in Ukraine

Project Manager Project Support

The Project Board (PB), which is a project governing body mandatory under UNDP POPPs was formed for the project and includes the representatives of EC Delegation in Ukraine and UNDP (Senior Supplier role that provides guidance regarding the technical feasibility of the project), the State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine (Executive role that holds the project ownership and chairs the group), representatives or structural divisions of Chernihiv oblast state administration (Senior Beneficiary role that ensures the realization of project benefits from the perspective of

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Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272 project beneficiaries). The PB meets annually on the initiative of the National Project Director (NPD), approves project work plan, endorses project implementation results and authorises project revisions as necessary.

The advisory body for the project – The Project Advisory Committee (PAC), chaired by the National Project Director – was also established for the project to give advice on project implementation and facilitate coordination and cooperation among stakeholders and other project partners. The PAC consists of representatives of all key stakeholders, including the State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine, the State Water Resources Agency of Ukraine, Chernigov oblast state administration, Nizhyn rayon and village councils, UNDP, EC as well as All-Ukrainian NGO “Association of protected areas of Ukraine” and of ICO “Institute for Community Development”.

2.5. Inception Workshop Since the Project Document provided that a Project Inception Workshop shall be conducted with the full project team, relevant government counterparts, implementing partners, the UNDP-CO and RCU, and representation from the donor side, the initially planned in July the Inception Workshop was postponed until all project management arrangements were in place. Finally, the Project Inception Workshop was organized and held in Chernihiv on 12 September 2013 and gathered 50 participants representing project stakeholders, national and local authorities, international organizations (EU, UNDP, USAID), academia, NGOs, neighboring countries and media (The list of participants is provided in Annex 3). The project inception workshop was designed to acquaint a broad spectrum of stakeholders with the project and to consult with stakeholders on priorities in the field of conservation and sustainable use of peatlands, including relevant methodologies development, GIS usage, peatlands rewetting approaches, change of the land-use patterns, establishment of sustainable land-use practices among local communities. Additionally, the tasks of the Inception Workshop were to: introduce project staff; present detail roles of the project stakeholders; provide a detailed overview of reporting and M&E requirements. During the inception workshop, the NPD and UNDP RTA presented the Clima East projects package, its rationale, vision, aim, expected results and impact were presented and discussed among various stakeholders during the workshop. Project team and experts presented key project components and proposed approaches to their implementation. Colleagues from Belarus showed examples and results of the completed projects on peatlands re-naturalization (The Inception Workshop Agenda is provided in Annex 2).

The important peculiarity of the workshop is that it was participated by national and local level experts and scientists (biologists, hydrologists, GIS experts, community developments specialists, protected areas experts) that prompted approaches and valuable solutions to the project tasks and challenges.

2.6. Public outreach and visibility

Project communication strategy is to ensure that all project staff and stakeholders will maintain a high level of transparency and openness throughout the project implementation.

Information about the project is available at the UNDP Ukraine CO web-site: http://www.ua.undp.org/content/ukraine/en/home/operations/projects/environment_and_energy/pr oject_sample1211.html

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Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272 as well as at the EU Delegation to Ukraine web-site: http://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ukraine/press_corner/all_news/news/2013/2013_09_18_1_uk.htm Project press-release is provided in Annex 4 hereto.

The Project Inception workshop got a very vast media coverage. Six journalist from the national and local media participated in the workshop. A detailed TV coverage about the project inception workshop was done by the Ukrainian national 5th TV channel in the program “Window to Europe” http://windowtoeurope.livejournal.com/205666.html also available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW-DDN_i2Hg

The news and articles about the project objectives and key components, as well as its inception workshop were published in a number of all-Ukrainian and local newspapers and web-sites, including: - UNDP Ukraine CO web-site: http://www.undp.org/content/ukraine/en/home/presscenter/articles/2013/09/17/-clima-east- conservation-and-sustainable-use-of-peatlands-project-is-launched-in-chernihiv-ukraine-/ - Government’s portal: http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/uk/publish/article?art_id=246680621&cat_id=244277216 - Chernihiv oblast state administration: http://www.chernihiv- oblrada.gov.ua/index.php?th=mod&module=7&mod_method=show_item&id=1933 - Desna basin administration for water resources: http://desna-buvr.gov.ua/ - Nizhyn rayon council (local authorities): http://nizhyn-rada.at.ua/ - Chernihiv public committee for human rights protection: http://www.protection.org.ua/en/activity/1522 - Info bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine http://www.info-kmu.com.ua/2013-09-16-000000pm/article/16083486.html - All-Ukrainian civil news portal: http://www.civicua.org/news/view.html?q=2093514 - News agency Ukrinform: http://www.ukrinform.ua/rus/news/evropa_delitsya_effektivnimi_energotehnologiyami_s_ukrainoy _1557594 - Government’s courier (Uryadovy kurier) – the official newspaper of the Government of Ukraine: http://www.ukurier.gov.ua/uk/articles/pogodu-robitimut-torfovisha/ - Chernihiv monitor newspaper: http://monitor.cn.ua/ua/style/15994 - Society and social policy portal: http://ukrsocium.com/novini/regiony/7487-2013-09-16-12-19-16

2.7. Quality Management Mechanism

The following Quality Management Mechanism for Project Activity Results is provided in the table below. The Quality Management Mechanism is applied for each activity result of the AWP to provide information on monitoring actions based on quality criteria.

OUTPUT 1: Activity Result 1 Short title to be used for Atlas Activity ID Start Date: January 2013 (Atlas Activity ID) Build capacity of Ukraine in carbon accounting and developing End Date: December 2016 a National Green Investment Scheme (NGIS) for peatlands Purpose What is the purpose of the activity? Project Inception Report 11

Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

1. To build capacity of Ukraine to evaluate GHG emission from peatlands use tier 3 approach. 2. To incorporate drained peatlands-based wetlands re-wetting projects into NGIS. Description Planned actions to produce the activity result. 1. Develop carbon stock and flux assessment methodology for organic soils. 2. Develop set of dedicated peatlands thematic (GIS-based) dataset layers for the National GHG Inventory System for ten regions of Ukraine. 3. Develop Monitoring Program for carbon flux assessment on peatlands and fed into national GHG inventory system of Ukraine. 4. Fed peatlands re-wetting projects into the operations of the NGIS.

Quality Criteria Quality Method Date of Assessment how/with what indicators the quality of the Means of verification. What method will be When will the assessment of activity result will be measured? used to determine if quality criteria has been quality be performed? met? Decision(s) on approval GHG emission Copy of the decision(s) is obtained By the end of the project accounting methodology and relevant dataset for national GHG inventory system of Ukraine for organic soils Decision(s) on approval of methodology Copy of the decision(s) is obtained By the end of the project and criteria for peatlands restoration for NGIS OUTPUT 2: Activity Result 1 Short title to be used for Atlas Activity ID Start Date: January 2013 (Atlas Activity ID) Developing a model for restoration of agricultural peatlands End Date: December 2016 under private ownership. Purpose What is the purpose of the activity? To develop and verify socio-economic model of agricultural peatlands restoration on private land with respect of biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation needs Description Planned actions to produce the activity result. 1. Set up and run village cooperative(s) of land users with respect of the land owners needs and climate change mitigation & biodiversity conservation needs. 2. Conduct site hydrological restoration. 3. Project results are widely publicized.

Quality Criteria Quality Method Date of Assessment how/with what indicators the quality of the Means of verification. What method will be When will the assessment of activity result will be measured? used to determine if quality criteria has been quality be performed? met? Decision(s) on village cooperative(s) Copy of the documents (statutes, By the end of the project establishment. registration cards, etc.) are obtained

Village councils’ decisions to issue Copy of the councils’ decision is obtained By the end of the project access to the land for the hydrological restoration. OUTPUT 3: Activity Result 1 Short title to be used for Atlas Activity ID Start Date: January 2013 (Atlas Activity ID) Regional Landscape Park establishment End Date: December 2016 Purpose What is the purpose of the activity? To pool the three small protected areas of low scale (botanic zakazniks) into a bigger protected area, raising its level to the level of Regional Landscape Park (RLP) Description Planned actions to produce the activity result. 1. Negotiate with land owners, land users and local authorities the land use change agreements prerequisite for the expected RLP. 2. Establish the Regional Landscape Park (RLP). 3. Facilitate establishment and equipping of a proper management unit at the RLP. 5. Conduct training of the personnel of the new RLP. Project Inception Report 12

Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

Quality Criteria Quality Method Date of Assessment how/with what indicators the quality of the Means of verification. What method will be When will the assessment of activity result will be measured? used to determine if quality criteria has been quality be performed? met? Regional landscape park is established Copy of the decision made by Chernigov By the end of the project oblast council is obtained

3. INCEPTION PHASE CONCLUSIONS

The Inception stage is very crucial for ensuring subsequent project success. Inception stage should result in the improvement of the project design and a realistic action plan in line with defined objectives, with due consideration of existing policy framework and stakeholders’ interests.

During the Inception phase the project succeeded in actual involvement of key stakeholders, including new one, and important partners to project implementation, which is a good prerequisite for further success, as the sound involvement, strong commitment and real interest of the national partners to all project activities are crucial to achieve meaningful results.

The project has become fully operational with the capable Project Team and knowledgeable National Project Director, who helped establish links with the Clima East Policy Project in Ukraine, as he personally combines the roles of both Clima East projects coordinators from the Government side.

Project objectives and tasks under the project components remain valid and in line with the beneficiaries’ priorities and needs.

As the project start was delayed for the half-a-year, the project budget for the 1st year was reduced according to the actual planned disbursements; however, substantive work on all project components started and the funds were reallocated to the 2nd year, when it is planned to catch-up with the delivery.

The project has established partnership with the colleagues from Belarus. Belarus has got practical experience on peatlands rewetting at about 15 sites since 2007. It is currently planned that Belarusian experience will be studied before the restoration starts in Ukraine and Belarusian experts might be involved as scientific consultant, since similar experience and expertise are not currently available in Ukraine.

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4.PROJECT RESULTS AND RESOURCES FRAMEWORK

PROJECT INTENDED OUTPUTS OUTPUT TARGETS FOR (YEARS) INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES COMPONENTS Baseline / Indicators Activity 1. Peatlands are restored and Y1: Y1: Strengthening conserved Relevant methodology is in place and 1. Carbon stock and flux assessment methodology for organic soils developed. carbon accounting, approved by SEIA; - Develop and submit methodology for approval by national and international authorised bodies. Baseline: national GHG inventory 2. GHG inventory dataset for organic soils of Ukraine is set up and functioning. integrating it into system of Ukraine use tier 1 approach Data collected and number of thematic - Prepare set of dedicated peatland thematic (GIS-based) dataset layers for the National GHG Inventory national GHG for evaluation of the GHG emissions digital layers of the relevant dataset are in System (for ten regions of Ukraine). 3. First draft of the monitoring program prepared by experts and presented to the interested parties. inventory and from organic soil; National Green place; developing a First draft of the participatory developed - Participatory development of the monitoring program for carbon flux assessment in peatlands. Investment Scheme for peatlands is 4. First draft of the guidelines and criteria for peatlands re-wetting projects fed into the operations of National Green not apply due to absent of relevant carbon monitoring program is in place; the NGIS is prepared and presented to the interested parties. Investment Scheme methodology and dataset. First draft of the participatory developed - Develop the guidelines and criteria (NGIS) for peatlands guidelines and criteria for NGIS peatlands Indicators: decision(s) on approval GHG emission accounting re-wetting projects is in place;

methodology and relevant dataset for Y2: national GHG inventory system of Y2: Relevant methodology approved by Ukraine for organic soils (tier 2 1. Methodology approved by relevant authorised international body. aproach) and National Green international authorized organization; - Set up and facilitate communication with relevant authorised international body regarding approval of the methodology. Investment Scheme for peatlands Up to 70% of required thematic digital layers of the relevant dataset are in place; 2. Site existing data is collected and at least 70% of relevant thematic digital layers are developed and (restoration&conservation) available. Improved version of the participatory - Continue site relevant data collection and start to develop relevant thematic digital layers. developed carbon monitoring program is 3. Improved version of the monitoring program participatory developed and submitted to SEIA for approval. in place; Improved version of the guidelines of the - Facilitate stakeholder working group for participatory development of the Monitoring program. 4. Improved version of the guidelines and criteria for peatlands re-wetting projects fed into the NGIS peatlands re-wetting projects is in operations of the NGIS submitted to SEIA for approval. place; - Facilitate stakeholders working group for participatory development of the guidelines and criteria

Y3: Digital layers are in place and up to 50% Y3: of them are verified by field data; 1. All relevant thematic digital layers of the National GHG inventory system are in place and available for SEIA decision with approval of the carbon verification by field data. Up to 50% of the developed thematic digital layers are verified by field data. monitoring program; - Finalise the thematic digital layers for GHG national dataset. Start layers verification by means of field data. SEIA decision with approval of the 2. SEIA approved the GHG monitoring program. guidelines for NGIS peatlands re-wetting - Facilitate finalization of the monitoring program and submission to SEIA for approval. projects; 3. SEIA fed the peatlands re-wetting projects into NGIS. Permissions for drainage system - Facilitate finalization of the guidelines and criteria for peatlands re-wetting projects fed into NGIS. Communicate with SEIA to approve the guidelines and feed them into NGIS reconstruction is obtained;

Y4: Y4: GHG emission from organic soil for 1. All thematic digital layers are verified by field data and GHG emission from organic / peatlands soil is

Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

National GHG inventory system is evaluated for National GHG inventory system according to approved methodology and use new evaluated; dataset. - Finalize thematic digital layers verification by field data. Conduct GHG emission evaluation from At least one NGIS peatlands re-wetting organic soils for National GHG inventory system based on approved methodology and use of new project following developed guidelines is dataset. prepared; 2. GHG monitoring program is fed into national system. - Communicate with SEIA to feed the monitoring program into national GHG inventory system of Ukraine. 3. At least one peatlands re-wetting project is developed following approved guidelines. - Prepare one peatlands re-wetting project following the participatory developed guidelines and criteria for peatlands re-wetting projects under NGIS

Activity 2. Baseline: no experience and socio- Y1: Y1: Demonstrating a economic model of agriculture Draft of the site re-wetting plan is 1. Project re-wetting approach is presented and endorsed by local communities and land owners. model for restoration peatlands restoration on private lands developed and presented to local - Set up and facilitate the communication process with local communities and land owners to get land access through village cooperatives. of agricultural with respect of climate change communities; - Prepare the draft of site re-wetting plan. peatlands at 3,000 ha mitigation & biodiversity conservation Village cooperative(s) are established; - Establish the village cooperatives. in Smolianka site, needs under frame of the nature Site dataset is fully functioning; 2. Dedicated site dataset is in place and fully functioning. - Set up and run a dedicated site dataset for Polesie, northern protected area purpose of the site / peatlands re-wetting. 3. Set of information materials about the project goal, objectives and approaches is prepared and Ukraine Indicators: decision(s) on village available for dissemination among stakeholders. cooperative(s) establishment; village - Prepare and disseminate project information through media and/or during project events councils’ decisions to issue access to the land for the hydrological Y2: Y2: restoration Site re-wetting plan finalized and 1. Decisions to grant the land access for peatlands re-wetting and village cooperatives set up and run. presented to local communities; Business plans for village cooperatives are prepared. - Set up and facilitate negotiation with local villages and land owners with regard of land access for the Land access for peatlands re-wetting peatlands re-wetting and village cooperatives set up and run. project is obtained; - Collect relevant data and prepare village cooperatives’ business plans. Development of the technical design 2. Site re-wetting plan draft is finalized; technical design documents are prepared and available for documents for drainage system drainage system reconstruction. - Finalise site data collection; reconstruction is negotiated; - Run site database and develop the relevant thematic digital layers; Village cooperative business plan is - Finalize the site re-wetting plan; developed; - Develop technical design documents for drainage system reconstruction and close for purpose of site re-wetting.

Y3: Y3: 1. Village cooperatives are fully operational and site managed according to the site management plan. Re-wetting contract with local company is - Facilitate village cooperatives operations according to the business plan and site management plan. signed; 2. Site re-wetting contract is signed; site re-wetting works delivered according to agreed site re-wetting Site re-wetting works according to the plan and technical design documents; permissions for drainage system reconstruction are obtained; site agreed site re-wetting plan is conducted; GHG emission reduction is evaluated based on current data and projection for future, after the peatlands re-wetting. Site management plan is developed; - Facilitate negotiation with relevant authorised bodied to get permissions for drainage system site GHG emission is evaluated based on reconstruction. available data; - Select the sub-contractor for site re-wetting. - Facilitate site re-wetting works delivery according to the agreed site re-wetting plan and technical design documents. - Prepare the site management plan, which includes climate change mitigation, local communities’ Project Inception Report 15

Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

development and biodiversity conservation needs and objectives. - Collect relevant data and evaluate site GHG emission, current status and future projection. Y4: Site re-wetting works are completed; Y4: 1. Village cooperatives manage the site with respect of the climate change mitigation and biodiversity Site GHG emission is evaluated; conservation needs; and local communities are supportive to the nature conservation projects. Village cooperatives are fully operational; - Facilitate village cooperatives operational according to the approved site management plan and cooperative business plan. 2. Drainage system is closed; water table level is raised; site GHG emission is evaluated. - Facilitate finalization of the site re-wetting works according to the agreed site re-wetting plan and technical design documents. - Finalise, if necessary, site GHG emission evaluation based on the data of second year of re-wetting works

Activity 3. Improve Baseline: there is no regional Y1: Y1: the protection of landscape park First draft set of documents to justify the 1. The first draft of the set of documentation (ecological and economic feasibility studies) necessary for existing peatlands establishment of the RLP is prepared. the gazettal and demarcation of the future RLP. - Conduct 4 scientific expeditions to the site to collect the data; areas in Chernigov Indicators: decision on establishment is - Prepare the first draft set of documents to justify the establishment of Regional Landscape Park (RLP). region and increase made and park’s administration is fully their coverage by functioning Y2: Y2: 16,000 ha The full set of documents is submitted to 1. Finalized set of documentation (ecological and economic feasibility studies) necessary for the gazettal Chernihiv oblast state administration to and demarcation of the future RLP; and decisions to support the RLP establishment from village and make the decision on establishment of rayon councils. - Finalize the set of documentation for establishing the RLP. RLP; - Endorse the decision on RLP establishment by all stakeholders (local communities, village and rayon councils)

Y3: Y3: Regional landscape park is established. 1. The final decision on RLP establishment is made. - Follow up the decision making process by Chernigov oblast council. - Submit all required document for obtaining the Act on Land Ownership for RLP Y4: Y4: Park’s management unit is fully 1. Park’s administration is fully equipped; and trainings on protected area management are conducted. operational and its personnel are trained. - Purchase minimum required equipment and furniture for park’s administration; - conduct trainings on protected area management

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Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

ANNEXTURE

Annex 1. Key project stakeholders

Institution Type of Involve Field of activities Role/ Relevance to the Clima East stakeholder ment Pilot Project in Ukraine level State National High SEIA is the central executive body reporting to the Cabinet of SEIA acts as the National Implementing Environmental (Government) Ministers of Ukraine through the Minister of Ecology and Natural Partner and the responsible party of the investment Resources of Ukraine. The field of SEIA activity and competence Project; Project Beneficiary; agency of include: Direct responsibility for the project Ukraine (SEIA) - implementation of the state policy in the sphere of regulating results and overseeing the project negative anthropogenic impact on climate change and adaptation implementation; to it; SEIA is represented in the Project Board - enforcing the requirements of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto as a Project Executive responsible for Protocol; the planned outputs as per the Project - implementation of the national system of circulation and trade Results and Resources Framework. of carbon credits; - carrying out international activities under the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol. Chernihiv Regional High Oblast administration is a regional regional executive authority, Key national partner in project oblast state (Government) which is subordinate to the central government. Responsible for component 2 (restoration of agricultural administration the governance in Chernihiv region; implements regional policy of peatlands in Chernihiv region) Ukrainian Government in the region; coordinates regional services implementation; Project Beneficiary of the executive authorities in the region. that ensures the realization of project benefits from the perspective of project beneficiaries. State Water National  Medium The State Water Resources Agency of Ukraine (The State Water Key national partner in project Resources (Government) -high Agency) is the central body of executive power with activity component 2 (restoration of agricultural Agency of directed and coordinated by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine peatlands in Chernihiv region) through the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of

Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

Ukraine Ukraine. The State Water Agency is designated to implement implementation; Project Beneficiary. governmental policies on water management and land reclamation, management, use and reproduction of surface water resources. As the State Water Agency is responsible for operation of irrigation and drainage systems, and regional branches of the Water Agency in general have the drainage systems on their balance sheets. Local Local (rayon) High Responsible for local self-governance. Project Recipients. Provision of regular administrations Authorities consultation on local socio-economic and councils conditions, livelihood level of selected (Kulykivka and communities during the project Nizhyn rayon implementation phase. councils) and Head of Nizhyn rayon council is acting residents of as key national partner and participate selected local in Project Advisory Committee. communities ICO “Institute Ukrainian Medium The Institute for Community Development (ICDU) is an ICDU is a national project partner in for Community NGO -high international charity and non-profit organization, which ensures implementation of project component Development” the sustainable development of rural land in Ukraine using a “demonstrating a model for restoration (ICDU) combination of economic, social and environmental approaches. of agricultural peatlands at 3000 ha in ICDU works in the areas of climate change mitigation issues, land Smolianka site, Polesie, northern use, the enhancement of the capacity of local communities, and Ukraine”. The key tasks of ICDU within nature conservation. Main goal of the organization is to develop the project will be 1) preparation, communities and harmonize the needs of people and wildlife by discussion and agreement with the l promoting the establishment of efficient local environmental ocal stakeholders (communities of policies and collaboration between land users and local selected villages, local authorities, land authorities. owners) a socio-economic model for peatlands re-wetting on private lands and municipal lands; 2) preparation and discussion with stakeholders Site Re- wetting Plan and a Site Management Plan which will reflect land owners’, GHG emission reduction and biodiversity conservation needs and

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potential. All-Ukrainian All-Ukrainian Medium The Association of protected areas of Ukraine is an all-Ukrainian The Association of protected areas of NGO NGO -high civil organization (non-profit) with more than 500 members, Ukraine is a national project partner in “Association of having the offices in 18 , including the Chernihiv implementation of the project protected areas oblast. The goal of the organization is satisfaction and protection component 3 “scientific-methodological of Ukraine” of the social, economic, national-cultural and other social support of regional landscape park’s interests of its members, which is based on the further establishment and strengthening its development of the nature-reserve fund of Ukraine, functional capacity”. The key tasks to be implementation of the All-Ukrainian strategy of biodiversity and completed by the Association are 1) landscape conservation, State programme on development of compiling the information and ecological policy, promotion the ecological education. preparation of the request on establishing RLP; 2) development of the scientific-economic justification for the establishment of the regional landscape park; 3)development of the management plan for the regional landscape park.

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Annex 2. Agenda of the Project Inception workshop

AGENDA of INCEPTION WORKSHOP

Date: 12 September Venue: Park-hotel Chernihiv, Ukraine Languages: Ukrainian/Russian and English

AGENDA Thursday, 12th September 2013

8:30 – 10:00 Registration. Welcoming coffee 10:00 – 10:30 Opening of the Workshop: On behalf of Chernihiv oblast council – Ivan Korobka, First Deputy Head

Opening remarks: On behalf of the State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine – Valentyn Shlikhta, National Project Director On behalf of the State Agency of Water Resources – Oleksiy Chunariov, Deputy Head On behalf of the EU Delegation to Ukraine – Jean-François Moret, Sector Manager on Energy, Environment, Civil protection On behalf UNDP Ukraine – Elena Panova, Deputy Country Director On behalf Clima East projects package – Mikhail Koseltsev, Regional Coordinator

Session 1: Clima East – Supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation. Pilot project in Ukraine. 10:30 – 11:00 Clima East projects package Presenter: Maxim Vergeichik, Regional Technical Advisor, biodiversity & ecosystems, UNDP Regional Support Center for Europe and CIS  Clima East project  Pilots project design  Results to be achieved

11:00 – 11:40 Presentation of project “Clima East: Conservation & Sustainable Use of Peatlands” Presenter: Natalia Olshanska, Project Manager, UNDP Ukraine  Project overview: objectives, key activities, expected results  Project management arrangements/organizational structure: project team – project partners  Reporting & Monitoring milestones  Discussion 11:40 – 12:00 Coffee break

Session 2: Project Activities in detail 12:00 – 12:10 Brief summary on Component 1: Strengthening carbon accounting, and developing a National Green Investment Scheme for peatlands Speaker: Valentyn Shlikhta, National Project Director, Head of division on GHG inventory, State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine

Presenter: Anatoly Polevoy, Head of Agricultural Meteorology Department of Odessa Hydrometeorological Institute, Odessa State Environmental University 12:10 – 12:15 Discussion 12:15 – 12:25 Presentation of the state of water resources and melioration systems in Chernihiv oblast Presenter: Ihor Raikhil, Deputy Head, Desna Basin Administration for Water Resources 12:25 – 12:35 Presentation of project’s Component 2: Approaches for restoration of agricultural peatlands Presenter: Oleksiy Axem, Head of GIS Department, The Institute for Community Development, NGO – National Project Partner

Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

12:35 – 12:45 Discussion 12:45 – 13:00 Presentation of project’s Component 3: Improving the protection of existing peatlands areas in Chernigov region and increasing their coverage Presenter: Tetyana Dadasheva, Head of regulation of natural resources and ecological networks, Department of ecology and natural recources, Chernihiv Region State Administration Presenter: Mykola Stetsenko, President of the Association of Protected Areas of Ukraine, NGO – National Project Partner 13:00 – 13:10 Discussion Session 3: Cooperation & Coordination with Project Partners and other Initiatives 13:10 – 13:30 Presentation: Experience of Belarus in implementing similar projects Presenter: Aleksandr Kozulin, CSc (Biology), Head of International Cooperation and Scientific Guidance on Environmental Conventions Department of the Scientific and Practical Center for Bioresources of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus

13:30 – 13:50 General Discussion: cooperation opportunities with other project stakeholders

13:50 – 14:00 Conclusions and recommendations. Workshop closing. 14:00 – 15:00 Lunch 15:15 Departure for Kyiv by mini-bus

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Annex 3. List of participants of the Project Inception workshop

LIST OF INCEPTION WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS

Date: 12 September Venue: Park-hotel Chernihiv, Ukraine Languages: Ukrainian/Russian and English

EU Delegation / Donor Representatives 1 Jean-Francois Moret Sector Manager on Energy, +38 044 390 8010 Environment, Civil Protection, Delegation of the European [email protected] Union to Ukraine

2 Mikhailo Kozeltsev Regional Coordinator of the +74957768369 Clima East (Moscow) [email protected]

UNDP RCU / UNDP Ukraine 3 Maxim Vergeichik Regional Technical Advisor, biodiversity +421 259 337 152 & ecosystems United Nations Development Programme, Bureau for [email protected] Development Policy, Energy and Environment Group, Regional Support Center for Europe and CIS

4 Elena Panova Deputy Country Director, UNDP +38 044 253 93 63

5 Sergei Volkov Senior Programme Manager, Head of +38 044 253 93 63 Energy and Environment cluster, UNDP Ukraine [email protected]

6 Natalia Olshanska Clima East pilot Project Manager, +38 066 852 08 81 UNDP Ukraine [email protected]

7 Vasyl Kostiushyn EMBLAS Project Manager, UNDP +38 050 387 20 40 Ukraine [email protected]

8 Vasyl Tolkachov Low Carbon Growth Project Manager, +38 050 446 50 05 UNDP [email protected]

9 Oleg Kolosok Project expert on protected areas +38 050 356 57 66 management, Clima East pilot project, UNDP Ukraine [email protected]

10 Yuliya Berezhnaya Project Associate, Clima East pilot +38 050 580 88 79 project, UNDP Ukraine [email protected]

UNDP Belarus 11 Aleksandr Kozulin Head of International Cooperation and +375296684713 Scientific Guidance on Environmental Conventions Department of the [email protected] Scientific and Practical Center for Bioresources of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus

National Partners Governmental Partners 12 Valentyn Shlikhta National Project Director, Head of +38 044 594 91 11

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Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

division on GHG inventory, State +38 050 375 27 54 Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine [email protected]

13 Iryna Tolkachova Lead specialist of division on GHG +380 44 594 91 11 inventory, State Environmental +38 067 260 71 73 Investment Agency of Ukraine

14 Oleksiy Chunariov Deputy Head, State Agency of Water [email protected] Resources Regional and Local authorities 15 Ivan Korobka First Deputy Head of Chernihiv oblast +38 0990610603 council

16 Sergiy Kravchenko Deputy Head of analytical +38 067 171 13 61 division of Executive office, Chernihiv ODA

17 Valentyna Ganzha Specialist of monitoring and public +38 04622 4 91 58 relations division of Environment and +38 096 549 08 69 Natural Resources, Department of ecology and natural recources [email protected] Chernihiv Region State Administration

18 Rimma Oleksenko Deputy Director of Agricultural +38 0462 77 44 88 Development, Chernihiv Region State +38 0462 24 24 44 Administration +38 050 627 10 96 [email protected] 19 Tetyana Dadasheva Head of regulation of natural resources +38 04622 4 22 51 and ecological networks, Department of +38 093 680 03 89 ecology and natural recources Chernihiv Region State Administration [email protected]

20 Дзюба Валентина Заступник начальника, Державна +38 067 282 99 93 Екологічна Інспекція м. Чернігів 21 Sergiy Nagalyuk Head of Desna Basin Administration for +38 04622 4 40 77 Water Resources +38 04622 4 40 75 +38 050 465 48 60 [email protected]

22 Ihor Raikhyl Deputy Head, Desna Basin +38 04622 4 40 77 Administration for Water Resources +38 04622 4 40 75 +38 050 900 91 75 [email protected]

23 Valentyna Serdechko Head of environmental committee of +38 093 031 42 96 the public council under Chernihiv oblast state administration 24 Oleh Buzun Head of Nyzhyn rayon council +38 04631 2 45 87 +38 067 740 30 78 [email protected] 25 Oleksandr Pyvovar Head of the Kukshynska Village Council +38 04631 67 295 +38 097 494 87 45

26 Sergiy Kolashnyk Head of Kulykivka rayon council +38 097 97 53 104 27 Oleksandra Teslyk Head of the Veritiyivska Village Council +38 04631 68 172 +38 067 460 80 75 28 Yerko Petro Deputy Head, Head of economy, +38 097 519 94 32 energy, transport and communication Department of the Kulykiv District State

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Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

Administration 29 Yevhen Kovalenko Head of analytical department of the +38 04631 2 01 29 executive office Nizhyn rayon council +38 04631 5 24 20 +38 098 801 40 36 [email protected]

30 Vadym Shelest Head of the Economy Department of 54753 Nizhyn rayon council 31 Viktoriya Dovgal Director of the Economy Department +38 0462 676 404

Institutes and organizations 32 Olga Marushevska Director, Center for International +38 044 206 31 31 Cooperation on Climate Change and +38 097 309 31 40 Energy of the State Ecological Academy of Postgraduate Education and [email protected] Management 33 Nikolay Stetsenko President, Association of +38 050 446 55 25 Protected Areas Ukraine [email protected]

34 Olha Scheglova Community of Meliorators and Water +38 097 907 95 62 Managers of Ukraine

35 Oleksiy Aksyom Head of GIS Department, the +38 044 501 79 48 Institute for Community +38 067 496 80 48 Development [email protected]

36 Andriy Aksyom GIS expert, the Institute for Community +38 044 501 79 48 Development +38 097 512 99 17 [email protected]

37 Oleksandr Boyko Head of the Nyzhyn State University of +38 04631 7 14 76 M.Hohol +38 04631 7 19 22 +38 04631 7 19 67 [email protected] 38 Anatoliy Polevoy Head of Agricultural Meteorology +38 0482 32 67 35 Department of Odessa +38 0482 32 67 45 Hydrometeorological Institute, Odessa +38 067 182 10 44 State Environmental University [email protected] 39 Oleksandr Voblenko Scientist of the biology department at +38 067 754 31 79 the Nyzhyn State University of M.Hohol

40 Volodomyr Bruy Director of Personnel, ETE LLC +38 095 659 96 97 +38 067 460 27 00

41 Oleh Rogov Director, ETE LLC +38 095 659 96 97 +38 067 362 6474 Other International Partners USAID 42 Donna Boysen USAID: “Measurement, Reporting and +38 044 596 50 96 Verification (MRV) of Enterprise-Level Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG)” [email protected] Project, Implementation Manager, Tetra Tech, Inc. 43 Vira Illiash USAID: “Measurement, Reporting and +38 044 596 50 96 Verification (MRV) of Enterprise-Level Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG)” [email protected] Project Coordinator in Ukraine, Alliance to Save Energy 44 Oleksandr Nikolaienko USAID: “Measurement, Reporting and +38 044 596 50 96 Project Inception Report 24

Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

Verification (MRV) of Enterprise-Level +38 067 770 83 44 Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG)” Project, Energy Expert, Alliance to Save [email protected] Energy Journalists 45 Andriy Kovaliov 5th national TV channel, “Window to +38 066 755 39 26 Europe” 46 Yevdokiya Tyutyunnyk Official newspaper of the Government +38 097 281 09 08 of Ukraine “Uriadovy courier” 47 Liubov Potapenko Dytynets’ newspaper +38 067 715 50 25 48 Natalia Lytvynenko “Village news” newspaper +38 050 157 7798 49 Svitlana Kovalenko Informational department of Chernihiv +38 067 715 50 25 oblast council 50 Oleksiy Maslov Chernihiv regional TV channel +38 050 279 74 64

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Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

Annex 4. Press -release of the Project Inception workshop

CLIMA EAST: ЗБЕРЕЖЕННЯ ТА СТАЛЕ ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ТОРФОВИЩ

Проект фінансується Європейським Союзом

Press – release

«Clima East: Conservation and sustainable use of peatlands» project is launched in Chernihiv, Ukraine

Through the renewed European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) the European Union is currently supporting the East Partnership countries (i.e. Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine) and the Russian Federation within the Clima East program (8 pilot projects in 7 countries) so that they are better equipped for greenhouse-gas emission reductions and better prepared to deal with climate change impacts.

The “Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands” project is a part of the 'Clima East’ pilot projects package and is aimed to demonstrate the relevance of nature management techniques for climate mitigation and adaptation.

In Ukraine, especially its Northern part, up to 1 mln ha of peatlands were drained since the 1950’s for agricultural purposes that eventually turned peatland-based wetlands from sink to source of carbon. The economic value of drained peatlands has dropped soon after the melioration. As a result, drained peatland- based ecosystems are now sources of greenhouse gas emissions with very low use for local development. Most of the degraded agricultural peatlands have not been recently used for agriculture while constitute serious threats for local development, including: 1) for human security, as peatland is the most flammable among all types of ecosystems available in Ukraine; 2) for ecosystems, as degraded peatland almost completely loses species diversity of flora and fauna; 3) for the climate, as drained peatlands are sources of GHG emissions; 4) for the economy, as degraded peatlands can not be used for productive agriculture (long lasting utilization has changed the soil properties).

Limited experiences are available in Ukraine for peatlands rehabilitation at ecosystem level with respect of climate change mitigation, local communities’ development and biodiversity conservation. Therefore the objective of the pilot project in Ukraine is to create a model of peatlands restoration to produce cost-efficient positive effect both on climate change mitigation and adaptation, ecosystem’s health and local economy. The project will demonstrate how within one landscape certain areas of abandoned degraded agricultural peatlands that emit carbon can be restored, while adjacent areas can be protected at the same time to increase carbon sequestration. The model will also include the local community involvement for resolution of land tenure difficulties and introduction of efficient nature management techniques providing benefits for the local development.

Key project tasks include:  Development of carbon stock and flux assessment methodology for organic soils;  Development of a set of dedicated peatland thematic (GIS-based) dataset layers for the National GHG Inventory System;  Restore at least 3,000 ha of drained peatlands through rewetting;  Integrate the restored peatlands and adjacent areas (about 16,000 ha) into the existing network of protected areas;  Increase the profitability of restored land;  Ensure the long-term and sustainable peatlands management practices by local land users.

In view of triggering a series of follow-up restoration initiatives, the project will also help strengthen carbon accounting in land use, land use change and forestry sector (LULUCF), integrating it into national GHG inventory and developing a National Green Investment Scheme (NGIS) for peatlands. Project Donor: European Commission

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Clima East: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Peatlands project 00086272

Responsible party: United Nations Development Programme in Ukraine National Implementing Partner: State Environmental Investment Agency of Ukraine National Partners: State Agency of Water Resources of Ukraine Chernihiv oblast council Chenihiv oblast state administration Local authorities and communities NGOs Project contacts: Tel. (044) 584 34 65, fax: (044) 584 34 63, Project Manager: Natalia Olshanska, [email protected], http://www.ua.undp.org.ua / http://www.climaeast.eu

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