Objective
The Russian coast of the Gulf of Finland abounds in natural habitats of international importance (e.g. for bird migration, salmon reproduction) and extraordinary beauty. As a consequence of present social, economic and political changes, this biodiversity is endangered. An important number of national (Russian, Finnish, German, Swedish) private and public institutions will contribute and give guidance to the project in order to ensure the protection of these regions.
The project aims at combining the conservation of coastal wetlands (Helcom, Action Programme) with the promotion of sustainable economic development and new employment opportunities for the local population. The methods of choice are: 1. the initiation of Local Agenda 21 development (UNCED, EC Fifth Environmental Action Programme, the Aalborg Charter) and nature reserve management with local citizen participation in two demonstration areas; 2. establishing a network of protected areas which is linked to the Natura 2000 network (EU Habitat Directive) and to the pan-European Ecological Network (PEBLDS, Sofia 1995); 3. preparing regional legislation for environmental coastal management. Western European know how in this field will be made available to local experts while the experience gained from this project is to be shared nationally and internationally.
The project is implemented both in the Region of Leningrad and the City of St. Petersburg and is divided into two parts: 1. The implementation of two demonstration projects to be replicated in other districts of the Russian Federation: one in a rural district of the Region of Leningrad and one in a district of the City of St. Petersburg to build a Local Agenda 21 and to develop methods of nature reserve management with the involvement of local people; 2. The analysis of a Habitat Inventory along the Russian Gulf of Finland to recommend protection of internationally important natural areas and linkage to the Natura 2000 and pan-European Ecological Network, and to give recommendations for coastal legislation of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. Additionally, the experience gained in the framework of this project will be integrated into Agenda 21 for the Baltic Sea Region (Presidency Declaration, Visby 1996). Activities can be divided into three phases. During inception Phase 0, the management plan for a proposed nature reserve in Kinisepp District will be drafted, habitat inventories completed, St. Petersburg will launch an information campaign, and the Agenda 21 process will be prepared. During Phase 1, the management plan for Koorgalsky Peninsula, Leningrad Region, will be completed, St. Petersburg continues its information and education campaign related to Yuntolovsky Reserve, and the Agenda 21 process will be started in the two pilot districts. Phase 2 concludes: Local Agendas will be published and disseminated, recommendations on protecting natural areas and linkage to international networks and on regional coastal legislation will be submitted to authorities. The general public, authorities, and multipliers will be kept constantly informed of the results.
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
CSC - Cost-sharing contractsCoordinator
193311 St Petersburg
Russia