Project Detail

Sustainable Development and Biodiversity Conservation in Rarau-Giumalau Massif

The project aims at biodiversity conservation in Rarau-Giumalau reservation by establishing a ?Natura 2000? site and at contributing to the sustainable development of the communities situated in the vicinity of the reservation through eco and agro-tourism development and promotion of natural, cultural and traditional values.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Fundatia de Speologie Club Speo Bucovina

Country:

Romania

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

Phase 3

Grant Amount:

US$ 28,445.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 2,000.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 23,630.00

Project Number:

ROM/05/13

Start Date:

6/2005

End Date:

12/2006

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Photo Gallery

Flora and fauna monitoring in Rarau Giumalau Mountains

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Project Characteristics and Results

Project sustainability

- the involvement of the local authorities, including the Campulung Moldovenesc Municipality, 4 local NGOs and members of the local community create the pre-requisites for sustainability; - the training activities undertaken under the project raise the interest of local population to develop agri-tourism; - the horse shelter is part of the Carpathian Tour - a larger initiative creating an equestrian tourist network to link Maramures and Bucovina.

Notable Community Participation

All project activities involved local communities, including youth who participated as volunteers in research camps. The local population was the target group for training activities. A local municipality (Campulung Moldovenesc) co-financed the building of the horse shelter for the equestrian tourism trail.

Policy Influence

Scientific research and documentation was developed under the project to include 37,500 ha of the Rarau-Giumalau reserve as Natura 2000 site.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The "European Bat Night" and the "Bird Festival" organised under the project contributed to awareness raising of 150 tourists and 600 students on the importance of protecting species of global interest. The local television broadcasted a documentary (produced in the framework of the projedt) on the main local festivals and tourist attractions in the Rarau-Giumalau reserve. 300 CDs promoting the reservation's values were distributed to tourism companies. The project was a lso promoted through a dedicated webpage.

Capacity - Building Component

The capacities of the local communities were developed in order to deliver sustainable initiatives in agri-tourism/equestrian tourism.

Policy Impact

The project had as a result the request for including the Rarau-Giumalau reserve as a Natura 2000 site.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

Training was delivered to community members in the reserve area to raise their capacity in agri-tourism/equestrian tourism development, traditional cuisine and becoming tourist guides.

Gender Focus

Women benefited from project activities as trainees (13 women attended the tourism training) and tourists (50 women participated in the activities related to the European Bat Night). The working groups who developed the species of community interest for the Natura 2000 documentation included 10 women scientists and volunteers.

Project Results

1. A research camp involving 18 volunteers and 11 specialists was organised to collect information for the database required to include the site in the Natura 2000 network. The field information and the identification of the specimens collected allowed to derive a complete database of the flora and fauna species (insects, fish, chiroptera, birds, snakes) of interest in the area. The GIS map of the standard application form for Natura 2000 was also updated.

2. Training for tourism companies in the Rarau-Giumalau reserve was organised on topics like pollution reduction (50 beneficiaries).

3. 50 km of equestrian tourist trails were marked, which will result in equestrian tourism development on the medium and long term, complementing the tourist management already existing in neighbouring areas: Obcinele Bucovinei and Rarau Massif.

4. A horse shelter was built in the Rarau Massif, to be administered by the local community through an NGO. This adds value to the involvement and awareness of the community's role in the conservation of the natural values here.

5. An informative tourism bulletin was published and distributed to travel agencies and rural boarding houses in the area, including complex information on the beautiful sites in the Campulung Moldovenesc area, touring objectives and means to protect the nature values of the reserve.

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Indicators

Biophysical

Number of national policies informed in biodiversity focal area 1

Empowerment

Number of CBOs / NGOs participated / involved in SGP project 4

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