A working group set up under the project (including land owners, local authorities and other public institutions, companies, NGOs) organied public debates with 40 representatives of the local communities to build their capacities in fighting negative impacts of anthropic activities in the target area and finding solutions for the conservation of the natural landscape while keeping to the sustainable development principles.
Considering women's important role in rural areas such as most of those in the Csomad-Balvanyos microregion, the project targeted them for capacity building training in agri-tourism and educating the young generation. The women increased their capacities to use the cultural, traditional and economic resources for the benefit of the community. Also, 30 women were directly involved in project implementation as land owners in the protected area.
Notable Community Participation
OGACCENT NGO acted as catalyst to involve the community in field activities related to biodiversity conservation. New partnerships were created between citizens, local authorities and NGO representatives for the benefit of the community (changing people's attitude towards the environment and becoming active in protecting it).
Target groups of the project are:
- local communities (full age structure, gender, nationality, religious convictions and occupation categories) of Baile Tusnad, Tusnad Sat, Tusnadu Nou, Vrabia;
- decision makers (local boards, Private Forests, Forest Folds);
- owners of agricultural grounds, grasslands and hayfields;
- companies, tourists and other categories interested.
Planning non gef grant
The Romanian Academy approved the establishment of the Csomad-Balvanyos-Bodoc Natural Park, which will be undertaken by the National Agency for Protected Areas. The initiative will be implemented by the OGACCENT NGO.
Policy Impact
The project developed the scientific documentation for declaring the marsh area North-East of the Csomad-Balvanyos microregion as a Natura 2000 site.
Project sustainability
The project had an important contribution in empowering the OGACCENT NGO to administer the protected areas in the Csomad-Balvanyos micro-region, which is demonstrated by the latter's designation to implement the Natural Park programme in this area as a follow-up initiative.
Policy Influence
The project iundertook a biodiversity inventory and developed the documentation for including the site in the Natura 2000 network, to meet the complex procedures of the EC Directives on Habitats and Birds.
Replication of project activities
The project stands as a model for replication in other sites, considering its success in raising local capacities on biodiversity conservation while building trust between all categories of stakeholders towards the solution of local environmental issues.
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
The promotion of eco-tourism and agri-tourism, including a focus on cultural and traditional values of the Csomad-Balvanyos microregion, aims to generate income for the local communities while protecting the environment The local community is aware of the negative impact of anthropic activities. Owners of agricultural grounds, grasslands and hayfields are encouraged to carry out traditional agriculture activities based on sustainable development principles.
Project Results
1. The basic scientific documentation required to propose the target area as a Natura 2000 site was developed by the project. A precise assessment was completed, in proportion with the representativeness of the flora and fauna species of community interest. Based on observations in the field, methods to prevent and combat the anthropic activities negatively impacting on biodiversit were identified. The findings were published in Romanian and Hungarian (to target also the high proportion of Szeklers in the local community.
2. The area proposed to become a Natura 2000 site was expanded from initially 260 ha to 470 ha, to include Mlastina, Valea de Mijloc, Mestecanis, Benes and Csemo-Vrabia natural reserves. The area was also delimited (350 wooden landmarks) and mapped (GIS) through the project. 15 informative pannels were produced and set up in the protected areas of the micro-region: Piatra Soimilor, Valea de Mijloc Marsh, Nadas Spa, Benes, Mestecanis, Rinovul Mohos, Lake St. Ana, Puturosu Cave, Tinovul Buffogo.
3. A public debate was undertaken to present the impact of the negatively impacting anthropic activities threatening the natural environment in the target area and to propose solutions for its mitigation. 40 owners of agricultural grounds, grasslands and hayfields were trained on ways to run agriculture without affecting the landscape, incorporating the traditional values of the area in compliance with the sustainable development principles. The project published a micro-regional guide on opportunities to capitalise the agricultural grounds, grasslands and hayfields in a sustainable manner.
4. Eco-tourism was promoted under the project, by the publication of an eco-tourist guide and an eco-tourist map presenting basic notions on eco-tourism and its potential in the Csomad-Balvanyos region. A public debate was organsed with 20 invitees on the eco-tourist potential in the micro-region and basics of eco-tourism, to stimulate interest in eco-tourism. A webpage was also set up at: www.eco-turism.ro, presenting the opportunities offered by the natural and human capital in the area, the harmonisation of the tourist services supplied in the area with the legal and commercial requirements, as well as the advantages offered by the community partnership.
The impact of the project is summarised in the Mayor of Tusnad's statement as follows: "The Hungarian officials, both from inside the country, and from abroad, come frequently to our area and make a lot of promises... But funding we recceived in the end from where we were expecting the least: the people of Bucharest came to support the development of our community."
