Lead Partner: Forum for Renewable Energy Islands (FREI)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: To assist island states to meet 100% of their energy requirements from Renewable Energy Sources (RES) by helping them with the preparation & planning, organization and all the inputs (technical, financial & managerial) required for implementation of the 100% RES plan..
By helping several SIDS to use 100% RES for their energy supply, this partnership will result in
* Island states stopping the use of fossil fuels and the environmental damage caused by these fuels.
* Meeting their energy needs from locally available renewable sources in a sustainable manner.
* Local manufacture of RE equipment creating employment & income generation leading to poverty reduction. [more]
Lead Partner: Youth press and development organization
Geographical Scope: National Summary: Since most of the school graduates in our area thus chililabombwe town of Zambia have neither used nor touched a computer, we would love to bridge the digital divide as an alternative to poverty reduction and the fight against HIV/AIDS through information dissemination that shall sustain the community. [more]
Lead Partner: Africalia
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Africa Summary: Africalia was created to set in motion the realization of the objectives laid out in Article 27 of the EU-ACP Cotonou Agreement. The objectives of this article are:
* the inclusion of a cultural dimension in all aspects of development cooperation,
* the facilitating of intercultural dialogue among ACP countries,
* the preservation and valorization of these countries' cultural heritage,
* the development of their cultural industries, and
* the improvement of access for their cultural goods and services to European markets.
Article 27 thus contends that culture can be an important lever of sustainable human development in Africa. The objectives of Africalia derive from this concept. They are:
* to draw attention to the cultural wealth and diversity of the African continent,
* to facilitate the realization of creative and cultural productions in Africa,
* to strengthen the ability of cultural operators to play a constructive role in African society,
* to raise awareness in Belgium of the need for sustainable human development cooperation with Africa [more]
Lead Partner: The High Institute of Tourism, Hotels and Computer
Geographical Scope: Local Summary: The Alexandria Academy Association For Science (AAAS) is a non-profit non-Governmental organization registered in Alexandria- Egypt for educational and charitable purposes. AAAS is the owner of the High Institute for Tourism, Hotels, and Computer ( HITHC), which was established with the objective of promoting education in community sustainable development. The Institute activities include: education, development of model training programs, applied research, seminars, workshops, academic programs, and university partnerships.
Both AAAS and HITHC are concerned with activities that promote the following aspects:
a) Individual and community social and economical development.
b) Community Service
c) Community self -determination
d) Sustainable Tourism development.
e) Effective natural sources management
f) Poverty eradication
g) Rural development through introducing and promoting countryside tourism. [more]
Lead Partner: EdF/ACCESS
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Africa Summary: The objective of the Initiative is to pool the resources of the participants in order to develop models to meet the needs for modern energy services in rural areas of Africa, including their business, institutional, technological, financial and social aspects.
Through this objective, AREA will contribute to achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in the following ways:
* Poverty reduction. The operation of rural energy service systems will create income and jobs:
* directly, at the village level, in the operation and maintenance of the energy service systems;
* indirectly, by increasing the opportunity for village level craft and agro-alimentary activities (wood processing, food processing, welding, ...);
* in the manufacture and assembly of system components;
* Health. The energy systems will contribute to better health in rural areas in the following ways:
* pumping of potable water;
* water for irrigation, thus increasing the food supply;
* refrigeration and lighting in health clinics;
* reduction of indoor air pollution, through the improvement of domestic fuel quality the through better stoves;
* Gender equality. Free women and girls from time consuming tasks such as carrying water (through motorised water pumping), collecting firewood (through improved fuels and stoves for cooking) or from milling grains (mechanical milling);
* Natural resource management. The biomass needed for energy production will be produced through sustainable forestry management techniques and through use of waste products. This will permit better management of land and forest resources, and aid in the fight against deforestation. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Japan - Ministry of the Environment
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Asia and the Pacific Summary: The main objectives of APEIS include:
* To develop scientific knowledge-based tools and innovative strategy options to promote informed decision-making for sustainable development, for the use of policy makers in the Asia-Pacific region as a common asset in the region
* To promote regional cooperation and capacity building, so as to enable Asia-Pacific countries to formulate and implement their own policies for environmental management and protection that take into account their national circumstances, making use of the developed scientific tools and options, through participation and collaboration in the Project.
APEIS is a concrete regional initiative to realize the following part of the World Summit on Sustainable Development Plan of Implementation:
104. Assist developing countries, through international cooperation, to enhance their capacity in their efforts to address issues pertaining to environmental protection including in their formulation and implementation of policies for environmental management and protection, including through urgent actions at all levels to:
(a) Improve their use of science and technology for environmental monitoring, assessment models, accurate database and integrated information systems;
(b) Promote and, where appropriate, improve their use of satellite technologies for quality data collection, verification and updating and further improvement of aerial and ground-based observations, in support of their efforts to collect quality, accurate, long-term, consistent and reliable data;
Expected results include the development of:
* Monitoring methodologies and networks that cover environmental disasters and degradation, and make full use of satellite technologies
* A set of assessment models to assess and predict the trends of environmental emissions and natural resources, and subsequent impacts
* A strategic database and innovative strategy options for practical use of policy makers enabling informed decision-making [more]
Lead Partner: Velo Mondial / Afribike Nederland
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Africa Summary: The Partnership/Initiative will develop a working model in South Africa and in Europe / USA. to establish a Bicycle Refurbishing Industry target of realizing more cycling, contributing to:
* CO2 emission reduction / climate change control /improving air quality
* Road safety & overall traffic management
* Poverty relief
* Sustainable economical development
* Accessibility and Emancipation
* Health promotion
The key action objectives of the Partnership/Initiative are to enhance sustainable development and improve the quality of life in urban rural communities. The Partnership/Initiative contributes to these objectives, by facilitating the implementation of a more sustainable transport system with a significant share of cycling.
The bicycle is a clean, non-polluting mode of transport that consumes no fossil fuels and little space, but still, as an alternative to the private automobile, ensures mobility and accessibility. Facilitating cycling is essential in combating poverty, since it saves time and increases income generation opportunities. The Partnership/Initiative presents a broad practical framework for the facilitation of cycling.
Cycling policy directly relates to the Agenda 21 objectives. Its cross sectoral benefits for the World Summit on Sustainable development relate to the quality of life, economic growth and social equity in urban and rural areas. It promotes economic independence.
It is foreseen that a successful program, once working in Africa, could be replicated in other regions if interest is forthcoming. [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Caribbean SIDS Summary: The main objective of this initiative is to build the organisational management capacity of NGOs and CBOs engaged in Sustainable Development activities in the Caribbean region through providing technical support with National United Nations Volunteers.
The programme ultimately aims to strengthen regional collaboration among the SIDS (where organisational representation may not be found on each individual island), and where it is critical for international partners to coordinate their efforts, while at the same time placing emphasis on building local ownership/partnerships.
The initiative aims to lead to increased participation of civil society and government counterparts in sustainable development initiatives leading to improved conservation management in the areas of biodiversity, international waters, climate change and ozone depletion, together with improved quality of life and opportunities for local communities. [more]
Lead Partner: Programme Solidarité Eau (pS-Eau)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The aim of this initiative is to define an innovative mechanism for mobilizing financial resources and broaden the financial resources indispensable to provide the poorest with water and sanitation services.
This initiative must profile the legislative, institutional, legal, financial recommendations for action and the guidelines for reform strategies within the French partners of the initiative, to build the operational framework of this new solidarity mechanism. Besides, this initiative should present how to raise awareness among the water users in France/Europe to have them contribute to and support this new fund raising model. In parallel, this action will aim at generating political support for the "cent per m3" concept.
Moreover, during this initiative of action identification, partners will constitute a platform. These cooperation linkages will serve as primary network for supporting the awareness raising actions later on. [more]
Lead Partner: International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Development objective: To increase the productivity of water for food and livelihoods, in a manner that is environmentally sustainable and socially acceptable.
The immediate objectives of the Challenge Program on Water and Food:
1. Food security for all at household level.
2. Poverty alleviation, through increased sustainable livelihoods in rural and peri-urban areas.
3. Improved health, through better nutrition, lower agriculture-related pollution and reduced water-related diseases.
4. Environmental security through improved water quality as well as the maintenance of water related ecosystem services, including biodiversity.
These form the four key dimensions in which progress towards the overall goal is measured. [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Capacity 2015 is a new and important initiative. It will build upon experience gained during the ten years since UNCED to help countries to move from strategic planning for sustainable development to effective implementation.
Capacity 2015 is timely and necessary, as it will:
* Help countries to reap the benefits of globalization;
* Ensure that processes of sustainable development put in place during the 1990s are utilized to face the challenges of the 21st century;
* Strengthen the capacities needed to achieve or exceed the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The MDGs are a set of integrated and inter-related goals that contribute to sustainable development. Capacity 2015 will provide the enabling capacities to help countries progress towards the MDGs. [more]
Lead Partner: Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Caribbean SIDS Summary: The main objectives of the partnership are to:
1) Strengthen the capacity of Caribbean SIDS sanitation systems to provide basic sanitation and health services in an efficient, affordable and accessible manner;
2) Prevent, control and treat related sanitation health problems;
3) Reduce environmental health threats through effective transfer, access and use of environmentally sound technologies;
4) Integrate the sanitation and health concerns of the most vulnerable populations into strategies, policies and programs for poverty eradication and sustainable development;
5) Protect sensitive ecosystems from pollution. [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) - International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Africa Summary: In preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), and in the framework of the New Partnership for Africa's Development, the partners of this initiative have agreed to jointly develop a capacity building programme on the applications of Information and Communication Technologies for the establishment of Environmental Information Systems for Sustainable Development in Africa.
This partnership aims at initiating a national and sub regional capacity building programme, on the applications of the new information and communication technologies for the establishment of environmental information management and monitoring systems in Africa. It aims at generating adequate conditions for the establishment of a coherent and efficient institutional framework, and the development and appropriation of technological tools for the accessing, exchange and circulation of useful information.
Significant efforts are being made to manage natural resources and the environment, involving scientific and technical research, the implementation of appropriate programmes and projects in the field, and the harnessing of local know-how. The results, in the form of products, information and data, represent a unique scientific, technical and cultural heritage for sustainable development and the fight against poverty in Africa.
However, it has to be recognized that this information heritage is often dispersed on account of sectoral compartmentalization at the inter-institutional level, resulting of an apparent lack of information at the local level which contradicts the existence in reality of an information heritage within national and international institutions or bodies specializing in Africa throughout the world. This loss of "institutional memory" is now recognized as being one of the major obstacles to sustainable development in Africa.
The general objective of this initiative is to provide countries and regional organizations with systems for the validation, circulation and harnessing of relevant environmental information with a view to strengthening the participative approach at the different decision-making and operational levels and thereby promoting enlightened decision-making.
Specific objectives of the partnership are to respond to the needs expressed by a large number of environmental stakeholders in developing countries. As well as being a technological tool, it seeks to encourage the environmental community to share experiences and information heritage, balancing information supply and demand.
This approach aims to create a synergy of both human and financial resources, establishing environmental information systems within national programmes such as national development plans, national environmental action plans, poverty eradication plans, etc. It will also catalyze the development of National and Regional Spatial Data Infrastructures (NSDI and RSDI) for use in planning and decision making for sustainable development [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Drylands Development Centre
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: To reduce poverty in drylands areas by 50% over the life of the project.
Secondary objectives
To strengthen the capacities of drylands communities to manage their natural resources and farming systems.
To improve livelihoods and food security of drylands communities.
To review and revise the legislative basis for access to land and other resources.
To improve access to markets.
To create the enabling environment needed to improve rural livelihoods.
To improve the access of communities to information through the media (print, radio and television).
To bring about legal and institutional reform to support the socio-economic development of rural communities. [more]
Lead Partner: Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Caribbean SIDS Summary: The overall goal of this Partnership/Initiative is to boost the capacity of the poor to satisfy the basic needs within a sustainable livelihoods framework.
The secondary objectives include:
* To strengthen the capacity of Caribbean SIDS sanitation systems to provide basic sanitation and health services in an efficient, affordable and accessible manner;
* Preventing, controlling and treating related sanitation health problems;
* Reduction environmental health threats through effective transfer, access and use of environmental sound technologies;
* To integrate the sanitation and health concerns of the most vulnerable populations into strategies, policies and programs for poverty, eradication and sustainable development;
* To protect sensitive ecosystems from pollution. [more]
Lead Partner: Central Asian Interstate Commission on Sustainable Development (ICSD CA), Regional Environmental Center for Central Asia (CAREC)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Central Asia Summary: The Central Asian Initiative (CAI) main goal is building favorable political, institutional, economical, information and other conditions for achieving the sustainable development goals in Central Asia.
The major objectives of the Central Asian Initiative are focused on addressing the problems of poverty, ecosystem degradation, other issues of Agenda 21 and Millenium Declaration.
To address priority environmental, social and economic problems in the sub-region through establishing partner relations between governments and sectors in the process of development and implementation of the Central Asian Sustainable Development Strategy and Convention.
Expected results:
To facilitate resolution of environmental, economic and social problems, including transboundary issues, through joint activities aimed at situation analysis, prioritizing, sub-regional projects and programs, institutional capacity building and training programs. [more]
Lead Partner: Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The objective is ambitious forested tropical countries collaborating to reconcile forest stewardship with economic development: facilitating new and improved revenue streams in order to underpin community-driven environmentally sustainable economic growth.
The Rainforest Coalition will facilitate substantive change within existing international frameworks, national regulations, and corporate policies. Specific to Coalition Initiatives, the Rainforest Coalition will:
Standards: Establish methodologies, standards and compliance & reporting procedures related to rainforest management, biodiversity conservation, sustainable development and climate change
Regulation: Institute domestic regulatory frameworks which uphold the policies and standards developed by the membership while seeking appropriate reform within international regulatory frameworks
Market Access: Facilitate market correction leading to more equitable market access within international markets for carbon emissions trading and certified forest products
Negotiation: Develop a cohesive negotiation platform related to the standards, regulation and market access which underpin the interaction between Developing Nations and Industrialized Economies. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of United States of America - U.S. Department of State - Government of United States of America - U.S. Department of State
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Central Africa- Congo Basin Summary: The Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP) aims to promote the sustainable management of the Congo Basins' forests and wildlife by improving communication, cooperation, and collaboration among all the partners. It does not intend to create new institutions, but through the partnership forum and transparency and information sharing to assist partners and their associates to work better. Principal objectives include the preservation of the biodiversity and ecology of the forest and wildlife, placing their protection and use on a sustainable basis for the long-term benefit of the region's inhabitants. Examples of support contemplated or extended by partners include support for community-based sustainable forest and wildlife management, better timber harvesting and processing technologies, ecotourism, increasing capacity in public and private sectors, improvement of law and law enforcement infrastructures, realizing their contributions to the alleviation of poverty. Target themes are provided by an updated regional master plan being developed by the Conference of Ministers of Forests of Central Africa (COMIFAC).The Congo Basin forest is the second largest intact tropical forest in the world. It purifies the air and it catches, cleans, and sends to the ocean the waters from millions of hectares of pristine forests upon which the Congo Basin's inhabitants depend for their livelihood and survival. Within their forests are an incredible number of species of plants, trees, animals, and insects. The forest is a global treasure whose resources must be protected and conserved for the environmental and economic good of the citizens of the Congo Basin, of Africa, and for mankind. The forest is concentrated in six countries in the Congo Basin Region.
The framework for the Congo Basin Forest Partnership is the Yaounde Declaration which was agreed to in 1999 by central African heads of State. That framework aims to protect forests through the harmonization of forest policies, protected areas, regulations against poaching and the adoption of practices for sustainable forest use. It recognized the ecological significance of key mixed landscapes which are critical to longer term forest conservation and sustainable management
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Lead Partner: United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Assisting requesting countries to elaborate national rural energy development strategies. This activity will include the formulation of the strategy, discussions at multi-stakeholder workshops, and identification of national and international partners [more]
Lead Partner: La Plate-Forme pour le Commerce Equitable
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Europe and North America - Africa Summary: After decades of implementation and maturation as well as entirely positive development over the past several years, it is now necessary to move on to the sales volume growth phase, since we know that fair trade is driven by downstream demand, i.e. that increasing the numbers of producers who benefit from this type of trade depends directly on market growth.
Targeted at developing a trade structure capable of delivering higher and more stable incomes for producers, this project improves living conditions in those communities that benefit from it, contributes to strengthening the way these producers organize themselves and helps democratize the way such organizations are run. It is totally consistent with a strategy of reducing inequality and combating poverty in the context of sustainable development built around humanity and effective management of resources.
The project has two interlinked objectives:
- to increase the market shares held by fair trade products in the French consumer market;
- and therefore to increase the number of African producers involved in fair trade.
The project hinges on expanding the market for fair trade goods in France, thus increasing the number of producers in African countries.
There already exists a wide range of fair trade products which are either organized or in the process of being organized, but which lack outlets. Equally, there is strong consumer demand, but the difficulty lies in being able to convert this desire into the act of purchasing. The main underlying cause of this problem is the weakness of distribution networks. The project therefore proposes to concentrate on bringing these networks to life. [more]
Lead Partner: Future Harvest Foundation - Future Harvest Foundation
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Goals: To promote Science, Practice and Policy for Land Use Systems that Jointly increase Food Production, Reduce Rural Poverty, and Conserve Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services by catalysing:
* Research and land-use innovation with farmers and conservationists
* Capacity building
* Education and public awareness
* Enabling policies
* Resource mobilisation
Expected Results:
1. An international conference of ecoagriculture innovators
2. Support for on-going ecoagriculture field projects or community based initiatives
3. Identification and publicize communities managing successful ecoagriculture systems
4. Promotion of ecoagriculture education, training and capacity building
5. Promotion of information dissemination and thus public awareness of the potentials of ecoagriculture [more]
Lead Partner: Government of European Community - European Commission, Directorate General Environment
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The initiative provides a platform for strategic partnerships to implement the programmes of action for the WSSD and to contribute to meeting the Millennium Development Goals on water. Under the initiative, the EU seeks to work with its partners to:
* Reinforce political will and commitment to action
The global water crisis is not on the agenda of many political leaders of the world. The initiative seeks to support governments in understanding the links between water, poverty and sustainable development and to help translate this into firm commitments for action. In particular, the initiative seeks to provide a mechanism to develop joint action plans to implement the programmes of action of the WSSD.
* Make water governance effective and build institutional capacity
Making water governance effective is an essential step in supporting healthy and productive lives and safe-guarding the environment. The initiative seeks to promote better water governance arrangements and good practice centred on the principles of integrated water resources management. Capacity to plan, manage and implement programmes of action at all levels is central to achieving the desired outcomes and the initiative seeks to build capacity by providing expertise and knowledge and by facilitating access to information. Research co-operation should form an import part of such these activities.
* Improve co-ordination and co-operation
A vast range of water-related activities are currently underway or planned but their inter-relationship is not always apparent. The initiative seeks to provide a platform to co-ordinate and streamline activities and to establish multi-stakeholder processes to bring partners together, including south-south collaboration and co-operation. The initiative seeks to support regional and sub-regional activities where clear commitment to collaboration exists. As a contribution to peace and security it seeks specifically to support the build-up of river basin organisations and to assist in the development and application of river basin approaches in transboundary waters.
* Increase the efficiency of existing EU aid flows
Meeting the Millennium Development Goals will require considerable financing efforts and although no exact estimates are available it is evident there is a major financing gap. The initiative seeks to make the most of available funds and to increase the effectiveness of existing and future EU aid flows. It seeks to use official development assistance as a lever for other forms of finance, including user finance and private finance, and to encourage the development of innovative funding mechanisms to create higher efficiencies. It also seeks to finance water projects with a particular focus on meeting the needs of poor customers and a sustainable environment. [more]
Lead Partner: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) - Uppsala University
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional The Baltic Sea region (Europe) and the Great Lakes region (USA & Canada) Summary: The goal is to develop a new educational package on Ecosystem Health and Sustainable Agriculture and transfer knowledge on sustainable agriculture, land use, rural development, ecosystem health and management to teachers, students and professionals in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR in Europe) and in the Great Lakes Region (GLR in USA & Canada). The Baltic Sea is affected by many different environmental problems from different sources. Discharges of nutrients from agriculture and waste-water treatment plants, as well as discharge from industries, and waste facilities leads to eutrophication and other forms of pollution. It is important to increase the knowledge of and improve the management of land and land use to prevent pollution from agriculture from reaching the Baltic Sea or the Great Lakes. It is also of great importance to use the whole ecosystem health concept to understand and prevent problems for the future. As the need of knowledge regarding ecosystem health, sustainable land use in rural areas, rural development and sustainable agriculture will be a precondition for our future, it is of great importance that this knowledge can be offered to students, teachers, experts and people working in government offices, ministries, municipalities and as agricultural advisors and agricultural managers in the Baltic Sea region and in the Great Lakes region.
The goal of the project is to transfer knowledge through a series of seminars and training courses and at the same time to develop a new educational package on sustainable agriculture, land use, rural development, ecosystem health and management to teachers, students and people working in government offices, ministries, municipalities and as agricultural advisors and agricultural managers.
This partnership cooperation is unique, as it not only represents the Baltic Sea region (Europe) and the Great Lakes region (USA and Canada) but it also represents a cooperation between agronomists, veterinarians, nature geographers, biologists, chemists, animal scientists, wildlife biologists, public health professionals, economists, business and policy experts etc. It also elaborates a new concept on sustainable agriculture and its part in the rural ecosystem. In this course package not only will sustainable agriculture from the different aspects represented by the above mentioned professions be covered, there will also be substantial knowledge on such subjects as land use and rural development, climate change, ecosystem health and the interactions between the wild and domestic animal populations, as well as public health components and poverty alleviation.
The EHSA project contributes to the implementation of the Baltic 21 Agricultural sector action programme, where education, training and information for farmers, future experts and advisors, policy makers and consumers figure as one of the most important actions. It is also a Baltic 21 Lighthouse project since March 2007. [more]
Lead Partner: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: - Building awareness on the importance of Education for rural people as a crucial step to achieve the Millennium goals of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education , gender equity and sustainable natural resources management
- Contributing to achieve the Education for All goals,
- Overcoming the urban/rural gap in education.
- Increasing access to basic Education for Rural People
- Improving the quality of basic Education for Rural People
- Fostering the national capacity to plan and implement ERP as part of National Education for All and Rural Development Plans.
- Building awareness on the importance of ERP as a crucial step to achieve all the Millennium Development Goals, and particularly, eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal primary education and promoting gender equity.
[more]
Lead Partner: European Commission
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Development Objectives: The Initiative aims to facilitate the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people in extreme poverty and other MDGs by 2015, through the provision of adequate, affordable, sustainable energy services. This will be achieved within the context of beneficiary country driven activities.
Immediate Objectives: Through the Initiative the EU proposes to establish "Energy Access Partnerships" with developing countries, with the involvement of the private sector and civil society, that will develop in response to the energy needs of developing countries and regions. Through these Partnerships, donors will work with developing countries to help identify energy needs and necessary assistance to create the economic, social and institutional conditions that will enable their energy needs to be met.
The aim of the Partnerships is to enable the EU and its developing country partners, and other stakeholders, to work together to improve efforts for increasing access to energy services, particularly for poor women and men, based on their specific circumstances and requirements. Gender issues will be mainstreamed in all aspects of the Initiative. The Partnerships will ensure that existing energy activities and other initiatives will be well co-ordinated to provide coherent packages. They will be based on existing organisations, structures and procedures. [more]
Lead Partner: North South Initiative e.V. - SUDERETA
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Africa Summary: Decentralised systems for the use of renewable energies can contribute to a sustainable development in rural areas in Africa. Photovoltaic systems provide electricity for lighting, medical systems, water pumping and communication systems for communities and institutions. Wind power can pump water and generate electricity. Fuel efficient cookers, biogas or solar cookers can relieve women and children from their daily work of collecting fire wood, or they can save expenses for wood or charcoal. Beyond cooking, biogas can feed lamps and engines.
Together with the local partner SUDERETA in the 'South' the association NorthSouthInitiative, NSI e.V. in the 'North' has set up several small enterprises called 'Enterprises of Trust' in rural areas for the production and sale of systems based on renewable energies. The production of such devices can provide the momentum for self-sustaining local economic cycles. Capital will thus be accumulated step by step in rural areas. Employment in technical professions is created and technical skills will be taught. Technical equipment is installed serving multiple usage in the area. The money earned can will support directly or indirectly local social services, such as schools or health services, and help protect the environment. The living conditions become sustainable in their ethnic surroundings. [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The new five-year program of the Equator Initiative is based on seven core activities:
1) sponsoring the biennial Equator Prize that recognizes sustainable community innovation in the tropics and which will next be awarded at a high-profile ceremony in Malaysia in early 2004, 2) offering learning exchange grants so that grassroots practitioners can share their best practices with other communities in the tropics, 3) eco-entrepreneur mentoring to provide business and financial advice for small sustainable business startups, 4) assisting people and protected areas where communities balance generating sustainable livelihoods with conserving the biodiversity in or near World Heritage Sites, 5) making the community to policy connection by linking local sustainable development innovations with policies that affect them, and advocating to ensure these communities have the input, political support and funding that their contribution warrants, 6) fostering research and learning by enlisting networks of scholars and experts to use community best practices to inform policy and development priorities, and 7) mounting a global public awareness campaign to raise the profile of sustainable communities in donor countries and encourage adoption of community best practices in developing regions. [more]
Lead Partner: Secretariat of the 3rd World Water Forum (WWF3)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The 3rd World Water Forum is a golden opportunity for governments, experts, and NGOs to exchange knowledge, experiences and information on proven ¿Actions¿ to solve water problems in the world as well as to discuss wisdom, experiences, and information from each country.
Therefore, making use of this Forum can result in making a ¿commitment¿ to networking partnership among activities which have been conducted separately so far, building networking partnerships regarding water in the world, and establishing the framework for cooperation and collaboration.
In terms of technology, sharing experiences and knowledge can facilitate capacity building of each other. In terms of financing, sharing information can realize the investment effectively and intensively. Furthermore, this initiative will build the networking partnership, which will make it possible to use the initiatives as a means to disseminate, communicate and share information. [more]
Lead Partner: Global Water Partnership (GWP)- Mediterranean
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Mediterranean Summary: The majority of the population in the Mediterranean countries (particularly in the South and East) lives in rapidly expanding cities, with considerable proportions being at the lowest income brackets. In their everyday life, a large part of the urban population suffers from water quality and quantity inadequacies, serious sanitation problems and their dwellings are frequently endangered by natural disasters (e.g. floods). These problems are in turn responsible for improper livelihood conditions, serious deterioration of their health as well as the social and natural environment.
However, at present, many major water programmes fail to consider the needs of the poor and their contribution to poverty alleviation is by far less than it could be if proper provisions are build in during the design phase.
The Euro-Mediterranean Water and Poverty Facility (WPF) aims to:
- Assist in improving the livelihoods of poor people in urban areas of the Mediterranean, particularly in relation to water and sanitation
- Contribute in designing guidelines on social performance of water pricing
- Develop guidelines and expertise in order to facilitate the integration of poverty reduction components in major water projects of the region
- Develop functional tripartite initiatives to facilitate regional and national investment on water and poverty.
Key dimensions to be addressed by the WPF are: improving livelihoods, improving health, mitigating vulnerability of the poor under extraordinary conditions and events such as disasters related to water (e.g. floods).
The WPF will not handle or manage funding but it will elaborate, in collaboration with both donors and recipient partners and the competent authorities and bodies, common strategies and action plans and will support implementation mechanisms with the participation of a wide range of stakeholders. In addition, it will act as a multiplier for sustainable investment in the water sector securing, in parallel, to the extent possible, the introduction of poverty reduction components in water projects -particularly those financed by European sources. Finally, it may act as a match-maker between the supply and demand side in projects targeting water supply and sanitation for the urban poor. [more]
Lead Partner: Mata Amritanandamayi Mata (MA Math) - Mata Amritanandamayi Mata (MA Math) - Mata Amritanandamayi Math (MA Math)
Geographical Scope: Local Summary: The Farmers' Empowerment Project aims at helping the poorest farmers (and their families) in India gain economic security through sustainable practices and diversifying their means of support.
Specifically, the Farmers' Empowerment Project seeks to reduce the suicide rate among poor Indian farmers suffering from debt and crop failure in the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnatika through providing scholarships for educating children, vocational training for women and helping the farmers make the transition to more sustainable practices.
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Lead Partner: Government of Australia - Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources - Government of Mexico - Secretaria de Energia
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Asia and the Pacific Summary: The United Nations Economic and Social Councils notes that:
"Access to energy is crucial to economic and social development, and alleviation of poverty. Improving accessibility of energy implies finding ways and means by which energy services can be delivered reliably, affordably and in an environmentally sound and socially acceptable manner, particularly in meeting the energy requirements of developing countries, including their rural areas."
"Furthermore, accessibility of energy is conditioned by security of supply and demand as well as by market stability, all of which need to be addressed in terms of their regional and international dimensions, which include cross-border energy transport infrastructure, storage and shipment by tankers."
The EWG has long noted that ongoing initiatives must demonstrate added value in the context of the World Summit. As such, new partnership initiatives to be undertaken by the EWG, in the context of its ongoing activities, are particularly influenced by the need to improve accessibility to energy and the security of energy supplies.
In consideration of the challenges to improving accessibility to energy, and in response to the directives of APEC Energy Ministers, the EWG will pursue new initiatives to:
(a) Undertake longer-term actions to improve regional energy security
(b) Advance regional energy security through short-term actions
(c) Improve access to energy by addressing the barriers to the interconnection of power grids between APEC member economies
(d) Address sustainability through practical responses that encompass burning fuels more cleanly, capture and geological sequestration of carbon dioxide, the use of new and renewable energy technologies, and improving energy efficiency
(e) Explore new mechanisms for working more closely with international financial institutions to facilitate infrastructure development within the APEC region.
These activities will complement the EWG's ongoing efforts to diversify its energy mix, improve energy efficiency, deploy new and renewable energy technologies, promote clean energy, facilitate energy business and trade, improve data collection and information sharing and encourage private investment through policy and regulatory reform. [more]
Lead Partner: Sustainable Development International (SDI) - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/Iraq
Geographical Scope: National Summary: Goal: To have a sustainable, stable and prosperous Iraq where all present and future generations can live in peace and harmony with other nations and where all resources are utilised in a sustainable manner catering to the well-being of Iraq’s current and future generations and ecosystems.
Objectives:
1. Promotion of the formulation of Iraq National Sustainable Development Strategy (INSDS) document for Iraq.
2. Effective cooperation mechanism among relevant stakeholders, including public authorities, intergovernmental organisations, private sector, including small and large businesses; local and international NGOs, children, youth and women's groups, labour organisations, UN agencies, and others working in the field of sustainable development.
3. Promotion of knowledge building, awareness, networking and partnerships among relevant groups of Iraqi Society about sustainable development;
4. Promotion of a problem-solving applied research programme at the national and local levels;
5. Promotion and contribution to the formulation, development and implementation of a National Sustainable Development Strategy Framework (NSDSF) for Iraq,
6. Promotion of Sectoral Sustainable Development Strategies (SSDS) at the national and local levels;
7. Development and Implementation of Poverty Alleviation Strategy;
8. Promotion of an Environmentally Sound Technology Plan for Iraq,
9. Establishment and promotion of an Integrated Pilot schemes package for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Iraq that could be funded by donor countries, including education, health, clean energy, agriculture, housing, and capacity building;
10. Establishment of a Sustainable Iraqi Community Fund (SIrCoF) to contribute to the sustainable reconstruction and development of Iraq;
11. Establishment of intensive sustainable development capacity-building activities, including a comprehensive capacity building/development programme that should complement the on-going similar activities undertaken by public and private agencies in Iraq, as well as benefiting from other programmes such as the UNDP Capacity 2015.
[more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Global Land Tool Network’s (GLTN) main objective is to contribute to poverty alleviation and the Millennium Development Goals through land reform, improved land management and security of tenure. The GLTN originates from requests made by Member States and local communities world-wide to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), who initiated the network in cooperation with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the World Bank, in 2006.
The core values of the GLTN are pro poor, governance, equity, subsidiarity, affordability, and systematic large scale approach as well as gender sensitiveness.
Lead Partner: Velo Mondial - Velo Mondial
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Partnership/Initiative will execute a 10 year program on each continent, to be evaluated mid term in 2006 and finally in 2012, aiming at the development, promotion and implementation of Cycling Master Planning in countries and cities all over the globe with the aim to contribute to:
* CO2 emission reduction / climate change control /improving air quality
* Road safety & overall traffic management
* Poverty relief
* Sustainable economical development
* Accessibility and Emancipation
* Health promotion
The key action objectives of the Partnership/Initiative are to enhance sustainable development and improve the quality of life in urban communities. The Partnership/Initiative contributes to these objectives, by facilitating national and local authorities to develop and implement a more sustainable transport system with a significant share of non motorized modes.
The bicycle is a clean, non-polluting mode of transport that consumes no fossil fuels and little space, but still, as an alternative to the private automobile, ensures mobility and accessibility. Facilitating cycling is essential in a pro-poor policy, since it saves time and increases income generation opportunities. The Partnership/Initiative presents a broad policy framework for the facilitation of cycling.
Cycling policy directly relates to the Agenda 21 objectives. Its cross sectoral benefits for the World Summit on Sustainable development relate to the quality of life, economic growth and social equity in urban and rural areas. [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The objective of the Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development (GNESD) is to make it easier for Members to contribute to the provision of environmentally sound energy services underpinning sustainable development. The Network does so by supporting amongst its Members information exchange, learning, analysis and study, policy support, and capacity building.
Results expected include:
1. A network of energy/development/environment institutions in developing, transition, and industrialised countries that increases contact and co-operation between relevant institutions/agencies and financing bodies, and national and regional experts on a range of energy for sustainable development topics.
2. A general strengthening of all Members in their ability to acquire, assimilate, and apply existing knowledge and experiences made available through the Network.
3. Provision of quality advisory services by Network Member institutions to public and private sector decision-makers on a range of energy for sustainable development issues, resulting in better, more informed energy policies and decisions that support the wider goals of sustainable development.
4. Improved understanding of the links between sustainable energy and other development and environment priorities, and technology and policy options, leading to better articulation of practical policies that can be adopted, so as to promote energy for sustainable development, and
5. Changes in policies and programmes of governments and their development co-operation partners, and private sector investments, so that these favour energy for sustainable development approaches. [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) - United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) -Technical Focal Point
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The goal of the WSSD GHS Partnership is to mobilize support and catalyze partnerships for coordinated activities at the global, regional and national levels to strengthen capacities in developing countries and countries in transition towards effective implementation of the GHS. In the medium and long-term, the Partnership is expected to lead to a decrease in environmental and human health related effects attributable to the use of hazardous chemicals. It thus makes a direct contribution to important objectives of sustainable development including protection of marginalized groups, protection of water supplies and drinking water, and poverty eradication.Specific objectives of the Partnership include mobilization of resources for:
* awareness raising, capacity assessment and GHS implementation at the regional level;
* awareness raising, capacity assessment and GHS implementation at the national level; and
* development of GHS guidance, training and resource material. [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: This partnership addresses the critical development issue of access to technology and knowledge by facilitating information exchange, finance and investment in sustainable products and services in the energy, agriculture, textile, waste, water and forestry sectors.
The partnership builds on the existing efforts and capacities of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)s programs for transfer of environmentally sound technology, and on the knowledge management networks of the UNEP-GEF Technology Transfer Networks (SANet). SANet is a Technology Transfer knowledge management support system, which aims to replicate successful application of technology. SANet cuts across country boundaries, economic sectors, and supports the implementation of international environmental agreements. The partnership builds on established communication channels of more than 150 national and regional member organizations of FIDIC, WFEO, and other international associations.
The partnership's strategic objective is help fully inform the decision making process concerning viable Technology Transfer choices and to build the required knowledge management capacities to facilitate broad project replication. [more]
Lead Partner: Energy Sector Management Assistance Program - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: GVEP brings together developing and industrialized country governments, public and private organisations, multilateral institutions, NGOs, civil society organizations, consumers, and others to increase access to energy services for those unserved and underserved in a manner that enhances economic and social development, and reduces poverty.
GVEP objectives are fourfold:
· To catalyse country commitments to energy for poverty reduction projects and programmes, and to guide policies and investment in this area.
· To bridge the gap between investors, entrepreneurs, and customers in the design, installation, and operation of replicable rural and peri-urban energy projects.
· To serve as a one-stop-shop for information, best practices, and lessons learned on the effective development and implementation of energy for poverty reduction projects and programmes.
· To create and maintain an effective Global Village Energy Partnership organisational structure.
[more]
Lead Partner: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The overall goal of the project is to identify and safeguard Globally Important Ingenious Agricultural Heritage Systems and their associated landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems through catalyzing and establishing a long-term programme to support such systems and enhance global, national and local benefits derived through their dynamic conservation, sustainable management and enhanced viability.
To achieve this goal, the main objectives are to:
1) Leverage global and national recognition of the importance of GIAHS and institutional support for their safeguard;
2) Build capacity of local farming communities and local and national institutions to conserve and manage GIAHS, generate income and add economic value to goods and services of such systems in a sustainable fashion;
3) Promote enabling policy, regulatory and incentive environments to support their conservation, evolutionary adaptation and viability.
The project will be implemented in 10 pilot systems worldwide. The long term programme will build on the experiences and lessons learnt in up to 10 pilot systems/sites.
The project development phase (PDF-B) (18 months 2004-2005) will
- select the 10 initial systems/sites;
- develop a methodological framework and a step by step approach for the participatory development and implementation of the framework strategy and actions for a ¿dynamic conservation¿ of the pilot systems;
- establish participatory mechanisms and processes and design Pilot Frameworks in each pilot system and country
- develop a communication strategy and plan;
- leverage global and national support and co-funding arrangements for the full scale project
- develop the full project executive summary and project document. for the implementation of the programme.
The fullscale project (2005-2010) will develop and test the methodologies for dynamic conservation and sustainable management of GIAHS in 10 pilot systems through implementation of the pilot frameworks. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Indonesia - Ministry of Environment
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Asia and the Pacific Summary: In a global village where we live at present, it is in everyone's interest that any society ideally meets the above-mentioned conditions. However, some societies have difficulties achieving those conditions, despite their best effort to actively seek and work towards these goals. On the other hand, some societies have the capability and means to assist other because of their experience, working knowledge, as well as available resources. Therefore, a proactive effort to achieve such conditions should becomes prime vehicle for global cooperation. The objective of Good Governance in Sustainable Development (GGSD) Program is to assist societies to develop on effective government within a democratic system, and to implement sustainable development principles through global partnership
Objectives:
To enhance local implementation actions of the Rio Resolutions and Agenda 21 for real progress towards sustainable development
To assist societies to develop an effective government within a democratic system and to implement sustainable development principles through global partnerships by way of:
1. Empowering the public to enable them to effectively participate in decision making for public interest and to undertake local initatives;
2. Developing and strengthening good governance at the local level;
3. Developing the capacity of public and the government at the local level to cooperate in increasing welfare of the people. [more]
Lead Partner: Healthy Environments for Children Alliance Secretariat- World Health Organisation (WHO) - World Health Organization
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: HECA'S DRAFT MISSION STATEMENT: A world-wide alliance to intensify global action on environmental risks to children's health that arise from the settings where they live, learn, play and sometimes work, by providing knowledge, increasing political will, mobilizing resources, and catalysing intense and urgent action.
The aim of HECA is to build a global alliance to tackle key environment and poverty-related risks to children's health that are responsible for the loss of millions of healthy years of life each year. The Alliance will focus on, and catalyse action within the environments where children spend their time (i.e., the home, the school, and the community). Particular attention will be given to improving the home environment - traditionally neglected - but where children spend a major part of their young lives, and where the most significant health threats converge. In each setting, the alliance will focus on health risks associated with lack of access to clean water, to sanitation and to clean indoor air and outdoor air. It will also act to reduce risks associated with disease vectors, hazardous chemicals, and non-intentional injuries. Addressing the multiple risks in each setting will necessitate taking a holistic, integrated approach, as health risks are complex, and often interconnected. This approach also provides a framework to highlight the links between issues, and to facilitate action, in an integrated fashion, on the range of health risks in a given setting.
The Alliance will catalyze action that is both participatory and effective, stimulating a world-wide movement. It will concentrate initially on areas where it can add the most value - broadening in scope as it develops.
The Alliances core functions include:
* Ensuring advocacy and awareness raising;
* Providing knowledge, information exchange and expertise for decision-making;
* Promoting effective policies and action, at all levels, in all sectors;
* Supporting countries and communities in creating and maintaining healthy environments for children;
* Monitoring and evaluating progress. [more]
Lead Partner: National Disaster Management Institute (INGC)
Geographical Scope: National Summary: The overall goal is to strengthen the institutional capacities in Mozambique in the field of Disaster Preparedness and management. The country's weak economic infrastructure is aggrevated by the frequent natural disasters such as floods, cyclones, droughts, bush fires, and various epidemics etc. and Mozambique has to deal with complex emergency situations.
The primary aim of this partnership is a capacity-building program for prevention and management of natural disasters with the aim to strengthen the institutional capacity of INGC and its cooperating authorities by identifying the training needs of the different target groups and develop awareness-raising programs, knowledge transfer, and training skills for multiplicators. This regional pilot project is based on three pillars: strengthening the coordination and management capacities in terms of awareness, knowledge and skills of national institution; enhancing the existing cross-border cooperation and in the long-run reduce the obstacles and difficulties imposed by different political and administrative cultures ; lead to closer cooperation within the region and contribute to disaster management and prevention; support and strengthen regional assistance such as, information and communications systems with respect to early warning and alert; and mapping risk areas, raising awareness and organizing population, training multi-disciplinary rescue teams, technical assistance and logistical resources for preventing and fighting disaster as well as good network of database centres to analyse pertinent information and act as the source for disseminating information related to impending disasters. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Indonesia - Ministry of Transportation, DG Marine Transport.
Geographical Scope: National Summary: The diverse activities in Indonesian waters require intensive marine environmental protection, adequate resources and sufficient funds. Presently management of marine safety in Indonesia lacks sufficient coordination. For this reason, cooperation between
related parties is essential for better management of preventing marine pollution.
This Partnership is aimed at :
* Creating a maritime safety system, particularly for preventing marine pollution
* Creating safety for marine resources in Indonesian seas
* Protecting the Indonesian marine environment from pollution [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Italy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate General for Development Cooperation (DGCS)
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Asia and the Pacific Summary: General Objective: to contribute to social and economic development of the populations of the Hindu Kush - Karakorum - Himalaya mountain complex and to the environmental conservation of the region by consolidating institutional capacity for systemic planning and management of the territory, focusing on:
1. reduction of poverty
2. conservation of biodiversity
Specific Objective A: provide instruments (knowledge of the territory, the populations and the technologies for systemic data management) to facilitate the consistency of various national-level actions in area-based planning and management, within the framework of regional level systemic planning and monitoring.Specific Objective B: establish a process of application of the acquired capacities and Decision Support System (DSS) by individual countries in systemic planning and management of mountain areas at a local/national or transboundary level, within the framework of sustainable mountain development.Individual components of these objectives include:* Create a coordinated system for collection and analysis (monitoring) of natural resource data;* Provide decision makers of competent national and local administrations with an instrument (DSS) for systemic territorial planning and management;* Build local institutional capacity to study, analyze and manage natural resources, favoring local community involvement in these processes. [more]
Lead Partner: International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) - United Nations Inter-agency Secretariat for the International Strategy
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The main objective of the Partnership Initiative is to strengthen existing early warning systems as an element for disaster risk management strategies at global, regional and national levels and to highlight their important relation to sustainable development.
There is a growing recognition among many countries that natural disasters increasingly constitute a threat to sustainable development. The impact of natural disasters on increasingly vulnerable societies not only deprives gains in development but also constitutes a significant obstacle to the attainment of key goals identified in the UN Millennium declaration in 2000, in particular those related to environmental protection and poverty reduction.
Throughout the process of preparing for the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) early warning has received significant attention and the references are many. In general, the WSSD has called for the inclusion of disaster and risk reduction, especially the development and strengthening of early warning systems and information networks, within the ongoing dialogue of sustainable development. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Japan - Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The objectives of IFNet are to help break the vicious cycle of poverty, assist developing countries to achieve sustainable development and contribute to economic stability by improving the coordination and effectiveness of measures to manage flood and reduce the loss of life and property damage that they cause. [more]
Lead Partner: Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL) - International Development Law Organisation - International Law Association Committee on ILSD
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: This initiative focuses on implementation significant legal development in the field sustainable development. The main goal is to strengthen sustainable development governance at the international, regional and national levels, laying the foundation for policy implementation by facilitating access to, compliance with, and enforcement of coherent, integrated economic, social and environmental law. This project is geared to both lawyers and non-lawyers in developing countries and countries with economies in transition. The objectives are:
- To found a user-friendly web-based legal resource centre, based on links to networks and databases of experts and contacts, engaging developed and developing country jurists, to assess, promote and implement international law for sustainable development.
- To carry out legal research and experts workshops, and develop a series of new legal briefs and capacity building manuals on intersections of social, economic and environmental law. These shall be made widely accessible to scholars, decision-makers and civil society, in particular those in developing countries (and countries in transition).
- To undertake capacity building and training in international sustainable development law (ISDL), so as to assist developing country governments, IGOs, judges, parliamentarians, local communities and the media to effectively address inter-linked environmental, economic and social challenges. [more]
Lead Partner: World LP Gas Association (WLPGA) - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: This initiative is designed to support the achievement of critical energy-related sustainable development goals, specifically poverty reduction, environmental protection, and economic growth. This partnership addresses concrete barriers to meeting the thermal energy needs (heating, cooking, and heat using productive processes) of rural and peri-urban populations in developing countries through expanded use of a clean-burning, readily-available fuel: liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Over 2 billion people in developing countries depend on traditional fuels including wood, animal and crop residues, and charcoal, to meet their heating, cooking and industrial needs. This has adverse health effects on women and children, degrades the local natural resources base and contributes to global environmental degradation through the emission of unburned hydrocarbons. Social and economic limitations for women, low quality energy services in heat using industries due to fuel inefficiency, and lost opportunities for agricultural product processing, are all directly related to traditional fuel use patterns.
The LPG Challenge will bring LPG to rural populations by linking UNDP's knowledge and experience in rural development and community consultation together with industry suppliers of LPG and the appliances required for its utilization. The key issue is to address market and technical barriers to the expanded use of LPG and to design local partnerships, business models and financing mechanisms to overcome these barriers. This will be accomplished through local dialogue processes and partnerships involving government officials, consumer representatives, current LGP market participants (local and international business), local entities that operate in rural communities, UNDP and other multilateral and bilateral funding agencies committed to bringing modern energy (electricity and clean fuels) to rural communities. [more]
Lead Partner: International Land Coalition
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Land Alliances for National Development, or LAND Partnerships, constitute a global initiative to alleviate rural poverty by strengthening country-level collaboration between state, civil society, bilateral and international stakeholders. This collaboration is needed to: a) achieve participatory dialogue; b) improve policy formulation; c) establish joint action to secure resource tenure for households with user rights; and d) increase access to land by the landless and near-landless.
While the resource poor seek a more active role in decision-making, many governments are also recognizing the benefits of robust, stakeholder discussion and, in some cases, collective decision-making. In many countries, this requires new arenas and mechanisms for dialogue. LAND Partnerships respond to this challenge by helping countries to create new ways and means for both those affecting and those affected by decisions about land to work together. LAND Partnerships will help to widen participation, foster open debate and facilitate negotiation at both the national and the community levels.
Furthermore, LAND Partnerships are a means to replicate the best practices learned in one community to other communities for wider benefit. Also, where scaling-up is accomplished, it may be more likely that this experience can be validated as a basis for national policy consideration. More importantly, LAND Partnerships are an opportunity for all parties to move from individual to collective roles, and thereby capture potential synergy.
Since the launch in 2002, the Coalition has been actively promoting LAND in the over 35 countries where it has programmes. The initial goal is to establish LAND Partnerships in a geographically balanced range of pilot countries. These pilot LAND Partnerships are envisioned as focal points to stimulate extension of the concept into surrounding countries.
LAND Partnerships will be developed in response to invitations from governments together with an expressed interest by civil society. The Coalition will support local implementation capacity for all stakeholders involved ¿ civil society, governments and intergovernmental partners. LAND Partnerships will build upon existing and emerging initiatives and activities.
In addition, the Coalition's role will be to foster collaboration and the sharing of lessons with other countries in order to either launch LAND Partnerships in these countries, or to help create the conditions conducive to the subsequent establishment of LAND.
[more]
Lead Partner: The Resource Foundation
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Latin America and the Caribbean Summary: The Latin American Clean Water Initiative seeks to facilitate sustainable water solutions and improve the health and well being of individuals living in extreme poverty in 13 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The project seeks to: 1) Provide access to potable water and sanitation systems, 2) Improve sustainable water supplies for productive activities and train individuals to manage the water systems effectively, and 3) Offer educational workshops in water conservation, hygiene and water-related illnesses.
The program will be implemented in 13 countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. The partner agencies are local private development organizations which are well respected in their fields and have extensive expertise in installing water systems, providing water systems management training, and engaging beneficiary communities in the process by requiring active participation in construction and training activities. The Resource Foundation partners with local non-profit agencies because it believes that local solutions are highly sustainable and effective.
The specific objectives of the proposed Latin American Clean Water Initiative include: 1) Construct complete and functioning potable water systems including taps, outdoor washbasins, water tanks, and latrines, etc. 2) Improve irrigation systems for farming and other productive purposes, 3) Improve degraded water systems, 4) Involve all beneficiary families in the construction and/or repairs of water systems, 5) Train beneficiary communities to manage and administer potable water and sanitations systems in order to ensure long-term sustainability, 6) Offer training in health issues related to water-borne illnesses, water resource management, and environmental conservation, 6) Monitor and evaluate program impact, 7) Share best practices for managing water resources at a seminar, and 8) Communicate impact to the public.
Lead Partner: Government of Italy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs - The World Conservation Union (IUCN) - CESVI- Working for Water
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Limpopo Corridor Summary: This partnership supports participation of communities living in areas adjacent to the Great Limpopo Trans-frontier Park (GL-TFP) in the TFP establishment process. The TFP is being establishment by the Governments of Zimbabwe, RSA and Mozambique as a first step in the process of developing a broader TFCA: this in its broad concept encompasses a vast area of almost 100.000 km2, including two National Parks and a Reserved Hunting Area in Mozambique (Banhine NP, Zinave NP and Limpopo NP), Kruger NP in South Africa and Gonarezhou NP in Zimbabwe.
This partnership programme focus on poverty alleviation and the conservation of biological diversity and ecosystem functioning through institutional capacity building, and the involvement and livelihood enhancement of local communities. Its components target selected rural areas mediating nodal ecosystemic and economic fluxes (e.g. wildlife and commercial corridors and buffer zones) within the programmed large scope multipurpose cross-boundary conservation area. the Great Limpopo Trans-frontier Park (GL TFP). Ecosystem management in these areas holds the potential to make or break the GL TFP and, at the same time, to make or break the economic future of its own rural communities. With appropriate land use planning and development, the target areas can act as links between the components of the Transfrontier Park, can enhance their ecological and economic values and can provide an ecologically sound economic engine for the disadvantaged target areas.
The partnership programme will be based on two components:
1. Foundation component: this will build on a pilot project implemented in the southeast lowveld of Zimbabwe (1998-2003) by CESVI in cooperation with the Rural District Councils of Beitbridge, Chiredzi and Chipinge: this pilot component has promoted community-based natural resource management in communal lands in the Limpopo and Save valleys, along the border with South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana. The target areas of the project include, inter alia, rural areas bordering the Gonarezhou National Park which have strong historical and social links with neighboring areas in Mozambique and South Africa.
2. New partnership component: this component will comprise two projects (sub-components), which will address country specific issues in a coordinated manner:
* The South African sub-component, to be implemented in cooperation with the Department of Water Affairs and SANP in areas adjacent to Kruger NP.
* The Mozambican sub-component, to be implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism to address the requirements of a vast rural area between the Limpopo NP, Banhine NP, Zinave NP and the border with Zimbabwe. [more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), DPDL - United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Strengthening the capacities of local authorities and their public, private and community partners to achieve more sustainable urban development, socially, economically and environmentally;Reducing poverty by working on sustainable urbanisation through more efficiently and equitably use of environmental resources and control of environmental hazards in urban development planning. [more]
Lead Partner: ICLEI European Secretariat
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Governments spend some several thousand billion Euro every year on public purchasing, adding up to 12-25% of respective gross national products (GDP). Products and services bought include transport machinery, construction and IT equipment, but also food for canteens, energy and cleaning services. Depending on the government structure, local and regional authorities spend up to 90% of this amount. Spending this money responsibly, governments have the opportunity to foster sustainable development with money they have to spent anyway.
Public Procurement has been used as a policy tool often in the past and present. Although the conflict between policy objectives and market principles is often raised and subject to committed discussion, practical implementation and regulatory frameworks have shown, that in reality win-win situations for policy implementation and market efficiency can be found.
In recent years, environmental objectives have become a major topic in procurement, many public administrations have implemented "green purchasing policies", mostly in the Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Japan, North America). In this context it is often requested, but only partially implemented, to take all dimension of sustainable development into account in purchasing. Among others, purchasing could include are social considerations such as labour conditions and international market prices, and economic considerations such as protection of Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and domestic suppliers, quality or life-cycle costing.
Within this context, the partnership has two key objectives:
* Integrate all dimensions of sustainable development in procurement policies and by this contribute to better living and healthier working conditions, ensure social standards and protect the environment
* Accelerate penetration of sustainable products in export and domestic markets in order to foster an economic development that helps overcome poverty as well as over-exploitation of human work-force, economic assets and natural resources.
The partnership will lead to:
* A breakthrough for eco-efficient domestic supply in developing countries: Four well-documented examples of implementing responsible procurement policies under difficult economic framework conditions of emerging economies.
* A breakthrough for integration of sustainable development in all its dimensions to the procurement agenda: Well documented examples and national policies to integrate global concerns in (Northern) public procurement (for selected economic sectors) [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Netherlands - Ministry of Agriculture, Nature Management and Fisheries - Government of Netherlands - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The objective of the initiative is to improve market access of food and agricultural products from developing countries to the European market by enhancing cooperation in the field of quality standards related to health, the environment and veterinary and phytosanitary measures. This will contribute to increased global competitiveness of farmers, food processors, retailers and traders in developing countries. The cooperation will also improve mutually understanding on both the need to effective address both poverty in developing countries, as well as on consumer concerns related to food safety and the environment.
The Doha and Johannesburg programmes commit to improve market access, in particular for developing countries. The Doha Development Agenda puts a strong focus on reducing tarief barriers to trade. While reiterating that the Doha-agreements will have to be fully implemented, it will be pertinent to additionally respond to difficulties for particular developing countries to meet quality standards for food and agricultural products. Those standards have been agreed upon in multilateral for a, such as the Codex Alimentarius, WTO-SPS, IPPC, Biosafety Protocol, and CITES. Recently, those fora have started capacity building activities in order to assist parties to cope with the multilaterally agreed terms.
There are however additional challenges countries are facing if they would like to be competive on markets such as of the EU. Specific EU standards been developed, in order to translate the multilaterally agreed standards to the regional contextn or in response to consumer concerns in Europe. Furthermore, food processors and retailers are often using stricter criteria themselves, in order to sell high quality products with the highest competitiveness possible. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of France - Agence Française pour le Développement (AFD)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The main objectives of this initiative are the reduction of poverty by providing access to energy services, especially to rural populations, and the fight against climate change by controlling the growth of energy consumption and by increasing the share of energy from renewable resources in the energy mix of the developing countries. The initiative falls within the scope of reinforcing technical and institutional cooperation efforts to facilitate the structuring of national energy policies and the setting-up of the necessary structures for the proper design and realization of projects. In particular, it aims:
- To develop renewable energy markets and energy efficiency through the better use of the existing financial mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and the encouragement of "ethical" savings.
- To coordinate - in a structured, simplified way via creation of a common platform - the main financing steps for projects and programmes: identification and preparation of projects by ensuring consistency with activities supporting the reinforcement of capacities (and, in particular, urban/rural solidarity organizations in developing countries) and investment in the projects.
This initiative is characterized by the involvement of the private sector in all phases. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Italy - Ministry for the Environment and Territory
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Mediterranean Summary: The two principal objectives of the programme are:
- to provide modern energy services particularly to rural populations;
- to contribute to the climate change mitigation by increasing the share of renewable energy technologies in the energy mix in the region.
In this perspective, the programme aims at developing a sustainable renewable energy market system in the greater Mediterranean Region, removing project, policy and trade barriers.
With a view to linking capabilities and market between developed and developing Countries throughout the Region and beyond, the program is built on three main sub-projects:
- tailoring of financial instruments and mechanisms to support projects;
- strengthening of policy frameworks and removing barriers to projects development;
- building a stronger private sector infrastructure, considering the positive role of ¡§Tradable Renewable Certificates¡¨ and ¡§Certified Emission Reductions¡¨.
These sub-projects aim to strengthen existing networks while favouring the creation of new relations between stakeholders.
Specific objectives:
delivering electricity to isolated rural populations, based on village-scale mini-grids;
accelerating the integration of REs on the national electricity grids with the objective of reaching grid stabilisation and meeting supply-demand balance;
addressing the global approach of REs introduction (mainly solar but also geothermal energy) in the building sector in coherence with the energy efficiency policy (the results of the MEDA/Solar thermal technologies Dissemination programme in the building sector will be integrated);
desalinating sea water, in order to increase drinking water supply and water availability for irrigation;
increasing agricultural water pumping by solar, wind and biomass powered water pumps;
disseminating cooling systems for the food conservation, powered by renewable, in farms and fisheries;
addressing, in the grid-connected urban and tourist areas, the household and the community demand for lighting, food and drugs cooling, access to the communication networks, using solar home systems, small wind turbines, biogas and biomass power technologies;
creating joint ventures and other manufacturing, assembly and distribution/installation capabilities in developing countries, so that they gain the maximum economic benefit from the Initiative; promoting certification / standardisation programmes for RE equipments.
These objectives will be reached by the implementation of innovative pilot projects to be considered a catalogue of best practices to be replicated, increasing the share of RE options available through already feasible RE power plants like wind farm, biomass co-combustion and hydro plants.
[more]
Lead Partner: United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Building nationally the capacities of local and central governments, associations of local authorities, and training institutions to routinely integrate the lessons of experience from local demonstrations into national sustainable urbanisation and poverty alleviation policies, up-scaling strategies, and associated legal frameworks. In other words: Developing institutional frameworks and national networks for sustained EPM support. [more]
Lead Partner: Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Nile Basin Summary: (Vision); To achieve sustainable socioeconomic development through the equitable utilization of, and benefit from the common Nile Basin water resources.
Objectives;
1. to develop the Water resources of the Nile in a sustainable and equitable way to ensure prosperity, security and peace for all its people
2. to ensure efficient water management and the optimal use of the resources
3. to ensure cooperation and joint action between the riparian countries, seeking win-win gains
4. to target poverty eradication and promote economic integration
5. to ensure that the program results in a move from planning to action
[more]
Lead Partner: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - World Health Organization (WHO)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: This partnership aims to contribute to the implementation of recommendations developed in the joint WHO/FAO expert consultation on diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases (Geneva, Switzerland, 28 January - 1 February 2002; draft report available via lfriberg@earthsummit2002.org).
"Obesity prevention policies must go hand in hand with strategies to prevent undernutrition." (WHO). Nutrition is a major determinant of health. Unhealthy diet (and a sedentary lifestyle) effectively handicap people and contribute to premature deaths from cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and obesity related illnesses (particularly Type 2 diabetes). The shift to diets high in saturated fats, sugar and refined foods (the 'nutrition transition') has contributed to worsening nutrition and significant growth of obesity in children and adults in developed and developing countries.
The links between good health and economic improvement have been well documented. Good nutrition contributes to development of human capital, increased productivity, reduced poverty, etc. The delivery of nutritious food to every household, at all levels of income, is an achievable aim. [more]
Lead Partner: South Pacific Tourism Organisation (SPTO)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Pacific Summary: * Address and achieve the priorities of sustainable Tourism development in the Pacific, including income generation and equitable distribution, poverty alleviation, environmental conservation, a means to address good governance and gender disparities
* Achieve sustainable tourism operations throughout the Pacific
* Maintain the pristine environment and cultural diversity which facilitates the promotion of PICs
* Mobilisation of resources to ensure sustainable tourism practices
* Improved waste management related to tourism activities [more]
Lead Partner: Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) - South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) - The University of the South Pacific (USP)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Pacific Summary: The overall vision for this initiative is ¿Increased and strengthened capacity of Pacific Islands people to manage their island environments and achieve sustainable development, poverty reduction and sustainable livelihoods¿.
The Initiative will establish:
i) A Regional Training and Capacity Building Framework.
ii) A Regional Education Framework.
The Regional Training and Capacity Building Framework will identify and use the synergies between organisations and individuals actively engaged in capacity building in the region. The already completed training needs assessments and strategies provide the essential building blocks to strengthen collaboration and information sharing amongst training institutions and organizations through this
co-ordinated framework.
The Framework shall promote the synergies, partnerships and collaborative delivery at all levels. It will encompass agreed levels and types of training activities and programmes derived from past Training Needs Assessment recommendations, include training pathways, strategies to supporting research work, competency levels, train-the-trainer strategies and post-graduate level training delivery mechanisms.
A Regional Education Framework will also be developed in parallel to the Training and Capacity Building Framework to provide a strong foundation for the implementation of proposed activities in the latter framework. The Education Framework will focus on strengthened basic education and delivery systems with guidelines for an education programme that promotes sustainable environmental management and education for sustainability. A review/evaluation of past environmental education programmes in the Pacific and delivery systems will form the basis for these guidelines. The Education Framework will also be linked to initiatives under the proposed ¿Decade of Education for Sustainable Development¿ under the Johannesburg Programme of Action.
An aspect of the education framework will include a feasibility work on the development of distance education curriculum and delivery systems to increase access of children and youth to primary, secondary and vocational education. [more]
Lead Partner: South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Pacific Summary: The main objective of the Initiative is to achieve sustainable water and wastewater management in Pacific island countries through:
* the establishment of a regional water network of persons and organisations, inclusive of country governments, development agencies, professional associations and donors, that work in the different fields of water resources management and service delivery in the region, to improve regional coordination and collaboration;
* the implementation of the Pacific Strategies for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene that aim to build and increase the capacity in Pacific Island Countries to deliver sustainable management of water and wastewater as a means to contributing to poverty alleviation. Sustainability has to be achieved in the technical, institutional, financial, environmental and social-cultural areas. SOPAC Member Countries have endorsed these strategies during the 30th SOPAC Annual Session (Majuro, October 2001), which are complimentary with the efforts towards the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the 3rd World Water Forum;
* implementation of the ¿Regional Action Plan for Sustainable Water Management¿, as agreed upon by Ministers, Heads of Delegation and representatives of civil society groups with responsibilities for water affairs from 16 small island countries in the Pacific, as well as East Timor and the Maldives as part of the regional consultation and preparation for the ¿Water in Small Island Countries¿ and ¿Dialogue on Water & Climate¿ themes of the 3rd World Water Forum, during the ¿Pacific Regional Meeting on Water in Small Island Countries¿, held in Sigatoka, Fiji from 29 July to 3 August 2002. The consultation process included the identification of national priority actions as determined by the participating countries on the basis of their national water strategies, national assessments and stakeholder consultations undertaken for WSSD and the 3rd World Water Forum, and the development of agreed regional actions through the consultation meeting process of plenary discussion, working group review and delegation approval.
[more]
Lead Partner: South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) - University of South Pacific (USP)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Pacific Island Countries Summary: Main objective: Provide long-term community based capacity-building activities to fully integrate environmental and development needs, using people and customs as the central parameters for decision-making, management, fostering social cohesion and the promotion of sustainable community livelihoods.
Principles:
- People are at the core of the pursuit of sustainable development;
- Sustainable community lifestyles for Pacific Island communities and nations are dependent on the sustainable use of terrestrial, freshwater and marine biodiversity and the protection and application of traditional knowledge of this biodiversity.
- Traditional and local knowledge enhances scientific knowledge and can guide future directions to ensure pragmatic and mutually beneficial efforts;
- Environmental and sustainable development are for the people and communities and therefore their aspirations and needs should dominate policies, plans, decision making, management and practice;
- Sustainable development requires Environmental justice, and preservation of human rights.
- Early community involvement and partnering with government in the development and project pipeline presents the best means to suit people¿s aspirations, values, issues and priorities to socio-economic progress.
- Integrating environment and socio-economics in the development process provides the means for better decision making for sustainable development;
- Ensuring equity in development processes and environmental management, with social justice and empowerment through community development frameworks - will assist poverty eradication and improve people¿s quality of life.
Purpose: To develop local and national capacity to institute community development frameworks to assist with partnering, prudent anticipation and decisions regarding the planning for environmental change, as well as the pursuit of sustainable development to enhance the quality of life for all communities. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia Summary: Mission statement: To contribute to the protection and improvement of the environment, an improvement in quality of life, and the promotion of sustainable development in Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, through partnership projects involving the public and private sectors and civil society.
[more]
Lead Partner: Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
Geographical Scope: National Summary: The Belgian partnership with the CGIAR includes an important part devoted to the education and training of young scientist of the South in highly specialised laboratories for agricultural research in Belgium and in other developed countries.
The main objectives of the agricultural research activities for development, in the frame of this partnership and of the CGIAR in general, are to contribute to food security and poverty eradication in developing countries through research partnerships, capacity building, and policy support, promoting sustainable agricultural development based on the environmentally sound management of natural resources.
Expected results:
* contribute to the promotion of sustainable agriculture and rural development through an increase of the food production and a better organisation of local and regional markets
* contribute to the well being of poor farmers in the South so that they take part, effectively and in a socially acceptable way, in the economic development of their countries while conserving biodiversity and the environment
* strengthening the involvement of all the partners in international agricultural research for development especially those of the Southern countries
* capacity building and participatory approaches to sustainable development [more]
Lead Partner: Partnership for Environmental Management of Seas East Asia (PEMSEA)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional East Asia Summary: Several local governments in the East Asian Sea Region are in the process of developing long-term, vision-oriented coastal strategies and action plans. The strategies and action plans will concentrate local stakeholder actions on sustainable use of coastal resources, improving the health of ecosystems and the lives of people living in the costal area by alleviating poverty, enhancing public health, providing access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitary services, and creating sustainable development opportunities.
This initiative is primarily aimed at forging a regional partnership among the local governments and ICM practitioners, with the objective of consolidating their efforts, and increasing management effectiveness and efficiency by sharing experiences, good practices, lessons, expertise, approaches and resources through south-south cooperation. Ten local governments in 8 coastal nations of the region will initially participate in the partnership, covering a total coastline length of 1,242 km and a total sea area of 10,565 km2. The partnership will benefit 6 million inhabitants.
Over the life of the project, the total number of local governments implementing ICM will increase steadily to 20 and estimated to benefit at least 12 million coastal inhabitants. The success of the networking will lead to expansion of membership to cover other coastal management initiatives and accelerate ICM practice throughout the region. It will also establish linkages with other coastal management programs in other regions of the world. [more]
Lead Partner: Stakeholder Forum for Our Common Future, ActionAid
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Population and Sustainability Network is an advocacy group which aims to bring together development, environment and reproductive health NGOs, government departments, academics and others, to increase leverage on population issues. Network Objectives:· To highlight the negative impact of unsustainable population increase on economic development, poverty alleviation and the natural environment (with particular reference to MDG 7: ¿Ensure environmental sustainability¿).· To support others in the campaign for the provision of adequate reproductive healthcare facilities for the 200 million couples who would use them ¿ but are presently denied rights of access because of funding shortfalls or other reasons· To raise awareness of the need for a rights-based approach to reproductive healthcare.· To ensure better opportunity for investment in healthcare and education, especially in respect of women¿s rights and the need for more effective programmes against HIV/AIDS.· To promote better understanding of the problems caused by unsustainable consumption (particularly in the rich minority world) ¿ including pollution and pressure on finite resources.· To provide a constructive forum in which the issues outlined above can be addressed and to increase stakeholder participation in and ownership of the key issues. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Italy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate General for Development Cooperation (DGCS) - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) - United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: Goal: improve living standards among islands¿ residents while sustaining conservation of unique biodiversity.
Main challenge: foster the role of residents in setting planning agendas and participating fully in their islands' development.
Objective 1: provide opportunities for horizontal know-how transfer among relevant professional staff from both archipelagos, and to promote the involvement of the islands' residents in planning processes together with their participation in the sustainable development of the islands.
Low levels of awareness on the relationships linking the conservation of ecosystems, natural resources and biological diversity and the generation of concrete and sustainable development opportunities, is an issue to be addressed, at different levels, in both archipelagos. This extends to officials, community leaders as well as the local business community. There is an urgent need to strengthen the capacities of relevant institutions and society to work in a systemic and cross-sectoral fashion to improve the overall management of the island's resources.
Objective 2: contribute to the consolidation of relevant institutional capacities in the systemic planning and management of sustainable development, by promoting inter-linkage and information exchange between relevant institutions and administrations, as well as boosting their capacity to dialogue with local communities, NGOs and the general public. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Sweden - Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) - East African Community (EAC) Secretariat - East African Community (EAC) Secretariat
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Lake Victoria Basin Summary: In the Partnership Agreement between EAC and the Development Partners the following objectives are set out:
* To exploit the opportunities for development in the Lake Victoria Basin in a sustainable manner and address the present problems relating to economic and social development, poverty and environment
* To identify and investigate specific aspects of threats and obstacles to sustainable, economic, social and environmental development, and their underlying causes and propose relevant interventions
* To assist in the formulation of policies to guide the various actors involved with activities relevant to sustainable development in the region
* To build capacity through the development and strengthening of local institutions and organizations concerned with these issues
* To promote co-ordination of the development efforts undertaken by various authorities, institutions and bodies established within EAC with an interest in supporting the developments in the Lake Victoria Basin
* To provide consultative fora and focal points for various actors with an interest in the developments in the Basin
* To broaden the co-operation between EAC, the EAC member states and donor agencies
* To identify investment opportunities and work to create a climate conducive to investments
* To mobilize resources for the implementation of identified Programmes
* To promote the involvement of a broad spectrum of actors in the development process [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Japan - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: International trade plays an important role in the promotion of economic development and poverty reduction. From this perspective, we have to make efforts in providing technical assistance and promoting capacity building in order that developing countries may benefit from the multilateral trading system.
* Especially, we confirmed the important role of technical assistance and capacity building in the Doha Declaration. In this regard, we will work actively to ensure the success of the Fifth Ministerial Conference in addition to the above-mentioned strategy.
Expected results include:
To deepen knowledge and understanding of developing countries (especially countries in Africa) related to WTO negotiation in the new issues (investment, competition, trade facilitation, transparency in government procurement), which are supposed to be one of the focuses at the new round. [more]
Lead Partner: International Model Forest Network Secretariat
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Latin America and the Caribbean Summary: This collaborative initiative supports the development and establishment of a Regional Network of Model Forests in Latin America and the Caribbean. Model Forests are about translating higher-level policy goals into achievable and locally relevant models of sustainable use and best practices for the conservation of all forest resources. They use locally-based partnership to find working solutions to forest resource management issues through capacity building, improved decision-making and governance systems, economic diversification, integrated resource management, and poverty alleviation.
The Regional Centre:
- provides technical support to promote and strengthen model forest development in the region;
- documents and demonstrates best practices for sustainable forest management and sustainable economic development opportunities for local communities;
- substantially strengthens the transfer of technology from Canada to the region and among countries and projects in the region;
- secures new country and institutional partners and donors. [more]
Lead Partner: Asian Productivity Organization (APO)
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Asia and the Pacific Summary: The APO started its Green Productivity (GP) program in the mid-1990s in response to the challenges of sustainable development arising from the recommendations of the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. The primary objective of the GP program is to integrate productivity improvement with environmental concerns. GP essentially addresses the triple bottom-line issues of economic profitability, environmental protection, and social fairness.
The APO believes that the GP has a great potential in poverty alleviation and Integrated Community Development (ICD), based on its past experiences in Vietnam. The APO started its GP-ICD projects in 3 communities in Vietnam in 1998 and today 72 communities are implementing GP-ICD for better quality of life, which is poised to become the national program in the coming years. So far the focus has been on water supply, better sanitation, use of waste as the resource for community, natural farming etc.
Another important aspect is the possible linkage with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Many of the GP-ICD projects have resulted in the positive impact on the environment - especially with regard to reduction in usage of coal and the subsequent reduction in the CO2 emissions which could lead to financial support for the communities / local agencies to continue their GP-ICD initiatives. [more]
Lead Partner: REN21 Secretariat - REN21 Secretariat
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: REN21 is a global policy network that provides a forum for international leadership on renewable energy. Its goal is to bolster policy development for the rapid expansion of renewable energies in developing and industrialised economies.
Open to a wide variety of dedicated stakeholders, REN21 connects governments, international institutions, non-governmental organisations, industry associations, and other partnerships and initiatives.
Linking the energy, development and environment sectors, REN21 strengthens the influence of the unique renewable energy community that came together at the “renewables 2004” conference in Bonn. REN21 is the network in which ideas are shared and action is encouraged to promote renewable energy worldwide. [more]
Lead Partner: Regional Institute for Environmental Technologies - Asian Productivity Organisation (APO)
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Asia and the Pacific Summary: SIGN3-Asias central aim is to promote sustainable investments and to assist in: developing synergies between private capital, institutional investments and Official Development Assistance (ODA). Bringing the broad financial resource streams together is the principal of synergies, which is primarily designed to boost sustainable investments in Asia addressing sustainable development and resource productivity along the global value chain. Shouldering responsibilities between Governments, International Institutions, Transnational Corporation, Local Entrepreneurs will help to leapfrog development and reduce investments risks while addressing the specific needs of each sector developing synergies with existing initiatives in Asia, supported by Asian Governments and interested parties, the UN the EU, USA, International Organisations, i.e., Development Banks, the OECD, Export Credit Agencies, AsRIA and a coalition of progressive business SIGN3-Asia means Sustainable Investment Global Network for Asia. The N3 in the term echoes the need to consider the triple bottom line of sustainable development economic prosperity, social equity and environmental protection in all investment decisions. SIGN3-Asia is a not-for-profit regional network.
SIGN3- Asia's Catalytic Role. There are a number of initiatives aimed at promoting FDI in Asia or affecting the form it takes. No initiative has so far been identified which addresses - sustainable foreign direct investment for a whole region and which attempts to bring the main stakeholders together. SIGN3 needs to build on these initiatives and encourage synergies instead of duplicating efforts. A priority for the initial stages of SIGN 3 is to make contact with the secretariats of all these initiatives and discuss how the synergies between the various initiatives can be exploited. [more]
Lead Partner: Stakeholder Forum for Our Common Future - Stakeholder Forum for Our Common Future
Geographical Scope: Regional
- Africa Summary: SEAL is a South-South partnership of civil and academic organizations that recognizes the importance of intra-Southern co-operation in promotion sustainable development.
The Secure and Equitable Access to Land (SEAL) partnership aims to secure equitable access by
* Furthering a pragmatic and programmatic approach to land development for food security in Africa
* Sharing the experience from other regions of Asia and Latin America, strengthening the networking structure of civil society in Africa
* Facilitating the adoption and replication of Southern initiative projects on securing access to land for the promotion of poverty eradication and food security within Southern countries with similar climatic and socio-political conditions
SEAL is the result of organizations agreeing to develop a unique collaborative programme to strenthen the networking structure of African civil society and share experiences from Asia and Latin America.
SEAL is a pragmatic networking partnership that is receptive and prepared to work with other networks in partnership for development
Specific Objectives include
* To strengthen civil society initiatives on land
* Strengthening community groups to form a cooperative society for food production and the diversification of land and agricultural resources
* To empower girl-child and women's groups, given the salience of gender equity and the advancement of women in promoting optimal
* To encourage best practices on land use issues, strengthening levels of mutual support and assistance through institutional training and exchange programs. [more]
Lead Partner: Southern Caucus Of NGOs For Sustainable Development
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: THE PARTNERSHIP SHALL:
1. Establish Five Multi Regional Centers to assist in recruitment, mobilization and development of human resources and strengthen Southern Major Group NGO Institutions on Local, National and Regional Levels and increase their Capacity to participate in and contribute to the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation Locally, Nationally and Regionally.
2 Seek resources to implement National NGO Action Plans to Eradicate Poverty, complementary to Government Plans
3 Report on the impact of reduction of poverty programs using UN CSD measurements and report on NGO Sustainable Development achievements and obstacles to participation in Local, National and Regional Sustainable Development.
4 Increase participation of Southern Major Group NGO¿s as observers and experts at Government Regional Meetings with feedback to local communities.
5 Replicate to NGOs in the countries served by the Centers best practices and expert programs developed by National and Regional NGO Major Groups that contribute to Sections IV to VIII of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation, including the following:5a Reduce digital divide problems through Digital Divide Centers linked to Distance Learning, Technology Exchange, Higher Education, Research, Technical Assistance and Communications Programs,
5b Provide .
5c Participate in Monitoring and Management of Watersheds, Forests and Carbon Exchange programs [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Benin - Ministry of Planing, Beninese Centre for Sustainable Development (CBDD) - Government of Bhutan - Ministry of Finance, Sustainable Development Secretariat (SDS) - Government of Costa Rica - Ministry of Energy and Environment, Fundecooperation
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: To promote sustainable development on a south-south basis through long term partnership between Benin, Bhutan and Costa Rica by implementing Agenda 21, program for further implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of implementation based on the principles of equality, participation and reciprocity. Recognizing that lasting poverty alleviation will be achieved only in the context of sustainable development, the partnership will seek to catalyze the transition to sustainability by supporting innovation in the policies, seeding initiatives and replicating success stories. As the first step to translate the vision and objectives of the partnership into concrete projects, a program for south-south co-operation (PSC) was launched in May 2005. Biodiversity conservation, sustainable tourism, sustainable chains of production and consumption and sustainable energy are the key themes with gender equality as cross cutting issue. The partnership will be implemented through policy dialogues, consultation and participation of the multi-interest groups with focus on pilot and reciprocal projects. [more]
Lead Partner: The Global Mechanism of the UNCCD
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Southern Africa Summary: This partnership seeks to link inter-governmental processes in Southern Africa with activities of the Non-governmental Organizations and Community Based Organizations. The partners commit to prepare and implement, disseminate information about, and follow-up to, activities supporting the implementation of the Convention to Combat Desertification. In particular, the partnership is, on a long-term basis, focusing on activities following-up to the WSSD. The partnership will additionally provide a series of constructive input to the process of establishing the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
Specifically, the partners will seek to engage in complementary activities, joint meetings, enhanced communication, information exchange and co-ordination, which will:
* Enhance the resources available for the implementation of the CCD;
* Promote desertification issues following-up to the Legislators'Conference and WSSD in 2002;
* Create awareness among politicians and legislators about the implementation of the CCD in SADC;
* Establish linkages between the three Conventions of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, 1992;
* Assist communities affected by land degradation and poverty in building capacity for resilience and improved livelihood; and
* Enhance capacity within the NGO community to assist in implementing the Sub-regional and National Action Plans of the CCD. [more]
Lead Partner: Earthjustice
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The objective of the Partnership is to help governmental institutions, intergovernmental organizations and civil society in strengthening human rights based measures and policies in sustainable development and environmental protection
To provide training on the relationship between human rights and sustainable development so as to encourage consultation with intergovernmental organizations and major groups possessing expertise in human rights for guidance in sustainable development activities undertaken pursuant to Agenda 21 and the UN Millennium Declaration.
To encourage North-North, North-South, and South-South experience exchanging, networking and advocacy to achieve poverty eradication. [more]
Lead Partner: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: This is a civil society led, government supported, FAO facilitated undertaking.The preliminary focus of the SARD Initiative has currently been focusing on three themes, which were discussed in the International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in Mountain Regions (Adelboden, Switzerland, 6/2002), in the SARD Electronic Forum (6/2002-present) and in a number of local consultations in different regions of the developing world and among some of the NGOs/CSOs attending the World Food Summit: five years later (6/2002). Sub-Initiatives can be organized around the following or other thematic areas of action, based on the interests, priorities, commitment and resources of specific partners involved:
* Access to resources
* Fair conditions of employment
* Good Agricultural Practices for SARD
Given the critical mass of Mountain Governments supporting the SARD Initiative in the Adelboden Declaration, the relevant sub-Initiatives outlined in the Adelboden Plan of Action, and that 2002 is the International Year of the Mountains, it has been proposed that the Initiative should begin with a mountain focus, subject to the interest and resources of concerned stakeholders. The Initiative may capitalize on other key conferences and International Years, for instance, 2003 is the International Year of Fresh Water. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Canada - Industry Canada
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: By partnering with cities in developing and emerging economies, the SCI helps cities define their sustainable development objectives and implement projects to improve the environmental and human health of their community. Multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder city teams (Canadian private sector, government and NGOs) combine forces and resources with local authorities to develop and implement city sustainable development plans. The SCI's main areas of focus are all priority areas for sustainable urban development: clean water, waste management, clean energy, transportation, housing, capacity-building, urban planning, telecommunications, urban infrastructure projects, and waterfront development. By showcasing Canada's expertise in sustainable development technologies and services, the SCI demonstrates the important role the private sector can play in reducing poverty, enhancing quality of life and promoting the principles of good governance. [more]
Lead Partner: Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC)
Geographical Scope: Regional
Summary: The overall goal of this initiative is "Sustainable Land Resources Management" for the Pacific region. To increase the capacity for sustainable development (including agriculture, forestry, livestock and mining) in the Pacific through a partnership of national, regional, and international organization with particular attention to participatory strategies with rural communities that will focus on appropriate technologies, food security, and poverty eradication & economic development that takes into account the fragile SIDS ecologies.
* Based on the regional and national priorities, the initiative will provide long-term funding for programmes and/or specific proposals to increase the capacity for sustainable agricultural development.
* Based on regional priorities from the UNFF process, the intiative will work in arease of forestry and trees
* In terms of mining, the overall objective will be to develop a mineral policy strategy which would contribute to the sustainable development of PICs by improving the governance in the minerals sector, through national capacity building and the formulation of legislation and policies consistent with national economic, environment and social policies, strategies, plans & guidelines. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Italy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Directorate General for Development Cooperation (DGCS)
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional MAP area ( bordering regions of Madre de Dios (Perù), Acre (Brasil), Pando (Bolivia) Summary: The general objective of the programme is to improve the living conditions of the local communities while ensuring the conservation of biological diversity and other ecosystem resources and services of the Amazon forest. This will be achieved by improving the relationships among the different administrative, scientific, conservation and social groups present in the area toward the sustainable and harmonious development of the three neighbouring countries sharing the same ecosystems and, hence, planning and management problems and development opportunities.
More specifically, this objective will be achieved by jointly designing and carrying out a strategy, commonly agreed upon by, and with the contributions of public and private organizations, and the key groups of the three countries, toward the conservation and the sustainable use of the natural resources and of the biodiversity in the south-western Amazonian forest ecosystems.
The above target will be pursued by establishing a systemic transnational framework in support of the integration of existing relevant inter-institutional and information networks and attracting the involvement also of the international donors focussing on other sectors indirectly related to sustainable development and preservation of the biodiversity, such as the fight against drug production, poverty alleviation and food security, access to basic services like health and education, and the strengthening of equitable systems and processes and of social participation. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of France - Agropolis - Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Southern National Agricultural Research Systems (SNRAs) have recently gained a forum in which to discuss and express their needs at world level. Within the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR), they can meet their Northern partners as well as representatives of international centres. Together, they have determined that issues addressing biodiversity, ecosystem management and sustainable development (SD) must now be included in their mission.
GFAR is designed to encourage an upward structure of research systems: national, sub-regional, regional and global. These various levels also offer a place for stakeholders within societies affected by development research. This allows them to become involved in the various stages of formulating and monitoring research programmes.
The project aims to strengthen the abilities of GFAR's Southern members to implement and manage the SD research programmes they believe to be strategically important for their regions. [more]
Lead Partner: The Barefoot College
Geographical Scope: National Summary: The Global Rain Harvesting Collective (GRWHC) has been established is to provide drinking water to schools facing an acute shortage all over the world, through roof top rain water harvesting in schools.
Rural communities all over the world have been collecting rainwater where it falls from time immemorial. In their fields, in open tanks and in traditional open wells. It was a technology that was accepted and applied on a large scale in the deserts, tribal regions and in the mountains.
This age old method is suggested as an alternative to the wasteful and costly use of hand pumps and piped water supply systems. Rural communities have the technical competence to collect rainwater where it falls. It also wants to provide this facility to community service centers.
The aim is to deliver tangible and sustainable results through a large number of small projects in many different countries at minimal operational and management cost. The `Demonstration Effect¿ of these projects may induce other stakeholders to replicate the process.
Collecting rain water in public places also has considerable social benefits. It provides water to poor children who otherwise have to walk for miles to fetch water.
Collected water is managed by local community hence they are less dependent on outside source.
Schools become more attractive because of the availability of drinking water. Mothers are prepared to send their children to school for sweet drinking water in non potable areas where water is brackish
It makes it more attractive for women to attend meetings at village centers such as about child care, health, education, literacy, and income generation activities.
Linking clean rooftop water to sanitation has reduced the incidence of water borne diseases. With the water comes sanitation(hand flushed latrines).
Education, poverty alleviation, gender equity objectives, implementation of environmental plans and community development programs can be achieved through rain water harvesting.
Likewise, low technology approaches such as water recharge through slowing down of run-off and also diverting surface run-off water into unused and abandoned open wells in villages, and installing large rainwater storage tanks carved into hillside, in fact a variation on terracing, provides similar benefits.
The Global Rainwater Harvesting Collective Programme[GRWHC] has two objectives
a)To collect rainwater from roof tops in community places like schools, dispensaries, family planning clinics, training centers, and women¿s hostels in desert and mountain rural and semi-urban areas:
b) To collect as much surface water in unused open wells in villages as possible so that the dry hand pumps in the thousands could be revitalized and these assets can be productive again.
The Basic Aim is to campaign for roof top rain water harvesting in schools as a Global Movement. [more]
Lead Partner: INTERSECT
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: At no time in history has the threat to our human and natural resources been so acute. Also, at no other time has there been such a high level of the awareness, capacity, connectivity and commitment required to shift the social environment to one in which sustainability is possible. INTERSECT sees that as the co-epidemics of HIV and Violence Against Women & Girls rage rampantly out of control across the global landscape, not only are women at critical risk and girls, even baby girls, left to face unimaginable dangers, the impact on all aspects of society and the sustainability of the earth are under threat from these, and a vast array of inseparably related issues. Clearly, innovative, far-reaching and never-before-tried collaborative approaches on a massive scale are called for.
INTERSECT envisions and will provide the catalyst for the creation of Intersect Coalitions across nations worldwide to confront the results of HIV, Violence Against Women and Girls and the blowback into other movements caused in their wake. These multi-disciplined, diverse, broad-based Coalitions will inspire and work towards sweeping changes brought about through a shift in our approach to collaboration. The time has come to harness the existing creative energy of all related movements, coalitions, networks, appropriate governmental and intergovernmental institutions, major groups, NGO's, CBO's, grassroots organisations and individuals on an on-going basis, so that commonalities and intersecting points of vision and concern lead the way while bridging existing divides.
INTERSECT will:
* Bring together the Coalitions Networks, NGOs, CBOs, and individuals working in HIV, Violence Against Women and Girls, and all related fields.
* Facilitate Coalition Building Sessions at which Coalition members will make agreements, set aside differences, plan strategies and outreach, and begin to determine their course.
* Help to translate the outcomes of these dialogues into action
* Connect Intersect Coalitions within a given country so that they can act nationally as well as locally, with great strength, visibility and unity. [more]
Lead Partner: EON Foundation
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Greater Mekong region Summary: Project Goal: Globally communicative high school students able to take individual and cooperative actions for an economically prosperous and environmentally sound future for all societies in and around the Mekong River.
Project Objectives:
1) train teachers at local, and regional levels
2) develop ongoing student English for Sustainability projects in Thailand, Laos,
Cambodia, China and Vietnam
3) link projects through student generated website
4) empower students to develop their local communities through responsible individual and
cooperative actions
5) document projects for schools in other areas to adapt to local needs
Project Educational Themes:
1) poverty reduction through employable skills (English Language / computer literacy)
2) environmental protection through adoption of sustainable business practices
3) capacity building through delivery of English for Sustainability curriculum, pedagogy
and innovative technological transfer
Lead Partner: Government of United States of America - Department of State
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: The Clean Energy Initiative (CEI) is an umbrella energy partnership comprising U.S. activities in the Global Village Energy Partnership, Cleaner Fuels and Vehicles Partnership, Partnership for Clean Indoor Air, and Efficient Energy for Sustainable Development. Collectively, these components will increase access to modern energy services, promote clean transportation fuels, indoor cooking and heating practices, and improve the productivity and efficiency of current energy systems reducing waste, saving money, and improving reliability. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of Italy - Ministry for the Environment and Territory
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional North Africa, Horn of Africa, Middle East, East Asia Summary: The overall aim of this partnership is to contribute to the achievement of three principal objectives in the perspective of the Millennium Development Goals:
(1) to contribute to the achievement of water security in water-stressed environments by providing rural and urban populations with fresh water;
(2) to satisfy water needs for nature and food production by a more efficient integrated water management;
(3) to alleviate poverty by providing adapted water and sanitation services particularly to rural populations.
With the view that this Project is focusing on developing countries in arid and semi-arid the following objectives have been identified:
- Improved alternative water resources use and management;
- Improved health conditions reducing vulnerability to water related diseases and water scarcity;
- Improved productivity through identification of wise practices using both traditional knowledge and scientific expertise
- Improved efficiency of water services and treatment systems with the renewable energy. [more]
Lead Partner: Government of United States of America - U.S. Department of State
Geographical Scope: Sub-regional Caribbean Summary: The White Water to Blue Water Partnership designed to promote integrated watershed and marine ecosystem-based management in support of sustainable development, is underway in the wider Caribbean.
Objectives:
1. To increase coastal state and regional capacity for cross-sectoral approaches to management of watersheds and marine ecosystems.
2. To develop a framework for regional management programs that will promote a common vision, the efficient use of program resources, and address the entire scope of watershed and marine ecosystem management from forests to the sea.
3. To reverse the downward trend in fisheries.
[more]
Lead Partner: Netherlands Council of Women (NVR) - Women in Europe for a Common Future (WECF)
Geographical Scope: Global Summary: In the Women for Water Initiative existing national and international women's organizations working on sustainable development, water, poverty eradication and gender join forces:
* To give an impulse to IWRM through ownership & partnership for sustainable development
* To provide the missing link between bottom-up initiatives and top-down policy and decision-making
* To provide a means for the implementation of Dublin Principles 2 and 3, especially women's equal participation in IWRM at all levels, including the local level
* To implement Rio Principle 10: Access to information, participation and justice [more]
to collapse the Summary of Partnerships.