Protecting Biodiversity & Enabling Energy Efficiency and Use of Alternative Energy Resources

Project name: 57047 - BTC Environmental Investment Programme Small Investments Fund (SIF) Project – II. Phase

Budget: USD 440,000

Timeline: May 2007- April 2009

What has been the situation?

The Baku Tiblisi Ceyhan (BTC) Pipeline Company is undertaking the construction and operation of the BTC pipeline which traverses Turkey. Environmental and Social Impact Assessments for the BTC project cover the environmental and social implications of the project in all three host nations and include plans to ensure that construction causes minimal disruption to the communities and natural environment along the pipeline route. This includes steps to protect against biodiversity loss in eastern Anatolia in areas where the livelihoods of the poor depend on natural resources.

What's our mission?

Together with project partner BTC, UNDP aims to provide support to non-governmental and grassroots organizations along the Turkish section of the BTC pipeline and to reverse biodiversity loss and enabling energy efficiency and use of alternative resources in these areas. Within the scope of biodiversity management and development of Ecologically Sustainable Enterprises (ESEPs), 8 small grant projects were supported during the first phase activities. In line with the outcomes of the independent evaluation of SIF I phase, SIF II phase aims to respond to the needs of the poor and other users of natural resources by providing new ways compatible with the conserving nature. The SIF project supports local enterprises for conservation and sustainable use and management of biodiversity as well as ensuring energy efficiency and benefiting from alternative energy resources in the project region. It also contributes to the building of local capacity to implement approaches to environmental management that respond to the needs of the poor.

How are we doing this?

By supporting environmentally sustainable enterprises that are owned/operated by the poor or that create employment opportunities for the poor. Within the framework of SIF, small-scale investment projects will be supported by grants in 2007. The amount of support will not exceed USD 50,000 for each project.

The SIF Project will contribute to local sustainable development through the following ways:

• Promoting ESEPs that are based on innovative conservation approaches and techniques for natural resources management
• Involving local communities and linking partners to share best practices
• Helping poor people to build sustainable livelihoods and have access to new job opportunities

How will Turkey benefit?

The project will help conserve biodiversity, mitigate climate change by promoting use of alternative energy resources by assisting the community to create sustainable businesses or practices in the rural and urban areas of the broader BTC pipeline project. Interested community groups will be encouraged to establish partnerships for enterprise developments. It will support the transformation of existing businesses into ecologically sustainable ones. Local environmental NGOs and other civil society organizations will benefit by gaining access to public private partnership development techniques and through learning about ways of integrating conservation principles into business development and practices.

Who are our partners?

Baku Tiblisi Ceyhan Pipeline Company, www.btcinvestment.com

SELECTED PROJECTS

Development of Eco-tourism Possibilities in Kuyucuk Lake

Geographical Area	Kars Province, Akyaka District
Implementing Organization	Yer Gök Anadolu Derneği (YEGA)
Period	1 November 2007-31 October 2008
Project Budget	SIF: 25,000 USD Implementing Agency: 63,600 USD
Project Objective	By promoting natural heritage of Kuyucuk Lake on national and international level, wide spreading interest in sustainable eco-tourism. Income generated by ecotourism activities will result in local ownership which in return leads to the establishment of cooperation between local communities and local government in means of protecting the lake, birds, flora and other alive
Project Target	Raising awareness in local communities about importance and value of the lake which will lead conservation of the lake and bio-diversity and on the other hand result in increase in bird population. Contributing to local economy of the region with sustainable, village based eco-tourism activities which will primarily be  bird watching

Production of Bio-gas and Bio-mass from Systematically Collected Cattle Manure

Geographical Area	Osmaniye Province, Hemite Village
Implementing Organization	Hemite and Surrounding Villages
Associates	PAR Consultancy SS Gökçedam TK Cooperative
Period	1 November 2007-31 July 2008
Project Budget	SIF: 49,900USD Implementing Agency: 8,300 USD PAR Consultancy: 21,300 USD
Project Objective	By using alternative energy, developing ecologically sustainable enterprises
Project Target	Establishing a bio-gas unit in Hemite Village that will process manure from 50 cattle to promote usage of natural resources as alternative energy resources.

Decreasing the Threats on the Fish Populations in the Rivers of the Amanos Mountains

Geographical Area	Hatay, Dörtyol
Implementing Organization	Amanoslar Environment Conservation and Mutual Benefit Association
Period	1 November 2007-30 April 2008
Project Budget	SIF: 7,595 USD Implementing Agency: 378 USD Other: 2,837 USD
Project Objective	Rebalancing the ecological structure and fish population of the rivers of Amanos Mountains and training students and locals for sustainable livelihood.
Project Target	Increasing awareness among the locals by giving trainings, preparing warning signs, posters and leaflets which will help to decrease the pressure on the existing fish population in the rivers of Amanos mountain and provide conditions for these fishes to reproduce naturally.

Development of Eco-tourism in Yoğunoluk Village of Samandağ District, Hatay Province

Geographical Area	Hatay, Samandağ
Implementing Organization	Amik Sustainable Hunting, Rifle and Eco-tourism Association
Period	1 November 2007-31 October 2008
Project Budget	SIF: 35,000 USD Implementing Organization: 3,000 USD Other: 12,000 USD
Project Objective	Making the Yoğunoluk Village eco-tourism center of the region, showing locals that sustainable income can be generated by protecting nature and culture. Ensuring sustainable management of bio-diversity in Musa Mountain.
Project Target	Raising awareness among Yoğunoluk, Batıayaz, Hıdırbey, Kapısuyu and Erikliköy villagers by training them on nature conservation, eco-tourism and bio-diversity and importance of Musa Mountain. Determining walk paths and bird watching spots, enhancing tourism infrastructure by producing promotion materials and signs. Restoration of an old building and using it as a hostel and a sale spot. Demonstrating possible eco-tourism facilities that can take place in the region

Sustainable and Effective Usage of Resources in the Production of Local Zerun, Kırik, Şigon Organic Wheat

Geographical Area	Erzurum, Pasinler
Implementing Organization	Union of Eastern Anatolia Agricultural Producers and Stock Farmers
Period	1 November 2007-31 October 2008
Project Budget	SIF: 35,000 USD Implementing Organization:15,000 USD
Project Objective	Conservation and sustainable use of local Zerun, Kırik, Şigon wheat species and küşne, külür, zegerek fodder plants which are under threat. Promoting efficient and sustainable use of resources to prevent inefficient use of water and degradation of soil.
Project Target	Promoting conservation and production of local Zerun, Kırik, Şigon wheat species and küşne, külür, zegerek fodder plants. Ensure registration of these species with organic certification. Increasing the welfare of the poor by increasing efficiency in food production and quality in livestock fattening and protecting besides from improving water resources.

Using Wind Energy for Drinking Water of Kırmıtlı Municipality

Geographical Area	Osmaniye, Kırmıtlı
Implementing Organization	Kırmıtlı Municipality
Period	1 November 2007-31 July 2008
Project Budget	SIF: 30,000 USD Implementing Organization: 11,535 USD Other: 3,782 USD
Project Objective	Demonstration and dissemination of wind energy as a source of renewable energy to meet energy needs on local bases.
Project Target	Promotion and use of wind energy and water pumping technology in Kırmıtlı to fight with climate change and to meet energy needs of the area.

Development of a Modern Fish Barriers Based on some Parameters Determined Using the Water and Mud Samples from Yelkoma Lagoon

Geographical Area	Adana, Yumurtalık
Implementing Organization	S.S Saboka Sadiye- Kırmızıdam Villages Fishery Products Cooperative
Period	1 November 2008-31October 2008
Project Budget	SIF: 38,577 USD Implementing Organization: 29,500 USD
Project Objective	Replacing the current fish barriers that is used for determination of water criteria and metals in the mud and also used in fishery facilities with a new one which has a longer life with more selective functions
Project Target	Increasing efficiency in fishery without harming the current fish population by modernizing the fish barriers of the Lagoon. Improving the water quality criteria of the lagoon

Boğatepe Village Sustainability and Life with Plants

Geographical Area	Kars
Implementing Organization	Boğatepe Environment and Life Association
Project Partners	Büyük Boğatepe Köyü Mukhtar’s Office Yer Gök Anadolu Derneği (YEGA) Kafkas University Fen Edebiyat Faculty Iğdır Ziraat Faculty
Period	1 November 2007-31 October 2008
Project Budget	SIF: 30,000 USD Implementing Organization: 5,100 USD Other (YEGA): 12,400 USD
Project Objective	By conserving and improving the bio-diversity in the project area creating environmental consciousness besides from ecological and economical sustainability.
Project Target	Increasing awareness in conservation and improvement of bio-diversity by trainings and demonstration. Increase incomes of  poor women in the region

Promoting the Yumurtalik Lagoons towards Conservation

Geographical Area	Adana, Yumurtalık
Implementing Organization	Bird Research Society
Project Partner	Deveciuşağı Köyü Muhtarlığı
Period	1 November 2007-31 October 2008
Project Budget	SIF: 49,900 USD Implementing Organization: 79,310 USD Other(GEF SGP): 49,595 USD
Project	Developing alternative and additional cultural, social and economical activities in order to decrease pressure on bio-diversity in Yumurtalık Lagoon
Project Target	To spur local entrepreneurial eco-tourism activities by promoting the Yumurtalık Lagoon Establish necessary infrastructure and mechanism for visitor management