Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for Local Sustainable Development in the Western Balkans
	This project aims to promote a comprehensive and integrated approach to biodiversity and ecosystem services for the sustainable development of rural municipalities and their local communities in the Western Balkans, as part of an effort to reduce the downward spiral of poverty, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation to increase overall human well-being within the wider context of ensuring regional peace and stability. More detailed objectives focus on planning for biodiversity protection, management and investments. The following project-specific objectives directly correspond to the broader goals of the Finnish Development Policy Programme 2007 The proposal aims to focus on conserving biodiversity resources and promoting sustainable ecosystem services for beneficiary municipalities, which will reflect local, national and international policy priorities and reduce poverty through income and job creation in the region. Immediate objectives of this project are to: ˇ develop Local Biodiversity Action Plans through increased stakeholder involvement in the process and consensus -building on its content, objectives and expected outcomes; ˇ create greater interest and awareness among communities, municipalities and civil society for biodiversity issues and greater understanding of the link between local biodiversity, poverty reduction and sustainable development; ˇ increase capacity to integrate conservation and development goals among key local stakeholders in rural communities in the target countries of the project; ˇ develop effective partnerships at local and regional level to ensure that biodiversity and ecosystem services are maintained in a sustainable way; ˇ ensure cooperation in the field of biodiversity and ecosystem services among the municipalities within target countries and between cross-border municipalities; ˇ identify sustainable economic development opportunities, in particular with pro-biodiversity business opportunities, which contribute to conserving and wisely using of biodiversity and ecosystem services; ˇ increase awareness on local level for the impacts of climate change on biodiversity. In addition to the above, the results of this project will help to implement in the target countries national strategies for biodiversity and sustainable development and to assist other local governments to increase their capacity for systematically integrating biodiversity aspects into their local planning and policy implementation. The project will be implemented by ECNC and REC with substantial involvement of and support to local stakeholders from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo. Project is financialy supported by Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Contact: Viktor Bjelić viktor@rec.org.ba