Republic of Yemen

UNDP Practice Area: Pro-Poor Economic Growth, Energy and Environment

Project Title and number: Strengthening Socotra's policy and regulatory framework for mainstreaming biodiversity

Award ID : 00049646

Duration: 2008-2013

Budget: USD 3,887,584

Sources of funding:

• UNDP USD 975,000
• GEF USD 975,000
• GoY PF USD 750,000

Delivery as of September 2011: USD 515,064

Project status: Suspended

Implementing Agency: Ministry of Water and Environment

Responsible Programme Officer: Walid Ali

Location: Sana'a, Socotra

Brief Description:
The project contributes to the goal of creating a sustainable and well-governed path of development for the Socotra archipelago that ensures the conservation of its globally important biodiversity. The project's objective is that Biodiversity management considerations are mainstreamed effectively into the current process of decentralizing governance. The objective will be achieved through four project outcomes that reflect the interventions necessary to address the constraints identified.

Objectives:

• Local Governance Supported.
• Mainstreaming Tools Developed and Applied.
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/Community Based Organizations (CBOs) Advocacy strengthened.
• Local Livelihoods benefited from Biodiversity Conservation.
• Sustainable small scale fisheries sector supported.

Key Activities:

• Support the creation of an Island-Wide Authority.
• Strengthening the current public administration structure.
• Review existing tools available to integrate biodiversity management in the local authority and districts decision process.
• Assess the capacity needs of the Socotra Conservation Fund and undertake the required trainings to develop the SCF as an Intermediary Support Organization.
• Provide local community with skills and tools necessary to organize and represent themselves through legal bodies - NGOs/CBOs.
• A legal study will be initiated to prepare necessary amendments to present regulation in order to develop commercial opportunities for the local communities, related to the specific biodiversity of the island.
• Regulations related to the tourism in the island will be reviewed.
• Guidelines will be developed to ensure the links between local benefits and biodiversity outcomes are examined and monitored.
• The project will highlight the range of monetary and non-monetary benefits (as set in the Convention on Biodiversity guidelines) that can be received from biodiversity resources.
• Four marine protected areas established, their management plans developed, and livelihoods improved.
• Awareness raising and capacity building on sustainable natural resources management.
• Strengthen the active participation of small scale fisheries in sustainable marine resources management and fishing intensity regulation.

Key Achievements:

• The project has initiated the process for developing an Island Wide Authority to oversee biodiversity conservation and development, through a consultative process with stakeholders and by learning form the Jordanian experience in Al Aqaba.
• The project has also initiated the process to prepare a legal framework for sharing biodiversity benefits. The legal framework proposal has been prepared and waits for approval.
• Capacity of NGOs/CBOs in Socotra assessed.
• Island Wide Authority proposal finalized.
• Project administrated website www.socotraisland.org being redesigned and updated.

Key results/Evaluations: N/A

• To initiate conceptual studies and assessment of the current situation for the four project outcomes in order to develop appropriate solutions.

Last Modified on 17/03/2012 05:34 am