WWF - News & Publications

CEPF impact in the Caucasus

2010-04-12

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) commenced its investment in the Caucasus biodiversity hotspot in August 2003, following the approval of an ecosystem profile developed with stakeholders' input and a grant allocation of $8.5 million to be awarded over five years. The Caucasus Hotspot has the greatest biological diversity of any temperate forest region in the world. It spans 580,000 square kilometers of mountains in Eurasia, between the Black and Caspian seas. The hotspot includes all of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, the North Caucasus portion of the Russian Federation, northeastern Turkey and part of northwestern Iran.

In order to assess the achievements made possible by CEPF investment in the hotspot the special report was compiled. It draws on experience, lessons learned and project reports generated by civil society groups supported during the period of investment. In addition, data were drawn from questionnaires completed by grantees as part of this assessment. Finally, a draft of this report was reviewed at a two-day assessment workshop held in Tbilisi, Georgia in September 2009, at which participants reviewed the results of CEPF's five years of investment, with a particular emphasis on impacts, lessons learned and sustainability.

New publication based on CEPF-supported studies

2009-12-28

New scientific data generated by CEPF-supported studies on priority species, as well as all activities related to protected areas, were collated within a special publication entitled Status and Protection of Globally Threatened Species in the Caucasus. The 232 p. illustrated publication consists of 35 papers in total.

CEPF footprints in the Caucasus

2009-11-05

The CEPF Investment was officially launched in May 2004 and a total of $8.5 million was committed over five years for biodiversity conservation in the Caucasus Hotspot. This investment was coordinated and managed through the mutual efforts of CEPF and the WWF Caucasus PO. During the investment period, CEPF awarded 42 grants to civil society organizations. To analyze achievements, lessons learned and work our clear vision for future challenges the special brochure dedicated to the CEPF investment portfolio in the Caucasus has been recently published.

CEPF investments in the Caucasus - assessment workshop

2009-11-05

CEPF assessment workshop wrapped up five years' investment initiative in the Caucasus hotspot. The event took place in Tbilisi and brought together the most successful grantees for summing up the results of CEPF investments.
The CEPF Investment was officially launched in May 2004 and a total of $8.5 million was committed over five years for biodiversity conservation in the Caucasus Hotspot. This investment was coordinated and managed through the mutual efforts of CEPF and the WWF Caucasus PO. During the investment period, CEPF awarded 42 grants to civil society organizations.
CEPF funding succeeded in reaching civil society organizations from grassroots to the international level. This significantly increased local organizations' capacity to contribute to conservation, creating a strong foundation for future conservation initiatives in the region. Around 90 organizations were involved in the implementation of the CEPF Regional Programme with over 75 local NGOs and scientific institutions receiving CEPF grants.

Caucasus Biodiversity Council Report

2009-08-06

Caucasus Biodiversity Council (CBC) recently released a brochure - "Caucasus Ecoregion 2007-2008" which summarizes CBC activities in the region during past eight years and gives the floor to partner and donor organizations - Caucasus Protected Areas Fund, Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, MAVA foundation, INCN, Transboundary Joint Secretariat, WWF - to summarize their activities in the region, especially regarding transboundary cooperation perspectives.

CEPF-Caucasus Newsletter

2009-04-16

A mutual effort of WWF Caucasus Program Office and Critical Ecosystems Partnership Fund - the project Strengthening of Conservation Alliances through Coordination of CEPF in Caucasus offer you January-March, 2009 issue of the newsletter.

7th meeting of the CEPF Projects Coordination Team in the Caucasus

2009-02-20

7th meeting of the CEPF Projects Coordination Team in the Caucasus was held on 9-10 February 2009. Country presentations and assessments of CEPF Regional Programme progress has been discussed for countries covering Caucasus Ecoregion. The Caucasus Portfolio Overview summarized implementation of projects and tasks which still has to be accomplished. During meeting communication issues were actively debated: international press-trip, image brochure and other promotion materials.

CEPF-Caucasus Newsletter

2009-02-18

CEPF-Caucasus Newsletter

2008-11-11

CEPF-Caucasus Newsletter

2008-08-06

Call for Proposals: Amphibian Conservation Action Fund

2008-06-27

The Amphibian Conservation Action Fund is currently inviting proposals for sustainable, long-term amphibian conservation efforts in the Caucasus. A total of $17,000 is available for grants, and therefore proposals cannot exceed this amount. Proposals must be received by July 11, 2008.

We encourage you to consider a number of conservation actions for your proposal, such as:
(a) The management of amphibian habitats, and the creation and management of buffer zones around critical sites.
(b) The promotion of forestry and agricultural practices that allow amphibians to survive in human-modified habitats.
(c) The creation of protected habitat corridors linking sites of critical importance.
(d) Local efforts to curb the collection of endangered species for the global pet trade where this activity is known to be a direct threat to wild populations.
(e) Setting up captive populations of threatened species.
(f) The control and/or elimination of introduced fishes and other species that threaten amphibian populations.
(g) Training workshops and other education forums to establish standardized field and analytical procedures and good practices with regard to preventing disease spread.

Your project should have some quantifiable outcomes; e.g. extinctions avoided or sites protected. In determining species outcomes, CEPF aims to stabilize and improve the conservation status of species.

Please include in your proposal: background/rationale (why is this project important?), what you plan to do, methods (including timeframe), expected outcomes and a budget.

Please send inquiries, or email completed proposals to Dr. Robin Moore at asg@conservation.org by July 11, 2008.

Also, in case of any additional technical questions, you can contact Mr. Nugzar Zazanashvili, Conservation Director of WWF Caucasus Programme Office based in Tbilisi, Georgia: e-mail: nzazanashvili@wwfcaucasus.ge; tel: (995 32) 33 02 54 / 55; Fax: (995 32) 33 01 90.

To find out more about amphibian conservation initiatives around the world please visit www.amphibians.org.

7th meeting of the Caucasus Biodiversity Council

2008-02-25

The meeting was dedicated to various subjects - discussion of prioritization of ECP and identification of next steps for its completion; reviewing status of implementation of CEPF Caucasus program;
discussion of 2012 Protected Area Programme; promotion of more closer cooperation between CBC and IUCN Southern Caucasus Programme; initiation of FSC certification programme in and it's importance for the Caucasus and other important targets to be met in the nearest future.

Planning of Mtirala National Park support zone

2008-02-20

Through the support of CEPF's biodiversity conservation programme in the Caucasus, the workshop on planning of Mtirala National Park support zone was conducted on 14-15 February 2008 in Batumi, Georgia. The discussions ware conducted regarding legal establishment and development of Mtirala National Park support zone.
The possible project concepts for the support zone presented by experts were actively discussed by local government representatives, National Park officials, as well as local population. During discussions several projects were identified as most suitable for this area. It was agreed to further develop selected project proposals for implementation in the nearest future.

Pupil's competition "Zolimpiada"

2007-12-15

On 1-4 December 2007 the Tbilisi Zoo has organized a competition for the pupils of nine secondary schools dedicated to knowledge of animal world, especially assessment of CEPF species in the zoo. The competition was held on the territory of Zoo and involved pupils actively in finding correct animal by tracks, habits, etc. The four day competition has immediately become a popular event and many citizens enjoyed watching interesting performance.
The 5 pupils group, representing the winner school, has been awarded by first prize of Canon digital cameras which has become possible courtesy of CEPF.

6th meeting of the CEPF coordination unit in the CAUCASUS

2007-12-10

The sixth meeting of the CEPF Regional Coordination Unit in the Caucasus was held on 5-6 December, 2007 in Tbilisi, Georgia. Christopher Holtz - CEPF Grants Director for the Caucasus and Philippines Hotspots, welcomed the meeting participants.Mid-term assessment of CEPF regional programme was conducted. In the completing session the Coordination Unit presented recommendations for further actions.

Building awareness for nature conservation in the Caucasus

2007-11-28

International Center for Journalists (founded in 1984 as an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of journalism worldwide, especially in countries with little or no tradition of an independent press) and it's partner in Caucasus - Caucasus Center for Journalists (CCFJ) - conducted a project which was dedicated to popularization of biodiversity conservation activities in the Caucasus. This project was functioning twofold: as a training initiative for journalists form Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Russia who publish articles on biodiversity issues in the mass media,, and as a competition between the journalists for best publication regarding biodiversity problems with first prize of US$ 1,000, second prize - US$ 500 and third prize - US$ 200, along with certificates and plaques. An upgrade of the Conservation International's Biodiversity Reporting Award (BDRA) website have been commissioned for posting stories and news about the contest with contests from 10 other parts of the world. The first prize was given to Apri Arutunian for article on ore mining problems in Armenia.

Caucasus Biodiversity Council - 6th meeting and 2006 Annual Report release

2007-07-10

The Caucasus Biodiversity Council's 2006 Annual Report was released at the 6th meeting of the CBC. The meeting coincided with the inauguration of Georgia's Mtirala National Park and an International Conference "Forging Partnerships for People and Nature" held on occasion of 15th Anniversary of WWF in the Caucasus.

WWF Cau PO and CEPF mutual effort in the Caucasus. First Grantees' Meeting in Juta, Greater Caucasus

2006-09-26

During the first two years of grant-making programme implementation that totals 5.3 million USD for small and large grants was allocated to 75 NGOs. A special environmental camp was set up in the highlands of Juta, Kazbegi Mountains, where scientists and biodiversity conservationists who represent 35 NGOs and institutions from five countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation and Turkey came together to discuss their individual and collective achievements. They also shared their research findings and field experiences.

Informal presentations showcased the activities carried out in each country for the conservation of Caucasian biodiversity. Representatives from different NGOs, and media outlets as well as representatives of WWF and CEPF participated in the event. It was a great opportunity to share experiences and exchange information and results on the projects completed and/or the ones in-progress and to be implemented in the future.

This event allowed participants to establish friendly and professional relationships to strengthen the liaison among the stakeholders in the conservation field, to exchange ideas and propose solutions that will address shared regional conservation challenges.

Participants also had a unique chance to visit some of the most beautiful places of the Greater Caucasus. The group hiked to Chaukhi Gorge, which peaks reach 3100 m above sea level; and the next day enjoyed a drive through Truso Gorge where the river Terek starts its flow before concluding their tour at the Dariali Gorge bordering Russia.

September 11, 2006 was celebrated by the paramount event of a joint effort by journalists and various conservation experts in reaching the pinnacle of Mt. Kazbegi Galcier and planting the WWF and CEPF partnership banner.

For further information:
Lana Ghvinjilia, Communications Officer, WWF Cau PO tel.: + 995 32 330155
lghvinjilia@wwfcaucasus.ge
Arthur K. Khoyetsyan, Communications Officer, WWF Cau PO-Armenia, tel: + 374 10 260424, akhoyetsyan@wwfcaucasus.am

CEPF-Caucasus Newsletter 8

2006-06-15

Regional Council for biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Resource Use in the Caucasus. Annual Report 2005

2006-03-17

The Regional Council for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Resource Use in the Caucasus was launched in May of 2004. Its creation was supported by MacArthur Foundation, WWF and CEPF. Currently this body plays as a part of WWF and CEPF mutual effort of Strengthening Conservation Alliances through CEPF Coordination in the Caucasus.

This Annual Report presents the mission and history of the Regional Council. It also highlights the regional programs and projects monitored and assisted by this body.