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03 January 2020, 13:08

EU, partners to allocate €750,000 for Belarus' ecoregion project

BREST, 3 January (BelTA) – The European Union and partners will allocate almost €750,000 for the development of the environmental entrepreneurship region Valley of the Yaselda River, BelTA learned from the Bereza District administration.

The project “Landscape-oriented and community-led rural development of the Yaselda River valley” was one of the winners of the competition “Supporting capacity building and partnership of civil society and local authorities in Belarus” carried out by the European Commission. The project is funded by the EU. The main beneficiary is the Bereza District Executive Committee. Its partners include the International Foundation for Rural Development, the local environmental fund Brest Oblast Reserves, and the Sporovsky Biological Reserve. The project is set to run for three years and will be carried out in eight rural councils of Bereza District, Drogichin District, and Ivanovo District.

The Yaselda River valley has specific environmental, social, landscape, historical, and cultural characteristics. The project is meant to analyze the entrepreneurial capacity of the ecoregion, create conditions for sustainable rural development, increase employment and income of local residents, design a management system of the ecoregion, and share best practices with other protected areas.

Almost a third of the project budget will be spent on supporting local initiatives. For example, plans are in place to open eight resource centers at the rural councils, educational institutions, and cultural facilities on a competitive basis. The centers will help local residents implement initiatives to develop tourism and craftsmanship, preserve natural, historical and cultural heritage of the region, and boost the services sector, manufacturing and organic farming.

The resource centers will also organize information and educational events (trainings, workshops, forums) and stimulate business activities of the rural population in order to improve living standards in the region. The project provides for drawing up program documents to improve biodiversity in the ecoregion, develop tourism, and promote marketing. It also envisages establishing partnership at the regional, national, and international levels.

On 10 January, Bereza will host the kick-off conference of the project which will focus on the goals, tasks, approaches, and expected results of the project and discuss opportunities for the local population and authorities. Taking part in the conference will be representatives of the European Union, the Belarusian Economy Ministry, the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, cultural facilities, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, and local businesses.

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