* If project is multi-focal, indicate agreed split between focal area allocations*** Projects that are jointly implemented by more than one IA or ExA *Terminal Evaluation/Project Comple
PROJECT CONCEPT
PROJECT SUMMARY
a) PROJECT RATIONALE, OBJECTIVES, OUTCOMES/OUPUTS AND ACTIVITIES
1 A general characteristic of the biodiversity of the Republic of Macedonia (RM) is its high levels of taxonomic diversity, relictness and endemism Some 30 plant communities in Macedonia are considered seriously endangered and threatened with extinction, or considerably reduced in their populations and biological viability, while 252 individual plant species are locally endemic and at least
Macedonia is a crucial center of European biodiversity, despite covering only 0.5% of the continent and 5% of the Balkan Peninsula The country hosts 602 faunal species, including 72 endemic subspecies and 113 threatened species Notably, Macedonia contains approximately 34% of Europe's vascular plants, 12% of freshwater fish, 29% of amphibians and reptiles, 62% of bird species, and 50% of mammals With 70 species currently threatened, Macedonia's rich and unique biodiversity highlights its status as one of Europe's top ‘Biodiversity Hotspots’ due to the high concentration (70-90%) of Balkan regional biodiversity.
2 National legislation, strategies and sector development plans emphasize that one of the key mechanisms to secure this unique biodiversity is the establishment and management of a formal protected area network As a country in transition, Macedonia is currently seeking to align its legislation and the design, planning and management of its protected area network with global and European best practice.
3 The threats to Macedonia’s protected areas are primarily linked to: their insecure legal and institutional tenure; the extremely limited skills and capacity of the responsible national environmental and local protected area agencies; illegal development and resource use in protected areas; the general lack of political and civil support for protected areas as an economically viable land use; and the inappropriate management and unsustainable use of protected areas to meet individual protected area agencies economic imperatives; and The country is severely under-resourced and under-capacitated in the protected area management sector and has had to adopt a utilitarian, focused and incremental approach to addressing the considerable constraints to the effective management of its protected areas.
4 With the recent promulgation of more modern enabling legislation for its protected areas, Macedonia is currently embarking on a process of developing a more representative network of protected areas, re-evaluating and re-proclaiming all the individual protected areas within the network, appointing properly capacitated institutions to manage these protected areas and instituting a planning framework for their management Under the ‘normative’ situation, Macedonia will comprehensively implement all the requirements of the new Law on Nature Protection (2004) This will result in: (i) the design of a more representative protected area network; (ii) the demarcation, classification and formal proclamation of all protected areas within the network; (iii) the establishment of new, or expansion of existing, protected areas to address key gaps in the network; (iv) the delegation to capacitated and resourced institutions of management authority for each protected area; (v) the drafting of an integrated management plan for each protected area, directed by a coordinated policy framework for the national network; (vi) the development, and effective operational management, of protected areas; and (vii) the ongoing assessment and monitoring of the effectiveness of the protected area estate
1 Crivelli, 1996; Gasc et al., 1997; Harrison, 1982; Mitchell-Jones et.al, 1999
Achieving an effective and coherent protected area network faces several key barriers These include a significant disconnect between legal and policy frameworks and the actual capacity of institutions to implement them, compounded by limited planning and operational resources in many protected areas Additionally, unclear boundaries, ownership, and use rights hinder management efforts, while the under-representation of lowland habitats reduces ecological coverage Institutional overlaps and duplication of functions create inefficiencies, and sub-optimal knowledge management systems further impede effective protection and sustainable use of these areas Addressing these challenges is crucial for strengthening protected area management and achieving conservation goals.
5 The project strategy is specifically directed toward supporting the Government of Macedonia (GM) in meeting the rigorous protected area system planning and proclamation requirements of the Law on Nature Protection The proposed project will develop the institutional and systemic capacity of the country’s protected area agencies to: (i) strengthen the national knowledge systems, and apply appropriate technologies, to support the design and development of a more representative and viable protected areas network; (ii) strengthen the decision-support tools needed to secure the legal tenure of, and expand, the protected areas in the network; and (iii) locally test these decision-support tools and mechanisms in the formal re-proclamation processes of two pilot protected areas The project will seek to ensure that the protected area estate in Macedonia graduates in status from poorly managed (ineffective in protecting biodiversity) toward well managed (effectively mitigating threats).
6 The proposed project will align itself with Strategic Objective 1 - ‘Catalyzing sustainability of protected area systems’ of the Biodiversity Focal Area: Strategic Programming for GEF-4 It will seek to achieve the following characteristics of a sustainable protected area system: (i) ‘includ(ing) coverage of ecologically viable, representative samples of ecosystems’; and (ii) ensur(ing) adequate individual, institutional and systemic capacity … to manage protected areas such that they achieve their management objectives’, while it will seek to support the GM in: (iii) identifying mechanisms to ensure that ‘sufficient and predictable revenue available to support protected area management costs’ are available It will explicitly address Strategic Program 3 of the Biodiversity Focal Area - ‘Strengthening terrestrial protected area networks’ - by ensuring that the protected area network in Macedonia better represents, and more effectively conserves, the diversity of the country’s ecosystems and habitats The project will develop a legal, planning and institutional framework for protected areas and protected area agencies to facilitate the rationalization, consolidation and expansion of the protected area network. The project will support the design of an ‘ecological network’ for Macedonia, within which a representative protected area network will be developed The project will seek to then strengthen protected area institutions, and develop decision-support tools, to enable the incremental expansion of the protected area estate toward meeting the national protected area expansion targets At a local level, the project will develop the capacity in protected area institutions to consolidate/rationalize/expand, proclaim, and plan two pilot protected areas The proposed project will also contribute, in part, to supporting Strategic Program 1 (‘Sustainable financing of protected area systems’).
7 The Government of Macedonai has requested UNDP assistance for the design and implementation of this project, due to UNDP’s proven record globally and in the Europe and CIS region in developing the enabling environment for protected area establishment and management in terms of policy,governance, institutional capacity and management know-how The comparative advantage of UNDPMacedonia in implementing the proposed project lies in the fact that UNDP Macedonia is the only agency, among other GEF implementing agencies, that is locally present and works extensively in the area of environmental protection Furthermore, UNDP Macedonia’s existing in-depth local knowledge,positive working relationships with local authorities and partners and extensive operation network in the area of environmental protection in the country will certainly ensure the quality and sustainability of project outputs and outcome. b) KEY INDICATORS, ASSUMPTIONS AND RISKS
8 The key indicators for the project objective/outcome are as follows 2 :
A comprehensive, representative and effectively managed national protected area system is in place
1 Increase in number, and extent (ha), of protected areas formally proclaimed in terms of the Law on Nature Protection
2 Increase in number of protected areas with an effective and properly resourced management institution
3 % contribution of formally proclaimed PA estate to meeting the country representivity targets
4.Financial scorecard for national systems of protected areas
Outcome 1: A representative national protected area system is designed 1 % of viable populations of endemic and threatened taxa occurring within the formally proclaimed protected area network
2 Extent (as a % of total area) of different habitat types/ biome represented within the formally proclaimed protected area network
3 % alignment of land use planning and land uses in Macedonia with ecological network requirements
Outcome 2: Improved systemic and institutional capacity provides the enabling framework for establishing and managing a representative protected area network
1 Number of protected areas with approved management plans
2 Total government operational budget (including HR and capital budget) allocation for protected area management
3 Increase in competence, levels and standards of the protected area institutions
Outcome 3: PA establishment and planning processes field tested and replicated across the PA network
1 % increase in competence levels of protected area institutions for pilot PA’s
2 Number of protected areas with delegated management institutions
3 Number of protected areas exceeding a minimum baseline METT score of 30
4 Additional resources (US$) allocated by the GM to fund the re- proclamation processes in other (non-funded) protected areas
9 The potential risks, their rating and the mitigation strategy proposed by the project are as follows:
There are delays in the drafting and promulgation of regulations/bylaws related to the Law on Nature Protection
The government is committed to aligning the legal framework with EU standards through a comprehensive, time-bound action plan The Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning prioritizes updating bylaws and regulations related to the Law on Nature Protection, actively initiating the process with support from international donors to ensure effective implementation.
There is a lack of Low The project will establish a Project Oversight Committee (POC), chaired
The GEF Biodiversity Programme outcome indicators and the associated CBD 2010 targets have been integrated into the project framework to ensure alignment with global biodiversity goals MEPP facilitates effective coordination and collaboration among key stakeholder groups, promoting a unified approach to implementing project activities This strategic partnership enhances the efficiency and impact of conservation efforts across all involved organizations.
Conflicts arising during re- proclamation processes cannot be timeously addressed and resolved
This project focuses on developing effective consultation and conflict-resolution tools, processes, and procedures, which will be tested in two pilot protected areas to ensure their effectiveness A key objective is to enhance consultation and conflict resolution skills within MEPP and various protected area agencies These efforts aim to improve collaborative management and conflict mitigation strategies in protected areas, supporting sustainable conservation initiatives.
The Government fails to commit sufficient financial support to protected area planning and operations, and protected areas are unable to finance the subsequent shortfall
The project will evaluate the cost-effectiveness of current institutional arrangements for the protected area network and explore restructuring options to improve efficiency It aims to identify sustainable financing mechanisms and income streams to achieve financial autonomy for protected area institutions, reducing dependence on government funding Pilot tests of these financial mechanisms will be conducted in selected protected areas to gather lessons for broader implementation Additionally, the project will negotiate increased government financial commitments, phased out over time as protected areas develop their own revenue sources and reach financial sustainability Notably, during the 2007/2008 fiscal year, the government allocated a dedicated budget for 'Nature Protection' for the first time in history, marking a significant step towards supporting protected areas.
Current institutions do not have the capacity or resources to manage protected areas
The project aims to review current institutional arrangements and identify the most effective models and responsible institutions for protected area management It will assess the human resource capacity needs, including staffing, skills, and knowledge levels, to enhance management effectiveness across the protected area network Additionally, the project will determine the necessary resources, such as funding, training, and capacity development, to address existing gaps It will directly support MEPP in identifying, delegating, and building the capacity of management authorities for Matka Canyon and Tikvesh, ensuring sustainable and efficient protected area management.
COUNTRY OWNERSHIP
The Republic of Macedonia (RM) ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1997, officially becoming a Party to the Convention on March 2, 1998 (Official Gazette of RM 54/97) As a member, RM fulfills the eligibility criteria established by the Conference of the Parties (COP) meetings, making it eligible for UNDP country assistance This demonstrates RM's commitment to biodiversity preservation and aligns with international environmental standards, emphasizing country-driven efforts in conservation initiatives.
11 The project activities conform to many of the country priority needs initially identified in the
The "Country Study for Biodiversity of the Republic of Macedonia (2003)" was prepared for the First National Report to the CBD, aligning with key priorities outlined in the 2003 National Report on Protected Areas and the updated priorities from the 2005 Third National Report This project aims to support the implementation of critical biodiversity conservation activities identified in Macedonia’s National Capacity Needs, strengthening the country’s efforts to meet its international commitments under the CBD.
Self-Assessment for Global Environmental Management (NCSA, 2005).
The project design and specific activity identification are directly aligned with national and sector development priorities, including the National Environmental Action Plan I (NEAP 1, 1997) and its subsequent updates, ensuring coherence with overarching environmental and development objectives.
Environmental Action Plan II (NEAP 2, 2006); (ii) the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan
(NBSAP, 2004); (iii) the Spatial Plan of the Republic of Macedonia (2004); and (iv) the Strategy for
The Republic of Macedonia is actively working towards sustainable development of its forestry sector, with the 2006 report highlighting key strategies Currently, a comprehensive National Strategy for Sustainable Development is being prepared to align environmental and economic goals Additionally, a National Strategy for Nature Protection is soon to be commissioned, aimed at safeguarding natural resources The project ensures that its activities are closely linked to the priority actions outlined in these national and sectoral development strategies Furthermore, the project intends to guide and influence the formulation of these strategic documents to promote sustainable forestry and environmental conservation in Macedonia.
13 The RM is a signatory to bilateral Agreements/ Memoranda of Understanding/ Contracts for
Cooperation, that deal with biodiversity conservation issues, with: Albania; Austria; Bulgaria; Croatia;
The multilateral Stabilization and Association Agreement between the Republic of Macedonia and the EU emphasizes the importance of developing cooperation in environmental management and biodiversity conservation Key focus areas include establishing a representative national system of protected areas that includes under-represented habitats, securing legal and institutional ownership of these protected areas, and enhancing the skills, resources, and knowledge of responsible institutions, especially outside the national park system Additionally, ensuring financial security for protected areas, promoting stakeholder involvement, and developing methods and standards for evaluating management effectiveness are critical objectives These efforts aim to strengthen environmental protection and promote sustainable biodiversity conservation across partner countries.
This project will aid the GM in meeting the targets outlined in national reports and development plans It focuses on enhancing the representivity and scope of protected areas, improving security of tenure, and increasing the management effectiveness of the protected area network These efforts support national conservation goals and promote sustainable biodiversity management.
PROGRAM AND POLICY CONFORMITY
Fit with Focal Area Strategy
This project aligns with the Biodiversity Focal Area: Strategic Programming for GEF-4, aiming to improve the sustainability of protected area systems in Macedonia It will enhance ecosystem representation within the protected area network, secure legal and institutional tenure, and strengthen planning and management capacities to ensure environmental, social, and financial sustainability By adopting an integrated landscape approach, the project will connect Macedonia’s protected areas to the ecological network, regional greenbelts, and vital biological corridors, ensuring physical connectivity A key objective is to build the systemic and institutional capacity of Macedonia’s protected area institutions to support long-term biodiversity conservation.
Conformity with Priority Programming Areas
16.The project will align itself with Strategic Objective 1 (‘Catalyzing sustainability of protected area systems’) of the Biodiversity Focal Area: Strategic Programming for GEF-4 (Final Draft dated April
27, 2007) It will seek to achieve the following characteristics of a sustainable protected area system: (i)
The project focuses on including ecologically viable, representative samples of ecosystems to ensure comprehensive biodiversity protection It emphasizes the importance of building adequate capacity—individual, institutional, and systemic—to effectively manage protected areas and achieve their conservation objectives Additionally, the project aims to support the government in identifying mechanisms for securing sufficient and predictable funding to cover protected area management costs Ultimately, the goal is to help Macedonia's protected area estate transition from poorly managed, biodiversity-threatened regions to well-managed areas that effectively mitigate environmental threats and promote sustainable conservation.
The project aims to strengthen Macedonia's terrestrial protected area network by developing an ecological network that links with regional European systems, enhancing habitat and ecosystem representation It will support capacity building within protected area agencies, develop decision-support tools for better management and expansion, and facilitate the designation of pilot sites, including IUCN Category I and III protected areas Additionally, the initiative contributes to sustainable financing of protected systems and emphasizes capacity-building at both institutional and systemic levels.
18.The project will contribute to the achievement of GEF’s main indicators under this priority programming area as follows:
Expected impacts (long-term) Relevant GEF-4 BD Indicators Project contribution to GEF-4 BD Indicators
Biodiversity conserved and sustainably used in protected area system
Extent of habitat cover (hectares) by biome type maintained as measured by cover and fragmentation in protected area system
Protected area management effectiveness as measured by protected area scorecards that assess site management, financial sustainability and capacity
22 PA’s exceed METT score of 15
Expected outcomes Relevant GEF-4 BD Indicators Project contribution to GEF-4 BD Indicators
Protected Area Systems at National Level
(i) Protected area system secures increased revenue and diversification of revenue streams to meet total expenditures required to meet management objectives
(ii) Reduction in financing gap to meet protected area
Total revenue and diversification in revenue streams
>US$300,000 government budget allocation to PA management
- Terrestrial ecosystem coverage in national protected area systems management objectives Strengthened Terrestrial
Protected Area Networks (i) Improved ecosystem coverage of under- represented terrestrial ecosystems areas as part of national protected area system
(ii) Improved management of terrestrial protected areas
Terrestrial ecosystem coverage in national protected area systems
Protected area management effectiveness as measured by individual protected area scorecards
Formally proclaimed PA’s contribute >50% to country PA representivity targets
22 PA’s exceed METT score of 15
The project aligns with Operational Programs for Arid and Semi-Arid Ecosystems (OP 1) and Forests (OP 3), aiming to enhance protected area networks through identifying priority expansion zones and meeting representativity targets It will ensure the formal demarcation and gazetting of protected areas in accordance with the new Law on Nature Protection Additionally, the project focuses on developing tools, techniques, and technologies to support validation, categorization, demarcation, and management planning of protected areas Strengthening institutional and systemic capacities will also facilitate the development of effective partnerships between government, local communities, and the private sector for protected area expansion and management.
This project aims to support Article 8 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), focusing on in situ conservation of biodiversity It aligns with the CBD Protected Areas Programme of Work by promoting the establishment and effective management of a comprehensive, ecologically representative national system of protected areas in North Macedonia Through this initiative, we contribute to implementing CBD goals and enhancing biodiversity conservation efforts within the country.
1 The project will more specifically address Goals 1.1, 1.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 4.1 and 4.4 of the CBD COP VII /Decision 28 (Protected Areas, Articles 8 a)-e)) and the requirement to develop ‘tool kits to support the identification, designation, management, monitoring and evaluation of national and regional systems of protected areas’ contained in the CBD COP VIII/Decision 24 (Protected Areas) The project also follows the guidance and decisions provided to the financial mechanisms by the Conference of the Parties to the CBD b) PROJECT DESIGN
Macedonia is a landlocked country located in Southeast Europe on the Balkan Peninsula, covering approximately 25,713 square kilometers It shares borders with Bulgaria to the east, Greece to the south, Albania to the west, and Serbia to the north As a central Balkan nation, Macedonia's strategic location influences its rich cultural heritage and regional significance.
Relief map of the Republic of Macedonia
North Macedonia is a predominantly mountainous country characterized by valleys, gorges, plateaus, and highlands, with an elevation ranging from approximately 60 meters to 2,764 meters at its highest point The country features over 15 mountain ranges that exceed 2,000 meters in height It falls within three major watersheds: the Adriatic Sea (about 15% of the territory), the Aegean Sea (approximately 85%), and the Black Sea (less than 1%) The Vardar River, spanning 300 kilometers within North Macedonia, is the largest river, accounting for around 80% of the water flow leaving the country Notable natural lakes such as Ohrid, Prespa, and Dojran are significant tectonic lakes in the region North Macedonia experiences two primary climate types—modified Mediterranean and continental—characterized by cold, wet winters and dry, hot summers.
Despite covering only 0.5% of Europe and 5% of the Balkan Peninsula, Macedonia boasts a disproportionately high level of biodiversity, hosting approximately 34% of vascular plants, 12% of freshwater fish species, 29% of amphibians and reptiles, 62% of bird species, and 50% of mammals The country's biodiversity accounts for 70-90% of the entire Balkan region's species, placing North Macedonia at the top of Europe's biodiversity hotspot list This remarkable concentration highlights Macedonia's critical role in European biodiversity conservation.
24 The vegetation of Macedonia comprises a diverse mosaic of plant communities, with more than
The country hosts 260 discrete plant assemblages, including rare, relictual (tertiary, glacial, boreal, and steppe relicts), and endemic communities, with approximately 30 considered seriously endangered or at risk of extinction Of particular concern are those with limited distribution across aquatic, wetland, meadow, halophytic, steppe-like, forest, sub-alpine, highland pastures, and alpine vegetation types The flora encompasses around 1,580 lower plant organisms, such as algae, fungi, and lichens, with algae exhibiting the highest level of endemism, featuring 135 endemic taxa (8.5% of the total algal flora) The higher plant groups—including angiosperms, mosses, ferns, and gymnosperms—are moderately diverse, comprising approximately 3,700 species, with 117 endemics Although a formal list of endangered plant species has yet to be established, preliminary data indicates at least 70 threatened taxa, including 18 endemics, highlighting the country's significant plant biodiversity.
Macedonia's fauna is characterized by a high level of taxonomic diversity, relicness, and endemism, with a total of 9,339 species and 228 subspecies Notably, 674 taxa, including 602 species and 72 subspecies, are endemic to the region, representing about 7% of the total recorded taxa The invertebrate fauna is primarily composed of Arthropods, totaling 8,833 species, while the vertebrate fauna includes 506 species: 58 fish, 15 amphibians, 32 reptiles, 319 birds, and 82 mammals Approximately 22% of vertebrate species are considered threatened, highlighting the conservation importance of Macedonia's unique and diverse ecosystems.
Many endemic floral and invertebrate species in Macedonia rely heavily on the health of its aquatic ecosystems, including the tectonic lakes, Vardar river watershed, and remaining marshes and swamps Notably, lakes such as Ohrid, Prespa, and Dojran are renowned for their extraordinary biodiversity, hosting 216, 24, and numerous endemic species respectively, highlighting the critical importance of preserving these ecosystems for maintaining regional endemism and ecological balance.
12 resident endemic taxa respectively (NBSAP, 2004)
Macedonia, a small country with a population of approximately 2 million people, has a dense population of 78.6 inhabitants per square kilometer, with around 60% residing in urban areas The processes of industrialization and urbanization have spurred growth in towns and nearby villages but have also negatively affected rural hill and mountain communities These demographic, economic, social, and environmental changes highlight significant rural-urban disparities within the country Additionally, Macedonia is characterized by its multi-ethnic composition, with about two-thirds of the population being ethnic Macedonians—primarily Orthodox Christians—and roughly one-quarter being ethnic Albanians, mainly Muslims, along with Turks, Serbs, Roma, and other ethnic groups.
28.With a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.796, Macedonia is ranked 66 of 177 countries in the
According to the 2004 Global Human Development Report, Macedonia is classified among countries with a mid-level human development ranking The report estimates Macedonia's GDP per capita at purchasing power parity, highlighting its developing economy within the global context.
2005 was around EUR 6,000 One of the main weaknesses of the Macedonian economy is the continuously high level of unemployment, officially at 37.3% in 2005.
Macedonia, a small country with a relatively open economy, relies heavily on foreign trade, which accounts for over 90% of its GDP This high dependence makes the nation highly vulnerable to external shocks and global economic fluctuations Since its independence, Macedonia's economy has been repeatedly affected by regional instability, impacting overall economic growth and stability.
FINANCING
a) FINANCING PLAN, COST EFECTIVENESS, CO-FINANCING, CO-FINANCIERS
Project Components/Outcomes Co-financing
1 A representative national protected area system is designed 65,000 200,000 265,000
2 Improved systemic and institutional capacity provides the enabling framework for establishing and managing a representative protected area network 1,106,000 322,000 1,428,000
3 PA establishment and planning processes field tested and replicated across the PA network 2,594,000 324,000 2,918,000
4 Monitoring, learning, adaptive feedback and evaluation 0 55,000 55,000
* This item is an aggregate cost of project management; breakdown of this aggregate amount is presented in table ii) below
(ii) Project management Budget/cost
The terms of reference for local consultants involved in GEF project management are detailed in Annexure VI In accordance with UNDP and GEF policies, no project resources will be allocated to compensate government, agency, or NGO staff for functions related to the management of the project.
Office facilities, equipment, vehicles and communications 12 - 3,000 182,400 185,400
The GEF component includes two computers valued at US$1,400 each and a color printer costing US$400 Additional sources cover essential computer equipment, GPS devices, data projectors, office space, vehicles, office furniture, internet connectivity, and other office supplies, ensuring comprehensive operational support for the project.
This table distinguishes between local and international consultants hired for project management roles Consultants engaged for specific tasks are categorized as technical assistance providers, offering specialized support (as detailed in section iii) Their expertise ensures successful project execution through targeted technical services.
(iii) Consultants working for technical assistance components 13 :
The terms of reference for both local and international technical assistance consultants, funded by GEF resources, are detailed in Annexure VI In line with UNDP and GEF policies, no project funds will be allocated to compensate government, agency, or NGO staff for providing these specialized services.
Information management and system design specialist
Main outputs: (i) biodiversity database linked and integrated into the national
Environmental Information System; (ii) biodiversity metadatabase; (iii) biodiversity data structure design, maintenance protocols and management procedures.
Training and capacity building specialist
Our main outputs include a comprehensive compendium of competence levels and occupational standards, enabling clear benchmarks for skills and roles Additionally, we provide a skills gap assessment to identify existing deficiencies in the workforce To address these gaps, we develop targeted human resource development and training programs, ensuring staff are equipped with the necessary skills Finally, we implement pilot training and development programs specifically designed for protected area staff in Matka Canyon and Tikvesh, enhancing their capacity for conservation and sustainable management.
Macedonian biodiversity;(ii) biodiversity status and significance of pilot project sites
Macedonia’s protected area system; and
(ii) financing mechanisms for a more effective protected areas system in
(source) Classification Type Amount ($) Status
13 ToRs are attached only for those consultants which are paid using GEF funds
(source) Classification Type Amount ($) Status
MOEPP Execu Agency In-kind 68,400 68,400 0
Cooperation Italian Bilat Agency Cash 2,000,000 2,000,000 0
This project aims to establish an enabling planning, legal, and institutional environment to secure the legal and institutional tenure of protected areas in Macedonia By leveraging lessons learned from two pilot protected areas and developing generic decision-support tools, the project supports the Government of Macedonia in completing the re-proclamation process for remaining protected areas The estimated cost for re-proclaiming each protected area ranges from US$10,000 for smaller sites to US$200,000 for larger, complex areas, totaling over US$10 million for all 59 protected areas requiring re-proclamation Given the significant global and national benefits, as well as potential for replication, the project's investment is modest relative to its long-term impact.
5 INSTITUTIONAL COORDINATION AND SUPPORT a) CORE COMMITMENTS AND LINKAGES
UNDP in Macedonia has extensive experience in strengthening national capacities for sustainable development, environmental protection, and natural resource management It has supported the government in overcoming capacity constraints related to implementing biodiversity, climate change, and land degradation conventions while improving institutional frameworks and inter-governmental cooperation Additionally, UNDP has helped integrate sustainable development into national development plans and facilitated the creation of a National Strategy for Sustainable Development The organization has also enhanced environmental management capabilities within key governmental bodies and promoted coordinated trans-boundary water management in the Prespa Park region.
UNDP has established partnerships and alliances to support the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Macedonia The country's MDG platform focuses on nationalizing and localizing all MDG targets and indicators, which helps integrate sustainable human development concepts into national policies These collaborative efforts enhance policymakers' understanding and use of MDG principles in policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring, driving progress toward sustainable development goals.
118 One of the four areas of cooperation for the UN in the country as stated in the UNDAF 2005-
In 2009, the focus on natural resources protection and management emphasized the importance of ensuring effective and equitable management of natural resources and the environment This approach is rooted in the principles of sustainable development, aiming to balance ecological preservation with human needs to guarantee long-term environmental health and resource availability for future generations.
The UNDP 2005-2009 Country Programme for Macedonia aims to promote long-term development aligned with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and EU integration efforts It emphasizes capacity-building for good governance and the rule of law, policy advocacy to create an enabling economic environment for poverty reduction, and sustainable development through environmental protection and natural resource management The proposed project will directly support the achievement of key outcomes outlined in the CPD/CPAP, and Macedonia has fulfilled its obligations under ratified environmental conventions.
120 UNDP’s support to the environmental sector in Macedonia focuses on three main areas: a)
UNDP supports the country in fulfilling its commitments under ratified environmental conventions by strengthening the capacities of national and local governments to implement global agreements on climate change, biodiversity, and desertification These efforts aim to advance national economic, social, and sustainable development objectives through technology transfer and increased foreign investment Additionally, the project emphasizes international waters, promoting sustainable management and conservation to protect vital marine ecosystems.
UNDP's intervention in the Prespa Lake watershed aims to integrate ecological, economic, and social goals to conserve biodiversity and reduce pollution in this trans-boundary area shared by Macedonia, Albania, and Greece The Prespa Park project demonstrates successful cross-border collaboration among neighboring countries, governments, NGOs, and donors, serving as a model for replicable best practices in international waters management Strengthening the capacities of national institutions for effective environmental governance is a key focus, with targeted support on addressing environmental "hot spots" that threaten public health and safety locally and across borders Pilot projects at Lojane and Bucim Mines aim to demonstrate effective measures for mitigating environmental risks posed by abandoned and active mines, ultimately improving environmental conditions and quality of life through cost-effective solutions and enhanced policy dialogue.
(i) Linkages with other GEF-financed project in Macedonia
The UNDP-GEF Full Size project “Integrated Ecosystem Management in the Prespa Lakes Basin of Albania, Macedonia, and Greece (2006–2010)” aims to promote ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation through innovative spatial planning and resource management approaches Led by UNDP Macedonia, the project seeks to strengthen local capacities for sustainable water use, agriculture, forestry, and protected area management across the transboundary basin A key focus is the “Ezerani” Nature Reserve (ENR), where activities include supporting its re-proclamation under the new Law on Nature Protection and developing a comprehensive management plan The project emphasizes education, awareness campaigns, and targeted training to ensure sustainable conservation efforts at ENR, while also creating a tourism plan to boost local eco-tourism This intervention directly contributes to establishing a sustainable management system for ENR, aligning with the broader goals of ecosystem health and biodiversity preservation in the Prespa Lakes Basin.
The Lake Ohrid Conservation Project (1998–2004), funded by WB-GEF, successfully promoted effective water governance in the transboundary Lake Ohrid region, spanning Macedonia and Albania, to protect its biodiversity and natural resources The project focused on strengthening conservation efforts at Galicica National Park by upgrading tourism infrastructure and interpretation services, enhancing self-income generation Lessons learned from this initiative will inform and guide the planning and implementation of future conservation projects in the area.
Between 2005 and 2008, UNDP-GEF provided vital support to the Government of Macedonia for the preparation of its Second National Communication to the UNFCCC, advancing the country’s climate change initiatives The project focused on enhancing national capacity through technical assistance, raising public awareness, and improving expertise on climate issues A key activity involved assessing the potential impacts of climate change on vulnerable sectors, particularly biodiversity, with findings informing future project planning and implementation.
REQUIRED ATTACHMENTS ( ATTACHED AS SEPARATE FILES )
a) COUNTRY ENDORSEMENT LETTER (RAF ENDORSEMENT LETTER IF BD OR
CC PROJECT) b) CONFIRMED LETTERS OF COMMITMENTS FROM CO-FINANCIERS (WITH