challenges, success and benefits of regional projects:

Challenges, Success and Benefits

of Regional Projects:

The Central Asia Transboundary

Biodiversity Project

Emilia Battaglini, The World Bank

GEF Focal Point Sub-regional Workshop, Belgrade April 1-2, 2008

April 19, 2023 Emilia Battaglini2

Project BasicsProject Basics

Started in 1999, through 2006 Total project cost: $13.6 m, including a GEF

grant of $10.2 m Area: the Western Tien Shan territory (KAZ,

KIR, UZB), a recognized protected area, and home to 3,000 species of fauna and flora, and endangered wildlife.

Project highly relevant for global environment


Primary ObjectivesPrimary Objectives

Support the protection of vulnerable and unique biological communities within the West Tien Shan

Strengthen and coordinate national polices, regulations and institutional arrangements for biodiversity protection

Regional approach: expand and improve

management of protected areas overlapping the boundaries of three countries.


Associated ObjectivesAssociated Objectives

Strengthen and expand strict nature reserves in the West Tien Shan to conserve unique plant and animal communities, including wild relatives of domesticated species

Identify alternative and sustainable income-generating activities for local communities and other stakeholders to reduce pressure on the nature reserves and their biological resources


Associated ObjectivesAssociated Objectives

Strengthen local and national capacity through education and training and raise public awareness of biodiversity values and increase participation in biodiversity conservation

Establish regional cooperation mechanisms for biodiversity conservation activities to strengthen protected areas management and wildlife protection and prevent the fragmentation of habitat corridors.


Program Success and Program Success and Benefits (1)Benefits (1)

Fauna and flora restoration: successful creation and extension of protected areas, incl. four new nature reserves, protected areas increased from 4% to 8% of Western Tien Shan

Harmonized laws and improved policies and institutions and monitoring

Strengthened protected areas management with a bioregional plan developed for each protected area using a common methodology and scientifically justified recommendations for long-term biodiversity conservation


Success and Benefits Success and Benefits (2)(2)

All participating countries given equitable voice and roles, even though the sizes of countries differed markedly

Financial sustainability: self-generating resources, national budget support and follow-on project financing

Evaluated very high in helping to build country commitment and regional cooperation with well-articulated governance mandate

Program focused on an initial set of interventions designed in accordance with country and regional capacities, leaving more demanding activities for later stages.


Success and BenefitsSuccess and Benefits(3)(3)

Regional scientific work and training

Aims well matched to institutional capacities at both the national and regional levels, first steps focused on just four geographical areas with further expansion of protected areas

A good practice example of cross-sector cooperation where representation on the national and regional steering committees included government, academia, and NGOs


Success and BenefitsSuccess and Benefits(4)(4)

Conservation: Monitoring occurrence of protected species in PAs confirms increase in biodiversity

Occurrence in 2000

in 2004 Change %

Roe 135 196 45

Ibex 857 1069 25

Stone marten 141 188 33


Challenges (1)Challenges (1)

Enactment of all parts of the new law. A tripartite agreement for the Western Tien Shan Biosphere not yet reached

Important component to enhance public participation in conservation activities near protected reserves was limited because participating countries failed to deliver their financial commitments

Government contribution and co-financing less than planned

Small Grant Program could have been bigger to stimulate public participation (was smaller than planned)


Challenges (2)Challenges (2)

Compliance with environmental and social safeguards (e.g. compensation issues related to the involuntary resettlement of peoples living in the Karatau NR)

More attention should have been given to country issues identified in CAS

More realistic timeframe and project indicators

Cost effectiveness of small grant program (higher transaction costs in UZ

High project management costs (25% of budget)


Lessons from Regional Lessons from Regional Programs ReviewPrograms Review

More effective when clear delineation and coordination of roles of national and regional institutions

Adequate contribution from all countries: strengthen regional supervisory body

Sustain ownership and commitment from all countries: harmonize legislation across countries


Menzbier’s MarmotMenzbier’s Marmot

Marmota menzbieri - Vulnerable species according to the IUCN red book (last assessed in 1996)TaxonomyKingdom: ANIMALIA Phylum: CHORDATA Class: MAMMALIA Order: RODENTIA Family: SCIURIDAE Common Name/s: MENZBIER'S MARMOT (Eng) Species Authority: (Kashkarov, 1925)

Assessment InformationRed List Category & Criteria: VU B1+2c ver 2.3 (1994) Year Assessed: 1996


Siberian IbexSiberian Ibex

Capra sibrica – Lower Risk TaxonomyKingdom: ANIMALIA Phylum: CHORDATA Class: MAMMALIA Order: ARTIODACTYLA Family: BOVIDAE Common Name/s: ASIATIC IBEX (Eng)SIBERIAN IBEX (Eng) Species Authority: Pallas, 1776

Assessment InformationRed List Category & Criteria: LR/lc ver 2.3 (1994) Year Assessed: 1996


Snow LeopardSnow Leopard

Uncia uncia – Endangered

TaxonomyKingdom: ANIMALIA Phylum: CHORDATA Class: MAMMALIA Order: CARNIVORA Family: FELIDAE Common Name/s: OUNCE (Eng)SNOW LEOPARD (Eng)Species Authority: (Schreber, 1775)

Assessment InformationRed List Category & Criteria: EN C2a(i) ver 3.1 (2001) Year Assessed: 2002


Thank You

challenges, success and benefits of regional projects:

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