Newsletter – Issue no6 November 2012 www.seeclimateforum.org
Newsletter
In this issue:
National advocacy strategies Interviews with project coordinators Regional project review Regional team meeting in Belgrade Video contest and quiz CSO networks in SEE News Funding possibilities Publications
In the past few months, national networks on climate change adaptation have been active in the development of advocacy strategies. With the support of these concepts and trainings held in advocacy and communication, networks will be in the position to enter into a coordinated and sustainable dialogue on climate change with their governments and engage in policy debate.
Introducing CCA into Legislation Macedonian advocacy strategy identifies the priority interests of the Climate Reaction network (CRN) and guides the communication of key messages to target audiences coordinated by the Macedonian Red Cross. Its main goal is the recognition of the need for the establishment of a CCA system and incorporation of the CCA concept in already existing relevant climate change legislations. The strategy will build relationships and links between public authorities, academic institutions and civil society to enable multi-stakeholder consultation and joint action on CCA. It will also work on the public promotion of the CCA concept in order to raise awareness about climate change related risks. In line with the advocacy strategy, the CRN will set concrete actions to influence legislation on CCA in Macedonia, which shall further foster their positioning towards the government. Finally, the public will be aware of climate change related risks and be familiar with the adaptation measures on certain priority sectors.
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The latest issue of the Newsletter of the South East European Forum on Climate Change Adaptation brings you reviews of the recent events related to this project, as well as news about climate change from the region. Discover what the advocacy strategies of national networks in Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia have in store. Read about the impressions of network coordinators about their work up until now, as well as their plans for the future. We present you the results of our case study, and a review of the regional video contest. As always, we share with you the latest publication and funding possibilities in our area.
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Dear reader,
NATIONAL ADVOCACY STRATEGIES
Newsletter – Issue no6 November 2012 www.seeclimateforum.org
An Operational Platform for CCA The advocacy strategy in Croatia tries to tackle to major issues. First, there are a great number of scientific papers on climate change in Croatia in almost all relevant sectors (tourism, agriculture, health etc) but they are difficult to get a hold of or to have a comprehensive analysis of all papers. There is no database that would be composed solely of scientific paper dealing with climate change regardless of scientist background. The Croatian network will advocate for initiating the process of transformation of Croatian National platform for Disaster Risk Reduction from just academic platform to more operational one. Secondly, the network will raise public awareness about climate change. The goal is to implement fact-based public discussions to educate the general public of all ages on the effects and economic costs of climate change, government strategies and future plans to tackle climate change.
INTERVIEWS WITH NETWORK COORDINATORS Marinko Metlicic
Coordinator of the Croatian network for Climate Change Adaptation
Improving Communication about CCA What are the most important results of your network’s participation in this project? There is more than one important result of the participation in the project. Trough the project process we all learned about networking and networking coordination and functioning and we all better positioned our organizations in both the CSO world and stakeholder world. In our hands we have a very useful document on a national and regional level and we also developed some new things for Croatia based on regional experiences (Macedonian Heath Wave Early warning).
We will first of all continue with meetings and activities on a national level and try to continue with coordination on a regional level. We will go on to develop new activities based on CVA recommendations. We aim to look for different funding possibilities in the country and regionally, for the continuation of the networking.
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What are your network’s plans for the future?
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Key areas covered by the Montenegrin advocacy strategy are the impacts of climate change on water resources, energy, agriculture and public health in Montenegro. A set of priorities has been defined for each area, so that the network can more easily cooperate with the public authorities and decisionmakers. Apart from these crucial issues, special attention has been paid to the communication with key stakeholders in climate change adaptation activities. A comprehensive analysis has shown that one of the fundamental challenges is the lack of communication between all interested parties on finding the solution and raising awareness about climate change consequences, so Climate Response will advocate on those issues.
Newsletter – Issue no6 November 2012 www.seeclimateforum.org
What do you think is the most important result of your network’s participation in this project? Apart from the regular project activities, such as regional and national trainings on different topics (relevant EU acquis, advocacy and lobbying, communication, EU funding trainings), the development of the national CVA report, development of the advocacy strategy and much more, the Network managed to achieve several results which bring added value of the Climate Reaction Network. The Network signed the Memorandum of Understanding with National Rural Development Network. Also, we placed the climate change issue in the extracurricular educational program under the subject “Risk assessment, vulnerability of climate change and standard operating procedures (SOP)“. This subject is a part of the study program “Crisis Management, Protection and Rescue” in department of Safety, Crisis Management, Protection and Rescue under the Military Academy “General Mihailo Apostolski” – Skopje, which is the part of the University of Goce Delcev, Stip. The Macedonian network is a part of the National Committee of Climate Change for the development of the Third National Communication on Climate Change towards the UNFCCC. On top of that, Climate Reaction (CRN) has developed an action plan.
According to the advocacy strategy, the Network will proceed with the work on CCA. CRN developed an action plan and defined activities that go in line with the recommendations from the CVA. Therefore, in the next period the network will work on fund-raising in order to implement the activities stated in the advocacy strategy. In the next period the network will be engaged in the development and submission of projects and CCA initiatives according to open funding opportunities. The projects and initiatives that shall be developed will go in line with the CRN’s advocacy strategy. We are planning to settle the Network management and implement the action plan according the projects granted.
Ranko Andrijasevic
Coordinator of the Montenegrin network “Climate Response”
In your opinion, what is the most important result of your network’s participation in this project? Bringing CCA into focus of CSOs and other involved stakeholders is one of the most important achievements of Climate Response. We established connections and communication with different CSOs and stakeholders within Montenegro and from the region, and also produced the CVA as a platform for our future work. Besides project activities focusing on building up capacities of CSOs, we had a couple of successful
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Coordinator of the Macedonian network “Climate Reaction”
What are your network’s plans for the upcoming period?
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Vaska Cvetanoska Panova
Newsletter – Issue no6 November 2012 www.seeclimateforum.org
awareness-raising activities which indicated that there is a lot of room to cooperate with different institutions, organizations and the private sector in Montenegro. It is also important to mention that the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism recognized the added value of civil sector in preparation of the Second National Communication on Climate Change and therefore invited members of the Network to contribute to the development of this document.
Vladan Scekic
Coordinator of the Serbian network “Climate Forum”
What are the plans of Climate Response for the upcoming period?
The most important result is the awareness raising that has been done in last two years, as well as cooperation and communication with relevant stakeholders, media and schools. We have managed to create the need for knowledge on CCA issues, and have created a future need for this network in Serbia. Serbian network "Climate Forum" has done several activities which attracted attention of the general public and stakeholders. National Climate Vulnerability Assessment is the first document of a kind in Serbia and it was very well accepted by the decision makers and interested parties. We have also created a first heatwave TV ad in Serbia, and it was broadcasted in cooperation with MTV Adria and local TV stations. For the first time, we have Climate change quiz on mobile phones platform, bringing new technology in to the project. The public event that was conducted on the main Belgrade square, Trg Republike, was very successful, people were keen to learn on climate change and climate change adaptation, and the turnout was great. We also did events in Vrsac, Subotica and Zajecar in cooperation with Goethe Institute, where we had film screenings and panel discussions on climate change issues on local level. The last presentation of "Climate Forum" has been held on International Green Culture Festival - Green Fest in Belgrade.
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The main challenge for our Network will come from the fact that climate change adaptation is not at the moment a major priority for the Montenegro Institutions. Current efforts are dedicated to mitigation measures due to expected international obligations which, along with the current financial crisis, may postpone governmental action regarding adoption of strategies, plans and concrete measures for climate change adaptation.
What do you think is the most important result of your network’s participation in this project?
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The focus of our work in the forthcoming period will be on implementing findings from National CVA report. As defined in this document, there are several sectors which we will address through the implementation of our Advocacy Strategy and through awareness-raising activities. Also, an important task for us is to provide financial sustainability for our future work and to continue mainstreaming climate change topic throughout all sectors and official policies.
Newsletter – Issue no6 November 2012 www.seeclimateforum.org
An important role of the Serbian network was in the field of nature conservation, since only we have a biodiversity section in the National Climate Vulnerability Assessment. This emphasizes the need for civil society organizations to lead and create the projects like this and to put additional efforts in promoting the values that their organizations stand for. What are your network’s plans for the upcoming period? In the future period, the network will focus on application of the advocacy strategy, workgroup participation, with bilateral and multilateral talks (2nd National Communication and Programme for environmental Protection – City of Belgrade) and further development of the cooperation framework in order to create several projects in the field of climate change adaptation and to continue to mainstream this topic in all relevant fields. Network members are very interested in developing these projects and finding financing, due to the fact that they have recognized the needs and benefits that society can have from appropriate climate change adaptation measures and well-timed decision making processes in situations when that is essential.
The case study To do so, a case study was produced and can be found on our website. The study does not only summarize activities done by the SEEFCCA but should also functions as a guide for other organizations working in the field of CCA and therefore highlights the different working areas as well as organisational development.
The start 2009 A conference in Montenegro gave the first spark for the Forum when it identified the need of increased awareness-raising and cooperation on CCA in the SEE region. To address the missing regional dialogue in this area, the SEEFCCA was initiated in 2010. New and unique was the partnership of CSOs from different fields (humanitarian, environmental, education …), public authorities, researchers and also international institutions. This was true for the implementing partners as well as for the national networks that were formed within the project. Later it turned out that this approach was successful in producing valuable outcomes for the organizations involved and, of course, for a better cooperation in CCA. You can find some examples also in this newsletter.
REGIONAL PROJECT REVIEW
The South East European Forum on Climate Change Adaptation 2011 and 2012: a Review
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Floods in Croatia, 2010
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On the occasion of the end of the initial funding period the SEEFCCA is reviewing the work done in the last 2 years.
Newsletter – Issue no6 November 2012 www.seeclimateforum.org
2011 The first year, 2011, was dominated by an ambitious plan of forming four national networks and strengthening the capacities in the field of CCA. Also, the climate vulnerability assessment process started in autumn of 2011. From June the process was accompanied by regional communication tools: the website and the newsletter. This gave the opportunity to strengthen the visibility of the involved CSOs, distribute documents or connect between the different project countries.
teamed up with CSO members with different backgrounds and researchers to draft a joint action plan on how to improve CCA policies. In Zagreb it was also clear that the regional outreach and visibility of the SEEFCCA was quite successful: by promoting the idea of the multisectoral approach and by setting quality standards in their work and products, other institutions like the Regional Cooperation Council or the European Environment Agency strengthened their cooperation with the SEEFCCA through assisting in promoting the Forum.
Tree planting action, Montenegro 2011
Work done Now, in the autumn of 2012, the Forum and the national networks can present a number of results and implemented activities, while on the other hand campaigns are already being prepared for this winter. Finally, after only 2 years some numbers can also illustrate what was achieved in that time:
4 national networks work on CCA in their countries Over 10 regional trainings and meetings held Over 20 national trainings and meetings held 5 awareness-raising campaigns including TV spots 5 CVA reports published awareness-raising material produced online collection of over 200 relevant documents on CCA involvement of about 110 organizations in the SEEFCCA 5 web based communication channels
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Regional cooperation The regional conferences in Sutomore and Zagreb added a regional character to the SEEFCCA. Naturally, the networks before had been mostly engaged with advocacy and activities in their own countries. In the conferences they found time to consider cross-border cooperation and to exchange knowledge and best practices from their countries. The participants also represented the character of the Forum: representatives of public authorities (e.g. ministries)
SEEFCCA conference in Sutomore, Montenegro 2012
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2012 The cold wave in the winter of 2012 showed again dramatically the need for CCA measures. Still, trainings were offered to network members and project staff until summer 2012. But besides that, the networks already worked on improving CCA measures. As a general result CSOs could show their expertise in the field and cooperate more closely with public authorities.
Newsletter – Issue no6 November 2012 www.seeclimateforum.org
Please visit our website to get access to the case study “The South East European Forum on Climate Change Adaptation”. The publishing will also be announced on our Facebook page. The case study is available as E-book as well as AudioBook .
Regional project team meeting
After the capacity-building, the project team focused on assessing the last two years in terms of the results achieved but also analysing ways to shape its future. The meeting was the opportunity to present the final evaluation of the initial funding period and the sustainability concept.
Video contest “The Climate has changed … Have you?”
Ms Grujic presented the basics of NLP (neuro-linguistic programming) and gave the participants the chance to practice the rapport and learn about meta-programmes.
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Regional project team meeting in Belgrade
We asked people through our networks and online channels what comes to their mind when thinking about CCA and to record short videos. To foster motivation this has been done in the framework of a contest. A criterion was that the video would be made using amateur devices (simple cameras or even mobile phones), otherwise no limits in age or creativity were given. The videos that we received contained personal messages (e.g. on energy efficiency) or an animated story on effects of climate change. The winner will be
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The project team of the South East European Forum on Climate Change Adaptation had the final meeting of this year in Belgrade on 26 – 28 November 2012. The first working day was dedicated to improving the communication skills of the participants, with the trainer Ms Marija Grujic.
Newsletter – Issue no6 November 2012 www.seeclimateforum.org
awarded a digital camera and selected videos will be used for awareness raising. Find the chosen videos www.youtube.com/SeeForumOnCCA.
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CSO NETWORKS IN SEE Debate on climate change in Radovis In September 2012, the Macedonian Red Cross and the “Climate Reaction” network started an awareness raising initiative with the main aim to inform the wider public about the necessity of climate change adaptation. The final event of this initiative was a debate on the topic “Response to climate challenge on local and national level.” The workshop took place on 27 October 2012 and was conducted by the NGO DECERE from Radovis. Several representatives from local governments participated in this discussion and expressed their interest to cooperate with network members from that particular region and to support the network in future activities.
situation in Radovis and the natural disasters that constantly affect this particular region. Mr. Georgiev highlighted the climate related floods, in particular the big flood that happened in December 2008, causing human and material damage.
NEWS Final IPA Civil Society Facility Conference and Western Balkan CSO Forum Zagreb, 26-28 November 2012 The IPA Civil Society Facility Final Conference took place in Zagreb, from 27-28 November 2012. On this occasion project leaders and partners of the multi-beneficiary IPA Socio-Economic Partnership Programme 2010 presented their project results and outputs. Additionally conclusions towards possible future steps were discussed, such as for example the importance of uniting with similar partners.
The local expert from the civil society organization CELOR, Mr. Stole Georgiev gave an overview of the
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Climate change debate in Radovis
The IPA final conference was held back to back with the 4th Western Balkan Civil Society Forum, organized by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The regional forum gathered over 150 participants from Western Balkan CSOs, EESC members and representatives from EU institutions, as well as governmental representatives. Mr. Stefan Füle,
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Picture: www.eesc.europa.eu
Newsletter – Issue no6 November 2012 www.seeclimateforum.org
Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy, as well as Ms. Vesna Pusic, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia gave an opening speech highlighting achievements and challenges in the EU enlargement process. Subsequently discussions focused on the inclusion of civil society organisations in the EU enlargement process and on challenges as regards freedom of media, rural development and employment. Even though the current economic crisis cast a pall over the enlargement process, the committee agreed that the upcoming EU accession of Croatia and the progress made by the countries of the region is encouraging.
Ciencias Universidade Lisboa organized the workshop “Responses to Extreme Water related Events” in Madrid, Spain. International experts and participants from different sectors (decision-makers, researchers, and practitioners) shared knowledge on good practice examples and challenges and opportunities in adapting to water-related extreme events, such as droughts and floods. The output of the conference shall contribute to the European Adaptation Strategy. For more information, please check the website: www.circleera.eu/np4/home.html.
Climate Change Conference in Doha
On 22 and 23 November 2012, the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad, CIRCLE-2 and the Faculdade
Regional Conference: Improving Cooperation with Public Institutions Took Place in Skopje Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organisations (TACSO) organised a regional conference on improving civil society cooperation with public institutions and the donor community in the Western Balkans and Turkey in Skopje on 7 and 8 November 2012. With over 100 representatives of public institutions, civil society, the media and donor community, this conference created a forum for the presentation of the current regional and European initiatives to improve civil society cooperation with public institutions. At the same time, the Conference gave participants the opportunity to identify the next steps they would take to improve civil society cooperation with public institutions during the next year.
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CIRCLE2 event in Madrid, Spain
Picture: TACSO
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The UN Climate Change Conference will take place from 26 November – 7 December 2012 in Doha, Qatar. In Doha the European Union will be seeking to keep the package of decisions agreed in Durban intact. The EU wants significant progress made in terms of planning the two streams of work being done under the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action. These are the drafting and adoption by 2015 of a new global climate agreement applying to all countries, and the identification of ways to raise the ambition of global greenhouse gas emission cuts between now and the end of this decade. Doha should also deliver on a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol starting on 1 January 2013, including the rules needed for its implementation. Back to back, the Red Cross/Red Crescent Climate Centre, the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and the Climate and Development Network (CDN) will organize the “Development and Climate Days” on 1-2 December. This year the topic is “innovative approaches, incisive dialogue on climate-smart development”. The focus will be on learning-by-doing, featuring innovative dialogues between negotiators and policy makers, knowledge centres and practitioners.
Newsletter – Issue no6 November 2012 www.seeclimateforum.org
In the Western Balkans GIZ support started with reconstruction and reconciliation measures, but soon shifted to the development of a sustainable economic development and support to EU approximation in the spheres of public administration, private sector and civil society. Through the Open Regional Fund for SEE, GIZ supports transnational cooperation among committed individuals and groups (public, private and CSO sector) from all over the Western Balkan region. Thematic areas include legal reform, foreign trade promotion, modernization of municipal services and energy efficiency.
PUBLICATIONS
World Disasters Report 2012 - Focus on Forced Migration and Displacement The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has published the 2012 World Disasters Report, focusing particularly on forced migration and displacement. Migration is a phenomenon constantly on the increase and it affects every country. Many migrants move voluntarily – looking for economic opportunities, or for different lifestyles. But for many, migration is not a choice. Disasters and climate change are among the many factors which are forcing more and more people to leave their homes and communities, calling for humanitarian and developmental action. Exactly this is the focus of the 2012 World Disasters Report.
Updated Report on Regional CSO Networks in the IPA Region
COP 18 Key IFRC Messages
This report was elaborated as an exercise to gain an overview of existing networks in the IPA region and their collaboration methods, drawing conclusions on their influences and impact on CSO development and sustainability. The objective of the report is to inform TACSO and the EU as well as other interested stakeholders of the added value regional networks have in building sustainable CSOs in the region, what challenges they face and ways to support these networks so as to enhance their effectiveness. Among recommendations to regional networks, it is mentioned that they should explore the possibility of a more structured exchange of service delivery among themselves as there are, for example, specialized networks offering focused services or trainings; develop more comprehensive mid- and long-term fundraising strategies beyond the project level jointly with member
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has been a significant actor in addressing the humanitarian consequences of climate change. The IFRC’s work focuses on adaptation and mitigation efforts to assist those vulnerable to climate change in building safer and more resilient communities. The latest publications offer official Red Cross key messages for the UNFCCC conference in Qatar/Doha, stating that climate change is increasing disaster risk for the most vulnerable population and that the current humanitarian system is barely coping with the increasing demand. IFRC recommends early and local action to improve safety and resilience, by empowering communities with knowledge. Key principles of the IFRC’s work on climate change are taking a holistic approach, building on existing risk reduction interventions, and establishing and
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Open Regional Fund for South East Europe
organisations to avoid competition for funding sources, as well as a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system with indicators measuring progress against objectives. The whole updated report is available on the TACSO website.
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FUNDING POSSIBILITIES
Newsletter – Issue no6 November 2012 www.seeclimateforum.org
strengthening partnerships. The IFRC adopts gender sensitive-approaches, recognizes the relevance of traditional and indigenous knowledge while supporting participatory and inclusive approaches.
mobilize citizens to exercise and defend their right to a healthy and sustainable environment. Read more here.
Climate Vulnerability Monitor 2011: a Guide to the Cold Calculus of a Hot Planet This document expands the existing evidence base in order to shift policy and practice within the climate change domain. The climate section on environmental disasters, using various natural indicators, raises the following questions: is the humanitarian system prepared for such rapid increases in the scale of emergencies; and are more capacities, resources and institutional coordination needed to ensure the international community is prepared? Read the full document by clicking on the image.
Environmental Campaigning in South East Europe
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Stay informed about climate change adaptation in South East Europe by visiting our website, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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This publication is a result of the project Capacity building and networking among environmental NGOs and youth in South Eastern Europe with FOEI experience implemented by Friends of the Earth International and Zelena akcija / FoE Croatia and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Netherlands. This project underlines that there still is a need to strengthen environmental activism in SEE. The region still needs more civil society activism in environmental public advocacy and support to the efforts of local communities to protect their environment and influence on national and local environmental public policy making. There is a need to