MEnA - PSAPP

10. Promotion of Eco-tourism/Economical Aspects of Biodiversity

Project synopsis

Goal

Promoting the conservation (preservation and sustainable use) of biodiversity in Palestine through appropriate and effective social and economic incentives.

Objective 1

To analyse the existing social and economic values of biodiversity as part of the traditional knowledge systems and practices of local communities, as well as the perception and practices of other relevant social actors in Palestine.

Outputs

A report on potential social and economic incentives for biodiversity conservation (including preservation and sustainable use) in Palestine.

Activities

PEnA and collaborating partners appoint a Socio-economic Incentives Working Group to commission and supervise a participatory analysis of current sustainable and non-sustainable uses of biodiversity in Palestine (By whom? Under what conditions? With what perceived social and economic benefits? What values assigned to biodiversity vis-à-vis economic values? etc.).
The Working Group reviews the results of the study and identifies a number of potential social and economic incentives for the conservation of biodiversity in Palestine. Such incentives are then illustrated in detail in a specific report.

Objective 2

Promoting social and economic incentives for the conservation of biodiversity in Palestine – with particular attention to sustainable use of medicinal plants, agro-biodiversity, eco-tourism and economic advantages of protected areas.

Outputs

In collaboration with a variety of national and international partners, action plans developed and implemented in several areas, including medicinal plants, agro-biodiversity, eco-tourism and economic initiatives related to protected areas in Palestine.

Activities

The Working Group examines in detail the identified social and economic incentives for the conservation of biodiversity in Palestine and exchanges information and lessons learned with other countries in the region, in view of potential collaboration in specific regional activities.
The Working Group (in collaboration with relevantauthorities and stakeholders in Palestine(develops and implements specific action plans to provide socio-economic incentives to the conservation of biodiversity. Among other initiatives, it develops in detail the following lines of activity:
Reviewing uses and properties of medicinal plants endogenous to Palestine and establishing linkages between local stakeholders and medical industrial companies willing to co-operate to protect the plants in the wild and set up production units in controlled farming systems (linkage with Project 12: Establishment of a Gene Bank in Palestine);
Assisting in setting up appropriate market infrastructure and providing technical support to farmers maintaining and enhancing agro-biodiversity in Palestine (linkage with Project 12: Establishment of a Gene Bank in Palestine);
Assisting in developing a Palestinian eco-tourism industry (e.g. by providing technical and financial incentives to entrepreneurs), with accompanying public information campaign, linked activities in schools , etc.;
Promoting economic initiatives linked with the existence of protected areas, e.g. establishment of tourism-related businesses, infrastructures, transport systems, etc. (linked with project 1: Development and Management of a Palestinian Protected Areas System).

Duration

Five years.

Estimated Budget Break-Down

Item	Year 1 US$	Year 2 US$	Year 3 US$	Year 4 US$	Year 5 US$
Staff
Project Manager	$26,000	$26,000	$26,000	$26,000	$26,000
Assistant Manager	$19,500	$19,500	$19,500	$19,500	$19,500
Short-term Consultants	$15,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000
Technical Staff (3)	$39,000	$39,000	$39,000	$39,000	$39,000
Support Staff	$10,400	$10,400	$10,400	$10,400	$10,400
Driver	$6,500	$6,500	$6,500	$6,500	$6,500

Equipment
4WD	$35,000	$35,000	$0	$0	$0
Office Equipment	$30,000	$10,000	$5,000	$5,000	$5,000
Field Equipment	$30,000	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000

Training
Regional/ International Training	$20,000	$20,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000
Local Training	$25,000	$25,000	$25,000	$25,000	$25,000
Awareness, Workshops	$30,000	$30,000	$30,000	$30,000	$30,000
Study Tour	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000

Operational Costs
Local Travel	$7,000	$7,000	$7,000	$7,000	$7,000
Extension Material	$15,000	$15,000	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000
Communications	$5,000	$5,000	$5,000	$5,000	$5,000
Restoration & Renovation	$100,000	$70,000	$60,000	$40,000	$30,000

Reporting/Evaluation
Reporting and Publications	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000
Project Evaluation	$10,000	$10,000	$15,000	$15,000	$15,000
Sub-Total	$448,400	$378,400	$318,400	$298,400	$288,400
Total					$1,732,000

Table 15: Estimated Budget Breakdown for Project 10

Proposed Partners

The Palestinian Authority (PEnA, Ministry of Agriculture), other relevant authorities, International and Palestinian NGOs , Palestinian Farmers and entrepreneurs, Donor /Funding Agency (to be identified).