Europe & CIS

Informational Network on Environment and Sustainable Development in Central Asia and Russia – CARNet/Support to Implementation of the Regional Environmental Action Plan for Central Asia

Situation analysis:

UNDP becomes an increasingly networked and knowledge-based organization striving for greater development impacts across all themes and regions. Similarly, UNDP supports initiatives that put better use of knowledge as a value-added   input to real development practices and partnership relations. Central Asia is lagging behind other regions in information and communication technology (ICT) usage and penetration, though currently the ICT sector is the most dynamic and continuously expanding sector of the national economies. Central Asian countries are at various stages of formulation and implementation of national strategies “ICT for Development” and national environment and sustainable development action plans, where the emphasis is increasingly at civil engagement. This provides a good structure and framework for more coordinated and broader public interaction aimed at the dissemination of knowledge and collecting best practices in the field. Directions of the Network’s activities are based on commitments of the participant countries under the Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation in decision making and access to justice on environment protection issues.

Proposed programme:

The project is aimed at coordinated and joint promotion of the idea of sustainable development, strengthening the role and participation of civil society in formulating sustainable development policy in Central Asia on the basis of existing experience and best practices through the use of ICT.
The project will be focused on the following key areas:(1) Creating an effective knowledge management and  networking  based  on CARNet;(2) Identifying systems and operational mechanisms for cross-cutting interaction and civil society participation in the implementation of  environmental and sustainable development programs (including REAP, EnvSec, etc.) at all levels in Central Asia; (3) Strengthening civil society and decision makers’ potential for effective resource mobilization. A direct goal of the CARNet’s network is to bring together all those interested parties supporting sustainable development in their countries and in the region by providing information, joint elaboration of development policies, involvement in the participation in environmental events. Civil society inclusion, capacity building, skills development, knowledge accumulation and sharing, volunteers’ movements and active conscious usage of modern information and communication technologies are  promoted and supported.
The information basis is a bilingual (Russian and English) Internet Portal “Environment and Sustainable Development in Central Asia and Russia” (www.caresd.net).

Anticipated results:

(1) Created effective  knowledge management and networking based on  CARNet Network;
(2) Identified system and mechanisms for cross-cutting interaction and strengthening civil society participation  in realization of  environmental and sustainable development programs (including REAP, EnvSec, etc) at all levels;
(3) Strengthened civil society and decision-makers’ potential for effective resource mobilization and utilization.

Current status:

At the moment, the CARNET works on the exit strategy to ensure sustainability after finalisation of UNDP funds. The project will be finished at end 2007.