KLAUS TOEPFER FELLOWSHIP FOR FUTURE LEADERS IN NATURE CONSERVATION FROM THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, THE CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA

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1 KLAUS TOEPFER FELLOWSHIP FOR FUTURE LEADERS IN NATURE CONSERVATION FROM THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE, THE CAUCASUS AND CENTRAL ASIA

2 IMPRESSUM: PUBLISHER German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation DESIGN AND PHOTO André Müller EFFECTIVE February 2012 RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT Andrea Strauss

3 KLAUS TOEPFER FELLOWSHIP The Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme is an extra-occupational training programme for emerging nature conservation leaders from Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. It is funded by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and implemented by its Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, in collaboration with IUCN, the CBD Secretariat, UNEP - WCMC and additional international partners. The programme takes an integrated approach to the development of the personal capacity of early-career conservation professionals, by combining technical learning, management training and network development support. It focuses on individuals with outstanding leadership potential while promoting the participants commitment and contribution to their home institutions. PROGRAMME STRUCTURE The 13-month course consists of four ten-day training modules at the Federal Agency s International Academy for Nature Conservation, Isle of Vilm (including excursions to leading nature conservation institutions in Germany), a transfer project with relevance to the work of the participants at their home institution, as well as tests, e-learning and additional assignments between the modules. The modules combine joint learning on key conservation topics (e.g. implementation of biodiversity related conventions, protected areas system development, resource mobilization for nature conservation) with management and leadership training. TARGET GROUP Early-career conservation professionals (government, NGOs or academia), from Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia 1, who have at least three years of professional experience and are preferably not older than 35 years. The programme aims at emerging conservation leaders that have the support of their home organizations to attend the course, and a clear commitment to a career in their country of origin. 1 Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

4 Ioana Bejan works as a programme manager at ProPark, a foundation in Romania dedicated to build the capacities of protected areas staff. Ms Bejan is in charge of identifying business opportunities, preparing documentation for tenders related to protected areas, and developing and implementing projects. Ms Bejan gathered experience in the conservation sector as a volunteer during high school and throughout her academic education. She has worked as a consultant for the WWF Danube Carpathian Programme and ProPark. Being a certified trainer, she has experience in organising training sessions for protected areas staff and other stakeholders. She thus learned about management plans, IUCN categories, communication and community outreach of protected areas. Despite her experience and expertise, she feels that participating in Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme will enable her to contribute in a more active manner to her organization s projects. Therefore, she looks forward to gain additional practice-oriented knowledge on nature conservation topics. IOANA BEJAN ADABJON ABDULKODIROV born 1987, Tajikistan Diploma in Water Engineering Management Rural Development Natural Resources Management Programme Officer, Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (a project of the Aga Khan Foundation) born 1987, Romania License in Environmental Geography Management of Protected Areas Programme Manager, ProPark Foundation for Protected Areas Adabjon Abdulkodirov works as a Natural Resource Management Programme Officer within the Mountain Societies Development Support Programme, the largest project of the Aga Khan Foundation in Tajikistan. The project promotes equitable and sustainable development through capacity building and the creation of livelihood opportunities for mountainous communities in rural areas. Mr Abdulkodirov is responsible for the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting on resource management and conservation projects aiming to improve community livelihoods. As a participant of Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme, Mr Abdulkodirov would like to enhance and develop his technical knowledge and management skills for promoting environmental friendly projects, especially on integrated watershed management and biodiversity conservation in mountainous areas. Adabjon Abdulkodirov has worked with the Pamir Biological Institute on a cross-border research project supported by Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP). He has also been involved in several projects addressing cross-border environmental issues relevant to rural communities.

5 AMINA OMICEVIC born 1985, Bosnia and Herzegovina Master in Environmental Management Roxana Ionescu is currently working as Superior Counsellor at the Biodiversity Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Her main responsibilities relate to her role as National Focal Point for the Ramsar Convention and for the Clearing House Mechanisms on Biodiversity and Biosafety, her membership in the PA6 Steering Group of the Danube Region Strategy, as well as her coordinating role for the national protected areas network of Western Romania. As a participant of Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme, Ms Ionescu would like to consolidate her theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of nature conservation and enhance her management and leadership skills. This will enable her to make a valuable contribution to her directorate. She believes that the information and knowledge she will be exposed to in the course of the fellowship programme will help her gain a broader perspective on many sensitive biodiversity issues. Sustainable Development : National Technical Officer in the United Nations Environment Programme in Sarajevo ROXANA IONESCU Amina Omicevic works as a National Technical Officer at the United Nations Environment Programme office in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Ms Omicevic is in charge of implementing a programme on Mainstreaming Environmental Governance in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She has an assisting role with the National Capacity Self-Assessment for the Global Environment Fund for Bosnia and Herzegovina (NCSA), of which UNEP is the Implementing Agency. Prior to that, Ms Omicevic worked for the International Organizations and European Union Division of the National Bank of Serbia, where she was mainly occupied with tracking and analyzing the International Monetary Fund s arrangements in Serbia and the region. She has been engaged as a volunteer, conducting workshops in urban gardening and food supply issues and giving trainings for journalists on environmental issues in Sarajevo. Ms Omicevic has a life-long passion for environmental protection and strives to contribute to creating a healthy environment in her country and in whole South-Eastern Europe. The Klaus Toepfer Fellowship can contribute to her goals by providing new knowledge in the field of nature conservation. born 1977, Romania Master in Administrative Science Public Administration Superior Counselor, Ministry of Environment and Forests

6 Berdiyar Jollibekov is currently working as Project Manager of the Ustyurt Landscape Conservation Initiative of Fauna and Flora International. His main duties include promoting a landscape scale approach to long-term conservation of Ustyurt plateau, aimed at reconciling nature conservation with local sustainable development. Through his participation in Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme, Mr Jollibekov would like to improve his knowledge of conservation planning, capacity building, protected area management and community support. He also hopes to gain insights into leading organizations in global nature conservation and to develop his personal network for sharing experience and knowledge. Berdiyar Jollibekov studied environmental science, majoring in International Environmental Rehabilitation and Agriculture Science at the Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. He has been engaged in conducting Environmental Impact Assessments for agricultural development projects in rural areas of Uzbekistan. BERDIYAR JOLLIBEKOV RATI JAPARIDZE born 1973, Georgia Master of International Affairs Forest Policy Forest Consultant and Programme Coordinator, World Bank Forest Law Enforcement and Governance Project (FLEG) born 1977, Uzbekistan Master of Science in Agriculture Conservation and Rural Development Project Manager, Fauna and Flora International Rati Japaridze is a FLEG (Forest Law Enforcement and Governance) consultant and Programme Coordinator in Tbilisi, Georgia. He provides consultation on the implementation and administration of a FLEG Project, which aims to support government, civil society and the private sector in the development of sound and sustainable forest management practices. Mr Japaridze intends to use the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme to improve his technical skills for promoting sustainable nature resource management and ecologically compatible tourism concepts. He also hopes to develop a network of contacts in the sphere. Mr Japaridze has been awarded Muskie, Swiss Leadership Award, CELA (Central Eurasia Leadership Academy) and John Smith Fellowships in the past. He has been engaged in several voluntary activities, the most recent one being the mobilization of public opinion against the Georgian Government s decision to allow hunting on species included in the Red List of Georgia.

7 NIKO MALAZONIA born 1980, Georgia Master of Science in Project Management Nature Conservation National Coordinator, WWF Caucasus Programme Office Niko Malazonia works at the WWF Caucasus Programme Office. He is the National Coordinator and Project Implementation Unit Director of the project Establishment of Javakheti National Park in Georgia. Javakheti National Park is the Georgian part of a transboundary protected area located at the Georgian-Armenian border. Mr Malazonia s main duties include the coordination and management of project staff, planning and management of project-related activities, field work, as well as communication and cooperation with relevant stakeholders at the local, national and international level. Mr Malazonia would like to use the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme to deepen his knowledge in environmental policy issues, particularly regarding sustainable resource use and The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB). This will enable him to promote the TEEB concept and sustainable resource use, both at the project and at the national level. Niko Malazonia has been engaged in several voluntary activities, establishing and leading two non-governmental grassroots organizations on the protection of the Black Sea and promotion of energy efficiency. Oleg Kashkarov is currently working as a Public Relations Assistant at the Uzbekistan Society for the Protection of Birds (UzSPB), a leading environmental NGO working in five regions of Uzbekistan. His main duties include membership development, educational projects for local student clubs, PR campaigns, cooperation with the media and managing relationships with governmental and non-governmental organizations. Through the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme, he would like to develop his personal capacity and become acquainted with international best conservation practices, to facilitate better cooperation among different stakeholder groups in Uzbekistan. From 2006 to 2011, Mr Kashkarov was awarded four regional and Central Asian prices for ecological journalism. He initiated five ornithological student clubs in Uzbekistan and implemented a number of educational trainings on nature conservation management for their members. OLEG KASHKAROV born 1986, Uzbekistan Master of Science in Journalism Public Relations in Nature Conservation Public Relations Assistant, Uzbekistan Society for the Protection of Birds

8 Anastasiia Oleshchenko works as Senior Researcher at the Ukrainian State Scientific-Research Institute of Urban Design Dipromisto named after Y.M. Bilokon, the leading organisation in the sphere of spatial planning in Ukraine. Her main duties include the development of proposals on sustainable use of territories and natural resources, decreasing human influence on the environment and improving nature conservation. She is also responsible for managing transnational projects. Ms Oleshchenko would like to use the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme to deepen her understanding of nature conservation objectives and learn about European approaches, principles and best-practice examples in this field. She would also like to get familiar with management tools that are useful for her future transnational project coordinating activities. In her thesis, Ms Oleshchenko focused on the methodological basis of optimising the spatial planning of biosphere reserves. She is currently also lecturing at the Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University. ANASTASIIA OLESHCHENKO MARIS NOOR born 1984, Estonia Master of Science in Engineering Nature Conversation Chief Specialist of Nature Usage, Estonian Environmental Board born 1985 in Ukraine Master of Science in Geography, PhD Environmental issues in Spatial Planning, Nature Conservation, GIS Technologies Maris Noor is the Chief Specialist of Nature Usage at the Estonian Environmental Board, which is under the Estonian Ministry of Environment. Her main duties include the coordination of the Environmental Board s decisions and permits regarding plans and activities that affect protected areas and other sensitive natural areas. She is also contributing to building a protected area at the seashore. From her participation in Klaus Toepfer Fellowship programme, Ms Noor expects to enhance her knowledge regarding trends and root causes of biodiversity loss, green infrastructure and the implementation of practical conservation measures. It will also be important to her to learn about information management and communication for biodiversity conservation. Senior researcher, State Enterprise Ukrainian State Scientific-Research Institute of Urban Design Dipromisto named after Y.M. Bilokon

9 SERGEY RAFANOV born 1983, Russia Master of Science in Linguistics Nature Conservation Head of Kamchatka-Bering Sea Ecoregional Office, WWF Russia Sergey Rafanov joined WWF Russia in November 2010, as Head of the Kamchatka-Bering Sea Ecoregional Office, which conducts WWF s work in the Bering Sea and Arctic. Originally from Western Russia, he first came to Kamchatka as a volunteer during an ecological expedition, and as a volunteer anti-poaching inspector. Sergey Rafanov presently leads a team of five staff, which is involved in conserving the ecosystems of the Kamchatka region. He is responsible for the development and implementation of Marine and Terrestrial Conservation programs, to ensure the sustainable use of biological resources of the region and to balance the interests of local ecosystems and industry. Mr Rafanov also liaises with grassroots NGOs, local communities, environmental activists and youth to ensure broad support for WWF s activities. From the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme, Mr Rafanov expects a deeper knowledge of biodiversity and ecosystems. Upon completion of the programme, he hopes to be able to put the biodiversity issues of Kamchatka Ecoregion, as well as his conservation efforts, into a global context. Additionally, Mr Rafanov would like to obtain skills in biodiversity assessment and monitoring as well as know-how in researching and managing information to effectively support conservation. For the past year, Mosor Prvan has been working with the NGO Sunce, one of the leading nature protection organizations in Croatia and in the Split region. His main work and interest is directed towards management of marine protected areas (MPAs), mostly through the project Strengthening the network of Marine Protected Areas in Croatia, and also through engagement with fishermen and government on the topic of achieving sustainable fisheries. Mr Prvan sees the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship (KTF) Programme as an opportunity to improve his management, communication and policy analysis capacities as well his overall conservation skills. He believes that the KTF Programme will give him the edge to successfully participate in the building of an effective nature conservation sector in Croatia and the wider region. During his studies, Mosor Prvan has been engaged in marine conservation projects, both as a leader and participant. He also served as Biology Students Association secretary and president and editor of a student s magazine. Currently he acts as a member of the Telasica Nature Park managing board. MOSOR PRVAN born 1981, Croatia Master of Science in Biology and Ecology Marine Nature Conservation Assistant in the Nature Protection Programme, Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development SUNCE

10 Patrycja Stawiarz is a civil servant at the General Directorate for Environmental Protection, a governmental institution established to support the Polish Ministry of Environment in tasks related to nature conservation. Her main duties revolve around fulfilling Poland s obligations under two international agreements: the Ramsar Convention and the Memorandum of Understanding concerning Conservation Measures for the Aquatic Warbler (Acrocephalus paludicola). Ms Stawiarz wishes to strengthen her power of persuasion and enhance fluency in making a strong case for nature conservation actions. After the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme, she expects to be better prepared for participation in deliberations on different aspects of wetlands conservation in Poland. Patrycja Stawiarz is a member of three non-governmental organizations on the protection of birds in Poland and has been engaged in several voluntary activities in Poland and abroad. PATRYCIA STAWIARZ ALISHER SHUKUROV born 1983, Uzbekistan Bachelor in Law Management of Forest and Protected Areas Chief Expert for Monitoring International Projects, Main Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Uzbekistan born 1979, Poland Master of Science in Biology, Psychology Administration in Nature Protection Senior Inspector, General Directorate for Environmental Protection Alisher Shukurov is the chief expert for monitoring of International projects of the Main Department of Forestry, which is the governmental institution responsible for the forest and protected area management in Uzbekistan. His main duties are the coordination and monitoring of forestry and protected area related projects and the development of international cooperation. Mr Shukurov would like to use the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme to get a deeper insight into nature conservation concepts, international best practice in monitoring and evaluation, participatory approaches in decision making and strategic planning processes for nature conservation. Alisher Shukurov has been awarded with the Honorary Diploma of the Main Department of Forestry for the 20 years Anniversary of Independence of Uzbekistan, for his active participation in nature conservation activities. Additionally, he is actively supporting and participating in a number of voluntary activities with NGO s, especially to carry out school forestry activities.

11 YANA VELINA born 1984, Bulgaria Master of Science in Vertebrate Zoology Biodiversity Conversation Junior Expert, Ministry of Environment and Water, National Nature Protection Service Directorate, Biological Diversity Division Alena Vacátková is working as Natura 2000 Specialist at the Czech Ministry of the Environment. She is responsible for tasks related to the implementation of European nature directives, especially the Habitats Directive, which imposes setting up a network of specially protected areas, known as the Natura 2000 network. She deals with issues related to effective site protection and the preparation of management plans. By participating in the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme, Alena Vacátková would like to get a deeper insight into the principles of the decision making and strategic planning processes and gain an overview on biodiversity conservation practice on an international scale. This will help her to improve her capacities in planning conservation measures and to learn how to better promote the purpose of special areas conservation to the public. Alena Vacátková already participated in a number of international projects and welcomes the KTF programme as an opportunity to exchange professional experiences. ALENA VACÁTKOVÁ Yana Velina is a junior expert at the Administration of the Ministry of Environment and Water, Bulgaria. Her main duties include participation in the implementation of her country s obligations under conventions and agreements (e.g. CITES, EUROBATS), as well as participation in the development of national strategic documents and normative acts. She is also involved in an international LIFE project about brown bears in Bulgaria, where she is in charge of the development and implementation of action plans and involved in inter-departmental committees. During her participation in the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme, Ms. Velina would like to develop a transfer project related to poaching and illegal trade in animal species in Bulgaria. She believes that this programme will help her in gaining practical experience and learn more about the various approaches applicable to conservation projects in her home country. born 1983, Czech Republic Master of Science in Environmental Science Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation Natura 2000 Specialist, Ministry of the Environment, Department of Species Protection and European Regulations

12 KATALIN VÉHMANN Dana Yermolyonok is a member of the NGO Karaganda Ecological Museum, one of the leading nature conservation NGOs in Kazakhstan. Her main responsibilities include the monitoring of harmful impacts of large industrial companies and infrastructural projects on nature. She has been also involved in projects on sustainable use of natural resources, and has experience in environmental education. She would like to use the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme to improve her capacities to practically contribute to the preparation of UNESCO world natural heritage nominations. Ms.Yermolyonok has joined Karaganda Ecological Museum in 2002 as a volunteer. Currently she is a leading expert there. DANA YERMOLYONOK born 1978, Hungary Master of Law : Environmental Law Legislator, Environmental Legislation Unit born in 1981, Kazakhstan Master of Science in Applied Ecology Environmental Protection and Nature Conservation Project Coordinator and Member of the Board, NGO Karaganda Ecological Museum Dr. Katalin Véhmann works as a legislator at the Environmental Legislation Unit of the Ministry of Rural Development, Hungary. Her main duties consist of drafting environmental and nature protection laws. Although she is mainly responsible for drafting national legislation, her work also relates to European regulations and international treaties. Over the past years, she also gained some practical experience in international law making. As her special field is legislation on nature conservation, Ms Véhmann would like to use the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme to enhance her understanding in this area. She would like to gain deeper knowledge especially on conservation governance and policy, together with conservation economics and financing. In 2010, Ms Véhmann was a member of the Hungarian and European expert group during the preparation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing. In her transfer project she would like to focus on this regulation.

13 SVETLANA ZAKARYAYEVA born 1984, Turkmenistan Bachelor in Biology Research and Environmental Education Senior Scientific Researcher, Khazar State Nature Reserve Umut Zholdoshova coordinates the environmental programme of the Rural Development Fund, a non-governmental and non-for-profit organisation in Kyrgyzstan, which is active in the field of social and rural development. She has been coordinating research and development projects in the forestry sector, including the development of research methodologies and analysis. Currently she manages a project on developing and testing a model of community forest management in pilot sites. Through the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme, Ms Zholdoshova would like to learn more about evaluating and monitoring biodiversity, and to acquire specific technical skills on data management, TEEB and mapping. Ms Zholdoshova was awarded with a diploma and with a badge The Best Employee from the State Agency on Environmental Protection and Forestry of the Kyrgyz Republic. She has been included in the First National Reserve Cadre by the Agency of Civil Service and won the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship for obtaining her Master degree. UMUT ZHOLDOSHOVA Svetlana Zakaryayeva works as senior scientific researcher at the Khazar State Nature Reserve, one of the oldest protected areas of Turkmenistan. Her main duties include diverse activities in hydrobiology, ichthyology, ornithology and biodiversity education. Ms Zakaryayeva would like to use Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme to improve her knowledge in human resources as well as biodiversity management. She plans to apply this knowledge for creating a global network of young scientists, aimed at exchanging scientific information. She also hopes her new knowledge will help her to initiate various projects on biodiversity. Svetlana Zakaryayeva has been awarded with a premium «For the contribution to development of Turkmenistan» by the Ministry of Nature Protection of Turkmenistan and with the A. K. Rustamow Price in the field of ornithology of Turkmenistan, by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). She also worked as a volunteer for the IBA programme (RSPB) and works for the NGO Turkmenistan Nature Protection Society (NGO). born 1980, Kyrgyzstan Master of Science Rural Development Coordinator of Environmental Programmes, The Rural Development Fund, Kyrgyzstan

14 Federal Agency for Nature Conservation International Academy for Nature Conservation Website: Contact: