Capacity building for youth NGOs to implement projects on preventing water pollution TRAINING COURSE

Held on 5 -14 September 2011 in Gura Portitei, ROMANIA

Side by Side for the Black Sea

Thematic content. Contributions of participants

Bucharest, 2011

Contents

3 4 5 6 7 8

Organizational background and acknowledgements Side by Side for the Black Sea in brief Theme 1: Discover the water cycle in nature Theme 2: Understand the bond between water and health Theme 3: Understand the bond between water and economy Theme 4: Understand the bond between water and international relations

9 Sharing hands-on experiences 10 Designing new projects 11 SBS and cultural diversity

Organizational background and acknowledgements

Black Sea Caspian Sea International Fund
BSCSIF is a non-governmental organization, established by the initiative of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea region government structures on March 4, 2009 in Bucharest, inspired by a common idea of the President of Romania, H.E. Traian Basescu, and the President of Azerbaijan, H.E. Ilham Aliyev. Its founders are academics, scientists and renowned public figures from Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic of Kyrgyzstan, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Republic of Turkey and Ukraine. Also, the Russian Federation, Republic of Bulgaria and Republic of Serbia have joined us in order to fulfill BSCSIF goals. In order to help people belonging to this regions enhance the cooperation between their countries and with international organizations, representatives of civil society, scientific researchers, academics and diplomats decided to establish an organism that would be an alternative to the rigidity of the official high level relations and to pledge for people-to-people contacts and the dialogue between experts in various fields of activity. The Fund represents a civil society initiative for launching common actions and strengthening friendship and effective, solid cooperation between the countries of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea region in the field of democratization and institution building, justice and human rights, economics, public policies, science, education, culture, environment, fighting against terrorism, organized crime, drug trafficking and poverty.

www.bscsif.org

European Commission Youth in Action Programme

Side by Side for the Black Sea project has been funded with support from the European Commission through the "Youth in Action" Programme. This publication reflects only the views of the author, and the Commission is not responsible for any eventual use of the information it contains. Youth in Action is the EU Programme for young people aged 15-28 (in some cases 13-30). It aims to inspire a sense of active citizenship, solidarity and tolerance among young Europeans and to involve them in shaping the Union's future. It promotes mobility within and beyond the EU borders, non-formal learning and intercultural dialogue, and encourages the inclusion of all young people, regardless of their educational, social and cultural background. More information on the Programme is available on: http://ec.europa.eu/youth.

Acknowledgements
SBS project team is grateful for being entrusted with conducting this project to all BSCSIF Board Members, especially to H.E. Mr. Ambassador Elldar Hasanov, and Mr. Iulian Fota, Adviser to President of Romania. This project wouldnt have been possible as such without their support. We also express our appreciation for constant help and support offered by all BSCSIF colleagues, with special thanks to Ms. Felicia Scoarta and Mr. Mihai Sandu, and to all our partner organizations. And last, but not least, our high consideration goes to the Romanian National Agency for the Youth in Action Programme, particularly to Ms. Miruna Covaci, for their kind unconditioned assistance in planning and implementing this project

Side by Side for the Black Sea in brief

"Side by Side for the Black Sea" pilot-project (SBS) can be regarded as a tool for preparing a new generation of youth activists in the field of preventing water pollution. Built around an 8-days Training Course, SBS aimed at increasing the capacity of youth NGOs from the Black Sea region in developing preventing water pollution projects. SBS was implemented between July and December 2011 and it had been initiated by he Black Sea - Caspian Sea International Fund, financed by EC "Youth in Action" Program through Romanian National Agency, and it involved other 8 youth NGOs from 8 European countries: Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. The Training Course gathered, between 5 and 14 September 2011, in Gura Portitei, Romania, 27 young people who analyzed and discussed the situation of water in the Black Sea basin. They have gained the ability to analyze the connections between water and human health, economy and international relations, as well as to understand the mutual impact of human activities on the quality and availability of water, and think about solutions to prevent water pollution. SBS project facilitated the exchange of experience and good practice between participants, concerning preventive activities for water pollution. It also improved their knowledge about water issues and water quality in the Black Sea basin.

Results of SBS Pilot-project

- A network of 27 young people active in the field of environmental projects. - Participants in the Training Course, active in NGOs from 9 countries, have understood how to approach the issue of preventing water pollution (http://www.sbs-project.info/#!tc-days). - Participants gained basic skills of planning and implementing a project. - 5 new project ideas have been developed. Their implementation is expected to start in 2012 (http://www.sbs-project.info/#!projectproposals). - A Good Practice Handbook including 17 previously implemented project presentations of SBS participants has been published on hardcopy and is available online. The projects are intended to serve as examples for other youth NGOs, inviting them to try it at home (available on www.sbs-project.info). - SBS Brochure presenting Thematic content of the training and contributions of participants has been designed to serve as a tool for other NGOs, youth activists and youth workers willing to replicate this project in their region, or to use its thematic content in specific educational activities.
"My education and my job is closely related to this project. I have organized a related project within "Youth in Action" program before as well. I believe "Side by Side for the Black Sea" can be a step for a long-term project. There is a good start for building an international network involving the participants here. I would like to continue working together" - Peter from Hungary -

76% of participants considered that their participation in this project will improve the capacity of their NGO to implement projects on preventing water pollution.

42% of participants intend to personally get involved in writing such projects.

Theme 1: Discover the water cycle in nature

Thematic content
This topic gave participants the opportunity to

experience the different stages through which water passes in its journey on Earth. They have tested and observed the different phases of water, and the way it interacts with different types of pollutants. Special attention was paid to nutrients and Black Sea eutrophication phenomenon. There might be organisms that can leave without air, but no organism can live without water. In its constant movement and transformation: water evaporates from the surface of seas and oceans, forms clouds and travels long distances to cause rain and snowfalls, it falls, melts and infiltrates in the ground or runs on the surface to reach the rivers, lakes, and finally flows back into seas and oceans. In its journey through the atmosphere and lithosphere, water transports other substances as well - generally referred to as chemical compounds and particulate matters. The Black Sea is a waterbody that collects waters from a catchment area covering more than half of the European continent. Although it is connected to Planetary Ocean via Bosphorus Strait Marmara Sea Mediterranean Sea, the amout of water flowing from the Black Sea into the Ocean is so small that the Black Sea can be considered a lake rather than a sea. From its very emergence, life had been developing in water for millions of years. A vast variaty of species that are dependend on each other and have a role to play in maintaining planets equilibrium develop and depend on aquatic ecosystems. Water pollution is the contamination of water bodies (e.g. lakes, rivers, oceans and groundwater). It occurs when pollutants are discharged directly or indirectly into water bodies, without adequate treatment to remove harmful substances.

Contribution of participants
Participants brainstormed on what keeps the water cycle functioning, and nutrients. Later on, an on-site experiment was conducted: reproducing water cycle in nature. "First day of training was quite interactive, combining information and practice, and leaving me with a pleasant impression. The most essential is that each of us is gaining the will to take part in keeping the marvelous treasure of Earth. - Tamta from Georgia -

Theme 2: Understand the bond between water and health

Thematic content
Most of the earth's surface is covered by water, and most of the human body is composed of water two facts illustrating the critical linkages between water, health and ecosystems. Appealing to the need to improve health has been an effective tool in promoting improvement in water quality. How does water affect global health? Nearly one billion people lack access to safe water; 3.5 million people worldwide die every year from water related diseases and around 1 billion people suffer from a water-borne, water-washed, water-based or water-related vector-borne disease; Half of the worlds hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from a water related disease. Water-related diseases: 1. Water-borne diseases: infections spread by / through contaminated drinking water; 2. Water-washed diseases: diseases due to the lack of proper sanitation for hygiene; 3. Water-based diseases: infections transmitted through an aquatic invertebrate organism; 4. Water-related vector-born diseases: diseases transmitted by insects that depend on water for their propagation. A report on Safer water, better health published by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2008, states that almost onetenth of the global disease burden could be prevented by: Water in our body: Brain - 85%, Muscle - 75%, Blood - 82%, Bones - 25%

increasing access to safe drinking water; improving sanitation and hygiene; improving water management to reduce risks of water-borne infectious diseases, and accidental drowning during recreation.

Contribution of participants
Polluted water can enter human body from drinking water sources, sanitation facilities, by means of food when used in food production, and through recreational activities such as swimming, thus posing serious threats to our health. In this regard, the SBS trainees started working on possible solutions their NGOs can apply individually, as well as in cooperation with each other and with other stakeholders. - Get involved in the rehabilitation of drinking water plants older than 20 years - Suggest and promote solutions of ecological industry instead of old polluting industry - Plant trees: to avoid water flow, during the rain, washing the cities and polluting rivers from the city - Promote the use of natural fertilizers and lobby for interdicting or limiting chemical fertilization

When I turn back to my country, I want to teach my pupils what I have learnt here about environmental protection. I would like to take part in more courses like this. - Konul from Azerbaijan -

Theme 3: Understand the bond between water and economy

Thematic content
Water has always played a key role in economic development, and economic development has always been possible due to availability of water. Water holds important and diverse benefits for society, as: use for drinking, cooking, sanitation, industrial use, hydroelectric use, transportation, fishing, agricultural use (crop irrigation, livestock), waste assimilation benefits (of water), aesthetic and recreational values, avoiding or controlling water-related risks. Because we undervalue this precious resource, we tend to overuse it. Water footprint is a tool that helps us quantify the volumes of water consumption and pollution that are behind our daily consumption. The water footprint of an individual, community or business is defined as the total volume of freshwater that is used to produce the goods and services consumed by the individual or community or produced by the business. (www.waterfootprint.org).

Contribution of participants
Despite the diversity of their professional backgrounds, participants of SBS do converge in their views on the relation between water and economy: Water can exist without our society and economy, whereas human society and economy cannot exist without water. Economic pressure on water . In its endeavor to meet the increasing demand for energy, food, and confort, human society influences water both in terms of water quality and sustainability of ecosystems. We have analyzed and debated the role such sectors as Agriculture, Energy, Pharmaceutics, Transportation and Textile industry have in relation with water: what they are needed for, where and how they use water, their negative impact on water, but most important - thinking about viable alternatives and solutions to currently unsatisfactory state of things.

Today's activities (Water & Economy) had a big influence on me. Until today, I have never fully realized the big impact humans have on OUR PLANET. After this project, I have a big wish to change something in our lives concerning our attitude towards preserving the environment. Environmental protection has been my professional background, but now I know that it is my mission. - Olga from Ukraine -

Theme 4: Understand the bond between water and international relations

Thematic content
Growth of population leads to an increasing demand for water. Interbational Alert, a British NGO, issued a report which identified 46 countries , home to 2,7 billion people, where water and climate stresses could ignite an armed conflict by 2025. Activities on this subject were thus structured around 4 subjects:

WATER AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Contribution of participants
How do we see future in relation with water? Positive scenarios: - Using new technologies to transform salted water into drinkable one will be more affordable; - We will be using new technologies to clean the water, and a smarter water management; - Ecological transportation on water and more natural agriculture will be the assets of the future; - Long term impacts in aplying strategies and plans will be considered in relation with water resources; - Environmental education in schools and families will be better. Negative scenarios: - If we dont stop wasting and polluting water, the consequences will be catastrophic: well run out of water in some parts of the world, and of clean water in other parts of the world. These would eventually lead to war; - If we continue to consume more than the Earth can give us, our natural resources will come to an end. What should we as Civil Society do in the process of managing international waters? - Be informed on the state of international water management; - Get involved in preparing and implementing action plans for local rivers/national rivers; - Cooperate with other NGOs at local and basin level; - Make cooperation with governmental institutions of national and international levels; - Identify and localize problems; - Create and extend networks; - Involve big companies in financing projects; Develop dissemination system; - Look for solutions with the help of research institutions; - Use water efficiently; - Be an example and lead by example.

Sharing hands-on experiences 9

Contribution of participants
Every day participants had the opportunity to share with each other and discuss about their previous experiences in participating or organizing environment-related projects, which more or less directly find their reflection in preventing water pollution. By the end of the training days, 21 projects had been presented and the best 2 projects voted by participants themselves were rewarded. 17 of these projects have been compiled and briefly presented in SBS Good Practices Handbook, available online at www.sbs-project.info.

The 17 projects are: 1. Local project management I and II water/waste water 2. Environment online tree planting campaign 3. My poor snowflake 4. Enjoy your Vake: dont be late, dont be dirty 5. Lets meet with birds in nature 6.BAVSHVI implementing environmental checklist 7. Environmental education in the Szatmar-Bereg Natural Park 8. Research on the Malawi lake biodiversity 9. Hiking routes in Szatmar-Bereg 10 Network in ecology in Azerbaijan 11. Lets do it, Moldova! 12. Recycle the paper 2007 13. Unpollute our nature 14. Plastic bottle caps for a wheelchair 15. Save nature save yourself 16. BaSeFood sustainable exploitation of bioactive components from the Black Sea area traditional foods 17. Danube day in Ukraine

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Designing new projects

Thematic content
After having a complete picture of the situation on the quality of water and its implications at individual, national and international levels, the participants were prepared to make a step further - ideas on where and how NGOs that they represent can act. Activities for SBS trainees were aimed at helping them understand how to turn an idea about how to solve a water pollution issue into a viable project. Trainees learnt to define the problem, formulate the solution - and thus the aim of the project, define the objectives, plan activities, and justify the importance and approach of their project. Participants, worked on developing and planning projects aimed at "challenging the challenge" of preventing water pollution. This was the first practical step taken towards implementing solutions.

Contribution of participants
The 5 projects that have been initiated during the training are: 1. Side by Side for the Tisa River - initiated by the SBS participants from Hungary and Ukraine. The project is aimed at promoting trans-boundary volunteering for activities that improve the quality of Tisa River waters. 2. Side by Side for Iskar and Dniester rivers - a mirror-project initiated by SBS participants from Bulgaria and Moldova. The project aims at increasing the involvement of local communities in activities related to preventing of water pollution in the two rivers. 3. What are you breathing - a project which emphasizes the role of outdoor air pollution in causing acid rains. Participants from Georgia and Russia are the ones who initiated this project aiming to mobilize stakeholders in intensifying activities to reduce outdoor air pollution in big cities. 4. Mapping deforested areas in Romania-Ukraine border regions - initiated by SBS participants from Romania. Emphasizing the role of forests in reducing the incidence of floods and its consequences on the quality of water, on local and national economy, as well as on public health, the project aims at providing a useful and reliable tool for local authorities and NGOs to improve the surveillance measures and implement relevant reforestation projects in those regions. 5. Interreligious Dialogue and Water - initiated by participants from Azerbaijan and Turkey. It is common knowledge that water knows no border. Integrated management and integrated projects concerning trans boundary waters require international approach. The project stresses the importance of understanding religious differences and overcoming cultural barriers in assuring the success of international water projects. Its aim is to promote mutual understanding and respect among young people from different cultural and religious backgrounds.

SBS and cultural diversity

Involving participants from 9 different countries has been both a challenge and an opportunity to strengthen regional cooperation in this field. SBS supported intercultural dialogue in a joint creative multicultural teamwork, developing the sense of tolerance, understanding and respect for diversity. Developing and promoting the acceptance of diversity, and of cultural and individual differences is vital in fostering international cooperation in the field of preventing water pollution. Intercultural dances and dinner, thematic movies, and intercultural games were key elements of cultural evenings. The images below tell the story of SBS intercultural experience.

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Friendship is a value.Friendship is a fortune. Friendship is the key to success in any common endeavor.

"If you are planning for one year, plant rice. If you are planning for ten years, plant trees. If you are planning for 100 years, plant people."

Side by Side for the Black Sea Project team:

Diana Ioana CALIN, Project Manager Roxana Liliana COMAN, Assistant Manager

Trainer
Natalia CIOBANU Environmental Management

Facilitator
Alice Viviana FARCAS Non-formal Education

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www.sbs-project.info

This publication was edited within SBS Project,

Black Sea Caspian Sea International Fund 13-19 Alecu Russo St., Office 1, Bucharest, ROMANIA www.bscsif.org

and bears no scientific character. Any person interested to use and/or reproduce any of its content is invited to contact SBS Project Team, and can do it free of any charge.