(Closed) Public Awareness activities - Call 2009 (Project 1) and special Call 2009/2010 (Project 2)

Introduction

The specific convention between the Belgian Development Cooperation (DGDC) and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) aims to contribute to a better knowledge of biodiversity and to reach a better execution of international environmental conventions.

The CHM 'public awareness' component reinforces the activities of CHM National Focal Points in their contribution to the implementation of the CBD. National CHMs play an essential role in the education and information of the general public and policy makers, on the value of biodiversity and on the opportunities offered by the Convention.

• The philosophy of the project must be in accordance with the mission of the CHM.
• The project cannot, in any case, be used to support the daily functioning of CHM focal points or of Secretariats of regional organisations.
• The project will not target the establishment or maintenance of CHM websites.

The project must identify clearly:

• The target audience (e.g. decision makers, the media, farmers, school children, etc.). It is appropriate to discuss why this target audience has been selected and how it will be reached;
• The thematic issue (e.g. forest protection, threatened species, bushmeat, fisheries, agrobiodiversity and urban gardens, wetlands, transboundary protected areas, etc.);
• The message (e.g. we overexploit our resources, healthy forest ecosystems are essential for our own health and survival, etc.).

Some ways to reach the target audience are, by way of example: environmental education, written and oral media campaigns, popular culture and entertainment, organisation of local communities. These ways can be implemented alone or in combination.

The CEPA web portal of the CBD Secretariat can be used as an inspiration source. Its URL is
http://www.cbd.int/programmes/outreach/cepa/home.shtml.

Project 1:  one year project for 2009

As in former years the suggested theme has been chosen in accordance to the theme identified by the Convention on Biological Diversity for its celebration on the International Day on Biological Diversity:

• Biodiversity for development and poverty alleviation(CBD theme for 2010)

Project 2: two-year project in 2009-2010

For this option, we have opted for the following theme:

• Pollinators and their role for development

Pollinators are very important for the production of our daily food. However their role is often under valuated. The last few years have seen a world-wide decline in the numbers of pollinators. Initiatives have started under the CBD and the FAO to carry out more research and assess threats and trends. For example, an "African Pollinator Initiative" was started in 1999 to enhance the research on pollinators in Africa, their economic role and their role in biodiversity conservation.

In parallel to scientific studies, there is a need to develop a greater awareness of the services rendered by pollinators. Conservation and restoration efforts are needed in all regions of the world, especially in the rural areas that are at the core of crop and food production.

This call has been set up for two years as a special tribute to the celebrations of the International Year of Biodiversity. It also contributes specifically to the 2010 CBD theme.

The call encourages the collection of information on pollinators, their social and economic role and their decline. It also encourages the dissemination of the gathered knowledge to a wide range of audiences. By way of example, activities may include:

• Synthesis of known information on pollinators and animal pollination-dependent crops within the country or a specific region within the country
• Inventory and assessment of the status of pollinators (however, this should not be the dominant aspect of the project)
• Dissemination and outreach activities on pollinators and animal pollination-dependent crops: scientific conferences, technical and practical workshops, capacity building activities for farmers, activities in schools, etc.

More information on this special call