WINSSummer2002

EURASIA NEWS T he Eurasia Foundation is a privately managed nonprofit grant making organization created by the U.S. govern ment in 1993. With funding provided by a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development and over $30 million in grants from foreign govern ments, foundations, private businesses and individuals, the Eurasia Foundation supports programs in twelve countries of the New Independent States (NIS) of the former Soviet Union. Support covers a wide range of activ ities in economic and democratic reform targeting institutions and individuals at the local level. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded nearly 6,000 grants for a total of more than $118 mil lion. The Eurasia Foundation does not administer its own programs, but finances projects on the basis of propos als designed and submitted by appli cants, according to a set of guidelines established by the Foundation. The Foundation's Kyiv Regional Office is responsible for grant making programs in Ukraine, Moldova, and Belarus. The office began awarding grants in early 1994 and to date has offered direct sup port to several hundred organizations in the region. The Eurasia Foundation's program matic focus includes: • Private Enterprise Development: Includes management training, business and economics education, small busi ness development, agribusiness support, industrial restructuring, policy advice and information systems. • Public Administration and Policy Reform: Includes public administration training, public policy advice, streamlin ing procedures, transparency and devel opment of non governmental organiza tions. • Civil Society: Includes projects to develop and support an independent media, systems for alternative dispute resolution and the empowerment of non governmental organizations. BELARUS MOLDOVA UKRAINE Welcome into Green Rural Tourism! "T he Western NIS Regional Office's Advisory Board on July 12 approved over $264,229 in grants to forteen organizations to promote private enterprise, public administration reform and civil society development in Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. page 8 ? ? ? We take a long term approach, building on short term successes. Summer 2002 1 #2 [summer 2002] Presenting a new program TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM IN UKRAINE PROGRAM RATIONALE Ukraine possesses a wide spectrum of resources critical for the growth of the tourist industry, yet is using merely one-third of its capacity to build a national tourist sector. Some of the key impediments to the market, particularly for international visitors are the scarcity of promotional materials, a difficult and bureaucratic entrance procedure and a lack of professional managers and staff capable of catering to the needs of foreign tourists. Support of projects that mitigate these impediments will result in a favorable environment for growth of the tourism sector. the tourist sector, Eurasia Foundation has identified the following as those of critical importance that it can support: • Training for diverse categories of individuals in the tourism industry. • Collection and organization of data on tourist products in a region. • Improvement of current tourist products and routes and development of new ones. • Regional and local development programs to support the sector. T ired of the big city? Bored of running alone in the rushing crowds? Then it is time for you to flee from the asphalt jungle. You may ask: How? Rural green tourism is the answer. Take a breath of the fresh air in nature's solitude. Go to a place where you feel at home surrounded by a friendly rural family. Plunge into crystal clear water and discover jewels of untouched nature, the beauty of a for gotten world of traditions and slow pace of life. Feel reborn and refreshed before heading back to the urban scene. Why did we decide to launch a rural green tourism program? First, it creates new jobs for the local people, providing them with an opportu nity to stay and work within their locale without searching for job opportunities far beyond their native areas; Second, green tourism improves the livelihoods of the rural population, encouraging them to improve their envi ronment and local infrastructure; Third, it develops additional revenues for local and regional level administra tions that can be used for community needs, such as social care and adds to a positive climate in rural areas; Fourth, it makes rural communities stronger by fostering the creation of rural unions and associations while merging various types of services. I am sure that while reading this issue of the Newsletter you will be able to come across other reasons to prolong this list and join us as our partner in the pro gram's implementation. Come along with us into the new country of rural green tourism. Inna Filippova Program Coordinator GOALS and OBJECTIVES The overall goal of Eurasia Foundation's tourism development program in Ukraine is to promote accelerated development of the sector. Principle objectives of the program include: • Enhancing business practices through improvement of professional skills. • Promoting legal and regulatory reforms affecting the industry. • Strengthening NGOs and tourist associations. • Regulatory and legal reforms that affect tourism and investments in the sector. • Development of programs and plans for educational institutions to provide training. • Provision of information support and database development. • Marketing surveys and research that result in the development and implementation of marketing strategies. • Development and implementation of coordination efforts among service providers, NGOs and governmental agencies. PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY Under its programmatic mandate, the Eurasia Foundation will invite proposals from Ukrainian registered non-governmental tourism related organizations operating at the local, regional and national levels. For additional information and funding guidelines, please contact our office. PROJECT ACTIVITIES Recognizing the wide array of activities that are necessary to develop 2 Summer 2002 Definitions Guest column T he tradition of spending holidays in Ukrainian vil lages is rooted in the past. 19th century Russian Rural Green Tourism Development Activities T he Union for Promotion of Rural Green Tourism Development in Ukraine is a national non govern mental and non profit organization that aims at developing a related form of vacationing based on the recreational potentials of Ukrainian villages. The Union was founded in 1996 and today includes 1,000 indi vidual and 53 collective members that represent 17 regions of Ukraine. Its infrastructure includes oblast and rural branches. noblemen and the intelligentsia were familiar with the pursuit of rest an dcures in Crimean villages. AT the befinning of the 20th century green tourism was developed in the Carpathian Mountains. Today, Ukraine is experiencing a mini boom of agricultural tourism. Hospitable country estates attract citizens from Ukraine, Russia and other foreign countries with its natural foods and spectacular Ukrainian nature. Ecological tourism ( e c o t o u r i s m ) h a s d e v e l o p e d i n Ukraine largely within the boundaries of protected natu ral reserves, offering short and long stays. Ecological tours and environmental education are also provided. The categories of the National Reserve Fund of Ukraine, where ecotourism can be developed, are: National Natural Parks, regional landscape parks, and biosphere reserves. Ecotourism in Ukraine specifically provides for protection of the native flora and fauna. Green tourism is similar to ecotourism, but is less restric tive in both area and controls. For example, green tourism normally takes place in forested parks, botanical gardens and other parks situated in both rural and urban areas. Many rivers contain protected 'green-lines' along their banks, including large rivers such as the Dnieper, Desna, Danube and Southern Boug. Another variety of ecotourism is rural and heritage tourism, providing travelers with the experience of living in rural settlements with an emphasis on natural foods and life styles. Of great importance for rural tourism development is the protection and development of the local heritage, folk trades and unique architectural and historic monuments. Similar to ecological tourism is agro or farm tourism. This type of tourism is normally activity oriented, with the tourist actively taking part in farm work, etc. Many villages are suitable for agrotoursism and many have already begun the conversion to agrorecreational villages. Lower income families prefer to vacation in rural areas where they can find ecologically clean prod ucts, inexpensive housing and become re-acquanted with old customs and heritage while children are involved in practical agricultural work, folk traditions and rituals A principal focus of the Union during the past 6 years is the revival and development of rural green tourism. Thanks to the work of volun teers and activists the agricultural tourism market has become a pop ular way of spending weekends and holidays and is a widespread form of rural employment. Because the Union initiated its activities in Ukraine, the coopera tion between national and local authorities and green tourism opera tors and managers resulted in the development of a supportive admin istrative environment for the rural tourism expansion. The Union also takes an active role in developing a legislative basis to regulate the rural green tourism sector. Among the Union's primary objectives are the following: • Popularizing agricultural tourism • Promoting the recreational potential of the Ukrainian villages in national and international markets for tourist services • Supporting development of green tourism infrastructure • Assisting in development of rural employment opportunities In 1997 the Union published its national journal, Rural Green Tourism that has gained tremendous popularity in the tourist market. This journal publishes professional, methodological and analytical materials, success stories, lists of places to stay, etc. In 2000 the Union was nominated for recognition of its work in the field at the National Ukrainian Tourist Professional Program "Kryshtalevyj Leleka" and in 2001 the national journal received a certificate and official praise from the program. The Union is developing transparent mechanisms to govern the relationships among various participants of the rural tourism infra structure beginning with travel agents and those who host tourists. In addition, plans are in place to assist the tourist information center Hospitable Country Estates and regional centers through advertising and promotional activities targeting new clients for rural tourism. Finally, the Union plans to develop cooperative initiatives between tourist sector representatives and local authorities to promote the attraction of new tourists to rural areas. Volodymyr Vasiljev Chairman of the Board, The Union for Promotion of Rural Green Tourism Development in Ukraine Phone/fax (044) 552-94-63, E-mail: vgt@i.com.ua www.greentour.com.ua Summer 2002 3 Guest column Success Story Farm Tourism Agricultural and Craft Tourism rytsiv is a tiny town in northern part of Khmelnytska Oblast in Western Ukraine. You might say that it is an aver age venue that does not differ from any other spot of this region. But below the surface, this town has habitants who care about it a lot. And thus they creat ed two NGOs Grytsiv Revival Association and Rural Tourism Cluster Oberig that implement programs to help Grytsiv grow and flourish economi cally and culturally. Grytsiv citizens say that a Ukrainian village is like Cinderella who works hard day to day but still wears old clothes. A village has its own special soil, goodwill, honesty and char acter. But it can only reveal it at the moment Cinderella is changed into a princess. Each year Grytsiv has its fifteen minutes of fame, moments of magic: a festival market and handicraft day "I Love You My Grytsiv". This holiday was started in the summer of 1999 and since then it has attracted artists, craftsmen and tourists. Although the festival only lasts a day, those who arrive rather prefer to stay longer not easy in a town that lacks hotels. That was a key reason for creating the Oberig Rural Tourism Cluster and launching the Resting in the Village program. What's needed first to start agricultural tourism program? Find like minded activists that can be united into a team. Then put the team to work on practi cal tasks any will do and there are so many things to do in village. Have them identify and provide advice on local attractions, always keeping in mind the uniqueness of the vil lage. Even putting together a dedicated team is a key goal and you'll find that the practical ideas and suggestions to make a suc cessful program will not be far behind. Nothing like this is easy, of course. And for those village authorities that have lost their original optimism we have prepared special curriculum to help the Rural Community Development Program. We know it works because we have been living it for four years. Grytsiv is a model that represents teamwork on creating a community. You are welcome to join us in spreading this model. Natalia Gnatuk Head of the Rural Community Development Program Phone (03840) 722- 48 e-mail: grytsiv@sh.km.ua Y ou are typical city dweller surround ed by concrete, with little free time and space searching for a place to escape from 'civilization'. You won't find it hard to jump in a car and head for a spot in Western Ukraine called Grytsiv. Grytsiv is a town of 5 000, hidden in woods of Khmelnytska oblast and circled by the Khomora river. Think you will be bored? This is a place where the inhabi tants live in pristine conditions; where you can set your agenda in advance fill ing your newly found free time fishing, hunting, participating in handicraft work shops or just wandering the fields and woods hunting mushrooms and drinking fresh milk from the local farms every day. The Oberig Rural Tourism Cluster can help you in your escape from the city. Founded by 27 citizens of the region June 2002, Oberig RTC is a regional union of educational and scientific entrepre neurs and local government established to promote and provide high quality tourism services to support economic development. The Grytsiv Cluster is the first in a rural area. It was founded as a result of the enthusiasm and persistence of its members who brought know how from the United States, Poland, and the Slovak Republic. Each member of the Cluster is responsible for a unique 'voca tional service' for tourists providing use ful information in a particular area of interest. At the same time, the Oberig RTC supports business start ups by providing trainers in business planning for agricul tural tourism and continuing support for business development. Oberig is now hoping to expand the scope of its activities and develop it with other partners into a Ukrainian National Network of Agricultural Tourism Clusters. Lidija Matsuk Head of the Cluster's Board Phone/fax (0340) 729 30 e-mail: oberig@sh.km.ua G 4 Summer 2002 Success Story n the 5 7 of July, within the Year of Tourism announced in Ivano Frankivsk oblast in 2002, the first in Ukraine promotion tour for journalists was carried out. Among tour's organizers were state and non governmen tal tourism institutions both from Ivano Frankivsk and Kyiv. Tourist route included visits to pysanka city Kolomyja, woody Worokhta, water falls of Jaremcha, Dovbush Rocks and ruins of ancient fortresses of Galych city. More than 70 people from all over Ukraine participated in this tour and were invited to take part in the competition on best media coverage of the event. The winners' prize — 10 days vocation for two in Carpathians. It very attrac tive proposal since from now on all tour's participants are eager to get back to the region paying for the visit even from their own pocket. Mykhajlo Vyshywanuk,head of the Ivano Frankivsk Oblast State Administration says that Transcarpathian region is "a little Switzerland with soviet roads". Thus tourism will seen is one of the priorities in the economical development of the region. Private green tourism raise is good motivation to create an appropriate transport infrastruc ture with further roads and rails repairing. Nina Chernova, Slobidskyj Kraj, Kharkiv: "I loved it hear. I will leave this place with marvelous memories and will encourage all my relatives and people I know to come have relatively inexpensive holidays in Carpathians". Vasyl Skachyna, Ukrinform: "Carpathian region development should not be treated as problem to be solved by oblast's budgets, but national. Launching Sate Tourism Program for Carpathians will be useful for al nation". O The Carpathian Regional Tourist Board The Carpathian region in western Ukraine, with its rich history, architectural diversity and culture offers tourists opportunities to experience its sights year round. Green, heritage and farm tourism is a prime growth industry here where choices of activities include hiking, horseback rid ing, river rafting and canoeing, mountain climbing and skiing all while surrounded by beautiful scenery. The region is equally attractive for its clean air, mineral springs and country resorts. T T T his year the International Gutsul Festival will be held in the little town of Kosiv in Ivano Frankivsk oblast. This is the 12th annual event and an expected 2000 tourists from Ukraine and abroad will be able to taste local dishes and drinks, participate in handcraft classes for weaving, ceramics and wood and listen to folk concerts — 60 folk music and vocal groups from Poland, Romania and Ukraine have been invited to participate. he Voloshchuk family is among those preparing to host Festival guests at their home in Kosiv. "We got into green tourism long before we knew this terminology. The first guests were relatives of our friends who several times asked us to be their hosts." — notes Natalia Voloshchuk, — " But we have only been in business for two years. When we made a final decision on this we paid local authorities for the monthly licenses and cooperate with the Regional Association of Rural and Green Tourism". heir beautiful house, hidden in green woods and decorated in folk style, shelters tourists from Eastern and Western Ukraine, Russia, Poland and the U.S. mostly in the summer, autumn and winter. "When we have a snowy winter, then our home is even over booked since lots of people are eager to come to Kosiv to celebrate the New Year and for skiing". I n August of 2001, Ivano Frankivsk, Transcarpathian, Lviv and Chernivsti oblasts founded the Carparthian Regional Tourist Board with the support of TACIS. The Board's activities focus on the economic development of the region through the promotion of the Carpathian region for tourism while also pro viding the four oblasts with advice on marketing. During its first year, the Board launched its Web site www.tourism carpathian.com.ua, published numerous colorful booklets and cards and produced a photo/video production reflecting the unique nature of the Carpathian region. The Tourist Board actively participated in local and interna tional travel conferences and exhibitions while also conduct ing several seminars for the regional tourist industry, includ ing training in green and extreme tourism management. Ivano Frankivsk Oblast has established 2002 as the "Year of Tourism" and the first promotional tour for journalists was held between July 5th and 7th. More than 70 journalists from every region of Ukraine participated in the tour and were invited to take part in a competition for best media coverage with a prize of 10 days in the Carpathians for two provided jointly by the local administration and the Tourist Board. For some, it was their first visit to the region and many are eager to return. With a grant provided by the Eurasia Foundation and the Polish American Ukrainian Cooperation Initiative, the Board is developing a Carpathian Vacation catalogue for publication and distribution. The Carparthian Regional Tourist Board is building its reputa tion as a reliable organization committed to the economic development of the region and providing information and assistance to tourist sector businesses and visitors alike. N atalia's husband graduated from the local college of applied and dec orative arts and, with numerous houses being renovated in town he has plenty of work. With the annual Festival he usually gets special orders from the local authorities. Now, Kosiv is within the new Gutsulshchyna National Park, which will be officially opened during the Festival, and the local administration needs new artwork and signs to be designed. Natalia Gasuk, Carparthian Regional Tourist Board, Executive Director E-mail: ctb@trade.gov.if.ua Phone/fax (0342) 55-18-56 Summer 2002 5 Guest column New routs Falz Fein Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova" he potential for tourism, and green tourism in particular, in Ukraine and its associated economic benefits can be better appreciated when one considers that there are sixteen natural reserves, eleven national parks, dozens of botanical gardens and animal reserves. Although these parks and gardens represent a key factor in ecological preservation, four integrated biosphere parks have been recognized by the UNESCO "Man and Biosphere" program. A primary goal of these biospheres is to actively promote the con nections between ecological preservation, tourism and economic activities. Perhaps the most famous of the four biosphere reserves is "Askania Nova" in Kherson region north of Crimea and the Sea of Azov. Founded by Baron Falz Fein, a German immigrant, in 1874 it covers over 33,000 hectares and is one of the oldest reserves in the country. The four hour drive from Crimea or 5 from Dnipropetrovsk brings you to Tauria, the only place on the Eurasian continent where such a huge expanse of ancient feather grass steppe along with its unique wild life has been preserved. Scythian stone babas, or grandmothers, used in the past as trail markers across the treeless steppe, guard the tranquility of the prehistoric feather fes cue grasslands at Falz Fein Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova". During the spring the steppe dis plays a riot of color with tulips and irises before transforming in early summer to a white sea of feather grass to the horizon. From the view of a dis tant horizon, the visitor can wander within the cool trees and water of the 115 year old botanical park with its original stone irrigation system. Within a vast enclosed portion of the steppe, take a two hour tour by horse drawn carriage or mini bus to see more than 4,000 animals including zebra, bison, antelope and water buffalo from Africa, Australia, and North and South America. For 100 years the legendary Przewalski's horses were preserved here, and a small herd still wanders the steppe. Recently, as a result of collaborative efforts with the University of California, Davis, the Reserve reintroduced the rare horse to their native Mongolia. The steppes surrounding the Askania Nova Reserve contain numerous places of interest that are not apparent to the average tourist and a one day trip does not do justice to the overall eco sys tem which reaches down to the shores of the Azov and east across the steppe. With support from the Eurasia Foundation, NGOs will implement programs tar geted at green tourism training and infrastructure development that will result in improved economic activities in the region's towns and villages. Launching an eco tourism program in the region will increase the tourist flow and time spent in the locale, stimulate the development of other sec tors such as transport and communication, the production of building materials, ecologi cally produced food products and souvenir production all of which will raise the standards of living in this rural area. T Preserved Wonders Are Just At Our Front Door U kraine is known as steppe country. But where is the steppe? Crossing the country the traveler sees moun tains, fields, forests, lakes and rivers but no steppe. Transformed by man, the primeval steppe ecosystems only stretch out now lengthways along the northern shores of the Black and Azov Seas. Not everyone will find the steppe comfortable. Its severe conditions were always the main obstacle to any settlement while the Sycthians and Sarmatians crossed it quickly on horseback. But it is ideal place to run away from city life to go back to a truly wild nature. Sections of the original ecosystems are preserved in this region. The Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova", Black Sea Biosphere Reserve and the Azovo Sivash National Park are considered world class ecosystem models. Askania is the best known among them to tourists since at least there is a small hotel and a number of village cafes. If there is a desire to stay in the Askania region longer and extreme adventures are on the agenda, then there are fascinating places to visit in the immediate vicinity. In that case, welcome to Pryssyvashia. Sun, salt and heat the only three words that can describe this zone. In the distant past travelers and traders following the Silk Road or Chumak Way passed through Pryssyvashia. Today it's possi ble to retrace their steps and take in the un spoilt nature of the Sivash Islands and North Crimea lakes, trek down paths used by armies during the First and Second World Wars, get a long term tan in salt deserts famous for their unexpected apparitions and visions. Can't swim? Then the salt aquatoria is available and the water will keep you on the surface as do the waters of the Dead Sea and never let you drown. This exhausting trip can be finished at another special natural resort where you can relax sore muscles in curative mud volcanoes. This land of 1000 wonders is known now only to the adventurous but has enormous potential for green and extreme tourism. To attract and maintain more tourists, the regions infrastructure and service industry urgently needs development and a conversion to a more 'user friendly' environment. Askania Nova hopes to be at the forefront of this development with support from a new partner, the Eurasia Foundation. Launching a green tourism program here will help to promote economic and social development while opening up a relatively little explored, but ecologically important, region to a wider, par ticipatory audience. G.Gavrylenko, Director, Biosphere Reserve "Askania Nova" 6 Summer 2002 New challanges Once a shoe manufacturer decided to explore selling on African markets. To make a final deci sion they dispatched two marketing specialists to investigate possibilities in several African countries. One sent the following report: "The entire market can be ours everyone walks bare foot and no shoe company has started operations here". Back in Minsk they called him an optimist. The other specialist returned home with another report: "There is no way you can start this business there people are comfortable without shoes and thus it will be hard to sell to even one person". He was called a realist. Eco-tourism Belarus? M y recent trip to Belarus reminded me of this old joke. Although two similar conflicting reports could be written, we at the Western NIS office of the Eurasia Foundation prefer being realistic optimists and decided to launch a green and rural tourism program in Belarus. Given the experience of Ukrainian NGOs in this sector, the new program has a good chance to become a success story notwithstanding the poor state of Belarus' economic devel opment or the government's attitude to pri vate entrepreneurship. So, here are the biggest pros and cons: 2002 being declared International Year of Ecotourism, the Parliament began work on a draft law "On Ecotourism" that may give some juridical status and outline activities in the sector. But, with the progressive eco nomic decline of the rural areas in Belarus agricultural tourism in particular has even less chance to start up. The good news…………… 1. The national parks and reserves pre serve unique ecosystems that can satisfy the most demanding eco tourist. The most famous national park is the Belovezha Forest Preserve on the Polish border the oldest reserve in the republic which is included on the World Cultural and Natural Heritage list. This majestic wood was first mentioned in manuscripts in 983. The reserve covers an area of 87.6 thousand hectares representing a unique nature sanctuary and the only virtually untouched large forest in Central Europe. The Belovezha forest is rich in fauna and birds. The old growth woodland contains oaks aged 300 to 700 years, 450 year old ash trees and 220 year old pine trees. Supreme in the dense forest is the auchor, the largest and rarest representative of Europe deer. But, most people come here to meet a zubr (Byelorussian bison) an animal that has become the symbol of Belarus. For hundreds of years Belarus has been referred to as Lakeland, quite justifiably. There are 11,000 lakes and 20,000 rivers and brooks in the country. From azure and deep blue to black mirrors, lakes are hidden in forest thickets or glimmer among mead ows. Those who are enjoy fishing and swim ming and mysterious underwater world can lose themselves in the Braslav Lakes National park. The largest lakes of the park are the Driviaty, Snudy, Strusto, Voyso and Bogeno. The amazing charm of this park is due to its variety of landscape: lakes, hills, woods and again more lakes contained in a area of about 183 sq. km though the exact extent has yet to be measured. 2. Historical and cultural heritage opportunities structures from the period of the Crusades, the history of Grand Dukes Gedimin and Radzivill, the poet Adam Mitskevitch and the spot where the Soviet Union was dissolved all enhance the First the bad news………… 1. The tourist infrastructure in Belarus is geared toward taking people out of the country domestic travel is not popular. Today the infrastructure, to be generous, is not adapted to hosting a large number of foreign tourists in general and in national parks or rural areas in particular. Few visu alize local tourists as the probable users of such forms of tour services. Even if the local population wants to, price precludes green tourism. The official price for a trip to the huge Belovezha forest preserve is less than $15 a low price for foreigners but too high for a Byelorussian. Furthermore, all reserves and national parks are under the control of the Office of the Presidential Administration. Consequently, only state tourist agencies (and those under state protection) are able to arrange and conduct excursions and small tourist companies can hardly compete with them. 2. Eco/green tourism in Belarus is not seen as an important part of country's economy and its citizens' prosperity. The tax system, with its oppressive regulations, is a formidable obstacle to private business development even though as a result of tourists' opportunities. Eco tourism is sup plemented with Visculy, the government residence where the agreement that dis mantled the USSR was signed in 1991; Trinity church (1583); the White Tower of Kamenetz (1286). The Neman River also combines the charm of a preserved natural setting and history: the St. Peter and Paul church built during the 17th century has a collection of six 18th century altars which combine goth ic, renaissance, baroque and rococo styles; the city of Lida holds the restored palace of Grand Duke Gedimin who fought rampaging crusaders in the early 14th century. 3. The regions around Grodno, a famous historical area of interest, holds strong interest for tourists from Poland and Lithuania. 4. Finally, local tour facilitators called krajevedcheskije organizations (very popu lar in the Soviet era for arranging and pro viding excursions within Belarus for the local population) still exist and they main tain the information on old the tourist routes and can form a foundation of knowl edgeable personnel. So, taking a realistic but nevertheless optimistic view, green/historical and eco tourism will not be grasping at a goal beyond reach. The basic structure exists, as do the people who can be trained as tour guides and managers, supported with infor mation materials, access to Internet and training in marketing. Tour associations can implement a promotion campaign tar geting local authorities to explain the ben efits eco and rural tourism development can provide to their communities. The Eurasia Foundation Tourism Development Program is structured to provide interested groups with the tools for creating a profes sional, sustainable green and eco tourism business. Finally, but certainly not least in impor tance, the Western NIS Regional Office is committed to establishing increasingly important cross border and regional coop eration that promotes knowledge sharing, best practices and economic cooperation between the countries that shortly will bor der an expanded European Union. Dzvenyslava Novakivska Outreach and Development Coordinator This publication was made possible through support provided by the Office of Market Transition, Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, U.S. Agency for International Development, under the terms of Award No. EMT G 00 02 00008 00. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Eurasia Foundation and the U.S.Agency for the International Development. 7 Grant list PRIVATE ENTERPRISES DEVELOPMENT Association Lviv Tourist Board Ukraine, Kyiv $23,228 Project activities will assist in optimizing the introduc tion of market principles into the agricultural sector of the country. Podilia Pershyi Association Ukraine, Khmelnytskyi $30,381 CIVIL SOCIETY DECA Press Moldova, Balti $31,746 To support accelerated development and growth of pri vate enterprises in the tourist sector. The project will establish a Tourist Information Point located at the city airport, which will provide tourists with information serv ices and printed materials about the regional tourist infrastructure free of charge. The project will also update a database of the regional tourist industry; develop and publish information materials for the Tourist Information Point; and, conduct seminars for the Point employees. The project will strengthen the image of Lviv as a tourist center as well as improve informational support of the tourist industry. Konotop Egency for Economic Development Ukraine, Konotop $7,790 To support economic development in the depressed regions of the northern part of Khmelnytska oblast. The grantee will train local government officials to use mod ern methods of assessment of the level of economic development in the region, to produce and implement local economic development strategies, and introduce the cluster based model of industrial development in small towns and villages. The results of the program will lead to a reduced level of unemployment, increased com petitiveness of small and medium businesses, and improved climate for private enterprise development in the region. Razumkov Ukrainian Center for Economic and Political Studies Ukraine, Kyiv $2,999 To support the development of democracy and private businesses in the northern region of the Republic of Moldova. The project will include training and practical assistance for entrepreneurs, civil society and media rep resentatives. During implementation approximately 40 entrepreneurs and NGO representatives will receive pub lic relations training to insure efficient promotion of their activities to assist in resolving the social and eco nomic problems of the local communities. Additionally about 45 journalists will receive relevant legal training and not less than 10 leaders of the independent media will participate in management seminars. The project will develop the capacity of private business, non gov ernmental and the local administrations' activities, while strengthening the role of free media in solving local community problems. Informational Development Promotion Foundation Belarus, Minsk $34,999 To support the creation of favorable conditions for the development of small business in the city of Konotop. The project will develop a business incubator and busi ness center to provide training for new and existing entrepreneurs, provide consulting services, hold compe titions for the best business plans and other business concepts, and publish an economic legal digest in the local newspaper. The long term results of the program will contribute to increased number of registered and functioning small and medium businesses, increased rate of workers' employed by small businesses, and encourage more activity and investment in small and medium busi ness in the city. Center for Land Reform Policy in Ukraine Ukraine, Kyiv $3,739 To support methodologies to increase citizen participa tion in political and economic decision making. The project will conduct an independent analysis of political, economic, social and legal issues related to Ukraine's accession to the World Trade Organization and to devel op recommendations regarding optimal methods of implementation to address those issues. A round table with key Ukrainian officials and national media will be conducted to summarize the findings and recommenda tions. To improve citizen access to information through the development of non state TV and radio stations. The project will create a Regional Information Agency intro ducing high quality news exchange in cooperation with 20 regional TV and 5 radio stations. Research on the broadcast media market will also be conducted. The proj ect will increase the quality of news programs produced by non governmental TV stations and encourage media cooperation. Institute of Mass Information Ukraine, Kyiv $21,900 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REFORM Center for Ethno social studies Ukraine, Simferopol $27,455 To support development of private entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector. The project will develop, publish and distribute an annual analytical report on land reform implementation in Ukraine in 2001. The project will pro mote more effective implementation of land reform and strengthen the cooperation among the main stakehold ers of these reforms. Center for Land Reform Policy in Ukraine Ukraine, Kyiv $7,533 To support development of private entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector. The project will develop, publish and distribute a mini manual and a monthly informa tional newsletter on the most crucial issues of new land legislation. The manual and newsletter will be developed by the grantee, which has obtained the cooperation of the State Committee on Land Resources to assist in the review of materials and provide official support. The pro gram will promote more effective implementation of land reform, increase the awareness of land users' and owners' rights and obligations as provided in the new Land Code and represent a model for cooperation between a gov ernment agency and NGO. Association "New Agro Enterprise" Lugansk oblast Organization Belarus, Minsk $32,87 To improve the performance of civil servants by support ing a professional, university level public administration program. The project will publish a handbook for univer sity students and professionals based on American pub lic administration experience and develop the lectures for an "Introduction to Public Administration" course at Tavrichesky National University. These activities will help develop a core University program and provide a local resource for training of civil servants. Kharkiv Politechnic Institute Ukraine, Kharkiv $12,709 To reduce obstacles to independent media development and facilitate citizen access to information. The project will provide journalists with legal advice and informa tion, advocacy assistance, legislative analysis and pre publication review. Monitoring of media and journalists' rights violations will be conducted. Project materials will be widely disseminated through the organization's web site, its newsletter "Free Microphone", and through its e mail distribution list. Odesa Charity Fund "The Way Home" Ukraine, Odesa $6,520 To promote private enterprise development in agriculture through support of the reorganization and privatization process of state agro enterprises. The project envisions complex consulting support to 12 agro enterprises in the restructuring process, training specialists of these enter prises in agriculture and business issues, and conducting public hearings on the draft law "On the adaptation of private agricultural enterprises to market conditions". To improve performance of municipal employees. The grantee will develop diagnostic tools and methods to assess communication, management, personal and lead ership skills. The tools and methods will be applied to a pilot group of employees in the Kharkiv city executive committee. Based on the test results the grantee will develop appropriate recommendations to modify job descriptions of those employees tested, and provide rec ommendations to participate in training to further devel op and strengthen these skills. In addition, the grantee will present an innovative program of professional devel opment for municipal employees. The program will result in improved quality of employees' and departments' activities and will lead to implementation of innovative methodologies and practices in hiring and performance evaluation of municipal employees. To better address the problem of community reintegra tion of the homeless by involving citizens in charitable activities. The project will establish a library for the homeless and conduct a public information campaign on social problems. These project activities will increase public awareness of the problems of the homeless and help to attract more resources from the local community to implement charitable programs. Civil Society Institute Ukraine, Kyiv $20,322 To support methodologies to protect civil liberties and limit the arbitrary exercise of government power. The project will produce a series of brochures that explain the function and procedures of the Ministry of Justice, Office of Prosecutor General, Supreme Court and Commission on Human Rights. Printed materials will be available to the public through existing networks of legal clinics, NGO resource centers and other civic organiza tions. Project activities will contribute to increased citi zen participation in political decision making. 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