ECORA
ECORA is an integrated ecosystem approach to conserve biodiversity and minimize habitat fragmentation in the Russian Arctic. It is a is a Global Environment Facility (GEF) sponsored project initiated by CAFF and the Russian Federation that uses an integrated ecosystem management approach to conserve biodiversity and minimize habitat fragmentation in three selected model areas in the Russian Arctic. The ECORA Project website can be accessed here - http://www.grida.no/ecora/
Integrated ecosystem management is an approach to addressing both conservation and sustainable development, where government authorities, indigenous peoples, industry representatives, and environmental organizations are working together to assess problems and find solutions. Three Model Areas have been selected in the Russian Arctic to test the implementation of such an approach, namely Kolguev Island, Kolyma River Basin, and Beringovsky, and Model Area Coordinators and Western Advisors are in place for all three model areas.
Communications at all levels of the project continues to be a challenge for the project but efforts are being made to address this. Extra support for translation is being sought to ensure good involvement from all project participants. Other logistical issues include availability of local experts in the regions, and cost increases particularly related to travel and salaries. ECORA continues to receive important contributions from the CAFF community. Russia and Norway are members of the Steering Committee, representatives from the USA and Sweden serve as Western Advisers in the Model Areas, and RAIPON is directly engaged in project implementation.
A "mid-term project review" is planned by GEF in 2007, and this will be important in relation to continued support and possible changes in project design.