APPLICATION GUIDELINES

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

1. Project background The project Improving the management of the aims to achieve the following results: a) improvement of the management effectiveness and sustainability of national and potential NATURA 2000 areas; b) the designing and testing of more sustainable practices in the use of natural resources; and c) an increase in the capacity of management authorities, local self-governments and CSOs to implement policies and actions that maintain a sustainable balance in between livelihoods on the one hand and conservation and restoration priorities on the other. To achieve these aims, the project includes a targeted grant scheme to fund high-impact projects for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in high-priority. 2. Eligible areas Project concepts must focus on an existing protected area, an area with pending status as a protected area, an area designated as a potential NATURA 2000 site OR an area of significant natural value for which the applicants can provide a convincing justification for inclusion in the program. A list of all and potential areas for investigation for future NATURA 2000 areas is attached here as Annex 2. Please consult also the maps included for reference as Annex 3 and Annex 4. 3. Eligible activities Concepts should be focused on activities that will improve nature protection and promote the sustainable use of natural resources in local communities in target areas. Preference will be shown to concepts that combine nature protection with improving the social and economic welfare of local communities. Concepts need to demonstrate sustainability after the protect activities conclude. All projects ideas must be in line with relevant national and/or local nature protection strategic documents. Alignment with municipal and regional development strategies is also encouraged. A table containing possible types of project activities divided by category is provided here as Annex 5. Please indicate in your application whether the activities you envisage fall under the main categories presented in the table, or others (these categories are recommended but not exhaustive): 1. Conservation and monitoring 2. Sustainable use of the natural resources 3. Managing habitats and ecosystems 4. Sustainable tourism and recreation development 5. Local development 6. Communication, education and public awareness raising (CEPA) 7. General management with, financial and administration management Please note that the development of management plans and valorization studies for are not eligible for financing under this grant program.

4. Available funding Up to 15 grants will be awarded in values ranging from EUR 50,000 to EUR 100,000. Awards will be determined on an individual basis, in accordance with the needs of the specific protected area, the type of activities to be implemented and the capacity of implementing organization(s). 5. Application documents and deadlines Municipalities and civil society organizations seeking to apply to the program must complete the application form included here as Annex 1. Please respect the length limits specified. This stage of the program aims to identify strong concepts that will later be developed into detailed project plans. In addition to the application form, applicants must submit the following documents: Civil society organizations (CSOs) 1. Cover letter (with signature and stamp) 2. A copy of the applicant s registration document (not older than 6 months) 3. A brief profile of the CSO (mandate, financial status, human capacities and previous experience in projects related to nature protection) 4. CV of the Team Leader responsible for the grant implementation 5. Letter of Intent if cooperation with other entities is envisaged (where applicable) 6. Electronic version of the project application on CD/USB Local self-governments units - municipalities 1. Cover letter signed by the Mayor 2. A brief profile of the municipality (population, demographic and economic information, within the municipality, internal human capacities of the municipality and previous experience in projects related to nature protection) 3. CV of the Team Leader responsible for the grant implementation 4. Letter of Intent if cooperation with other entities is envisaged (where applicable) 5. Electronic version of the project application on CD/USB The submission deadline is 16:00 on 29 December 2017, by post or hand delivery to: Project concept application Improving the management of United Nations Development Program Jordan Hadzi-Konstantinov Dzinot 23 1000 Skopje

6. Project development Up to 15 project concepts will be selected for further development based on the evaluation criteria (see point 9). Successful applicants will then take part in a customized capacity building program including specific topics related to budget design, project cycle management, management, conservation, ecosystem services and other related topics. The program is expected to last two months. The goal of the program is to assist the applicants to develop their project concepts into full-size projects that will be implemented, starting in mid-2018, over a period of up to 18 months. It is also expected that the program will help to create long-term capacity for the future implementation of similar projects and improvement in the overall management of. Only participants who complete the capacity-building program in a satisfactory fashion will be eligible to receive grants. 7. Who can apply for a grant? The following entities are eligible to apply: 1. Civil society organizations established and regulated in accordance with the "Law on Civil Society Organizations and Foundations" (Official Gazette of RM 52/2010). 2. Local self-governments (Municipalities) Please note: larger with management authorities National Parks, Dojran, Prespa and Ohrid lakes are not eligible for this call. Discussions will be initiated directly with management authorities of these areas to identify priority measures and activities, and grants will be awarded separately. Direct negotiations on potential projects will also be conducted with the City of Skopje. The following organizations/associations are not eligible to submit applications: for-profit entities, governmental institutions (other than municipalities), budget organizations (i.e. educational institutions, public enterprises and similar), centers for regional development, individuals and private companies. All of these categories may participate in projects as partners and/or provide co-financing. However, they cannot be beneficiaries and/or receive a grant. A single entity can apply to a maximum of two projects, one as a Project Leader and one as a Project Partner. Applicants are encouraged to create partnerships between CSOs, municipalities, local communities and/or the private sector. Applicants are also encouraged to provide co-financing for the implementation of specific actions and measures within the project that will increase the impact. Co-financing is not mandatory but will be considered an asset.

8. Who will evaluate project concepts? The project concepts will be evaluated and approved by an Evaluation Committee. The Committee will be composed of representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (Department for Nature and EU Department) and UNDP. The EU Delegation in Skopje will act as an observer in the process. 9. Evaluation criteria Project concepts will be scored against the following criteria (maximum 100 points): 1. Problem knowledge (10 points) 2. Compliance with the relevant strategic documents on nature protection (25 points) 3. Sustainability (10 points) 4. Socio-economic and local development impact (20 points) 5. Potential for wider replication and scaling-up (15 points) 6. Partnerships with local governments, CSOs and/or the private sector (5 points) 7. Capacity of the applicant (15 points) The criteria for each category are presented in the Evaluation Grid included here as Annex 6. 10. Further information For questions or to request further information, please contact: nature.mk@undp.org

ANNEX 1 PROJECT CONCEPT APPLICATION FORM INSTRUCTION TO APPLICANTS: Concept proposals should include the items below and any other information that is relevant Please refer to the Application Guidelines when completing this form APPLICATION DETAILS 1.0 BASIC INFORMATION PROJECT TITLE: NAME OF THE PROTECTED AREA: IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: CONTACT PERSON: POSITION: 1. Identify the specific challenge that you are addressing with your idea (not more than half a page) Describe the problem you have identified. Explain why it is important to address it. Who is affected by it, and who will benefit from a solution? Include figures and facts (and quote your sources). 2. Link your project idea with specific nature protection strategic documents. (not more than a half page). Explain how your project idea complies with nature protection strategic documents on national and/or local level, and how it fulfills priority concerns for nature protection. Where relevant, explain how it is aligned with local or regional development strategies. 3. What is your idea for a solution to the problem? (not more than half a page) Present your idea. Explain how your project will solve the challenge identified in Question 1. How it is different from other projects implemented earlier? What is your strategy to achieve your goals? Please present all your actions and measurable indicators. Where possible use the categories and terminology found in Annex 5 to describe your approach. 4. To what extent will your idea improve nature protection and/or improve the management of a protected area, and how will it do so (not more than half a page)

5. How will you include local communities; what is the benefit for the local population and affected key stakeholders within or near the protected area; what is the socio-economic impact? (not more than half a page) How many people will directly and indirectly benefit from your intervention? How? Will your idea result in product/service that generates income for the local population? 6. Sustainability (not more than half a page) Describe how your idea is sustainable. How will you ensure that activities/ services/ products/ capacities created will continue beyond the life of the project? Can your idea become a sustainable business or an income-generating service? 7. Partnership with local municipalities, NGOs, private sector (not more than half a page) List the partnerships that you have established or will establish to implement your idea. If you already have a letter of intent from your partners, please include it with this application form. 8. How does your idea build on previous activities (if any) implemented in the specific area? (not more than half page) 9. Please present your implementation timeline (project cannot exceed 18 months) 10. Please provide an estimate of the total budget for your concept (and indicate if you have other sources of funding)

ANNEX 2: List of Protected areas and Potential areas for investigation for future Natura 2000 areas 1. Табела на прoгласени заштитени подрачја согласно Просторен План на РМ, Секторска студија за заштита на природно наследство Број Име Категорија Територијална припадност кон Општина Припадност кон плански развоен регион 1 Белешничка река Споменик на природа Македонски Брод Вардарски 2 Водно Предел со посебни природни карактеристики Скопје Скопски 3 Дојранско Езеро Споменик на природа Дојран Југоисточен 4 Дреновска Клисура Споменик на природа Росоман Вардарски 5 Езерани Парк на природа Ресен Пелагониски Заштитен предел 6 Гази Баба Скопје Скопски 7 Зрзе Споменик на природа Долнени Пелагониски 8 Јасен Повеќенаменско подрачје Македонски Брод, Сопиште, Студеничани Скопски 9 Катлановски Предел Споменик на природа Петровец Скопски 10 Катлановско Блато ОРЖВ* Петровец Скопски 11 Клисура Демир Капија Споменик на природа Демир Капија Вардарски 12 Кожле Прдел со посебни природни карактеристики Петровец Скопски 13 Колешински Водопади Споменик на природа Ново Село Југоисточен 14 Куклица Кратово Споменик на природа Кратово Североисточен Строг природен 15 Локви-Големо Коњаре резерват Прилеп Пелагониски 16 Маврово Национален Парк Маврово, Ростуше Полог 17 Маркови Кули Споменик на природа Прилеп Пелагониски 18 Матка Споменик на природа Скопје, Сарај, Сопиште и Желино Скопски 19 Орлово Брдо Споменик на природа Неготино Вардарски 20 Острово, Гази Баба Споменик на природа Скопје Скопски 21 Охридско Езеро Споменик на природа Охрид Југозападен 22 Пелистер Национален Парк Битола Пелагониски 23 Пештера Млечник Споменик на природа Струга Југозападен 24 Пештера Убавица Споменик на природа Гостивар Полог 25 Смоларски Водопад Споменик на природа Ново Село Југоисточен 26 Суви дол ОРЖВ Маврово, Ростуше Полог 27 Вевчански Извори Споменик на природа Вевчани Југозападен

28 Тиквеш Строг природен резерват Кавадарци Вардарски 29 Галичица Национален парк Охрид, Ресен Југозападен/Пелагониск и 30 Попова Шапка ОРЖВ Тетово Полог 31 Речица Споменик на природа Тетово Полог Строг природен 32 Плоче-Литотелми резерват Кратово Североисточен 33 Карши Бавчи Споменик на природа Кратово Североисточен 34 Орашац Споменик на природа Куманово Североисточен 35 Мурите Споменик на природа Берово Источен 36 Конче Споменик на природа Конче Југоисточен 37 Чам Чифлик ОРЖВ Струмица Југоисточен 38 Иберлиска река ОРЖВ Демир Капија Вардарски 39 Звегор Споменик на природа Делчево Источен 40 Кале Скопска Тврдина Споменик на природа Скопје Скопски 41 Моноспитовско блато Споменик на природа Струмица Југоисточен 42 Конопиште Споменик на природа Кавадарци Вардарски 43 Калница Споменик на природа Кавадарци Вардарски 44 Гол Човек Споменик на природа Гевгелија вардарски 45 Дреночка Река ОРЖВ Струга Југозападен 46 Дувало Споменик на природа Охрид Југозападен 47 Граска Река ОРЖВ Маврови Анови Полог 48 Пештера Слатински Извор Споменик на природа Македонски брод Скопски 49 Горно Слатинкса Пештера Споменик на природа Македонски брод Скопски 50 Рупа ОРЖВ Ресен Пелагониски 51 Градешничка река Споменик на природа Битола Пелагониски 52 Манастир Споменик на природа Прилеп Пелагониски 53 Мајдан Споменик на природа Кавадарци Вардарски 54 Голем козјак ОРЖВ Кавадарци Вардарски 55 Тумба ОРЖВ Кавадарци Вардарски 56 Менкова Ливада ОРЖВ Кавадарци Вардарски 57 Караслари Споменик на природа Велес Вардарски 58 Превалец Споменик на природа Велес Вардарски 59 Кале Бањичко Споменик на природа Чашка Вардарски 60 Ручица ОРЖВ Студеничани Скопски 61 Див прнар Споменик на природа Гевгелија Вардарски 62 Преспанско езеро Споменик на природа Ресен Полог *-Одделни растителни и животински видови надвор од природните резервати

Табела 2. Oбласти за истражување за идни NATURA 2000 Бр Име Територијална припадност кон Општина Припадност кон плански развоен регион 1 Галичица Охрид, Ресен Југозападен 2 Дојранско Езеро Дојран Југоисточен Сопиште, Студеничани, Македонски брод, 3 Јакупица Чашка Вардарски 4 Маврово Маврово, Ростуше Полог 5 Овче поле Свети Николе Вардарски 6 Охридско Езеро Охрид Југозападен 7 Пелистер Битола Пелагониски 8 Пештера Убавица Гостивар Полог 9 Преспанско Езеро Ресен Пелагониски 10 Јабланица Струга, Вевечани Југозападен 11 Белчишко блато Дебарца Југозападен 12 Мариово Прилеп, Битола, Кавадарци Пелагониски Пелагонсики, Вардарск 13 Кожуф Гевгелија, Кавадарци и 14 Беласица Струмица, Ново село, Босилово Југоисточен 15 Малешевски планини Берово, Пехчево Исотчен 16 Осогово Кочани, Македнонска каменица, Виница, Делчево, Крива Паланака, Кратово, Пробиштип, Чешиново облешево Источен и Североисточе н 17 Орлово брдо Неготионо Вардарсски 18 Катланово Петровец Скопски 19 Маткa Скопје, Сарај, Сопиште и Желино Скопски Тетово, Гостивар, Боговиње, Врапчиште, 20 Шар Планина Тераце, Јегуновце Полог

ANNEX 3: Карта на заштитени подрачја во Република Македонија (без поединечни стебла) Извор: МЖСПП 2016, Национална стратегија за заштита на природата со Акционен План 2017-2027

ANNEX 4: Мапа на подрачја за истражувања за идни НАТУРА 2000 Source: Potential areas for investigation for future Natura 2000 areas MoEPP, 2017. IPA project: Strengthening the capacities for implementation of NATURA 2000 EUROPEAID/ 136609/IH/SER/MK

ANNEX 5. Table with examples of potential project activities AREA ACTIVITIES Conservation and monitoring Inventory of habitats and species according to national legislation and EU birds and habitats directives Inventory of geodiversity and geological heritage elements Measures and actions for protection and conservation of natural heritage (geodiversity and heritage and biological and landscape diversity) Measures and actions for monitoring of the natural heritage Monitoring of priority species and habitats of National and European importance Monitoring of globally endangered animal species (Balkan lynx, bear, wild cat, delicacy, otter, etc.) Monitoring of endangered plant species (eg. Shar Planina tea, Galicica Mountain tea, great yellow gentian, common bearberry, etc.) Sustainable use of the natural resources Evaluation of the biopotential of wild commercial plants, fungi and animals in their natural habitats Licensing of collectors of medical plants, fungi and other forest products in protected area Measures aiming to stimulate traditional use of biological diversity Measures for sustainable use of high mountainous pastures in Measures for sustainable use of forests in Measures for sustainable use of fisheries in Managing habitats and ecosystems Measures and activities for management with habitats, species and geodiversity and geological heritage forms Revitalization of degraded habitats (wetlands, riparian and open water) Reintroduction of endangered wild autochthonous species Measures aiming to support management of high values forests (HVF) in protected areas Measures aiming to support management of high mountain pastures in Measures for sustainable management of caves and other speleological forms Measures for prevention of forest fires Sustainable tourism and recreation development Development of small infrastructure in support of sustainable tourism (trails, viewpoints, info-points, etc.) Marking natural heritage (info boards, pathways etc.) Education of guided tours / rangers for Development of various types of eco-tourism Branding of products of the Local development Sustainable management of the ecosystem services Education of local communities, protected area managers and other stakeholders on the benefits of ecosystem services Measures for maintaining and improving the ecological values of the rural landscape Replication of of best practices in the sustainable use of natural resources (water, forests, soil, pastures) Creation of green jobs Improvement of the waste collection and disposal in Promotion of local craftsman within the Communication, education and public awareness raising (CEPA) Strengthening the communication capacities for promotion of nature protection Campaigns for raising public awareness about the significance of natural heritage Development and maintenance of interactive web pages and social media Development of information tools for promotion of natural heritage (leaflets, brochures, posters, CDs, etc.) General management with, financial and administration management Capacity building for management authorities of Capacity building trainings for protected area management Capacity building and training for conducting monitoring of natural heritage Capacity building and training on use of GIS tools/applications in Capacity building and training on ecosystem services Capacity building and training on sustainable harvesting of plants, fungi and other commercial nontimber forest products (NTFP)

Monitoring of commercial non-timber forest products and fungi in protected areas/national parks (blueberries, dog rose, etc.) Monitoring of caves and other speleological forms Monitoring of allochthones species/invasive species Ex-situ biodiversity protection (establishment of botanical garden with local endemic species from /national parks) Establishment of a rescue and rehabilitation center for injured and confiscated animals, in protected areas/national parks Establishment of eco corridors Improving access for people with disabilities in Capacity building and training on guided tours / rangers for Capacity building and training on development of management plan including NATURA 2000 sites Capacity building and training on financial management Capacity building and training on promotion of alternative forms of finance in protected areas Raising the capacity and awareness of the private forest owners

ANNEX 6: Evaluation grid This evaluation grid is designed to help applicants and their partners ensure that applications meet all selection criteria and provide all the information required by the selection committee. PROBLEM KNOWLEDGE 1. Project reflects knowledge and understanding of the protected area Degree to which applicant/partners show knowledge, experience and information about the values and the potential of the protected area Maximum 10 points COMPLIANCE WITH NATURE PROTECTION STRATEGIC DOCUMENTS 2. Project contributes to the achievement of the specific objectives and priorities of the national and/or local nature protection strategies, action plans, management plans of, LEAPs, etc. Degree to which project application is aligned with national and/or local strategic documents on nature protection, and (where relevant) with management plans for Maximum 15 points Project contributes to the achievement of priority nature protection objectives of, potential or potential NATURA 2000 sites Maximum 10 points SUSTAINABILITY 3. Project results are sustainable beyond the end of the project Degree to which proposed project results are sustainable and activities will continue beyond the end of the project Maximum 10 points SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT 4. Project has socio-economic benefit and involves the local community Degree to which the project furthers local socio-economic development and involves local population/stakeholders Maximum 20 points

POTENTIAL FOR WIDER REPLICATION AND SCALING-UP 5. Project has multiplier and demonstration effect Degree to which the project has clear and justified potential for further development, scaling up and replication Maximum 15 points PARTNERSHIP 6. Project is strengthened by partnerships Degree to which the proposed project is strengthened by incorporating Maximum 5 points partnerships (e.g., with CSOs, management authorities of protected areas, companies, municipalities) CAPACITY OF THE APPLICANT 7. Project applicant has sufficient financial and management capacity Technical and human resource capacity of project applicant/partners to realize the project activities Maximum 10 points Project applicant has previous experience Relevant previous experience of project applicant/partners in implementation Maximum 5 points of projects on nature protection TOTAL SCORE FOR THE APPLICANT Maximum 100 points