Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge Project. Small Grants Program
The main goal of the activities conducted within the project was promoting the protection of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (TK) through the photo-video voice of youth in social networks among the young generation of Talas district and Talas city.
The project was focused on the implementation of the small grants program which included a number of activities aimed at preservation of the genetic resources through revival of the Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the involvement of the young generation in the realisation of the activities.
The following 8 small grants were selected, supported and implemented in order to ensure the protection of the genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge:
1. Small grant title: "Let's preserve natural and genetic resources of Talas".
Implementing Actor - CRGI "Amanat Omur"
Project Timeframe: 5 months, from January 01, 2017, to June 01, 2018.
Goal: To promote the protection of Genetic Resources (GR) and related Traditional Knowledge (TK) through photo-video voice of youth in social media among the youth population of Talas district and Talas City
Objectives:
To form and train the Mobile Youth Volunteer Group (MYVG);
To discuss the basic principles of Nagoya Protocol in social networks in connection with local useful resources;
Physical awareness campaigns in 8 Aiyl Aimaks of Talas district and online awareness campaigns in social media on the protection of Genetic Resources and related Traditional Knowledge;
Announcement of a photo contest in social networks about Genetic Resources and associated Traditional Knowledge on their protection;
Organization of photo and video exhibitions with further discussion among youth;
Release of 2 videos on Genetic Resources and associated Traditional Knowledge and their protection;
Placement of video and audio clips on local TV and radio.
Results of the small grants:
At least 800 people were involved;
50 posts with photos were prepared;
3 contests for young people and communities were organized;
Up to 20 young activists were trained on Genetic Resources and related TK;
2 commercials produced;
Mobile research site established for the first time;
Talas population received information about the Genetic Resources of the region and related TK;
Young people obtained information and knowledge on genetic resources, also legends, bylinas, and recipes of their use;
A group of volunteers has been formed, which can work mobilized on the topic of natural resources protection and environmental issues, Kyrgyz TK;
A photo exhibition was organized.
Final youth costumed festival on the protection of Genetic Resources and related TK and promotion of Nagoya Protocol at oblast level meetings in 8 aiyl aimags of Talas district with TK practitioners on GR.
2. Project name:"Coloring herbs and medicinal herb aconite as a symbol of revival and transmission of the heritage of fathers on the preservation of the wealth of native land to the younger generation".
Implementing Actor: PF "Altyn Oymok"
Small grants goal - preservation of local useful natural resources such as aconite and herbal dyes of Ak Bakshy gorge of Ton district through study and awareness raising activities among livestock breeders and women artisans, as well as discussion among representatives of tourism companies, LSG bodies with the involvement of young livestock farmers.
Objectives - To conduct a local survey and interview among artisans, livestock breeders, local aksakals, and tourism organizations to study the problems with aconite and dyeing herbs and to identify the range of parties involved in solving the problems of these useful herbs. Produce a small brochure with information on aconite and dye herbs for livestock keepers and artisans, which will be useful for other community members.
- Holding discussion meetings and training for livestock breeders and artisans, students of other participants in the problem-solving circle.
- Establishing a mini-greenhouse and careful planting of mountain coloring herbs that we will get from seeds, and cuttings for conservation and increase.
- Organizing a local Festival to bring together artisans and animal breeders, as well as other members of the local community to conserve the useful resources of the area. The festival will be held with the involvement of students and teachers of the college, inviting old-timers, TK keepers, artisans, pasture committees, tourism firms, media, LSG bodies, partner organizations from the KEAC network;
Results of the project:
A mini-greenhouse was built where colouring herbs are to be planted;
A small brochure on aconite and coloring herbs was produced for distribution to the community;
13 craftswomen were trained using 2 local bearers and keepers of traditional knowledge on the use of natural coloring herbs;
36 students of livestock farmers were trained with the involvement of herbalist;
11 teachers from Lyceum No. 81 and Dogdurov School were trained on the importance of preserving biocultural diversity;
Activities to strengthen cooperation between the Jaiyit committees and the group of craftswomen were conducted, also the school and lyceum, and tourist organizations were involved in small grant for the benefit of careful attitude and preservation of natural biodiversity of the Ak-Bakshy gorge, also the coast of the Ak-Sai river;
The Festival "Wealth of the native land - wealth of the people" was held with the involvement of students and teachers from the vocational lyceum, inviting old residents, keepers of TK, craftsmen, zhayit committees, tourist firms, mass media, LSG bodies, partner organizations from the KEAC network.
3. Project name: "Natural treasure house - the wealth of the people"
Small Grant Goal - to promote biocultural diversity among residents of Kyzyl-Tuu village of Sokuluk district through access to information on genetic resources (Nagoya Protocol) of the area and to show by example of creation of social enterprise the importance of local resources for improving the welfare of the population.
Objectives:
Informing the population, familiarizing them with the content of the Nagoya Protocol on the regulation of access to genetic resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits from their use.
Using the resources of the multimedia centre, to make a photo and video clip on the promotion of traditional knowledge and the use of liquorice and other local genetic resources. To open the rubric "Zher bailigy-el bailigy" on the Foundation's website.
Establishment of a social enterprise for the local women's community to process local medicinal herbs such as liquorice with training on the proper collection of medicinal herbs, as well as an educational excursion to the mountains.
Exhibition of finished products of the social enterprise: bath brooms from liquorice herb, bath collections, cut liquorice, liquorice extracts with a tasting of useful teas of nomadic Kyrgyz and drinks for the local population
Project Sustainability - it is expected that:
The local community would set an example of community activism through social enterprise;
The local community would use ecologically clean medicinal herbs, and making bath brooms from liquorice will help to preserve birch, oak, and juniper trees, which are actively used as raw materials and are therefore endangered;
The use of liquorice extracts in the manufacture of culinary, confectionery products would improve their quality, increase shelf life and shelf-life, replace sugar partially or completely in the recipe, and would allow the production of goods for the category of the population for whom the use of sugar is limited or undesirable (patients with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc.);
Mainly non-liquid raw materials of liquorice were utilized, which went to waste in the process of harvesting and re-harvesting by other companies;
For harvesting of a certain part of liquorice, which would be used for cutting conditioned liquorice roots and raw materials for brooms, baths would be taken permits in the relevant state bodies with payment to the state, contracts for harvesting with local residents with payment upon delivery;
Low-income women would be provided with employment;
In order to ensure the sustainability of the project results, the obtained equipment can be used in the future for the conservation and processing of surplus agricultural products of local residents in cases when their sale is difficult or limited.
4. Project title: "Enhancement of local eco-capacity for conservation of biodiversity of landscapes of At-Bashy district"
Implementing Actor: PF "Tabiyat-At-Bashy"
Project Timeline: January 2018 to May 2018
Project Location: Acha-Kayyndy village, At-Bashy district, Naryn oblast, territory of Acha-Kayyndy aiyl okmotu.
The main goal of "Tabiyat-At-Bashy" NGO is the creation and preservation of an ecologically clean environment on the territory of Kyrgyzstan, as well as public support of activities on environmental protection, rational use of natural resources and sustainable development. Members of "Tabiyat - At-Bashy" NGO more than 100 people, including more active 30 people.
Project Objective - preservation of biodiversity of ecosystems of At-Bashi district and improvement of the environment through mobilization of potentials of local residents and organizations.
Small grant results:
A study was conducted to assess the genetic resources of vegetation and animals of Achy-Kaindinsky aiyl okmotu of At-Bashinsky rayon, the results of which interested the population of the rayon to genetic resources of the study area.
Collection, analysis, generalization of materials, publication and distribution of 500 copies of methodical manuals among the population, which would increase their awareness of genetic bioresources of the district and activate their activities on rational nature management.
Holding seminars with the participation of 50-60 local activists, and managers which would increase their activity, and improve their interaction in solving local environmental and economic problems. New environmental groups were created: Public Funds, Jamaats, whose activities are aimed at solving problems of genetic biodiversity conservation in At-Bashy rayon. will activate their activities on rational nature management.
5. Project name: "Currant - genetic resource in Suusamyr Valley"
Implementing Actor - Public association - "Inspiration"
Objectives were:
To research mountain currants and related local knowledge with a call to young people for the conservation of genetic resources. Genetic resources and related traditional knowledge, values, and benefits of nature will be disseminated among the people, as well as carrying out activities.
To hold talks among school students on the topic of knowledge of genetic resources in Suusamyr Valley.
To plant currants with 400 square meters in the school territory.
To create favourable conditions for mobilizing the people to learn about genetic resources.
Expected Outcomes of the activities:
As a result, currant bushes would appear on the school grounds and currant seedlings would be planted in every house;
A special group of people (kenesme tobu) were organized to disseminate information and knowledge about genetic resources. Teachers and students will disseminate their acquired knowledge about genetic resources to other schools.
Results of the small grants:
An information seminar was held,
A study on traditional knowledge in terms of currant cultivation and care was conducted,
Educational talks were held among students of 6-11 grades of S. Myrzakmatov school,
A contest among schoolchildren on the theme "kara monchok karagat" was held,
Currant saplings were planted on the territory of the school with the area of 20 by 20 meters,
A round table was held among traditional knowledge holders and students in the project,
The final festival was held.
Preliminarily achievements:
To convey the concept of traditional knowledge and genetic resources to the people of the valley,
The connection between KEAC and the school staff and students was strengthened.
An alley of currants appeared in the school.
Currant bushes appeared in 5 houses in the village.
6. Project name: "Conservation of biodiversity in Talas district in Kalba Valley and dissemination of knowledge of genetic resources to local residents through school teachers"
Implementing Actor: PF "Zymyryk"
The goal of the small grant - the conservation of biodiversity in Talas district in Kalba Valley, disseminate information about the issues of knowledge about genetic resources, organisation of the "Green Class" in a secondary school named after A.Soltonov, print brochures and distribute them, hold a seminar.
The small grant involved students and teachers from the school, local people, traditional knowledge holders, local environmentalists, community organizations and interested individuals.
Direct beneficiaries are children who have received information on storage and use, as well as students who participated in the collection of medicinal herbs for transfer to pharmaceutical companies, pupils, teachers, local residents.
As a long-term outcome, the small grant would impact the health of the local inhabitants of Kalba Ayil District, eco-centres would be established, students would receive a quality education, the level of teachers' degrees would be increased, and a healthy society would be formed in the future.
Small grant results were:
Based on the project, students learnt the properties of medicinal plants and how to use them;
Children learnt how to distinguish and store these medicinal plants. Green classrooms and experience sites were organized in the school and students were familiarized with the time of harvesting medicinal herbs and their safe collection for sending them to companies. A meeting of the project organizers was held. Leaflets, and brochures were issued. Information about the project was distributed. 32 people participated in the meeting;
Research work was done, 12 people were interviewed about genetic resources;
A discussion was held about the project as well as a "green class" with a platform for experience among environmentalists, traditional knowledge holders and other stakeholders from the Ayil district of Kalba. The meeting was attended by the director of The Rural Development Fund (RDF) Akmatova K.K., KEAC members, a representative of Talas Forestry, chairman of aiyl kenesh, environmentalists of aiyl district, a representative of the environmental faculty of TMU, traditional knowledge holders, local residents, teachers and students;
The following supplies were purchased for the "green classroom": An interactive whiteboard, (via tender) camera, flash drive, disks, booklets, banners, herbarium, cabinets, books, and indoor flowers, flower pots, watering cans, end-of-life supplies;
From 2nd to 11th grade teachers conducted a lesson on genetic resources in Kalba Valley. The school held a "Green Classroom" competition and awarded certificates to the winners;
On the training ground 0.3 hectares were prepared with 6 kinds of shrubs (rose hips, currants, etc.), and more than 40 kinds of medicinal plants;
A nature excursion was conducted to learn about genetic resources;
A final eco-seminar was held;
Organized a practice plot and conducted an open class;
Disseminated information about genetic resources through teachers and pupils.
7. Project name: "Preservation and revival of the local variety of Nedzvedsky apple tree through the creation of a mini school nursery"
Implementing Actor: Coalition of Journalists and NGOs against Corruption
Project Timeline: January 10, 2018 to October 10, 2018
The goal of the small grants - is to increase the ecological knowledge of schoolchildren on the preservation of endangered species of valuable varieties of fruit trees, as well as the creation of a mini nursery to protect local natural resources of Bazar-Korgon district, Jalal-Abad oblast.
Objectives were:
To conduct training with the participation of 40 schoolchildren from B. Anarkulov School #13 and T. Ismanov School, 1-May School and 20 youth from Shydyr, Kotkor, Tandoo and 1-May villages on conservation Expected results of the project;
40 schoolchildren from B. Anarkulov School #13 named after B. Anarkulov, T. Ismanov School, 1-May School and 20 youth from Shydyr, Kotkor, Tandoo and 1-May villages were selected to create an ecological team of biodiversity and endangered species of tree and shrub species in the territories of Kenesh aiyl district, Bazar-Korgon district of Jalal-Abad oblast;
Creation of plantation "Kyzyl Alma Kyrgyz" (Nedzvedsky apple tree) using planting materials grown by Closed Root System (CRS) method and planting of saplings on the territory of 0.25 ha, on the forest plot of Tandoo.
The results of the project;
Selected 40 schoolchildren from B. Anarkulov School #13, T. Ismanov School, 1-May School and 20 youth from Shydyr, Kotkor, Tandoo and 1-May villages to create an environmental team;
40 schoolchildren and 20 young people were trained on biodiversity conservation and cultivation of planting species using closed root system method (seed collection, seed storage, seed preparation for sowing, soil preparation, seed sowing and care, etc.);
Established 2 mini nurseries;
Mobilized environmental team in planting saplings on 0.25 ha bare plot;
Planting of fast-growing trees to provide the population with cheap firewood in the denuded area of aiyl district.
8. Project name: "Golden root - the root of life"
Implementing Actor: Public Association "Koonorbos Muras".
The goal of the small grant - is the formation and expansion of the outlook and knowledge of children about the biodiversity of the plant world, genetic resources, collection of traditional knowledge.
Objectives were:
To create a training site on the territory of the Oy Tersken village. Acha-Kayyndy for the transfer of traditional knowledge and teaching school students about medicinal herbs;
To arouse interest in the objects of the plant world, to consolidate the concept of the relationship between the plant world and man. To tell about the simplest ways of using plants and herbs for treatment.
The results were:
Children and their parents get and expand their understanding of medicinal herbs, their usefulness and use;
People recognize and name medicinal plants and herbs;
Beneficiaries develop an environmental attitude to the nature of their native village;
Children come to the conclusion that plants not only decorate our life, feed us, but also are a cure for many diseases.