Overview of environmental civil society organizations

establishment of environmental NGOs with a special mission for conservation. In practice, the security situation is the main issue constraining the activities of civil society organizations.

Recent reforms in Morocco, since King Mohammed VI ascended to the throne in 1999, have included the adoption of a new civil society policy (2003) with regulations that defined the relationship between the State and CSOs, including facilitating their access to public funding.

This has encouraged several Ministries to develop CSO support programs, among them the Ministry of Environment. The launching of the National Initiative for Human Development in 2006 contributed to opening new opportunities for Moroccan CSOs in several fields including environment. The new constitution of 2011 strengthened the role of associations in formulation of strategies and actions plans and in the political, social and environmental life of the country.

As a result, Moroccan civil society has undergone substantial development and is considered a key player in the country’s current development process.

Since 2011, the CSO landscape in Tunisia has completely changed. The new law of 2011 on the organization of associations followed by the adoption of the new constitution in 2014 has strengthened the role and widened the opportunities for CSOs in Tunisia. Article 6 of the Law indicates that it is forbidden for public authorities to hinder or obstruct the activities of associations in a direct or indirect manner, although recent terrorist issues have led to some tightening of restrictions on funding. Several international organization are implementing CSO support programs in Tunisia in collaboration with national authorities.

of Birds and Mammals (ASPBM), Albanian Ornithological Society (AOS), Albaforest, Eco- Albania, Agro-Environmental and Economic Management Centre (AEEM), EDEN, Association for Protection of Aquatic Wildlife Albania (APAWA), Ekolevizja, Albanian Alps Alliance, EcoNORD.

CEPF made grants to 8 national and local CSOs in Albania during the first phase, INCA, PPNEA, AEEM, URI, Albaforest, IEP, ASPBM (listed above), and Iniciativa e Grave nё Punё – The Women At Work Initiative (TWAWI).

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s main CSOs are Ornithological society (Our Birds, Ornitološko društvo Naše Ptice), and Centre for Nature Protection, while NGOs within the hotspot include Udruga naša baština, Centar mladih Livno, Čaplja, Neretva Delta Forum, ŠREK Vidra, Referentna Grupa, Eko Most, Viridis, Via Dinarica, Anguila, Močvara.

CEPF made grants to 6 national and local CSOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the first phase: Center for Karst and Speleology (CKS), Society for Biological Research and Protection of Nature (BIO.LOG), Institute for Adriatic Crops and Karst Reclamation (IAC), Hrvatska Ekološka Udruga (BUNA), the Mountain Rescue Service of Herzegovina (Hercegovačka Gorska Sluzba Spasavanja), and Naše Ptice.

Kosovo’s main environmental CSOs include Ecological Association Eko Viciana, Association for Protection of Birds and Mammals, Environmentally Responsible Action (ERA) group, Kosovo Environmental Education and Research Center (KEERC).

FYR Macedonia’s environmental NGOs include the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES, the BirdLife Partner in FYR Macedonia), which has an academic and advocacy role; Society for the Investigation and Conservation of Biodiversity and the Sustainable Development of Natural Ecosystems (BIOECO), Bird Study and Protection Society of Macedonia, Front 21|42, Eko-Svest, Ohrid SOS, Biosfera, Natyra, Grashnica, Macedonian Limnological Society, and Milieukontakt Macedonia. The Regional Environment Center is also active in the country.

CEPF made grants to four national and local CSOs in FYR Macedonia during the first phase, MES; GAUSS Institute – Foundation for New Technologies, Innovations and Knowledge Transfer; Grashnica; and Front 21/42.

CSOs in Montenegro are represented at a national level by Green Home, Montenegrin ecologist society (MES), Centre for Protection and Research of Birds (CZIP, the BirdLife Partner in Montenegro) and by Green Step at a local level.

CEPF made grants to five national and local CSOs in Montenegro during the first phase, Institute for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development, CZIP, Green Home, The Network for the Affirmation of NGO Sector, and MES.

Turkey sub-region

Turkey has a diverse and active civil society community. CSOs active on environmental issues in the hotspot include national organizations such as the Doğa Derneği/BirdLife Turkey, the Nature Society, WWF Turkey, Buğday Society, Mediterranean Conservation Society, TEMA, Rural Environment Association, ÇEKÜL, Nature Research Society, Nature Conservation Centre and the The Foresters’ Association of Turkey. Local groups include North Forest Defence, South Marmara Protection of Natural and Cultural Environment Association, Çanakkale Ecological Life Initiative, Cittaslow Turkey, and Antakya Nature Conservation

Society. Marine-focused conservation organizations include Underwater Research Society, Turkish Marine Environment Protection Society, and TÜDAV.

Middle East sub-region

The Middle East’s environmental NGO community has traditionally been characterized by a small number of often quite well-established organizations, often with close relations with government and a clear mandate for their actions. Despite this they may lack secure independent funding. The Arab Spring has allowed a more diverse NGO community to develop, and has provided NGOs with the opportunity to have bigger roles and greater support from national governments, bringing challenges and risks as well as opportunities for the environmental community.

Jordan has several important foundations, including Jordan River Foundation, The Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development (JOHUD), King Hussein Foundation and Noor Al Hussein Foundation. The main environmental NGOs are The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN, BirdLife partner in Jordan), which is in charge of the management of most protected areas, the Jordan Environment Society, Friends of the Environment, The Jordanian Society for Desertification Control and Badia Development, The Jordanian Society for Animal Protection, Energy Conservation and Environmental Sustainability Society, Arab Group for the Protection of Nature, Jordan Renewable Energy Society, The Jordanian Society for Sustainable Development, and the Jordanian Climate Change and Environment Protection Society.

CEPF made grants to 4 national and local CSOs in Jordan during the first phase, to RSCN, The United Society for Developing Water Resources and Environment, Bab Assalam Women's Cooperative, and Sweimeh Association Charity.

In Lebanon, 46 CSOs are members of the Lebanese Environment Forum (LEF), formed in 1992 to promote coordination among members, liaison with government, and the formation of new environmental organizations in Lebanon. Members include national organisations such as the Society for the Protection of Nature in Lebanon (SPNL, the BirdLife partner in Lebanon) and the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation, as well as groups focused on specific sites such as the Cedar Friends Committee, Al-shouf Cedar reserve, the Association for the Protection of Jabal Moussa. There are also groups with a broader environment and development focus, such as Development for People and Nature Association, and the Human Environmental Association of Development. T.E.R.R.E. Liban focuses on environmental education. The LEF is a member of the steering committee of the Environmental Fund for Lebanon, a government fund supported by the government of Germany.

CEPF made grants to four national and local CSOs in Lebanon during the first phase, to the LEF, SPNL, the Al-Shouf Cedar Society, and Environment For Life, as well as two Universities: the Arts, Sciences and Technology University, and Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth.

In Palestine, the Palestine Wildlife Society (BirdLife Partner in Palestine) is one of the main conservation organizations in the Territories. At a local level, there is also the Environmental Education Center.

In Syria, The Syrian Society for the Conservation of Wildlife (SSCW) is a pioneering organization that works for wildlife conservation in partnership with the national authorities to ensure the protection of all biodiversity.

North Africa sub-region

The environmental NGO community in North Africa has historically been rather weak, making a relatively small contribution to conservation. At the same time academic organizations have focused more on scientific research than applied work. There is a lack of confidence between government institutions and NGOs which continues to limit opportunities for interaction in some cases. Following the events of years 2011-2012 collectively referred to as the Arab Spring, the environment for NGOs has become more supportive in some countries, more restrictive in others.

Algeria has a number of local organizations and some NGOs act at a National level too:

Association de Réflexion, d'Échanges et d'Actions pour L'Environnment et le Développement (AREA ED), Association des femmes pour l’économie verte, Mouvement Ecologique Algérien (MEA).

CEPF made grants to 4 national and local CSOs in Algeria during the first phase, to local group Association Promotion des Femmes Rurales de Wilaya de Skikda, AREA ED, the research laboratory “Ecologie des Systèmes terrestres et Aquatiques”, Zahera Souidi.

Cabo Verde has a relatively small CSO community, including national organizations Cabo Verde Natura 2000, Fundação Tartaruga (both focused on marine turtle conservation), Bios.CV (marine turtles, birds and cetaceans), Biosfera 1, and local organisations Associação Amigos do Calhau, which focuses on environmental conservation, awareness and community involvement on the island of São Vicente; Estância de Baixo (on Boa Vista), and local community organisations.

CEPF made grants to 2 national and local CSOs in Cabo Verde during the first phase, to BIOS.CV and Biosfera 1.

Egypt has a rather small environmental NGO community. BirdLife International affiliate Nature Conservation Egypt (NCE) and the Arab Office for Youth and Environment have a national scope.

Libya has a number of CSOs, including Libyan Society for Birds (LSB), Libyan Wildlife Trust (LWT), Al Hayet Society for Wildlife Protection (Derna), Libyan Society for Artisanal Fishery Friends, Tree Friends Association, Libyan Marine Biology Society, Bado Society For Environment, O2 Oxygen or Society for Environment Protection,

Libya has been eligible for CEPF grants since 2013, and grants were made to 2 national and local CSOs in Libya, LSB and LWT, during the first phase. The security situation in Libya improved since early 2015, allowing CSOs to implement more activities safely in certain areas.

CSO activity and capacity remains low, however.

In Morocco, the number of environmental associations reached 3500 in 2016, and at national level includes Association Marocaine pour l’Ecotourisme et la Protection de la Nature (AMEPN), Association de Gestion Intégré des Ressources (AGIR), Groupe de Recherche pour la Protection des Oiseaux au Maroc (GREPOM), Moroccan Association for Biodiversity, and Association of Natural Science Teachers (AESVT), considered one of the most important

networks in Morocco on environmental education. CSOs are supported by the Mohammed VI foundation which was established by government to support civil society on environment and development issues. This reflects the growing concern to contribute in nature conservation in the country. The Foundation works on environmental education and awareness, in particular related to human enjoyment of the environment. Several networks have been set up to strengthen CSOs’ work and advocacy, including the alliance for climate justice and the Moroccan network of NGOs for wetlands.

CEPF made grants to 8 national and local CSOs in Morocco during the first phase, to AMEPN, AESVT, ENDA Mahgreb, Tissu associatif de développement de la province d’Azilal, ADDICT.COM, Grepom, AGIR, Association Haute Moulouya pour l'Ecotourisme et la Protection de la Nature,

Tunisia has an active environmental CSO community including Association des Amis des Oiseaux (AAO, BirdLife Partner in Tunisia), and Réseau Enfants de la Terre, as well as locally based organizations such as Association des Fans de la Chebba (AFC), Association de protection de l’environnement Hammem Ghezaz (APEHG), and Notre grand bleu. Living Planet, the WWF affiliate in Tunisia, is now taking ON a regional scope as WWF-North Africa.

CEPF made grants to 9 national and local CSOs in Tunisia during the first phase, to AAO, AFC, APEHG, Association tunisienne des Ingénieurs Agronomes, Living Planet Tunisia, Réseau Enfants de la Terre, and Notre grand bleu.

8.2.2 Academic and research organizations

Academic interest in biodiversity conservation is well developed in most countries in the hotspot. In some areas (primarily the Balkans) academic stakeholders do much of the nature conservation activity, especially in countries where the NGO sector is comparatively underdeveloped. In North Africa and the Middle East academic involvement is more limited to research and publications, with less direct contribution to conservation action.

Research centers or academic institutions have often been incubator for NGOs, as is the case of the Macedonian Ecological Society, the Ornithological Society Naše Ptice in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Albanian Society for the Protection of Birds and Mammals, as well as Dinaricum in Slovenia, SEO/BirdLife Spain or the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI). In some cases, these institutions continue to have roles on research and on advocacy.

The CEPF phase 1 mid-term assessment found that in many countries it would be beneficial to strengthen the partnership between universities and NGOs to share and develop scientific expertise, mobilize resources and involve people in community projects.

The following section briefly reviews the main academic and research community in each country.

Balkans sub-region

Environmental research organisations in Albania include the Urban Research Institute (URI) and the Institute for Environmental Policy (IEP). The Polytechnic University of Tirana includes a department for geoscience, water and environment, with a focus on climate, natural energy and pollution. The Faculty of Agricultural and Environment of Tirana has developed some collaborations with environmental NGOs, including under CEPF-funded projects.

Environmental/biodiversity research in Bosnia and Herzegovina is led by the National Natural History Museum as well as the Center for Ecology and Natural Resources (associated with the University of Sarajevo), which collaborates with IUCN biodiversity projects and the Emerald Network.

Kosovo’s academic sector includes the Institute for Biological and Environmental Research.

In FYR Macedonia, academic and research organisations with an interest in biodiversity are academic institutions are represented by the Universities of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, State University of Tetovo, University of Goce Delchev Shtip, Saint-Naum Ohridski University in Bitoala, Macedonian Academy of Arts and Sciences, Macedonian Natural History Museum, and the Hydro-biological Institute (Lake Ohrid).

The environment in the academic sector in Montenegro is represented by the Institute of Marine Biology, based in Kotor, which is affiliated with the University of Montenegro, with a Laboratory on General Biology and Protection of the Sea. The National Museum of Natural History has collaboration with environmental organizations on bird research and monitoring.

Turkey

Turkey has several universities with interests in the field of biodiversity, including Akdeniz University, the Aegean (Ege) University, Dokuz Eylül University, Hacettepe University, Istanbul University Forestry Faculty, METU Institute of Marine Sciences, and the Middle East Technical University. It also has the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK).

Middle East sub-region

Academic and research organisations in Jordan include the Royal Botanical Garden, The University of Jordan, Yarmouk University, Hashemite University and the Jordan Badia Research and Development Centre (involved in Ramsar wetland management).

In Lebanon, the National Council for Scientific Research and Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute provide scientific advice to government, while the main research institutions engaged in biodiversity research are the American University of Beirut, Balamand University, the Lebanese University, Université Saint-Joseph de Beyrouth, and the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik, as well as the Beirut Arab University and the Arts, Sciences and Technology University.

Research institutions with environmental expertise in Palestine are: Land Research Centre- LRC, The Biodiversity and Environmental Research Center (BERC), ARIJ institute, Maan Development Center, Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability and Palestine Museum of Natural History, Bethlehem University, University Graduate Forum (UGF), Al- Quds University.

Research on the environment in Syria is currently limited. The two main universities with faculties of sciences are the Damascus and Aleppo universities.

North Africa sub-region

At a national level in Algeria, there are several universities (Tarf, Annaba, Jijel, Bejaia, Tizi Ouzou, Houari Boumediene, Blida, Chlef, Mostaganem, Oran, Tlemcen, Mascara, Biskra, etc.) and Technical Superior Schools (ENSSMAL, ENSA). Some of the universities are active on environmental issues and work with the government and civil society organizations.

In Cabo Verde, the Universidad de Cabo Verde is the leading research organisation. The National Institute for Research on Agricultural Development (Instituto Nacional de Investigação e Desenvolvimento Agrário, INIDA) has a department on environment, in particular with experts in botanic, and supports research and monitoring activities with the National Parks system.

In Eygpt, academic institutions active on environment are relatively numerous and well developed (more so than the NGO community), with Alexandria, Suez Canal, Tanta and Kafr El Sheikh Universities, and Coastal Research Institute and Egyptian National Oceanographic Data Center (ENODC).

In Libya, environment research is represented by the Faculty of Science, University of Tripoli and the Marine Biology Research Centre, all with limited capacity, as a result of the unstable political and security situation.

Research institutes and universities in Morocco often work in partnership with NGOs on environmental issues. They have developed surveys, Masters courses and projects related to biodiversity (for example the Rabat Institute of Science), renewable energies (for example the University of El Jadida), desertification (for example the National Centre for Forestry Research) and the monitoring of wetlands (through Mohamed V University Rabat).

In Tunisia, scientific institutions working on biodiversity or protected sites include the Institut National des Sciences et Technologies de la Mer, which is undertaking studies on the marine ecosystems and sustainable use of marine natural resources; the Institut des Régions Arides, focused on flora and fauna and reintroduction of species; and the Institut National Agronomique de Tunisie, which deals with management and sustainable use of marine natural resources, water bird and wetland studies and water management.

8.2.3 Private sector organizations

The private sector is partly responsible for the unsustainable resource use and other activities which threaten biodiversity in the hotspot (Chapter 9). However private sector organizations may also have a stake in the sustainable management of resources, especially where they directly own and manage them - for example in parts of the Balkans, woodlands owners are key players because they control up to half of the area of forest²⁰.

The private sector can also be a source of knowledge and investment in support of conservation.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding is growing in the region and has had an important impact on the CSO activities, and there are examples of NGO and other institutions working with private sector land owners to make their management of resources more sustainable and biodiversity friendly. Many companies have developed systems to support local NGOs or communities working on biodiversity conservation, working with CSOs directly or through associated foundations.

Within the EU countries of the hotspot there are several examples of positive partnerships between NGOs and private sector companies, for example SEO/BirdLife Spain’s involvement of corporations and local stakeholders in the AlzandoelVuelo program to conserve the Spanish imperial eagle, and WWF’s promotion of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards.

20 Alternative figures suggest that in Montenegro, FYR Macedonia and Albania, the proportion under private ownership is lower (Pulla et al. 2013)

Collaboration between private landowners and NGOs to implement effective land stewardship has been widely used in Spain (Račinska et al. 2015), and has recently been replicated in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the marine realm, the European fishing industry has strived to minimize the impact of by-catch of sea turtles and marine birds.

Within the hotspot countries covered by the ecosystem profile update there are examples of private sector initiatives in the tourism, water and energy sectors, and a nascent fair trade program has the potential to reward local communities who are directly producing wild- sourced products. These are described briefly below.

The tourism industry is of particular significance to environmental management in the countries covered by the ecosystem profile update because it represents an important source of revenue and employment, a major source of pressure on resources (see Chapter 9), but also depends for its survival on maintaining the quality of the environment. Many large tourism companies with extensive operations in the northern Mediterranean have expanded into new destinations, building or encouraging governments to allow building of resorts on pristine locations. There are examples of sustainability policies for hotel operations and funding of environmental projects and institutions²¹, but to date, most tourism companies fail to consider their wider ecological ‘footprint’ in terms energy and water demand (Horwarth 2015). A variety of certification and accreditation schemes operate which allow tourism operators to demonstrate that they are working to minimize their environmental impacts.

There are several NGO initiatives working to mitigate the impacts of tourism. These include the SPEA and SEO/BirdLife Spain programs MacaroAves, for Macaronesia, including Cabo Verde, and MediterAves, for the Mediterranean, including Morocco and Tunisia (Adam 2011), which give training and technical support for entrepreneurs. There are also initiatives promoting good practice in fishing tourism (SEO/Birdlife, 2014). IUCN together with eight partners from Mediterranean launched the Mediterranean Experience of EcoTourism (MEET) network, an initiative on sustainable tourism in protected areas in the Mediterranean.

The energy sector has an impact on the environment through its power generation activities (coal mining, hydro-power generation), the management of waste in the air, water and spoil heaps, and through wider impacts on global warming. Nevertheless energy demand continues to rise and meeting this need is critical for meeting human development targets. There are successful examples of collaboration between NGOs and the private sector on reducing or mitigating carbon emissions and reducing water use. In Montenegro, the Centre for Protection and Study of Birds (Centar za zaštitu i proučavanje ptica Crne Gore-CZIP) and Elektroprivreda CrneGore (a national electrical power supplier) worked together on improving the nesting sites for white storks in the area of Beranam, erecting platforms for nesting, and securing funds for buying telemetric equipment. CZIP has also worked with the CGES (Montenegro Electricity Utilities Company) on provision of nesting boxes for falcon and owl species. In Bosnia- Heregovina the CSO Lijepa naša had a small project "Raising awareness of the public about ISO standards and energy efficiency in the Herzegovina-Neretva canton" and other NGOs have similar small-scale projects of raising awareness in the field of environment protection. In Morocco, NGOs GREPOM and ADM have worked with the public highways authority to mitigate the impacts of infrastructure. Elsewhere in the hotspot, LPO (BirdLife France) works

21 For example, Akwa Group in Morocco, has in the past funded environmental protection projects and received the Mohammed VI Foundation Award for its commitment to clean beaches and sustainable coastal management;

Marti Hotels and Marinas, Divan group in Turkey communicate on their environmental commitments and support reforestation projects