🗓 Date: September 10
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM (EEST)
📍 Location: Bohdan Khmelnytsky Cherkasy National University + Online
On September 10, the Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group (UNCG), in collaboration with the NGO “Conservation GIS of Ukraine” and the NGO “Ecosotsium,” will hold a hybrid-format seminar at the Bohdan Khmelnytsky Cherkasy National University. The seminar’s focus is on integrating biodiversity conservation into the strategic planning documents of local communities.
The Need for Integration
In the current context of decentralization in Ukraine, local communities (hromady) are developing a large number of strategic documents. These include community development strategies, comprehensive recovery programs, and integrated spatial development plans.
Unfortunately, these documents do not always adequately address biodiversity conservation and nature restoration. This omission is problematic because it violates not only national Ukrainian legislation but also Ukraine’s European integration obligations (particularly regarding the EU Green Deal and associated environmental directives).
The consequences of this omission are severe: wildlife suffers, the overall ecological status of territories deteriorates, and the community’s investment attractiveness declines. The latter occurs due to the inevitable investigations, lawsuits, and conflicts arising from the illegal or unsustainable use of natural resources.
GIS as a Solution
However, by leveraging GIS technologies (Geographic Information Systems) and applying landscape planning principles, communities can prepare high-quality, balanced documents. These documents can serve as a reliable foundation for truly sustainable and stable community development.
Speakers, drawing upon their practical experience from various regions of Ukraine, will cover topics including:
- The types and interconnections of a community’s strategic planning documents.
- Positive and negative examples encountered during the development of these plans.
- Practical methods for integrating conservation goals into development strategies.
- Case studies on using GIS in spatial planning.
The event will conclude with a discussion aimed at generating recommendations for ensuring that the environmental component is properly considered during planning at the community level.
