Contacts In SarajevoGoran Tinjic (+387 33 251518) gtinjic@worldbank.org In Washington: Michael Jones (+1-202) 473-2588 Mjones2@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, May 29, 2008 – The World Bank today approved a US$3.4 million Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant for the Forest and Mountain Protected Areas Project for Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The Project will assist the Government in conserving its globally significant biodiversity in critical forests and mountain ecosystems. The Project will also help BiH on its path towards European Union integration through support to the Government in meeting the EU nature and biodiversity policy (Natura 2000) requirements. The Forest and Mountain Protected Areas Project will help address threats to biodiversity in BiH by promoting ecosystem management and by expanding the Protected Area (PA) system to a level reflecting local needs and regional averages, according to the World Bank and the GEF. This is especially critical for BiH, which has the highest proportion of threatened plant species in any European country, yet less than one percent of its land is currently set aside as protected areas -- a striking contrast to a regional average of 7 percent. This new effort will focus on improving the management effectiveness of four existing PAs, bringing two additional sites under protected status, assessing feasibility for another site and promoting sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity conservation activities in or around PAs. The project will directly support the proposed National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan as well as the Government’s Medium Term Development Strategy by creating conditions for sustainable and balanced economic development and by promoting poverty alleviation through improved use of PAs for local livelihoods and tourism. “This project is most timely, especially given the many threats to biodiversity in this highly diverse and rich landscape. We hope that this will be the first of many efforts to bring the protection and conservation status of these biologically diverse ecosystems up to and possibly beyond European levels,” said Marco Mantovanelli, World Bank Country Manager for Bosnia and Herzegovina. “Moreover, this project has the potential to be a boon to localized economic development in and around the targeted Protected Areas, mainly by generating opportunities for job creation in tourism and recreation, as well as in expanded use of non-timber forest projects.” The Project consists of three inter-related components. The first component aims to develop the BiH-PA system by improving and developing management planning capacity, by developing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems and capacity, and by direct investments in new PA infrastructure and facilities. The second component develops needed institutional capacity for effective PA establishment and management. The third component supports biodiversity conservation efforts carried out by local people. About the GEF The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a 178 member-strong international financing body devoted to global environmental issues that support sustainable development. GEF grants flow to projects in developing countries related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer and persistent organic pollutants. Since 1991, GEF has achieved a strong track record with developing countries and countries with economies in transition, providing $7.6 billion in grants and leveraging $30 billion in co-financing for over 2,000 projects in over 165 countries. Through its Small Grants Programme (SGP), GEF has also made more than 7,000 small grants, up to $50,000 each, directly to nongovernmental organizations and community organizations. The World Bank Group is one of GEF’s implementing agencies and supports countries in preparing GEF co-financed projects and supervises their implementation. It plays the primary role in ensuring the development and management of investment projects. The Bank draws upon its investment experience in eligible countries to promote investment opportunities and to mobilize private sector, bilateral, multilateral, and other government and non-government sector resources that are consistent with GEF objectives and national sustainable development strategies. Since 1991, the World Bank Group has committed $1.52 billion in GEF resources and $2.25 billion in Bank group co-financing for GEF projects in 80 countries. In addition to GEF and Bank resources, it has mobilized additional co-financing of $5.48 billion from other donors. - ### - For further information on Bank’s GEF program, visit http://www.worldbank.org/gef. For further information on GEF, visit http://www.gefweb.org. For more information about the World Bank's work in Bosnia and Herzegovina, visit http://www.worldbank.ba | 
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