Issue 25, August 2024
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WELCOME NOTE
We’re thrilled to start the new issue with updates, news, and exciting developments happening in our community. In this issue, you will find latest updates and insights filled with informative articles, publications, completed and upcoming events, and more from our members projects across the Asia-Pacific region. Our aim is to enrich your knowledge and keep you informed about the latest trends and developments. As always, our members have shared lots of inspiring stories and knowledge products, we are sure you will find relevant information for your context.
Many thanks for all the contributions!
With this, we wish you happy reading & send best regards,
Till, Donaya, Khaekhai, Natasha
Till Ludwig
Spokesperson SNRD AP
Donaya Siamwalla
Public Relations Officer
Khaekhai Tanasansopin
Office Manager
Natasha Krisanalome
SPOTLIGHT
Introducing Our New SNRD AP Working Groups Team!
Gender Working Group
Speaker
Avani Verma is from India. She has been working with GIZ since 2021 with thematic focus on Rural development, Food system transformation, Agroecology, Gender transformative approaches, Integrating nutrition with Agriculture, sustainable development. Her educational background is Public health and nutrition with the focus on gender from University of Delhi. She is enjoyed dancing, photography, and traveling as hobbies.
Co-Speakers
Manjunath Sekhar, from India, joined GIZ in 2022 to lead the Urban Mobility Living Lab project in Bangalore and oversee the SUM-ACA project in Delhi. With a background in Mechanical Engineering, MBA in Finance, and M.Sc. in Business Management – Green Energy and Climate Finance, he has made significant contributions to the mobility space, including winning the GIZ Gender Award. In his free time, he enjoys playing Chess, Sudoku, and observing wildlife.
Lena Korber works with Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity Cluster project in India. She has been working with GIZ since 2021 in thematical focus of Gender; organic agriculture and agroecology; rural development. Her educational background is M.A. Environmental Ethics from University of Augsburg, Germany. She enjoys Yoga, bouldering and sewing.
Parul Singh is a professional working on the Innovative Climate Risk Insurance in Rural areas of India (ICRI) project, focusing on themes such as gender, digitalization, monitoring, rural development, and climate action. She has educational background in Computer Science Engineering. Sport, traveling, and reading are her favorite hobbies.
Agriculture Working Group
Speaker
“My name is Stephan Kitzbichler and I´m passionate about sustainable development. I have been with GIZ in Indonesia for about four years now and it was my honour to take over the speaker role of the WG Agriculture SNRD AP in April 2024. My thematic focus is on climate-smart regenerative agriculture and agroforestry, HCV-HCS, and public-private partnerships. When not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, travelling and reading.”
Co-Speaker
“My name Lucas Zahl and I am working as an advisor “Strengthening the Climate Resilience of Agricultural Systems in Cambodia and Viet Nam (CRAS)” Project based in Phnom Penh. I have been working in GIZ for 8 years, with a focus on rural development and climate resilience. Before joining the CRAS project in Cambodia I was working at the “Green Innovation Centres for the Agriculture and Food Sector” in Kenya. My professional background is agricultural economics which I studied in Berlin and Nairobi. In my free time, I enjoy travelling, reading, cooking and doing sports. It’s a pleasure to meet you and get to know many of you!”
Biodiversity Working Group
Speaker
“My name is Doro, and I have been working with GIZ for 10 years. During my tenure, I have contributed to the Strategic Corporate Development Department and the Sector Programme ‘Biodiversity-Environment-Oceans,’ focusing on anti-poaching, combating illegal wildlife trade, and managing protected areas. Currently, I am involved in the project “Integrated Management of the Sundarbans and the Marine Protected Area Swatch of No Ground (SoNG)” in Bangladesh.
I am a passionate conservationist and have spent many years working with protected areas on the African continent. I am thrilled to now be working in the Asian context and, after focusing on terrestrial nature conservation, to be expanding my knowledge in marine conservation and coastal protection.
I look forward to contributing to and supporting SNRD Asia in my role as the speaker of the WG Biodiversity.”
Climate Change Adaptation Working Group
Co-Speaker
Ika Rachmawati Suratno is GIZ’s advisor in GIZ for climate change policy at Climate and Biodiversity Hub Indonesia (Clarity). Clarity works with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to strengthen policy framework creates the enabling conditions for a more effective and cohesive implementation of climate change mitigation, adaptation, and biodiversity conservation measures in Indonesia. It also aims to support the policy dialogue between the Indonesian and German governments. Ika has more than 10 years experience in the topic of climate change adaptation, urban planning and environment management in national and community levels. She received her Bachelor of Engineering degree in Urban and Regional Planning from Technology Institute of Sepuluh Nopember Indonesia and an M.Scin Urban and Environmental Management – Sp. System Analysis from Wageningen University and Research Centre, Netherland. In her free time, she loves to travel and take pictures for her Instagram.
Sauvik Dey is a climate change advisor with the Indo-German Bilateral Cooperation project – Innovative Climate Risk Insurance in Rural Areas of India. He has been part of GIZ India since November 2021, prior to which he worked in the financial inclusion sector. He currently focuses on supporting project activities at the sub-national level. His interests include ecosystem-based approach to climate change adaptation, risk management, and climate adaptation finance. He likes reading, listening to music, and enjoys watching formula series and rally racing. He hails from the Northeastern state of India, Assam. He holds an MBA degree from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from North-Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya, India.
KNOWLEDGE SHARING
ASEAN Access is a platform designed to support businesses in expanding their operations across Southeast Asia and beyond, through access to market insights, information on regulatory requirements, and networking opportunities.
Deepor Beel, the only Ramsar site in Assam, is a wetland near Guwahati facing threats from urban expansion, pollution, and resource overharvesting. To address these issues, the NERAQ Project, supported by Wetlands International South Asia and other partners, is developing an Integrated Wetland Management Plan to ensure sustainable management and conservation of the wetland.
To foster sustainable management of aquatic resources in Northeastern India, the Indo-German Project ‘Protection and Sustainable Management of Aquatic Resources in the North-Eastern Himalayan Region of India’ (NERAQ) has initiated a monthly Knowledge Exchange Series on www.atingi.org. This series brings together experts and participants from diverse backgrounds to discuss topics like fish stock assessment, sustainable livelihoods, and the role of traditional knowledge in aquatic resource management, promoting cross-sectoral learning and collaboration.
Youth engagement in agriculture in Africa and India is vital for sustainable food systems. By reimagining traditional views and overcoming resource limitations, initiatives like Access Agriculture’s young entrepreneurs empower youth to drive positive change and promote agroecology. This book comprises inspiring success stories from these young entrepreneurs, who serve as private extension service providers using solar-powered smart projectors.
Despite their crucial role in agriculture, women have fewer rights than men, albeit their importance for the acceptance of more climate-friendly cultivation methods. The “GrowHer:Kakao” project wants to empower women in their leadership roles.
The scarcity of water resources in Central Asia threatens harvests and posts an existential problem for Uzbekistan’s cotton farmers. The global program AgriChains is working with the International Water Management Institute to train experts in water-saving irrigation.
We are delighted to share with you that the Vietnamese version of the e-learning course on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) is now available on atingi here.
GIZ is developing a Wood ID app, which, when used with a smartphone and an attached magnifying glass, can identify up to 200 tree species, helping to monitor timber legality.
Promoting gender equality plays an important role in shaping a sustainable forestry industry in Viet Nam. Read the factsheet to learn more about GIZ’s approaches on this topic and our achieved results.
Discover how a multi-stakeholder collaboration involving local communities, businesses, tourists, government departments and technical partners tackled waste management at the annual fair of Renuka Wetland – a culturally significant Ramsar site in Himachal Pradesh, India.
Learn more about wetlands, their values and services, wise use of wetlands, clarity on principles of integrated management planning for wetlands including sectoral coordination and Indian wetland governance in this self-paced and interactive online course.
Conservation of biodiversity—including wildlife—is essential for India because the consequences of biodiversity loss and the resulting loss of ecosystem services will have a far-reaching impact on livelihoods. This film talks about the Indo-German Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation project and its results and achievements.
Vietnam is a global leader in aquaculture production and export, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in food production worldwide. Within this sector, shrimp farming stands out as a strategic economic pillar.
The CliPAD (Climate Protection through Avoided Deforestation) project cooperates and works closely with the Department of Agriculture and Forestry (DoF/MAF), the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF/MoNRE) and relevant government institutions. The main objective is to contribute to the implementation of the Lao PDR Emission Reductions Programme through improved governance and sustainable forest landscape management from 2019 until 2027.
Integrated approaches are needed to strengthen resilience in rural areas. Which measures have been particular successful on the ground? Check out three good practice compilations covering Agroecology, Territorial Approaches and the Interface Water, Land, Food.
A delegation visit to three IKI Projects implemented in Northeast India was facilitated by the NERAQ Project from 27 April -2 May 2024.
In a significant development aimed at enabling Northeastern India states in the realm of small fish breeding and conservation, GIZ and WorldFish recently organised a valuable inter-state exposure and knowledge exchange visit.
On the International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May 2024 over 22 tribes across Manipur came together giving a living example of this year’s slogan ‘Be part of the Plan’! The tribes documented around 58 diverse fish species in local dialects, forming a Community Convention on Fishes, endorsing the message that preserving language is key for conserving aquatic biodiversity.
In a bid to enhance the conservation efforts related to aquatic biodiversity in the Northeastern Himalayan Region of India, a five-day workshop focusing on the Biodiversity Act, 2002 and the preparation of People’s Biodiversity Registers recently wrapped up in Meghalaya.
Aquaculture is transforming livelihoods in the Indian state of Bihar, through sustainable income generation. Highlighting Mansa Devi’s journey, this article explores how fish farming boosts economic resilience and empowers rural women to lead their communities toward prosperity.
Laos, together with Vietnam, has submitted an application to UNESCO for Hin Nam No National Park to be granted World Heritage status as a transboundary extension to the existing Phong Nha-Ke Bang World Heritage Site in Vietnam.
In Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan, GIZ GRASS and Göttingen University empower 150 women through beekeeping in oil palm areas. Thereby they are promoting economic inclusion and environmental conservation.
Amidst rapid technological advances, Indonesia strives for digitalization of its agricultural sector. By overcoming challenges like limited infrastructure, projects like GRASS aim to enhance farmers’ tech capabilities for achieving sustainable and resilient smallholders in the agricultural sector.
As ASEAN prepares for its post-2025 agenda, the region is speeding up its shift to digital and sustainable economies. ASEAN is set to enhance integration and innovation across its member states by leveraging the momentum of International Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Day 2024.
DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS
Assessment on Global Stocktake at COP 28: Implications for ASEAN
Climate change is an urgent issue that poses a significant threat to the world and, particularly, to the Southeast Asia region. COP 28 UN Climate Change (UNFCCC) outcomes (UAE Consensus) showed the need for global cooperation in addressing more ambitious climate actions and it is crucial for the ASEAN Member States to strategize their collaborative action. To this end, GIZ has analysed the first global stocktake process, its outcomes, and implications for ASEAN. The assessment highlights some challenges and opportunities for ASEAN’s efforts towards more ambitious climate action and serves as a basis for their future endeavours.
Key buzzwords
#climateaction #climatepolicy #FirstGlobalStocktake #COP28 #ASEAN
Young Changemakers - Empowering Rural Youth to Transform Food Systems
Youth engagement in agriculture in Africa and India is vital for sustainable food systems. By reimagining traditional views and overcoming resource limitations, initiatives like Access Agriculture’s young entrepreneurs empower youth to drive positive change and promote agroecology. This book comprises inspiring success stories from these young entrepreneurs, who serve as private extension service providers using solar-powered smart projectors.
Key buzzwords
#Youthinagriculture #youthparticipation #ruralyouth #businessmodel #foodsystemtransformation #agroecology #knowledgedissemination #videoproduction
Responsible Agricultural And Forestry Investments: How To Set Up Company-based Grievance Mechanisms
The handbook provides answers to the following three questions: why should investors provide grievance mechanisms in Lao PDR?, what exactly are such grievance mechanisms? What should they be able to accomplish?, How do they work?, and what can companies do? What options do they have? What concrete steps do they have to take?
Key buzzwords
RAI, responsible agricultural investment, grievance mechanism, Laos, investment in land, company, investor, due diligence, manual, handbook, compliant, conflict, RGIL, GIZ, responsible governance of investments in land, community
Achieving Effective and Inclusive Community Engagement for Responsible Agricultural and Forestry Investments in Lao PDR
Community engagement should also be in the interests of the investor: if done properly, it reduces the risks to the investor’s business, as environmental damage or conflict with the local community can lead to financial losses, reputational damage, or even early project termination. Evidence clearly shows that land-based investments operating without adequate, effective, and inclusive community engagement encountered environmental and social problems. These problems in turn led to hidden costs, for example in the form of compensation for labourers and communities. Environmental and social problems have also led to several investment projects being terminated before the end of the concession agreement
Key buzzwords
RAI, responsible agricultural investment, grievance mechanism, Laos, investment in land, company, investor, due diligence, compliant, conflict, RGIL, GIZ, responsible governance of investments in land, FPIC, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, inclusiveness, community engagement, participatory land use mapping, land acquisition, customary tenure, right, environmental and social impact assessment, IEE, ESIA
Procedures And Processes to Ensure Responsible Agricultural and Forestry Investments in Lao PDR
This guide for investors seeks to provide an overview of required steps and actions to establish and manage land-based investments in Lao PDR in compliance with social and environmental standards. The investment forms covered include state land leases, state land concessions, contract farming, and individual land leases. This manual focuses on the processes of land acquisition, compensation, labour, and import and export.
Key buzzwords
Steps, land-based investments, compliance with social and environmental standards. and leases, land concessions, contract farming, processes, land acquisition, compensation, RAI, responsible agricultural investment, grievance mechanism, Laos, investment in land, company, investor, due diligence, compliant, conflict, RGIL, GIZ, responsible governance of investments in land, community, engagement, customary tenure, right, environmental and social impact assessment, IEE, ESIA, investment approval, land clearing, import, export, compensation, deposit, expropriated land, No. 0457/MPI,
Environmental And Social Safeguards for Responsible Agricultural and Forestry Investments in Lao PDR
This guide is aimed at investors in agriculture and forestry. It explains why environmental and social safeguards are not just important, but also required by law. It summarizes the relevant decrees and legislation, providing links to further reading and contact details. And it provides guidance on how best to implement the required safeguards. Because – ultimately – investing responsibly will benefit your investment.
Key buzzwords
Environmental and social safeguards, assessment, impact, mitigation measures, compensation, EMMP, SMMP, grievance mechanism, land acquisition, compensation, RAI, responsible agricultural investment, Laos, investment in land, company, investor, compliant, conflict, RGIL, GIZ, responsible governance of investments in land, community, customary tenure, right, IEE, ESIA.
Grievance Redress Mechanisms for Communities in Lao PDR
If an investor harms you or your environment with their investment, you have a right to complain. You have several options where you can complain: You can complain directly to the company. You can complain to the relevant authority. You can address the Village Mediation Unit. You can submit a complaint to a court. Finally, you have the right to file a petition to parliament. In this handbook, we explain in more detail who you need to approach and how, so that your case is heard, and you can be given help
Key buzzwords
RAI, responsible agricultural investment, grievance mechanism, Laos, investment in land, company, investor, due diligence, compliant, conflict, RGIL, GIZ, responsible governance of investments in land, community.
How to Deal with Investments Affecting Your Community
The brochure aims to inform the local communities on knowing well the obligations of the investor is the first step; the next step is to know when and where to complain when the investment project does harm – how to enforce your rights!
Key buzzwords
RAI, responsible agricultural investment, Investments in land, laws and standards, FPIC, grievance mechanism, Laos, investment in land, company, investor, due diligence, compliant, conflict, RGIL, GIZ, responsible governance of investments in land, community. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), expropriated land, compensation, Land clearing, Contracts and rules
Easily Integrate Employment Promotion Activities into your Project with the RYE Toolbox! 🛠️ 🌱 📚
Many projects and organisations focus on both the development of rural areas and on promoting employment opportunities in the agri-food sector. For the colleagues it can be challenging to locate and identify resources and tools that are best suited for their specific tasks at hand. That’s where the new Toolbox for Rural Youth Employment (RYE) Promotion comes in handy. The toolbox not only outlines over 70 existing tools and how to use them. It also includes concrete project examples showing how these tools can be adapted and replicated.
Key buzzwords
#employment #employmentpromotion #ruralyouthemployment #rye #youth
Handbook Series on Sustainable Production of Cardamom, Cumin and Turmeric
This three-handbook series is published under the Enhancement of Smallholder Spice Farmers’ Capacities in Sustainable Farming Project. It is part of the develoPPP programme. It aims to create awareness among farmers regarding the sustainable production practices for cardamom, cumin and turmeric ensuring long-term viability of spice cultivation while minimising negative environmental impacts.
Key buzzwords
Sustainable farming, sustainable agriculture, pest-free, Cardamom farming, cumin farming, turmeric farming, develoPPP
GRASS Digital Solutions
In the rapidly advancing era of digitalisation, conventional agricultural approaches are no longer sufficient. In an attempt to increase productivity and agricultural sustainability, GRASS is promoting a digital approaches. How does GRASS do it? Find out the complete story by clicking the image beside.
Key buzzwords
#GRASSProject #Digitalisation #ResilientNature #SmallholderFarmers #DigitalLearning #Indonesia
Research Collaboration on Stingless Bee Honey Cultivation with the University of Göttingen
Stingless beehoney cultivation is a potential additional source of income for independent oil palm farmers, without the need for land conversion (which is often linked to deforestation). GRASS supports stingless bee honey cultivation activities for150 women farmers for income diversification, ecological conservation and increase of female agency. Complete information can be found in the fact sheet by clicking the image beside.
Key buzzwords
#GRASSProject #Beekeeping #ResilientNature #SmallholderFarmers #Conservation #Indonesia
EVENTS, TRAININGS AND WEBINARS
UPCOMING EVENTS
8 – 17 July 2024 | Huaphan, Luang Prabang and Sayaboury Provinces, Laos PDR
July to August 2024 | Bokeo, Luang Namtha and Oudomxay Provinces, Lao PDR
COMPLETED EVENTS
March 2024
Provinces of Oudomxay, Luang Namtha and Bokeo in Lao PDR
March 13, 2024
Sundarbans, Bangladesh
April 25-26, 2024
Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia
May 14 – 24, 2024 | Bokeo, Luang Namtha and Oudomxay Provinces, Lao PDR
May 28, 2024
King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT), Bangkhuntien Campus
June 21, 2024
Dong Nai, Viet Nam
OTHER GIZ NEWSLETTERS
GIZ International Forestry Policy Newsletter – Subscribe now to get news and updates on GIZ International Forest Policy. If you would like to receive the GIZ International Forest Policy Newsletter, please send a message to forests@giz.de
Indo-German Biodiversity Programme – Indo-German Biodiversity Programme Newsletters
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme II (REEEP II) Newsletter – Subscribe to get news and updates on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme II of GIZ Bangladesh. To receive the newsletter, please send an email to Ananya.rubayat@giz.de
PM GatiShakti Newsletter – Coverage of activities supported by Green Freight project in the PM GatiShakti Newsletter. Please refer to Page 3 to read about Urban Mobility India session and CII summit of Post-harvest logistics infrastructure.
Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) – Read news from the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)
GIZ Thailand Newsletter – Read news and updates from GIZ Thailand
Wetlands International – This month’s newsletter brings you conversations from Stockholm World Water Week (Aug 20th- 24th), our latest publications on biodiversity corridors in the Paraná delta, and the lithium extraction in the High Andean wetlands, and stories of restoration efforts and achievements from our network.
GRASSROOTS – GRASSROOTS is a newsletter of the GRASS Project, covering activities aimed at building resilience among smallholder farmers in Kapuas Hulu where the GRASS project is implemented.
If you have any further resources or links you think would be useful to add, do share with us via snrd-asia@giz.de
USEFUL LINK AND PLATFORMS
AdaptationCommunity.net – The Global Programme Human Mobility in the Context of Climate Change (HMCCC) have launched a global website, a subpage on Climate Change and Migration under the AdaptationCommunity.net. Please click the link for an introduction to the topic of climate change-induced human mobility, publications, and other resources. The global programme operates in the Pacific Islands, the Philippines and the Caribbean, and is supported by a team in Bonn.
GIZ Philippines Facebook Page – Get updated on GIZ Philippines and Pacific
GIZ Thailand Website – Learn about GIZ Thailand activities and other updates
GIZ Thailand Facebook Page – Get latest update on GIZ Thailand Facebook page
SNRD Asia and The Pacific Website – Sector Network Natural Resources and Rural Development Asia and the Pacific
SNRD Africa Website – Stay informed what is happening with our sister network
Engage with TUMI’s threads on TUMI’s Twitter – TUMI is the leading global implementation initiative on sustainable urban mobility formed through the union of eleven partners
Indo-German Biodiversity Programme – The Indo-German Biodiversity Programme is working with its overarching goal of sustainable use of biological diversity to support livelihoods for future generations. The Programme addresses the challenges of biodiversity conservation currently in four complementary areas.
Podcast ‘Vom Feld ins Regal’ (From field to shelf) – Is sustainable consumption an important topic for you? Are you wondering where The hosts JJ and Lara will talk about these and other exciting questions with guest? The podcast is produced by the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains
PANORAMA – Solutions for a Healthy Planet is a partnership initiative to document and promote examples of inspiring, replicable solutions across a range of conservation and sustainable development topics, enabling cross-sectoral learning and inspiration
If you have any further resources or links you think would be useful to add, do share with us via snrd-asia@giz.de
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SNRD Asia and the Pacific Secretariat
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