Coastal Area Management Programme of Montenegro

COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME OF MONTENEGRO

CAMP MNE

Inception Report

-First Draft-

COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME OF MONTENEGRO

CAMP MONTENEGRO

Inception Report

First Draft

Jelena Knežević

National Coordinator for CAMP Montenegro

Podgorica, March 2012

Contents

1Introduction

1.1General framework

1.2The project area

1.3Main problems in the CAMP area

1.4Project Agreement

1.5Related projects and initiatives

2Inception Report: general objectives and activities related to the preparation

2.1Objectives of the Inception Report

2.2Implemented activities related to the Inception Report

3Project objectives, strategy and phasing

3.1Project objectives

3.2Strategy

3.3Phasing of the Project

4Project structure

5Institutional arrangements and staffing

5.1Institutional arrangements

5.2Project staff

6Expected results and outputs

7Methodologies and tools to be applied

7.1General methodologies

7.2Specific methodologies and tools (related to individual project activities)

8Linkages

9Work plan and timetable

10Monitoring, evaluation and reporting......

11Logical framework analysis

12 Annexes ------.49

1 Introduction

1.1 General framework

The Coastal Area Management Programme (CAMP) projects supported by the Mediterranean Action Plan (MAP) promote Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) as a tool to ensure that a variety of human activities in the coastal areas are coordinated and managed for the achievement of sustainability goals. The main objectives of CAMPs are:

• to develop strategies and procedures for sustainable development in project area;
• to identify and apply relevant methodologies and tools;
• to contribute to the capacity building at local, national and regional levels;
• to secure a wider use of the results achieved in the region.

The Coastal Area Management Programme (CAMP) project for Montenegro is implemented jointly by MAP and the Montenegrin Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism (MSDT), with involvement of local self-governments from the project area and of other relevant institutions. Initial steps in developing CAMP Montenegro were taken in 2005, when the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention approved the decision to carry out the CAMP Project for Montenegro at their 14th Ordinary Meeting (held on 8 – 11 November 2005 in Portoroz, Slovenia), following a request presented by the Government of Montenegro. The decision to start with the initiation of the CAMP Montenegro was adopted at the meeting in Split, on 18 – 19 December 2006. The Feasibility Study (FS) was prepared in the period December 2007 – May 2008.

A series of consultative meetings were held within the FS preparation process with all the coastal area stakeholders, soliciting their opinions, analysing issues and challenges for sustainable development of the coastal area and identifying activities and project area for the CAMP. Based on the findings of the FS and subsequent developments, as well as on discussions with the then Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment (predecessor of MSDT) and other relevant national institutions from February 2010, a draft CAMP Project Agreement was prepared. The draft Project Agreement was adjusted in spring 2011 to take into account a number of initiatives and pre-CAMP activities that were implemented in the period 2010 - 2011, which led to signing of the Agreement on 30 May 2011.

The main objectives of CAMP Montenegro are formulated in line with general objectives of all CAMP projects and they include: a) creation of necessary mechanisms that can help achieve sustainable development of the coastal area; b) support for the implementation of national policies and ICZM Protocol of the Barcelona Convention; c) promotion of integrated and participatory planning and management in the coastal area; d) development of national and local capacities for ICZM and awareness raising on the importance of the coastal area, complexity and fragility of its ecosystems and on the need for integrated approaches in managing them; and e) facilitation of the transfer of knowledge on ICZM tools and approaches.

The coastal area of Montenegro is an area with a high development potential where there are complex relations between human activities and natural environments and pronounced pressures on natural resources. In order to preserve the development potential, primarily through preservation of resource base of the area and qualities of the natural and manmade environments, it is necessary to provide for an integrated approach in planning and in managing the coastal area.

The concept of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) is embedded in a number of policies and strategic documents in Montenegro. The country is committed to sustainable development, and has adopted the National Strategy for Sustainable Development. Montenegro has ratified the Barcelona Convention and five of its Protocols, with the ICZM Protocol ratification taking place in December 2011.

The main strategic orientation of the country is the accession to the EU[1], and there is an on-going process of harmonisation of national legislation with the EU acquis. Integrated management concepts and tools are thus being increasingly incorporated into the national legal framework.

In parallel, there are on-going efforts to increase capacities of institutions to implement new legislation and sustainable development policies. The existing institutional framework, even though with pronounced weaknesses in respect to co-ordination and overall capacities, has substantial strengths and potentials for ICZM. An interest for CAMP implementation was expressed both at the national and local level.

With the above in mind, the main arguments in favour of the CAMP Montenegro are:

• there is a high level of commitment to sustainable development of the coastal area;
• policy framework is favourable for the implementation of the CAMP Montenegro, and the same increasingly applies to legal framework;
• the existing institutions can provide necessary structures for the CAMP implementation, and there is an interest for the Programme both at the national and local level;
• the CAMP can play an important role in creating conditions for the integrated and effective management of the coastal area of Montenegro.

1.2 The project area

The CAMP Montenegro will be implemented for the entire coastal area of Montenegro as systemic problems which need to be addressed to ensure sustainable coastal development are the same for the entire Montenegrin coastal zone The CAMP Montenegro will also facilitate the implementation of the ICZM Protocol of the Barcelona Convention (ratified in December 2011).

Project area comprises territories of six coastal municipalities – Herceg Novi, Kotor, Tivat, Budva, Bar and Ulcinj – with the total surface of 1,591 km2 and internal waters and territorial sea with the surface of around 2,500 km2. Some of the typical natural features of the coastal area include a diversified geological composition and complex geo-tectonic structure, plain coastal areas/ fields and beaches, steep elevations of Orjen, Lovcen and Rumija mountains, short watercourses and the exquisite Bay of Boka with several smaller bays. According to the relevant spatial plans, the total length of the mainland seashore is 288.2 km (out of which 105.5 km in the Bay of Boka). The islands’ shores are 25.6 km long, while the length of the shore along the river Bojana is 22.8 km. The project area is shown in the Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1: CAMP project area

The coastal area is the most developed and densely populated part of Montenegro. It is well known for its natural attractions and cultural heritage. As such, the region has been of particular interest for the development of tourism. The region is also considered an attractive area for living, which has caused continuous migrations (within Montenegro) towards the coast. According to the 2011 census, population of the region was 148,683 (close to one quarter of the total population of the country), which makes a population density of 93 inhabitants per km². Population projections by the year 2020 envisage an increase of roughly 7% (which would bring the total population of the region to around 160,000). The GDP per capita is on the similar level as in the central region and twice as much as the GDP per capita in the northern region[2]. Development and urban capacities are mainly linearly located along the coast line. Investment pressure is high and it contributes to uncontrolled development.

Tourism is one of the priority economic sectors in Montenegro, whereas more than 95% of the total number of tourists and overnight stays recorded in the country during the last years were linked to the coastal region. Other important economic activities include construction, transport and trade. Agriculture is not a significant activity in the coastal area yet it plays an important role as an activity that supplements household incomes and contributes to tourism development and preservation of traditional Mediterranean agricultural practices. Fishing is not highly developed, nevertheless there are examples of unsustainable use of fish stocks. Environmental infrastructure is insufficient to meet the development needs and provide for adequate environmental protection.

The coastal area of Montenegro is an important biodiversity spot (in terms of habitat and species diversity) and home to several rare and endemic species. Important coastal and marine communities and habitats include sand dunes, coastal and inland wetlands, and sea grass meadows (Posidonia oceanica, Cymodocea nodosa). Halophyte vegetation, fragments of Skadar Oak (Quercus robur scutariensis) forests, some migratory bird species and Posidonia oceanica are among rare and / or endangered species of the coastal and marine biodiversity.

1.3 Main problems in the CAMP area

The following issues can be singled out as the main problems in the CAMP area:

• Institutional and legal frameworks are complex, competencies are not always clearly delineated while horizontal and vertical co-ordination between different parts of administration is insufficient; there is a room for improvement when it comes to participation of different stakeholders in policy making.
• Integrated or ecosystem-based approaches are not at the core of the planning system (including the spatial planning); sectoral approaches are still prevalent, which exacerbates conflicts between environment and development.
• Capacity for the application of ICZM tools and mechanisms is limited; awareness and specific knowledge needed to ensure sustainable development are insufficient, while information on environmental aspects of coastal processes is often incomplete or lacking altogether.
• There are strong pressures on coastal environment, primarily from urbanization and tourism development;
• Harmonisation of national and local level spatial plans, as well as integration of ICZM Protocol requirements into the spatial plans is a challenge;
• Valuable marine and terrestrial ecosystems and cultural heritage at the coast are in various ways threatened by the current and planned development;
• Pollution from land-based sources (including waste, wastewater and industry) as well as from maritime activities needs to be prevented/ controlled more efficiently.

In response to the above, activities will be implemented through CAMP Montenegro aiming to develop, apply and demonstrate methods, concepts and tools to address existing and future management problems in the coastal area.

1.4 Project Agreement

Following the preparation of draft Project Agreement in spring 2010 and as a result of meetings that took place on 25 – 26 June 2010 (with representatives of the then Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment) and on 10 February 2011 (with representatives of MSDT), number of pre-CAMP activities was agreed upon and implemented. These included preparation of an analysis for the implementation of Article 8 of the ICZM Protocol on the Protection and sustainable use of the coastal zone in the spatial planning system in Montenegro and preparation of expert guidelines for the Terms of Reference for the Montenegrin Coastal Area Spatial Plan (CASP)[3]. These activities as well as changes in terms of institutional and legislative framework for implementing national environmental and spatial planning policy have resulted with redefinition of the originally planned CAMP activities and preparation of revised Project Agreement which was signed in May 2011.

The Project Agreement provides the basic framework for the project implementation as it defines project goals, structure, content and implementation arrangements for the activities to be carried out within the CAMP Project for Montenegro. Project Agreement also defines the basic elements of individual project activities, achievement indicators and post-project activities to be implemented.

1.5 Related projects and initiatives

During the preparation of CAMP Montenegro, two projects that are closely related to its rationale and objectives have been initiated and are now under implementation. These are transboundary (Albania and Montenegro) project on integrated management of the Buna/ Bojana basin, coastal area and aquifers (implemented under the UNEP/MAP GEF Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Large Marine Ecosystem) and preparation of the National Strategy for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (NS ICZM).

MAP (PAP/RAC) is assisting the country with development of the NS ICZM. The Strategy will follow the requirements of the ICZM Protocol (Art. 18 on National coastal strategies, plans and programmes)and is also expected to contribute to the implementation of the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive. In developing the Strategy, results of the previous activities will be utilised, including the draft ICZM Strategy from 2008.

CAMP structure and implementation arrangements, exchange of information and integration of results that are detailed in this Inception Report will also ensure coordination with the transboundary project on integrated management of the Buna/ Bojana basin, coastal area and aquifers. On the other hand the priorities, objectives and goals of the transboundary Bojana/ Buna project are also defined as to contribute to CAMP activities, including selection of the fields for actions and composition of the expert team, as well as GIS data base establishment. While making the selection of the expert team members, special attention was paid to the synergy of the activities under CAMP Montenegro, transboundary Bojana/Buna project and NS ICZM, and to aligning the dynamics for three projects and related consultative processes. The results of the Buna/Bojana Transboundary Integrated Management Plan that is under way will be successively screened and used for CAMP baseline studies creation.

Furthermore, a number of other activities and projects the outcomes of which are highly relevant for the implementation of CAMP Montenegro are under way. The most important ones are:

• Implementation of ADRICOSM Intermediate Project (follow up to the previous ADRICOSM STAR project);
• Project Establishment of the MPA Katič and on-going MPA 2 project supported by Italian Ministry for Environment, Land and Sea;
• the on-going project related to the revision and redefinition of the selected coastal protected areas (beaches) that is managed by the Institute for Nature Protection of Montenegro under supervision of the Public Enterprise for Coastal Zone Management;
• the on-going MedMPAnet project that is implemented by SPA/RAC with the aim to help the development of a network of Marine and Coastal Protected Areas (MPAs) in Montenegro (also implemented under the UNEP/MAP GEF Strategic Partnership for the Mediterranean Large Marine Ecosystem);
• GRECO Initiative.

2 Inception Report: general objectives and activities related to the preparation

2.1 Objectives of the Inception Report

The Inception Report is the initial basic document of the CAMP Montenegro Project. The purpose of the Report is to secure integration and provide detailed instructions for the implementation of the project, both at the project level and at the level of each individual project activity.

The Inception Report details project objectives, strategy and phasing, and describes project structure, institutional arrangements and staffing. It also specifies expected results and outcomes of the project, as well as methodologies and tools to be applied, the work plan and timetable for each activity, alongside with monitoring procedures. Logical Framework Analysis is used to describe project activities. The Inception Report also entails ToRs for specific horizontal and individual activities. Organisation of Inception Conference and preparation of Conference Report are also envisaged.

2.2 Implemented activities related to the Inception Report

The complex and participatory extensive consultative process preceded the preparation of the Inception Report. It resulted with definition of the specifications for CAMP components, CAMP relations with NS ICZM and transboundary Bojana/Buna project, as well as with the inputs for structuring the expert team to be recruited for CAMP components realization. At the same time a number of meetings to discuss and agree the CAMP structure, it’s phasing and content of it`s outputs to be delivered have been organized.

The most important consultation meetings, directly and indirectly linked to Inception Report development, are as follows:

 Consultation on the implementation structure for CAMP Montenegro including decision on establishment of the partnership with UNDP Montenegro in that regard (a few consultative meetings in period end of May to the end of July 2011).

 Consultation and decision to lead CAMP Montenegro in parallel with the congruent project and process: development of the National Strategy for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (NS ICZM) and development of the Integrated Transboundary Management Plan for Bojana/ Buna, both supported by GEF through the components of the Large Marine Ecosystem Partnership for the Mediterranean region (10th and 12th of July 2011 in Podgorica, Montenegro).

 Preliminary consultation with PAP/RAC on the structure of the expert team to be recruited for the implementation of the CAMP Montenegro, national and international ones, on the redefinition of the budgetary allocations in accordance with the activities that are defined in the Annex I to the Agreement relative to the Coastal Area Management Programme (CAMP) Montenegro, as well as the linking of the CAMP Montenegro with NS ICZM and Bojana/Buna Project (held on 6th to 8th of March 2011, Split, Croatia).

 The preliminary consultation with the GWP representatives related to the synchronization of the planning process of the CAMP Montenegro and NS ICZM realization with participation of the representatives of the Albanian side and main external consultant for the transboundary Bojana/Buna project ( 12th September 2011, Bar, Montenegro).