Project consists of development and implementation of management plans for three top priority sites identified by the Romanian Biodiversity Steering Committee in the Carpathian Mountains, including buffer zone and micro-enterprise, sustainable-use demonstration activities with local communities. Sites are (1) Piatra Craiului Biosphere Reserve (pristine mountain forests/alpine ecosystems harboring large carnivores), (2) Retezat National Park (coniferous forest/alpine meadow), (3) Neamt and Suceava (mixed hill forest and meadows/reintroduction of European bison).

This project would decrease greenhouse gas emissions while providing heat and competitively priced electricity to the residents of Szekesfehervar by substituting straw and natural gas for fuel oil in the local district heating plant. Secondary benefits to Hungary include increased rural employment and incomes through collection and utilization of agricultural waste straw, and reduced reliance on imported oil. The project will demonstrate the potential in central Europe for biomass- and natural gas-powered integrated district heating/combined cycle cogeneration technology applications.

Formulate strategies and actions necessary for the protection and sustainable use of Georgia's biodiversity, as well as prepare a plan for their implementation. The primary product will be a BSAP.

Formulate strategy and action plan for conservation and sustainable use of Albania's biodiversity. The principal product will be a BSAP. A clearinghouse mechanism was approved and added in 8/99.

As part of the Meso-American Biological Corridor initiative, this project would conserve the Panamanian section of the Corridor.

The Cape Peninsula Biodiversity Conservation Project will provide resources to assist in the creation of the Cape Peninsula National Park by (i) addressing the most urgent conservation needs, including eradication of invasive exotics and improvement of local emergency response capacity (in case of oil spills or wildfires), (ii) freeing admission-fee resources to allow upgrading of visitor facilities and management systems to ensure financial sustainability of the park, (iii) expanding the Table Mountain Fund which supports mainly NGO-led conservation initiatives, and (iv) initiating strategic

Building on the lessons learned from the pilot phase, this program is designed to stimulate greater involvement of private, small and medium scale enterprises (SME) in GEF-eligible activities. It on-lends GEF grant funds to carefully screened intermediaries at long-term low interest rates. The intermediaries commit to use the funds to finance GEF-eligible small and medium scale enterprise projects, either with debt or equity investments.

The project will help implement Ghana's National Forest Protection Strategy, which targets priority forest reserves for increased protection, including setting aside Special Biological Protection Areas. Project will identify and exploit opportunities to increase the financial benefits of biodiversity, in particular through ecotourism, extraction of non-timber forest products and restoration of degraded lands through commercial plantations. It will also strengthen capacity in the Forestry Department to manage such activities.

Formulate strategies and actions necessary for the protection and sustainable use of Eritrea's biodiversity, as well as prepare a plan for their implementation. The primary product will be a BSAP. In addition, Eritrea's first national report will be prepared.

Formulate strategies and actions necessary for the protection and sustainable use of the Slovak Republic's biodiversity, as well as prepare a plan for their implementation. The primary product will be a BSAP. In addition, the Slovak Republic's first national report will be prepared.