ALM UNDP

Key lessons learned:

1. Establish partnership agreements among international networks with similar interests and problems: In the framework of the project a list of key audiences was developed involving stakeholders and organizations that are interested in the project and could ensure long term sustainability of project results. Partnership agreements among international networks (e.g. Living Lakes Network) with similar interests and problems can be mutually beneficial.
2. Limit international partnerships to deliver know-how and methodology; rely more on local capacities for actual implementation: Relying on and utilizing the existing local capacities in implementation creates sustainability and replicability of project outcomes.
3. Target local stakeholders, facilitate dialogue, and help cooperation between local governments and NGOs: The project contributed to the development of some of the key regional and national development frameworks. In particular, at the regional level it provided inputs to the Long-term Regional Development Plan (RDP). Cooperation provided the basis for the integration of adaptation recommendations to the River Basin Management Plan of the Lake Balaton catchment area. For implementing adaptation measures, it is imperative to facilitate dialogue and establish cooperation between key stakeholders, including local governments and NGOs.
4. Offer direct grants and funding to local stakeholders for the direct implementation of adaptation measures: Under the, pilot project, initiatives were implemented to facilitate adaptation to the impacts of climate change through direct action. As part of the evaluation of project results, the final beneficiaries were encouraged to periodically (on a quarterly basis) submit technical and financial reports, as well as submit a final report to the LBDCA. To ensure sustainability, it was proposed to sign cooperation agreements between local partners, such as the NGO and local governments. Altogether, 39 such agreements were signed.

Key lessons learned: 1. Target local stakeholders for implementing adaptation measures, facilitate dialogues and help cooperation between local governments and NGOs: The project contributed to the development of some of the key regional and national development frameworks. In particular, at the regional level it provided inputs to the Long-term Regional Development Plan (RDP). As a direct result the RDP includes climate adaptation as one of the horizontal issue. Cooperation provided the basis for the integration of adaptation recommendations to the River Basin Management Plan of the Lake Balaton catchment area (which is currently being finalized). The plan has been prepared in correspondence with the EU Water Framework Directive. Through this process it has been found that both local governments and NGOs have been our vital allies. For implementing adaptation measures, it is imperative to facilitate dialogue and establish cooperation between these vital stakeholders. 2. Limit international partnerships to deliver know-how and methodology, rely more on local capacities for actual implementation: While cognizant of the value that international partnerships, with the Lake Balaton project a more effective strategy with international partners for institutionalizing project results could have been applied. Instead of a partnership agreement, a subcontract- based relation could have served this purpose more efficiently. Relying and utilizing the existing local capacities in implementation also serves to create sustainability and replicability of project outcomes. 3. Establish partnership agreements with international networks with similar interests and problems: For the facilitation and replication it is advised to have partnership agreements with international networks with similar interests and problems (e.g. Living Lakes Network). In the framework of the project a list of key audiences was developed involving stakeholders and organizations that are interested in the project and could ensure long term sustainability of project results. The objective of Outcome 5 was to generate knowledge generate and raise awareness of integrated vulnerability and adaptation approaches locally, nationally and internationally. This objective also encompassed enhanced knowledge management, dissemination and replication strategies and recognized that partnership agreements with international networks with similar interests and problems can be mutually beneficial. 4. Offer direct grants and funding opportunities to local stakeholders, such as local governments, NGOs, etc. for the implementation of adaptation measures: Under Outcome 4 pilot initiatives were implemented to facilitate adaptation to the impacts of climate change through direct action. As part of the evaluation of project results, the final beneficiaries were obliged to periodically (on a quarterly basis) submit technical and financial reports, as well as submit a final report to the LBDCA. In addition, all projects have been monitored on-site by LBDCA at least once during the project implementation. Based on the final reports submitted so far, it can be concluded, that the final beneficiaries have taken into account the horizontal objectives during the implementation of sub-projects, in particular the principle of sustainable development. To ensure sustainability, it was proposed to sign cooperation agreement between local partners, such as the NGO and local governments. Seven such agreements have already signed and other 8 are under preparation.