The World Bank/WBI’s CBNRM Workshop

Case Received: February 5, 1998

Author: Jacek Goledzinowski

Tel: (48) 22 693 53 64

Fax: (48) 22 693 52 64

Case describes one of the pilot projects run under the aegis of Local Government Assistance Programme /British Know-How Fund, co-run by an author. Main aim of the project has been to support authorities of municipalities/communities belonging to the Biebrza National Park to identify stakeholders groups and enable them to work together and find out viable institutional solutions to the community-based management of natural resources. Brief geographical, socio-demographical and economic characteristics, as well as history of the region will be given.

Project has dealt with all four themes of planned workshop focusing mostly on 1 and 2.

Northern-East part of Poland used to be called during the interwar period "Poland B" This notion sticked for good to this region because of its retardation, backwardness, lack of economic, social and political development. Paradoxically, this "land forgotten by God and people" is offering nowadays assets - beautiful landscape, non-poluted environment, etc.

The only problem is to turn them into competetive advantage of the region. for the good of the devlopment. Among important contextual factors relevant to the case are lack of initiative and tradition of participatory democracy typical for the region

Many of these questions were addressed in the project.

As more specific goal of the project has been to develop joint strategy for sustainable development common for all communities belonging to the Biebrza National Park, so several workshops have been organised with participation of representatives of special state administration, local governments, local groups of interests, non-governmental organizations, financial institutions supporting eco-investments.

In the first stage of the project persons and organizations important for the undertaking have been identified, as well as interests, motivations and needs that possibly could integrate activity of Strategic Planning Group.

In the second stage Planning Group has analysed crucial problems facing region reckognising diagnosis of the present state of communities of BNP.

In the third step strategic goals were formulated. Later on those goals have been operationalised and transformed into tasks and action plans. It has been important exercise in local democracy disclosing conflicting interests and various ways to reconcile them.

Immediate outcome of the project has been to reveal areas of conflicts between different actors and obstacles to the further actions. But also developing possible solutions and alternative institutional settings for them.

Main lesson learned has been, how difficult it is (although not impossible) to initiate community’ debate on various important issues and to reach, even partial, consensus.

Case will be presented in the written narrative summary and OHP’s .