WEAVING FOR A THRIVING PLANET 53 System Change Kogayon Association and Văcărești Natural Park Association want to wants to change how natural areas are being protected and preserved. Both organisations are in the process of proposing a law change to the parliament to construct the Romanian network of urban protected areas and a UNESCO Geopark around its national park. Frame Change: Mindset Shift Focus Kogayon Association aims to shift the citizens’ and communities’ mindset to perceive the dangers of extracting natural resources in non-sustainable ways. It does that by advocating for a more robust environmental education to learn about the importance of biodiversity and by creating a green infrastructure to recover humans’ and nature’s relationship. Community-based Approach Both organisations are working together with local authorities, NGOs, schools, local entrepreneurs, etc. These institutions collaborate to develop a regional conservation strategy for the next ten years. They consider it crucial to align stakeholders’ interests, to generate incentives and ensure engagement of all stakeholders in natures’ preservation. Furthermore, They attempt to spread new conservation standards and advocate for a more substantial commitment from the state. The activities led by Kogayon Association have at present reached over 60.000 people. Văcărești Natural Park Association works with 20 partners in Bucharest (administration, business, NGOs, academics) and is starting similar projects of urban protected areas supported by relevant local stakeholders in other big cities. Scaling & Replication Scaling & Replication Strategy: Kogayon Association is wants to transfer the “know-how” acquired across the region and other states confronted with similar challenges. Within ten years, the initiative envisions a massive replication of a citizen-led and efficient conservation model. Consequently, this will push for a political vision and strategy for conservation and inspire neighboring countries to also adopt bottom-up approaches. Scaling & Replication History: Kogayon Association established a 4500 ha National Park and is now working on a 65.000 ha Geopark around the National Park. Văcărești Natural Park Association established a 185 ha natural park in Bucharest and is now working on a national network of urban protected areas, with 5 protected areas in Bucharest and another 10 protected areas in other 10 big cities of Romania. Scaling Interest: Kogayon Association is focussing on replicating itself within Romania. It has, therefore, started a national coalition for urban protected areas. In a next phase Asociatia Kogayon is also interested in scaling internationally, in particular to Bulgaria, ex-Yugoslavian countries and Ukraine. Scaling & Replication Needs: Funds and partners. Challenges Kogayon Association’s challenge is to create a shared goal among NGOs and citizens in order to influence the policies on local and global levels around biodiversity strategy, forestry strategy, resilience, sustainability, and biodiversity conservation and climate change at large.
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