Activity 2014

The most importantThe most important

achievements activitiesachievements activities

andand initiativesinitiatives

Feel thepulse-

follow us on

Takea glance

P20 gtgtOther initiatives

P28 gtgt

Environmental

impact assessment

Letrsquos protect nature together with people

Baltic Environmental Forum wwwbeflt 2015

Project activities

P4 gtgt

Supporting

environment

P26 gtgt

report

News and reviews

At the end of the year wethink through the workdone over the last yearmeasuring progress andlearning from thechallenges We also inviteyou to have a look on thisby look through the pagesof our activity report Thisreport represents our wishto share with you our fruitsof labour which are notalways sweet but as webelieve are meaningfulThere are only the mostimportant activitiesmentioned in this reportmeaning that a lot ofdiverse initiatives were notincluded Still somethingexceptional happens everyyear 2014 was a very active anddynamic year We gained alot of experience learntnew things grew up and

became more maturedHowever one veryimportant characteristic didnot get in to this report Namely it is the shiningeyes of our collective - fullof enthusiasm curiosityand confidence in what wedo This enthusiasm andconfidence unites all of usin difficulties and inspiresto put ideas into practiseTo be fair what we arelacking is the time Ibelieve that with yoursupport all these ideascould be included in thefuture reportsasaccomplished tasks Finally I am proud of ourorganisation and thankfulfor a team giving theopportunity to worktogetherThank you

Shining eyesof collective

Baltic Environmental Forum

copy DELFI (MAžušilis photo)

Book the newsletter Our yearsrdquo

This year we want to be even closer to you thus wewill share our minds experiences relevant articlesand ideas in the seasonal newsletter called Ouryears

The title was chosen to some purpose KristijonasDonelaitis is a well-known and for us the bestLithuanian poet who tried to frame the nature Hisfamous poem Years is the real masterpiecepicturing communication of nature This poem mostprobably awoked a deeply hidden innerenvironmentalist for every single reader andreminded about human beings connection withnature

We wish that our publications as well as actionswould inspire society to get to know understandand feel the nature Additionally we hope thatincurred experience strengthens willingness tocherish and protect environment surrounding us

Our newsletter will be released quarterly The firstnumber The joy of spring will show up in May

Vytautas Jorkūnas illustr

Closer and closer toyou

Subscribe Feel the pulse-follow us on Head of BEF Žymantas Morkvėnas

Available only if we recieveat least 30 subscribers

News and reviews

At the end of the year wethink through the workdone over the last yearmeasuring progress andlearning from thechallenges We also inviteyou to have a look on thisby look through the pagesof our activity report Thisreport represents our wishto share with you our fruitsof labour which are notalways sweet but as webelieve are meaningfulThere are only the mostimportant activitiesmentioned in this reportmeaning that a lot ofdiverse initiatives were notincluded Still somethingexceptional happens everyyear 2014 was a very active anddynamic year We gained alot of experience learntnew things grew up and

became more maturedHowever one veryimportant characteristic didnot get in to this report Namely it is the shiningeyes of our collective - fullof enthusiasm curiosityand confidence in what wedo This enthusiasm andconfidence unites all of usin difficulties and inspiresto put ideas into practiseTo be fair what we arelacking is the time Ibelieve that with yoursupport all these ideascould be included in thefuture reportsasaccomplished tasks Finally I am proud of ourorganisation and thankfulfor a team giving theopportunity to worktogetherThank you

Shining eyesof collective

Baltic Environmental Forum

copy DELFI (MAžušilis photo)

Book the newsletter Our yearsrdquo

This year we want to be even closer to you thus wewill share our minds experiences relevant articlesand ideas in the seasonal newsletter called Ouryears

The title was chosen to some purpose KristijonasDonelaitis is a well-known and for us the bestLithuanian poet who tried to frame the nature Hisfamous poem Years is the real masterpiecepicturing communication of nature This poem mostprobably awoked a deeply hidden innerenvironmentalist for every single reader andreminded about human beings connection withnature

We wish that our publications as well as actionswould inspire society to get to know understandand feel the nature Additionally we hope thatincurred experience strengthens willingness tocherish and protect environment surrounding us

Our newsletter will be released quarterly The firstnumber The joy of spring will show up in May

Vytautas Jorkūnas illustr

Closer and closer toyou

Subscribe Feel the pulse-follow us on Head of BEF Žymantas Morkvėnas

Available only if we recieveat least 30 subscribers

Environment and protected areas

Aquatic warblerPromotion of environmentally-friendly farming

practises to ensure the protection of birds

located in dwindling agrarian landscape

2010-2015

2014 ndash the year of increasing

numbers of Aquatic warbler

Žymantas Morkvėnas zymantasmorkvenasbeflt

The team members of this project in organisation

At thebeginningoftheyearweanxiouslyhavebeenwaitingfor a spring flooding in Nemunas delta We were worriedabout both- AquaticAquatic warblers and farmers whobecame our good familiars Strongly delayed pumping ofwater in the polder of Šyša river led to extremelyunsuccessful transition of Aquatic warblers and also toreally complicated farming conditions for farmers Weclosely collaborated with the department of rural affairs ofŠilutė municipality and with the directorate of NemunasDelta regional park Our main goal was to find the optimalwater pumping regime in polders In more details wemeasured water level daily closely communicated andfinally together we reached almost the ideal balancefulfilling the needs of Aquatic warblers and farmersrsquoFortunately a good practise how to employ cooperation oforganisations in finding solutions useful for both natureand locals was formed The 5th of May was especiallyexciting day for us as we watched the first Aquatic warblers which thanks to our efforts successfully passed trough thepolder

Successful partnership ndash theoptimal state of habitats

A truly astonishing surprise from Aquaticwarblers ndash for the first time in 10 years thepopulationincreasedin2014Itwasthegreatestreward for the years we had been working onhabitats restoration We counted 106 singingmales of Aquatic warbler (in 2013 there wereonly 50 of them) However this is not only due tothe actions we took Probably there was also animpact of improved farming practises inNemunas Delta and Pamarys as well as offavorable wintering conditions in west Africa

Nevertheless we just cant hold on our joy hearing thesinging Aquatic warblers in restored habitats as we knowthat this capricious bird assessed our efforts

Unfortunatelly the measure we prepared toprotect Aquatic warblers was delayed as a newprogram of rural development was not approved in2014 which otherwise would have ensuredpayments for farmers There was a threat thatfarmers will refuse additional commitments toenvironment without getting compensations forthatWedidntgiveupandstartedagreementswithresponsible institutions to initiate contracts withfarmers in whose grasslands this rare bird wasbreeding The essence of the contract is thatfarmers delay mowing and animals pasturageallowingbirds to breed and the loss iscompensated for farmers Voluntaryenvironmental contracts with farmers in Lithuaniaare not widespread so we believe that experiencegained this year will be helpful for nationalenvironment

Environmental agreementwith farmers

One of the most important achievements in 2014is the inclusion of the final contract of ourprepared measure for Aquatic warbler protectionin the plan of Lithuanian rural developmentFarmers participating in this measure will getcompensations for additional commitments It isreally important step in reaching to ensure thisrare bird survival in a long perspective

Special measure for farmers

to protect Aquatic warbler

Does the world reallyneed Aquatic warbler

From now on the actions of protecting Aquaticwarblers is going to include not onlyenvironmentalists but also farmers who can beinvolved in the implementation of agrarian-environmental measures that is becoming a quietusual practise Owing to these measures therewill be ability to sustain good conditions inAquatic warbler habitats and to get the financialsupport for the restoration of these habitats Toour joy agricultural sector is going to support thisprotection of rare bird and it will reach heedfulfarmers

The number of singing males ofAquatic warbler in Lithuania

Sustainable farming in the deltaof Nemunas river

Together for protection ofendangered bird

Environment and protected areas

Aquatic warblerPromotion of environmentally-friendly farming

practises to ensure the protection of birds

located in dwindling agrarian landscape

2010-2015

2014 ndash the year of increasing

numbers of Aquatic warbler

Žymantas Morkvėnas zymantasmorkvenasbeflt

The team members of this project in organisation

At thebeginningoftheyearweanxiouslyhavebeenwaitingfor a spring flooding in Nemunas delta We were worriedabout both- AquaticAquatic warblers and farmers whobecame our good familiars Strongly delayed pumping ofwater in the polder of Šyša river led to extremelyunsuccessful transition of Aquatic warblers and also toreally complicated farming conditions for farmers Weclosely collaborated with the department of rural affairs ofŠilutė municipality and with the directorate of NemunasDelta regional park Our main goal was to find the optimalwater pumping regime in polders In more details wemeasured water level daily closely communicated andfinally together we reached almost the ideal balancefulfilling the needs of Aquatic warblers and farmersrsquoFortunately a good practise how to employ cooperation oforganisations in finding solutions useful for both natureand locals was formed The 5th of May was especiallyexciting day for us as we watched the first Aquatic warblers which thanks to our efforts successfully passed trough thepolder

Successful partnership ndash theoptimal state of habitats

A truly astonishing surprise from Aquaticwarblers ndash for the first time in 10 years thepopulationincreasedin2014Itwasthegreatestreward for the years we had been working onhabitats restoration We counted 106 singingmales of Aquatic warbler (in 2013 there wereonly 50 of them) However this is not only due tothe actions we took Probably there was also animpact of improved farming practises inNemunas Delta and Pamarys as well as offavorable wintering conditions in west Africa

Nevertheless we just cant hold on our joy hearing thesinging Aquatic warblers in restored habitats as we knowthat this capricious bird assessed our efforts

Unfortunatelly the measure we prepared toprotect Aquatic warblers was delayed as a newprogram of rural development was not approved in2014 which otherwise would have ensuredpayments for farmers There was a threat thatfarmers will refuse additional commitments toenvironment without getting compensations forthatWedidntgiveupandstartedagreementswithresponsible institutions to initiate contracts withfarmers in whose grasslands this rare bird wasbreeding The essence of the contract is thatfarmers delay mowing and animals pasturageallowingbirds to breed and the loss iscompensated for farmers Voluntaryenvironmental contracts with farmers in Lithuaniaare not widespread so we believe that experiencegained this year will be helpful for nationalenvironment

Environmental agreementwith farmers

One of the most important achievements in 2014is the inclusion of the final contract of ourprepared measure for Aquatic warbler protectionin the plan of Lithuanian rural developmentFarmers participating in this measure will getcompensations for additional commitments It isreally important step in reaching to ensure thisrare bird survival in a long perspective

Special measure for farmers

to protect Aquatic warbler

Does the world reallyneed Aquatic warbler

From now on the actions of protecting Aquaticwarblers is going to include not onlyenvironmentalists but also farmers who can beinvolved in the implementation of agrarian-environmental measures that is becoming a quietusual practise Owing to these measures therewill be ability to sustain good conditions inAquatic warbler habitats and to get the financialsupport for the restoration of these habitats Toour joy agricultural sector is going to support thisprotection of rare bird and it will reach heedfulfarmers

The number of singing males ofAquatic warbler in Lithuania

Sustainable farming in the deltaof Nemunas river

Together for protection ofendangered bird

Environment and protected areas

Aquatic warbler bdquoPromotion of environmentally-friendly farming

practises to ensure the protection of birds located

in dwindling agrarian landscape 2010-2015

Žymantas Morkvėnas zymantasmorkvenasbeflt

wwwmeldinelt

2014 was rich in goodpractise

Over this year we successfully tested anddemonstrated an innovative mowing machineAdditionally our partner the directorate of Žuvintasbiosphere reserve actively organized eventspresenting the manufacturing line for grass biomasspellets that was acquired during the implemention ofthis project

The largest Aquatic warbler in

the world - in Lithuania

Tourism that stimulates cognition ofnature and local culture is an importantsphere ensuring successfulenvironmental protection and giving thevalue of nature to local citizens as well asto society This idea we bear in mind whenplanning educational trails billboards andtowers for bird watching We also seek todo this innovatively and sometimesunpredictably For example the old waterpumping station in Tulkiaragė polder wastransformed into a sturdy wathcing towerwhich was decorated by artists whocreated a painting representing a farmerand Aquatic warbler We hope that thisartistic expression will inspire farmers tocarry their activities in a harmony withnature to protect it and talk about it In2015 We are going to invite all the peopleto the opening of this watching tower andeducational trail starting from there

We shared our good practice to learn form each otherOur prepared agri- environmental measure is includedin the best practice guides in Europe Participation inthe international events let us to confirm the idea thatnature protection needs to be done together withpeople that human beings (farmers) and their socialand economical needs are as important as the globallyendangered bird species The survival of endangeredspecies and consistent concern of them can beensured only by balance between environmental andlocal citizensrsquo needs Happily this attitude is gettingmore and more support in Lithuania and ininternational community

Together with Nemunas delta farmers andcommunity deputies we were learning fromcolleaguesrsquo practices during the educational trip tothe Netherlands There we acquired familiaritywith innovative ways of grass utilization cases ofcoordination of environmental and agriculturalinterests Inspiredbygoodexamplesandnewideaswe understood once again that Nemunas delta isarea with a huge potential where the harmonybetween nature and local human beings is possible

Experience in theNetherlands

Revived water pumping station

Conference in Finland

A popular book for kids

In media

Tourism - connecting link

They can live together

Environment and protected areas

Aquatic warbler bdquoPromotion of environmentally-friendly farming

practises to ensure the protection of birds located

in dwindling agrarian landscape 2010-2015

Žymantas Morkvėnas zymantasmorkvenasbeflt

wwwmeldinelt

2014 was rich in goodpractise

Over this year we successfully tested anddemonstrated an innovative mowing machineAdditionally our partner the directorate of Žuvintasbiosphere reserve actively organized eventspresenting the manufacturing line for grass biomasspellets that was acquired during the implemention ofthis project

The largest Aquatic warbler in

the world - in Lithuania

Tourism that stimulates cognition ofnature and local culture is an importantsphere ensuring successfulenvironmental protection and giving thevalue of nature to local citizens as well asto society This idea we bear in mind whenplanning educational trails billboards andtowers for bird watching We also seek todo this innovatively and sometimesunpredictably For example the old waterpumping station in Tulkiaragė polder wastransformed into a sturdy wathcing towerwhich was decorated by artists whocreated a painting representing a farmerand Aquatic warbler We hope that thisartistic expression will inspire farmers tocarry their activities in a harmony withnature to protect it and talk about it In2015 We are going to invite all the peopleto the opening of this watching tower andeducational trail starting from there

We shared our good practice to learn form each otherOur prepared agri- environmental measure is includedin the best practice guides in Europe Participation inthe international events let us to confirm the idea thatnature protection needs to be done together withpeople that human beings (farmers) and their socialand economical needs are as important as the globallyendangered bird species The survival of endangeredspecies and consistent concern of them can beensured only by balance between environmental andlocal citizensrsquo needs Happily this attitude is gettingmore and more support in Lithuania and ininternational community

Together with Nemunas delta farmers andcommunity deputies we were learning fromcolleaguesrsquo practices during the educational trip tothe Netherlands There we acquired familiaritywith innovative ways of grass utilization cases ofcoordination of environmental and agriculturalinterests Inspiredbygoodexamplesandnewideaswe understood once again that Nemunas delta isarea with a huge potential where the harmonybetween nature and local human beings is possible

Experience in theNetherlands

Revived water pumping station

Conference in Finland

A popular book for kids

In media

Tourism - connecting link

They can live together

Environment and protected areas

DenoflitbdquoMarine habitats and species inventory for

Natura 2000 network development in Lithuania

economic zone in Baltic sea 2010-2015

There are reefs

in the Baltic Sea

Žymantas Morkvėnas zymantasmorkvenasbeflt

Firstly the main aim of this project was to evaluate theimportance of Lithuanian specific economic zone inthe Baltic Sea for the protected marine biodiversityand if needed to establish marine protected areas inthe Baltic sea The team of this project successfulycarried out the research of the seabed fishes andwintering birds After the evaluation of gathered dataspecialists distinguished two remarkable areas ofEuropean Union importance namely Sambija andKlaipėda-Venspils plateaus where lies the habitats ofreefs and the huge accumulations of marine birds arefound Therefore the first marine protected areas inLithuania will be established in these plateaus

ForthosewhoareimpatientwesuggesttovisitPalangaand to study the information board situated near thebridgeYou can find the stories about marine birds andthe recipe of great black goby there Save marine frominvasive species gourmet

httpwwwcorpikultdenoflit

This projects team in organization

Besides we are preparing a book about thebiodiversity of the Baltic Sea This book is going toreach readers in 2015 and its stories will amaze manyof them The book will accompany readers through theBaltic beaches or while dreaming about calm weekendafternoon on a seaside Dont miss it - followinformation on our website or on Facebook

Seeking to share the knowledge about the marinenature of the Baltic Sea together with our partners weprepared material for a new Baltic Sea expositionwhich will be opened for visitors of Lithuanian SeaMuseum very soon

Hear and see the Baltic Sea

It is hard for society to explore marine nature andbiodiversity Preserved Baltic Sea marine reefs areunderthewaterandmostofthewinteringbirdsareoverthe horizon line

Still this mysterious marine world is remarkablybeautiful and its residents are heroes of extraordinarystories

Presenting project in conferenceLitoral 2014

New illustrated book

New exposition

Marine protected areas

Fishermen help to carry on fishinventory

Environment and protected areas

DenoflitbdquoMarine habitats and species inventory for

Natura 2000 network development in Lithuania

economic zone in Baltic sea 2010-2015

There are reefs

in the Baltic Sea

Žymantas Morkvėnas zymantasmorkvenasbeflt

Firstly the main aim of this project was to evaluate theimportance of Lithuanian specific economic zone inthe Baltic Sea for the protected marine biodiversityand if needed to establish marine protected areas inthe Baltic sea The team of this project successfulycarried out the research of the seabed fishes andwintering birds After the evaluation of gathered dataspecialists distinguished two remarkable areas ofEuropean Union importance namely Sambija andKlaipėda-Venspils plateaus where lies the habitats ofreefs and the huge accumulations of marine birds arefound Therefore the first marine protected areas inLithuania will be established in these plateaus

ForthosewhoareimpatientwesuggesttovisitPalangaand to study the information board situated near thebridgeYou can find the stories about marine birds andthe recipe of great black goby there Save marine frominvasive species gourmet

httpwwwcorpikultdenoflit

This projects team in organization

Besides we are preparing a book about thebiodiversity of the Baltic Sea This book is going toreach readers in 2015 and its stories will amaze manyof them The book will accompany readers through theBaltic beaches or while dreaming about calm weekendafternoon on a seaside Dont miss it - followinformation on our website or on Facebook

Seeking to share the knowledge about the marinenature of the Baltic Sea together with our partners weprepared material for a new Baltic Sea expositionwhich will be opened for visitors of Lithuanian SeaMuseum very soon

Hear and see the Baltic Sea

It is hard for society to explore marine nature andbiodiversity Preserved Baltic Sea marine reefs areunderthewaterandmostofthewinteringbirdsareoverthe horizon line

Still this mysterious marine world is remarkablybeautiful and its residents are heroes of extraordinarystories

Presenting project in conferenceLitoral 2014

New illustrated book

New exposition

Marine protected areas

Fishermen help to carry on fishinventory

VivaGrassIntegrated planning tool to ensure viability

of grasslands 2014-2018

Agriculture and rural development Kęstutis Navickas kestutisnavickasbeflt

To solve this problem is foreseen to create GIS basedtool which would help by specific grasslandparameters (economical cosial environmentalagricultural policy etc) to choose the most appropriatemeasures for management of the area This tool mayalso demonstrate opportunities of multifunctionalgrassland use (ecosystem services) This could becomea basis for sustainable rural development andincentive for local economics

Seeking to get new knowledge in grasslandmaintenance and to learn innovative ways ofmanaging grasslands through the short period oftime (from June 2014) there have been alreadycouple of meetings with partners and twoeducational trips to foreign countries

In addition the website of theproject was created where allnew information can be foundand also a project presentingbooklet in English wasrealesed

14 partners in Lithuania Latvia and Estonia

The research of grassland exploration were carried in all thecountries In Latvia for this purpose an innovative aerialphotography method was used There are processingmeetings with farmers and responsible institutions takingplaceintheareasoftheprojectReachingthemaingoaloftheproject the concept of tool for integrated planning waslaunched

The team of the project in our organization

Besides some of the grassland restorationwork has been already carried out (schrubswere cut in the area of 11 hectares) in one ofthe project areas in Ribiškiai landscapereserve that belongs to Pavilniai RegionalParkandintheotherareasinLithuaniaLatviaEstonia there is an intensive preparationsgoing on

httpvivagrasseu

Integrated tool

The area covered by natural and semi-naturalgrasslands has considerably decreased in the BalticStates throughout the last century as a result ofestrangement of people from rural lifestyle Thesemi-natural grasslands were converted to arableland forest or became urbanized Farmlands werelost to natural succession and overgrew withforests The loss of biodiversity soil quality andpollution of water were caused by intensification ofagriculture However marginal grassland areas orareas not suitable for intensive agriculture stillcontain high biodiversity Loss of grasslandbiodiversity leads to degradation or evendestroyingoftheecosystemfunctionsandservicesTo maintain or provide these services artificiallywould require enormous financial investments

VivaGrassIntegrated planning tool to ensure viability

of grasslands 2014-2018

Agriculture and rural development Kęstutis Navickas kestutisnavickasbeflt

To solve this problem is foreseen to create GIS basedtool which would help by specific grasslandparameters (economical cosial environmentalagricultural policy etc) to choose the most appropriatemeasures for management of the area This tool mayalso demonstrate opportunities of multifunctionalgrassland use (ecosystem services) This could becomea basis for sustainable rural development andincentive for local economics

Seeking to get new knowledge in grasslandmaintenance and to learn innovative ways ofmanaging grasslands through the short period oftime (from June 2014) there have been alreadycouple of meetings with partners and twoeducational trips to foreign countries

In addition the website of theproject was created where allnew information can be foundand also a project presentingbooklet in English wasrealesed

14 partners in Lithuania Latvia and Estonia

The research of grassland exploration were carried in all thecountries In Latvia for this purpose an innovative aerialphotography method was used There are processingmeetings with farmers and responsible institutions takingplaceintheareasoftheprojectReachingthemaingoaloftheproject the concept of tool for integrated planning waslaunched

The team of the project in our organization

Besides some of the grassland restorationwork has been already carried out (schrubswere cut in the area of 11 hectares) in one ofthe project areas in Ribiškiai landscapereserve that belongs to Pavilniai RegionalParkandintheotherareasinLithuaniaLatviaEstonia there is an intensive preparationsgoing on

httpvivagrasseu

Integrated tool

The area covered by natural and semi-naturalgrasslands has considerably decreased in the BalticStates throughout the last century as a result ofestrangement of people from rural lifestyle Thesemi-natural grasslands were converted to arableland forest or became urbanized Farmlands werelost to natural succession and overgrew withforests The loss of biodiversity soil quality andpollution of water were caused by intensification ofagriculture However marginal grassland areas orareas not suitable for intensive agriculture stillcontain high biodiversity Loss of grasslandbiodiversity leads to degradation or evendestroyingoftheecosystemfunctionsandservicesTo maintain or provide these services artificiallywould require enormous financial investments

EnvievalNew methodics designed for programs of EU

village development impact to environment

measuring development and application

2013-2015

Fragment of the logical

assessment structure

Agriculture and rural development

Team of the project in our organization

wwwenvievaleu

Although this project was one of the biggestintellectual challenges for BEF team in 2014 it iscertainly important and interesting because itprovides ability to have a closer look into EUrsquosCommon Agricultural policyrsquos impact forenvironment

During 2007-2013 years 96 millions euros werepayed for farmers while implementing EU ruraldevelopment programs Some of the measures fromthis program were dedicated to environmentParadoxically dedicating such a huge part of EUbudget for those measures the evaluation of theimpact which they make is vague in most countriesHow should we objectively evaluate the impactwhich was made by agri-environment measures

Žymantas Morkvėnas zymantasmorkvenasbeflt

BEF team in Lithuania analyze specific questionsrelated to agri-environmental measures and how theyinfluence the areas with huge natural value andbiodiversity During 2014 we together with differentresearchers from EU states - analyzed data worldpractice and created ways how to organize agri-environmental measuresrsquo assessment systemseeking to choose the best and the most scientificallysound way

In a broader perspective this project givesopportunity for our country to show the initiativeand actively participate in EU agricultural policycourse determination This means that togetherwith other EU member states we are moving tocleaner and more diverse agrarian landscapes

Impact assessment challenges

How much this impact is related to theimplementation of measures and how much todifferent side effects How to choose the bestevaluation method having limited data How toevaluate impact of implemented measures inagricultural level How to match differentinstitutionsrsquo data that they would be combined andcould serve in evaluation of EU funds impact That isjust a part of the questions analyzed in this project

The result of this work is the prepared logicalevaluation system and some analytical studieshelping to evaluate currently applied methods Thelogical evaluation system is currently being testedcomparing with real data and based on this practicerecommendations for European Commission will bemade in 2015 These recommendations willcontribute to setting the better evaluation methods ofthe impact of EU agricultural policy measures

EnvievalNew methodics designed for programs of EU

village development impact to environment

measuring development and application

2013-2015

Fragment of the logical

assessment structure

Agriculture and rural development

Team of the project in our organization

wwwenvievaleu

Although this project was one of the biggestintellectual challenges for BEF team in 2014 it iscertainly important and interesting because itprovides ability to have a closer look into EUrsquosCommon Agricultural policyrsquos impact forenvironment

During 2007-2013 years 96 millions euros werepayed for farmers while implementing EU ruraldevelopment programs Some of the measures fromthis program were dedicated to environmentParadoxically dedicating such a huge part of EUbudget for those measures the evaluation of theimpact which they make is vague in most countriesHow should we objectively evaluate the impactwhich was made by agri-environment measures

Žymantas Morkvėnas zymantasmorkvenasbeflt

BEF team in Lithuania analyze specific questionsrelated to agri-environmental measures and how theyinfluence the areas with huge natural value andbiodiversity During 2014 we together with differentresearchers from EU states - analyzed data worldpractice and created ways how to organize agri-environmental measuresrsquo assessment systemseeking to choose the best and the most scientificallysound way

In a broader perspective this project givesopportunity for our country to show the initiativeand actively participate in EU agricultural policycourse determination This means that togetherwith other EU member states we are moving tocleaner and more diverse agrarian landscapes

Impact assessment challenges

How much this impact is related to theimplementation of measures and how much todifferent side effects How to choose the bestevaluation method having limited data How toevaluate impact of implemented measures inagricultural level How to match differentinstitutionsrsquo data that they would be combined andcould serve in evaluation of EU funds impact That isjust a part of the questions analyzed in this project

The result of this work is the prepared logicalevaluation system and some analytical studieshelping to evaluate currently applied methods Thelogical evaluation system is currently being testedcomparing with real data and based on this practicerecommendations for European Commission will bemade in 2015 These recommendations willcontribute to setting the better evaluation methods ofthe impact of EU agricultural policy measures

Farming and rural development Kęstutis Navickas kestutisnavickasbeflt

Hungry for rights Global Learning from Local Solutions in

Alternative Food Systems 2013-2016

Villages are being abandoned cities are expanding andLithuanians slowly are losing their connection to thebackground lifestyle Thus we see a gap between city andvillage fading environmentally-friendly farmingmethods A farmer growing and serving products to themarket has a decisive role for food safety and quality andeven for environmental protection In this contextvillagersquos and cityrsquos solidarity seems to be a necessity Theproject rdquoHungry for rightsrdquo tries to create such asolidarity implementing the idea of short food supplychain

Farmers to be able to selltheir production directlyneed to have skills in a lot offields - law managementmarketing etc A cycle oftraining in 3 places overLithuania (Klaipėda MolėtaiVarėna areas) whereinitiatives for short foodchain supply already existwas held this year

To get knowledge about direct selling in Europe the mostactive farmers were invited to the project partnersrsquomeeting in France

After returning to Lithuania farmers gathered in twoworking groups which will try to implement a short foodsupply chain case in Vilnius Slow market Educationalactivitieswillstart inspringof2015andwill trytopromoteseeingthemarketnotonlyasarushingbuyingplacebutasa space of meeting and exchanging the values betweencity and village with a possibility to learn aboutresponsible consumption Finally farmers trading inmarket will also invite buyers to visit their farms

This year we also gathered active farmers intocommunity By doing this we aimed to supportthe environmentally-friendly farming andsustainable rural development promotingthe survival of small and medium size farms aswell as the creation of new The aim was alsotoencourage village people to be interested incity organizations whose activities can havean effect to village life quality

Team of the project in our organization

From farmersrsquo hands to your table

Farmer ndash jack-of-all-trades

Solidarity between city and villageTraining topics were selected considering theambition to encourage competitive marketmembers and the legitimate realization of theirproduction and taking a glance where theknowledge is missing in different areas Someparticipants learnt subtleties of farming inobjectives of soil quality production recycling orhomeopathic veterinary treatment the otherslooked deeper into the legitimation ofagricultural production and the topics how todevelop value-added products

Study visit to France

Slow market

httpwwwbefltindexphpid=106

Mutual benefit for city and village

Photo Aivar Ruukel

Photo Aivar Ruukel Photo Aivar Ruukel

Farming and rural development Kęstutis Navickas kestutisnavickasbeflt

Hungry for rights Global Learning from Local Solutions in

Alternative Food Systems 2013-2016

Villages are being abandoned cities are expanding andLithuanians slowly are losing their connection to thebackground lifestyle Thus we see a gap between city andvillage fading environmentally-friendly farmingmethods A farmer growing and serving products to themarket has a decisive role for food safety and quality andeven for environmental protection In this contextvillagersquos and cityrsquos solidarity seems to be a necessity Theproject rdquoHungry for rightsrdquo tries to create such asolidarity implementing the idea of short food supplychain

Farmers to be able to selltheir production directlyneed to have skills in a lot offields - law managementmarketing etc A cycle oftraining in 3 places overLithuania (Klaipėda MolėtaiVarėna areas) whereinitiatives for short foodchain supply already existwas held this year

To get knowledge about direct selling in Europe the mostactive farmers were invited to the project partnersrsquomeeting in France

After returning to Lithuania farmers gathered in twoworking groups which will try to implement a short foodsupply chain case in Vilnius Slow market Educationalactivitieswillstart inspringof2015andwill trytopromoteseeingthemarketnotonlyasarushingbuyingplacebutasa space of meeting and exchanging the values betweencity and village with a possibility to learn aboutresponsible consumption Finally farmers trading inmarket will also invite buyers to visit their farms

This year we also gathered active farmers intocommunity By doing this we aimed to supportthe environmentally-friendly farming andsustainable rural development promotingthe survival of small and medium size farms aswell as the creation of new The aim was alsotoencourage village people to be interested incity organizations whose activities can havean effect to village life quality

Team of the project in our organization

From farmersrsquo hands to your table

Farmer ndash jack-of-all-trades

Solidarity between city and villageTraining topics were selected considering theambition to encourage competitive marketmembers and the legitimate realization of theirproduction and taking a glance where theknowledge is missing in different areas Someparticipants learnt subtleties of farming inobjectives of soil quality production recycling orhomeopathic veterinary treatment the otherslooked deeper into the legitimation ofagricultural production and the topics how todevelop value-added products

Study visit to France

Slow market

httpwwwbefltindexphpid=106

Mutual benefit for city and village

Photo Aivar Ruukel

Photo Aivar Ruukel Photo Aivar Ruukel

News and reviews

Think before you buy Information campaign about hazardous substances in

Baltic states (BaltInfoHaz) 2011-2015

Chemicals industrial pollution and social education Laura Stančė laurastancebeflt

In 2014 we continued campaign Think before you buyinforming society about the opportunity to chooseproducts without harmful chemicals and this properselection importance to health and environment Weshowed consumers how to recognize products containingdangerous substances and encouraged people to findalternative products without these substances

In March there was an international conference inVilniuswheremorethan70specialist fromdifferenthealth societies and substances analysts from 10countries discussed the dangerous chemicals ineveryday products and their influence for healthInterestingly discussions about the legal but littleproactive consumer right to know what kind of risksubstances are in theproducts got a lot of attentionGathered NGOs representatives underlined that thebiggest problem in many European countriesremains poor consumer awareness about theirrights

The presentation of results fromresearch carried out in 2013 got ahuge public and press attentionNamely it was about dangerouschemical substances in voluntersblood home dust and products Theresults showed that our organismsare polluted by chemicals as well asour home environment is Theycome from unpredictable placesand goods we use such as toys andcosmetics It is worth to choosethem responsibly and rememberthat our decisions and interestshave a huge influence formanufacturers

The good start of campaign

Team of the project in our organization

International conference

Information about the research and results of dangerouschemical substances in products were published in pressand cyber place - there were about 150 articles We alsocontributed in preparation of 17 television and 9 radioreports on this topic

In 2014 we were actively putting information to ourwebsite and in Facebook updating the latestinformation about chemical compounds in productsscientific articles about the impact to health andenvironment presented the safest alternatives

The biggest achievement for us is a great peopleinterest in lectures and seminars across LithuaniaIn 2014 we visited 11 cities in Lithuania having1500 participants with whom we communicateddirectly answered to all questions and analyzedproducts people use After seminars we got a lot ofquestions via e-mails phones We also werecontacted by people who wanted to spread theinformation and we got to know that there isgrowing a group of volunteers

Attention and involvement

Participation in fair ECO LOGIKA

15 000 visitors

At researchers night we invited tothink about impact to the Baltic Sea

wwwpagalvoklt

News feed

News and reviews

Think before you buy Information campaign about hazardous substances in

Baltic states (BaltInfoHaz) 2011-2015

Chemicals industrial pollution and social education Laura Stančė laurastancebeflt

In 2014 we continued campaign Think before you buyinforming society about the opportunity to chooseproducts without harmful chemicals and this properselection importance to health and environment Weshowed consumers how to recognize products containingdangerous substances and encouraged people to findalternative products without these substances

In March there was an international conference inVilniuswheremorethan70specialist fromdifferenthealth societies and substances analysts from 10countries discussed the dangerous chemicals ineveryday products and their influence for healthInterestingly discussions about the legal but littleproactive consumer right to know what kind of risksubstances are in theproducts got a lot of attentionGathered NGOs representatives underlined that thebiggest problem in many European countriesremains poor consumer awareness about theirrights

The presentation of results fromresearch carried out in 2013 got ahuge public and press attentionNamely it was about dangerouschemical substances in voluntersblood home dust and products Theresults showed that our organismsare polluted by chemicals as well asour home environment is Theycome from unpredictable placesand goods we use such as toys andcosmetics It is worth to choosethem responsibly and rememberthat our decisions and interestshave a huge influence formanufacturers

The good start of campaign

Team of the project in our organization

International conference

Information about the research and results of dangerouschemical substances in products were published in pressand cyber place - there were about 150 articles We alsocontributed in preparation of 17 television and 9 radioreports on this topic

In 2014 we were actively putting information to ourwebsite and in Facebook updating the latestinformation about chemical compounds in productsscientific articles about the impact to health andenvironment presented the safest alternatives

The biggest achievement for us is a great peopleinterest in lectures and seminars across LithuaniaIn 2014 we visited 11 cities in Lithuania having1500 participants with whom we communicateddirectly answered to all questions and analyzedproducts people use After seminars we got a lot ofquestions via e-mails phones We also werecontacted by people who wanted to spread theinformation and we got to know that there isgrowing a group of volunteers

Attention and involvement

Participation in fair ECO LOGIKA

15 000 visitors

At researchers night we invited tothink about impact to the Baltic Sea

wwwpagalvoklt

News feed

wwwpagalvoklt

From 2014 you can see campaign information posters inthe bigger cities of Lithuania

ACM screens were showing funny campaign moviesSupporters of this campaign also share these videos intheir organisations

Campaign booklets were cleaned-up- wedelivered almost all printed copies

Movies

Think before you buy Information campaign about hazardous substances

in Baltic states (BaltInfoHaz) 2011-2015

Stands in the streets

News and reviews Klimato kaita ir energetika

httpaplinkosaugaltklimatas

Movies on screens

Chemicals and industrial pollution

Team of the project in our organization

In 2014 the world held series of important events onclimate change topic there were the latest scientificclimate change reports (IPCC) released the debates tookplace and there were efforts to coordinate nationalpositions aiming to prepare a global agreement onclimate change stabilization (UNFCCC) Lithuania inwhere climate change topic is little escalated to thegeneral public held a presidency of the Counsil of theEuropean Union in the second half of 2013 For thesereasons it became extremely important to speakpublicly about climate change and encourage

Advocating climate change

We are glad for media attention wehad - around 50 articles showed upin press on television and radiomostly because of the events weorganised The topic has becomequite relevant and we can see howconstantly there appearsnewarticles about this topic Althoughthis project was finished in 2014you can still follow the mostimportant information about theclimate change on facebook And soto say that is the only Facebookpage about the climate change inLithuanianatthetimeWehopethatsociety will still be curious aboutclimate change and will becomeinvolved in discussions on thistopic All in all we dont have asecond Earth

We appealed to the highest politicians of Lithuania twicetogether with some other NGOs made some presentationsin LR Parliament and Ministery of Environment demandingto rely on the latest world scientific research anrecommendations setting ambitious EU climate changeand energetics aims

We joined the action that was orginised all over the Europeand invited Lithuanian citizens to have a direct pressure forpoliticians who are responsible for the position ofLithuania in the global climate change meetingsApproaching EuropeanParliament elections we urged allthe candidates to sign their commitments for active actionsin reducing climate change This action received a hugeattention - more than a third of participants (80) of EPelections in Lithuania signed this commitment and two ofthem (B Ropė and R Paksas) were elected This action willremind them about the commitments they made

We focused on public awareness on climate changeeffects of those processes and decisions necessary toreduce them We held three events for Lithuanianjournalists We not only represented the actions from allaround the world (IPCC reports NGO position aboutLithuanian politiciansrsquo actions debates about the goalsfor 2030) but also shared advices where to find reliablesources of information when preparing reports onclimate change how to interpret that information anddata

Strong NGO position

Hot topic

Laura Stančė laurastancebeflt

Promises from candidates to EU

Volunteershelped us

Gabija

ValdonėIngrida

Discussing on social media

Strengtening the role of environmental

NGOs in shaping climate change policy2013-2014

Important year forclimate change policy

wwwpagalvoklt

From 2014 you can see campaign information posters inthe bigger cities of Lithuania

ACM screens were showing funny campaign moviesSupporters of this campaign also share these videos intheir organisations

Campaign booklets were cleaned-up- wedelivered almost all printed copies

Movies

Think before you buy Information campaign about hazardous substances

in Baltic states (BaltInfoHaz) 2011-2015

Stands in the streets

News and reviews Klimato kaita ir energetika

httpaplinkosaugaltklimatas

Movies on screens

Chemicals and industrial pollution

Team of the project in our organization

In 2014 the world held series of important events onclimate change topic there were the latest scientificclimate change reports (IPCC) released the debates tookplace and there were efforts to coordinate nationalpositions aiming to prepare a global agreement onclimate change stabilization (UNFCCC) Lithuania inwhere climate change topic is little escalated to thegeneral public held a presidency of the Counsil of theEuropean Union in the second half of 2013 For thesereasons it became extremely important to speakpublicly about climate change and encourage

Advocating climate change

We are glad for media attention wehad - around 50 articles showed upin press on television and radiomostly because of the events weorganised The topic has becomequite relevant and we can see howconstantly there appearsnewarticles about this topic Althoughthis project was finished in 2014you can still follow the mostimportant information about theclimate change on facebook And soto say that is the only Facebookpage about the climate change inLithuanianatthetimeWehopethatsociety will still be curious aboutclimate change and will becomeinvolved in discussions on thistopic All in all we dont have asecond Earth

We appealed to the highest politicians of Lithuania twicetogether with some other NGOs made some presentationsin LR Parliament and Ministery of Environment demandingto rely on the latest world scientific research anrecommendations setting ambitious EU climate changeand energetics aims

We joined the action that was orginised all over the Europeand invited Lithuanian citizens to have a direct pressure forpoliticians who are responsible for the position ofLithuania in the global climate change meetingsApproaching EuropeanParliament elections we urged allthe candidates to sign their commitments for active actionsin reducing climate change This action received a hugeattention - more than a third of participants (80) of EPelections in Lithuania signed this commitment and two ofthem (B Ropė and R Paksas) were elected This action willremind them about the commitments they made

We focused on public awareness on climate changeeffects of those processes and decisions necessary toreduce them We held three events for Lithuanianjournalists We not only represented the actions from allaround the world (IPCC reports NGO position aboutLithuanian politiciansrsquo actions debates about the goalsfor 2030) but also shared advices where to find reliablesources of information when preparing reports onclimate change how to interpret that information anddata

Strong NGO position

Hot topic

Laura Stančė laurastancebeflt

Promises from candidates to EU

Volunteershelped us

Gabija

ValdonėIngrida

Discussing on social media

Strengtening the role of environmental

NGOs in shaping climate change policy2013-2014

Important year forclimate change policy

Other initiatives

Maintenance of grassland

in Dvarčionys2008 onwards

The story of hay in the city

Not so many cities in Europe can boast about havingnatural grasslands in urban areas with rare plantand bird species But so is unique the grassland inDvarčioniai Location in the city area means bothuniqueness and difficulties to preserve it

Grasslandhastobemowedeveryyearcutgrasshasto be to raked up and removed to preventaccumulation of biomass and this way supportvariety of different plant and bird species

We had no problems with mowing this year due to anew grass cutting machine Brielmaier and did allthe work (even mowed the most wet places)ourselves Although hay was a high quality therewas no one wanting to rake and use it

We decided to rake hay in a popular way of ancienttimes and to organize community We invited residentsof the capital city to enjoy hot summer and fussy natureby swinging the rakes It was not a big group ofenthusiasts Despite their activity we could not managethe area of four hectares in one day We tried to find analternative and starting looking for a farmer livingnearbywho could rake the rest of hay with his tractorBut to find this in Vilnius area is much more difficultthan you could think of Farmers are almost gone fromthat area and the rest are not keen to do something(there are a lot of grasslands near them howevertransportation is not cost effective and the conditionsare complicated due to the wet soil) Offering highquality hay did not change their mind After a long timeof searching finally we found a farmer who raked thehay and put it into the piles For this work we gave himsome contributions from public support

Only one thing was left namely to remove hay fromthe grass We spread a notice that we are giving awayhay A part of hay was taken by the locals who stillhave cattle some of it was taken by a woman fromVilnius to fertilize the garden and some went toVilnius University Botanical Garden to create livesculptures Nevertheless a large part of the hay wasstill left lying on the grass debegulėjo pievoje

Wethoughtaboutanewideatochangethemeaningofhay by using it in different way (to create an added-value) Maybe it is strange to think about St ChristmasEve in summer but we thought about the Lithuanianstradition to pull a small piece of hay when sitting bythe St Christmas Eve table that helps to predict thefuture Dvarčioniai grassland is a very importantecosystem so by our philosophy we decided thatdelivering some hay for our relatives and firendswould make them happier We held a Christmas Eveworkshop in a summertime and sent a crisp greetingsto our counterparts in winter time

We wish to realize a hay festival in Dvarčioniai in2015Howevertodothis(aswellashaying)weneedsome public support During the festival we willinvite people to get to know about the values of thegrass to discuss about biodiversity in the city Weare looking for the new ways and ideas how tomaintain the grasslands how to use hay and how tomake this field suitable for education of cityresidents and recreation We wish that everyonecould enjoy the grassland of Dvarčioniai

In total we have visited and worked inDvarčioniai grassland five times in 2014

Restoration of the

grassland - cutting scrubs

MowingRaking working

together

There is a lot of hayAnd good one

justasgulbinasbeflt

Magic of Christmas Eve After the spring work

The festival of hay

Enjoy this grassland together

To support

Hay as a gift

Other initiatives

Maintenance of grassland

in Dvarčionys2008 onwards

The story of hay in the city

Not so many cities in Europe can boast about havingnatural grasslands in urban areas with rare plantand bird species But so is unique the grassland inDvarčioniai Location in the city area means bothuniqueness and difficulties to preserve it

Grasslandhastobemowedeveryyearcutgrasshasto be to raked up and removed to preventaccumulation of biomass and this way supportvariety of different plant and bird species

We had no problems with mowing this year due to anew grass cutting machine Brielmaier and did allthe work (even mowed the most wet places)ourselves Although hay was a high quality therewas no one wanting to rake and use it

We decided to rake hay in a popular way of ancienttimes and to organize community We invited residentsof the capital city to enjoy hot summer and fussy natureby swinging the rakes It was not a big group ofenthusiasts Despite their activity we could not managethe area of four hectares in one day We tried to find analternative and starting looking for a farmer livingnearbywho could rake the rest of hay with his tractorBut to find this in Vilnius area is much more difficultthan you could think of Farmers are almost gone fromthat area and the rest are not keen to do something(there are a lot of grasslands near them howevertransportation is not cost effective and the conditionsare complicated due to the wet soil) Offering highquality hay did not change their mind After a long timeof searching finally we found a farmer who raked thehay and put it into the piles For this work we gave himsome contributions from public support

Only one thing was left namely to remove hay fromthe grass We spread a notice that we are giving awayhay A part of hay was taken by the locals who stillhave cattle some of it was taken by a woman fromVilnius to fertilize the garden and some went toVilnius University Botanical Garden to create livesculptures Nevertheless a large part of the hay wasstill left lying on the grass debegulėjo pievoje

Wethoughtaboutanewideatochangethemeaningofhay by using it in different way (to create an added-value) Maybe it is strange to think about St ChristmasEve in summer but we thought about the Lithuanianstradition to pull a small piece of hay when sitting bythe St Christmas Eve table that helps to predict thefuture Dvarčioniai grassland is a very importantecosystem so by our philosophy we decided thatdelivering some hay for our relatives and firendswould make them happier We held a Christmas Eveworkshop in a summertime and sent a crisp greetingsto our counterparts in winter time

We wish to realize a hay festival in Dvarčioniai in2015Howevertodothis(aswellashaying)weneedsome public support During the festival we willinvite people to get to know about the values of thegrass to discuss about biodiversity in the city Weare looking for the new ways and ideas how tomaintain the grasslands how to use hay and how tomake this field suitable for education of cityresidents and recreation We wish that everyonecould enjoy the grassland of Dvarčioniai

In total we have visited and worked inDvarčioniai grassland five times in 2014

Restoration of the

grassland - cutting scrubs

MowingRaking working

together

There is a lot of hayAnd good one

justasgulbinasbeflt

Magic of Christmas Eve After the spring work

The festival of hay

Enjoy this grassland together

To support

Hay as a gift

Other iniciatives

Gamtojeorg 2008 onwards ritanorvaisaitebeflt

Gamtojeorg -is a space for expression and leisure ofBaltic Environmental Forum It combines a number ofinitiatives which are united by one aim That is to helppeople to experience the nature to realise theimportance of nature and to stay there When talking about experiencing and staying out in thenaturewearethinkingfirstlyabouttheslowwaytoknowand find the nature Do you remember how a Little Princewas trying to tame a fox Everything here is very similar -to know cycles of nature you need firstly to stay for awhile in the forest to touch the moss or wrinkled woodtrunk to taste strawberries sea buckthorn rowan and tosmell the nature in different times of the year

In collaboration with TEO we could finallyimplement an old idea the search of treasures inthenatureWecreatedtwocontinuousversionsofroutes based on ecoteering concept This conceptwas developed by well-known naturecommunicator Chris Rose With his approval wetried this in Lithuania in theNational Park ofŽemaitijaandtheRegionalParkofVerkiaiYouwillfind out more about this in the near future

Reporting about harmed nature

We got the greatest number of reports in 2014 Thenumber of reports is expanding and it shows that thisinitiative is worth doing The most active citizensreported a double-digit number of reports There aremore than 20 of the activists

Growing number of reports

Growing number of reports led us to find somecontributors who wanted to support thisinitiative We started a partnership with Theassociation of Manufacturers and Importers With their help and our old friends Hnit-Balticwe began preparing a bulky waste site map ofLithuania It should help to reduce accumulationof trash in the forests and roadsides that is one ofthe biggest problems noted by our announcers

At the end of the year after being selected we gotthe right to collect a financial support forinitiative on a website aukoklt Even though thenumber of supporters is expanding we havecollected only a small part of necessary funds Wehope to collect at least a half of the sum neededOtherwise we must stop the initiative Reportabout harmed nature

We held a special photo sessionfor aukoklt illustrations

Distribution of the problems by their

New book about experience in

You can also feelsome nature beingat home Books canserve for this In2014 we releaseda book of well-known naturalistdr EugenijusDrobelis about thememories andadventures fromnature called Inthe middle of thewoods

You canbuy it

Festival In the middle of the woods

Searching for the treasures of nature

We decided to introduce this book out in the natureThat became some kind of two day festival in naturewhere the mystery of Čepkeliai wetland the smell ofcakes from Dzūkija screaming cranes and joyfulemotions merged Everyone who wanted could try thework of ecologist and participate in crane accounting

There was a large group of participants - over 100They had an opportunity to get to know thesubtleties of nature photography visited wetlandof Čepkeliai tasted and listened about the localheritage Later on the participants were divided tothe smaller groups to take a part crane accountingin the National Park of Dzūkija In those placesfriends of nature spent a cool night (it was -6outside)atthetimeofdawntheygotoutfromtheirwarm sleeping bags and settled down to listenawakening nature The time which we usuallyspend sleeping became a memorable adventurethat day

Stay together in the nature

To support

AistėVolunteerhelped us

Activities in nature

Other iniciatives

Gamtojeorg 2008 onwards ritanorvaisaitebeflt

Gamtojeorg -is a space for expression and leisure ofBaltic Environmental Forum It combines a number ofinitiatives which are united by one aim That is to helppeople to experience the nature to realise theimportance of nature and to stay there When talking about experiencing and staying out in thenaturewearethinkingfirstlyabouttheslowwaytoknowand find the nature Do you remember how a Little Princewas trying to tame a fox Everything here is very similar -to know cycles of nature you need firstly to stay for awhile in the forest to touch the moss or wrinkled woodtrunk to taste strawberries sea buckthorn rowan and tosmell the nature in different times of the year

In collaboration with TEO we could finallyimplement an old idea the search of treasures inthenatureWecreatedtwocontinuousversionsofroutes based on ecoteering concept This conceptwas developed by well-known naturecommunicator Chris Rose With his approval wetried this in Lithuania in theNational Park ofŽemaitijaandtheRegionalParkofVerkiaiYouwillfind out more about this in the near future

Reporting about harmed nature

We got the greatest number of reports in 2014 Thenumber of reports is expanding and it shows that thisinitiative is worth doing The most active citizensreported a double-digit number of reports There aremore than 20 of the activists

Growing number of reports

Growing number of reports led us to find somecontributors who wanted to support thisinitiative We started a partnership with Theassociation of Manufacturers and Importers With their help and our old friends Hnit-Balticwe began preparing a bulky waste site map ofLithuania It should help to reduce accumulationof trash in the forests and roadsides that is one ofthe biggest problems noted by our announcers

At the end of the year after being selected we gotthe right to collect a financial support forinitiative on a website aukoklt Even though thenumber of supporters is expanding we havecollected only a small part of necessary funds Wehope to collect at least a half of the sum neededOtherwise we must stop the initiative Reportabout harmed nature

We held a special photo sessionfor aukoklt illustrations

Distribution of the problems by their

New book about experience in

You can also feelsome nature beingat home Books canserve for this In2014 we releaseda book of well-known naturalistdr EugenijusDrobelis about thememories andadventures fromnature called Inthe middle of thewoods

You canbuy it

Festival In the middle of the woods

Searching for the treasures of nature

We decided to introduce this book out in the natureThat became some kind of two day festival in naturewhere the mystery of Čepkeliai wetland the smell ofcakes from Dzūkija screaming cranes and joyfulemotions merged Everyone who wanted could try thework of ecologist and participate in crane accounting

There was a large group of participants - over 100They had an opportunity to get to know thesubtleties of nature photography visited wetlandof Čepkeliai tasted and listened about the localheritage Later on the participants were divided tothe smaller groups to take a part crane accountingin the National Park of Dzūkija In those placesfriends of nature spent a cool night (it was -6outside)atthetimeofdawntheygotoutfromtheirwarm sleeping bags and settled down to listenawakening nature The time which we usuallyspend sleeping became a memorable adventurethat day

Stay together in the nature

To support

AistėVolunteerhelped us

Activities in nature

Projects of 2014

Projects of 2014

Finansinė ataskaita

Income

Total income for 2014 year was 2 781 483 litas Part of thissum was related to Project expenses from 2013 and 2014while some income came from public interest activities In diagram bdquoIncome by sourcesldquo income from EU LIFE+programme and BSR programme 2007-2013 wascalculated together with national co-funding asLithuania is committed to contribute to theimplementation of the projects funded by theseprogrammes National co-funding income was 486527 lLitas It means 19 from of above mentionedprogrammes and 17 of all income of the year Part of income from EU LIFE+ programme and NGOProgramme Lithuania funded by EEA Grants wasdistributed among Project partners institutional parthere was 52

Total expenses for 2014 year was 1 776 472lLitas Part of these expenses will be fundedfrom funding income of 2015 50 of all expenses belong to annualpersonnel costs (with all related taxes)19 of personnel costs were related todirectorrsquos salary and taxes No payments were made to shareholdersin 2014 Operational costs of the organisation aredirectly related with projectsrsquoadministration and they are notseparated

Expenses

Income by sources

Expenses by categories

Expenses by sources

Employees and stakeholders

At the beginning of the year 13 employees wereworking in organisation 5 of them were part-time employees and 3 persons were onmaternity leave At the end of the year 18employees were working in organisation 5 ofthem were part-time employees and 3 personswere on maternity leaveShareholders and their contribution (99 and 1) did not change from the establishment of theinstitution on 2003 10 14 and was 5 211 litas

For long-term asset organisation spent 3687 litas in 2014

Long-term asset

Long-term asset Project Share

Computer AppleMac Pro133

LIFE VivaGrass(50)

10000

TOTAL 10000

We can protect nature and

reveal its value togetherTo support

In 2014 societies support stood for 005 of incomes Having a greater support we couldimplement more arising ideas spending more time for the direct activities and not for thepreparation of reports

Projects of 2014

Finansinė ataskaita

Income

Total income for 2014 year was 2 781 483 litas Part of thissum was related to Project expenses from 2013 and 2014while some income came from public interest activities In diagram bdquoIncome by sourcesldquo income from EU LIFE+programme and BSR programme 2007-2013 wascalculated together with national co-funding asLithuania is committed to contribute to theimplementation of the projects funded by theseprogrammes National co-funding income was 486527 lLitas It means 19 from of above mentionedprogrammes and 17 of all income of the year Part of income from EU LIFE+ programme and NGOProgramme Lithuania funded by EEA Grants wasdistributed among Project partners institutional parthere was 52

Total expenses for 2014 year was 1 776 472lLitas Part of these expenses will be fundedfrom funding income of 2015 50 of all expenses belong to annualpersonnel costs (with all related taxes)19 of personnel costs were related todirectorrsquos salary and taxes No payments were made to shareholdersin 2014 Operational costs of the organisation aredirectly related with projectsrsquoadministration and they are notseparated

Expenses

Income by sources

Expenses by categories

Expenses by sources

Employees and stakeholders

At the beginning of the year 13 employees wereworking in organisation 5 of them were part-time employees and 3 persons were onmaternity leave At the end of the year 18employees were working in organisation 5 ofthem were part-time employees and 3 personswere on maternity leaveShareholders and their contribution (99 and 1) did not change from the establishment of theinstitution on 2003 10 14 and was 5 211 litas

For long-term asset organisation spent 3687 litas in 2014

Long-term asset

Long-term asset Project Share

Computer AppleMac Pro133

LIFE VivaGrass(50)

10000

TOTAL 10000

We can protect nature and

reveal its value togetherTo support

In 2014 societies support stood for 005 of incomes Having a greater support we couldimplement more arising ideas spending more time for the direct activities and not for thepreparation of reports

Finansinė ataskaita

Income

Total income for 2014 year was 2 781 483 litas Part of thissum was related to Project expenses from 2013 and 2014while some income came from public interest activities In diagram bdquoIncome by sourcesldquo income from EU LIFE+programme and BSR programme 2007-2013 wascalculated together with national co-funding asLithuania is committed to contribute to theimplementation of the projects funded by theseprogrammes National co-funding income was 486527 lLitas It means 19 from of above mentionedprogrammes and 17 of all income of the year Part of income from EU LIFE+ programme and NGOProgramme Lithuania funded by EEA Grants wasdistributed among Project partners institutional parthere was 52

Total expenses for 2014 year was 1 776 472lLitas Part of these expenses will be fundedfrom funding income of 2015 50 of all expenses belong to annualpersonnel costs (with all related taxes)19 of personnel costs were related todirectorrsquos salary and taxes No payments were made to shareholdersin 2014 Operational costs of the organisation aredirectly related with projectsrsquoadministration and they are notseparated

Expenses

Income by sources

Expenses by categories

Expenses by sources

Employees and stakeholders

At the beginning of the year 13 employees wereworking in organisation 5 of them were part-time employees and 3 persons were onmaternity leave At the end of the year 18employees were working in organisation 5 ofthem were part-time employees and 3 personswere on maternity leaveShareholders and their contribution (99 and 1) did not change from the establishment of theinstitution on 2003 10 14 and was 5 211 litas

For long-term asset organisation spent 3687 litas in 2014

Long-term asset

Long-term asset Project Share

Computer AppleMac Pro133

LIFE VivaGrass(50)

10000

TOTAL 10000

We can protect nature and

reveal its value togetherTo support

In 2014 societies support stood for 005 of incomes Having a greater support we couldimplement more arising ideas spending more time for the direct activities and not for thepreparation of reports

Finansinė ataskaita

Income

Total income for 2014 year was 2 781 483 litas Part of thissum was related to Project expenses from 2013 and 2014while some income came from public interest activities In diagram bdquoIncome by sourcesldquo income from EU LIFE+programme and BSR programme 2007-2013 wascalculated together with national co-funding asLithuania is committed to contribute to theimplementation of the projects funded by theseprogrammes National co-funding income was 486527 lLitas It means 19 from of above mentionedprogrammes and 17 of all income of the year Part of income from EU LIFE+ programme and NGOProgramme Lithuania funded by EEA Grants wasdistributed among Project partners institutional parthere was 52

Total expenses for 2014 year was 1 776 472lLitas Part of these expenses will be fundedfrom funding income of 2015 50 of all expenses belong to annualpersonnel costs (with all related taxes)19 of personnel costs were related todirectorrsquos salary and taxes No payments were made to shareholdersin 2014 Operational costs of the organisation aredirectly related with projectsrsquoadministration and they are notseparated

Expenses

Income by sources

Expenses by categories

Expenses by sources

Employees and stakeholders

At the beginning of the year 13 employees wereworking in organisation 5 of them were part-time employees and 3 persons were onmaternity leave At the end of the year 18employees were working in organisation 5 ofthem were part-time employees and 3 personswere on maternity leaveShareholders and their contribution (99 and 1) did not change from the establishment of theinstitution on 2003 10 14 and was 5 211 litas

For long-term asset organisation spent 3687 litas in 2014

Long-term asset

Long-term asset Project Share

Computer AppleMac Pro133

LIFE VivaGrass(50)

10000

TOTAL 10000

We can protect nature and

reveal its value togetherTo support

In 2014 societies support stood for 005 of incomes Having a greater support we couldimplement more arising ideas spending more time for the direct activities and not for thepreparation of reports

NEWS IN BRIEF

Your reviewsWe mentioned Christmas and New Year with symbolic

trip to the Pavilniai Regional Park

We visited one of the project Vivagrass areas

Kęstutis was captured by his favourite hawthorn

You cannot run away from the casesof Report about harmed nature

Continuous tradition of blood donation

Aivaras presented his song

Moments from our life in 2014

We relaxed in Trakai thanks to Jūratė

Cleaning up

Mentioned Lithuanian memorable days

We created a decoration forUžupis Christmas tree

NEWS IN BRIEF

Your reviewsWe mentioned Christmas and New Year with symbolic

trip to the Pavilniai Regional Park

We visited one of the project Vivagrass areas

Kęstutis was captured by his favourite hawthorn

You cannot run away from the casesof Report about harmed nature

Continuous tradition of blood donation

Aivaras presented his song

Moments from our life in 2014

We relaxed in Trakai thanks to Jūratė

Cleaning up

Mentioned Lithuanian memorable days

We created a decoration forUžupis Christmas tree

Protect the nature and reveal its

value togetherYou can supportMost of the initiatives to preserve nature and promote peoplersquos individual experience could notexist without public support You can help us to maintain current and future ideas

Support our actions

By supporting the overall actionof Baltic Environmental Forumyou would contribute to theseinitiatives- wwwgamtojeorg - protection of Aquatic warbler- campaign Think when you buyldquo- maintenance of Dvarčioniaigrassland - development of newenvironmental publications - other activities

Gamtojeorg

This initiative mergesactions promotingconnection between humanbeings and nature We areseeking not only to solve theproblems of harming naturebut also to offer variousactivities which could helppeople to know the naturearound us to feel and cherishit Initiative exists anddevelops only with publicsupport

Support

This initiative solvesenvironmental problemscaptured by citizens It exists anddevelops only with publicsupport

Report about harmed nature

Support Support

Supporting environment - it is like a stump singing baritone

There is no tradition by society in Lithuania tosupport environmental protection What is outthere to support - asks Lithuanian surprised likehe had seen baritone singing stump So far thetradition to support poor children homelessanimals is rooted but the continuous support toNGOs ndashis still a rare thing in Lithuania Meanwhilein the world it is a widespread phenomenon It isan usual practise to deliver a constant part ofincomes for organization whose ideasandprinciples of activities are believed to be valued insociety

Greenpeace is a perfect example oforganization which annually collects millions ofsums only from society support That gives itabsolute freedom in action - no commitments forexternal organizations minimal documentationand accountability Greenpeace is responsibleonly for their direct supporters - society - and isfree to implement ideas

We Baltic Environmental Forum try to hold agood practice in Lithuanian society that peoplewould support environmental ideas and believingthat it will help to get not more freedom for NGOsin this sphere and willalso gather citizens andincrease their responsibility and participation

The first steps in LithuaniaNot formed practise

At the end of 2014 westarted to collect financialsupport in website aukokltOur initiative Report abouthurted nature was the firstenvironmental initiative inthis website

In 2015 we are going to activate communicationby giving opportunity to society to contribute tothe environmental field they are excited aboutWhile organizing the visit of Dalai Lama weunderstood that society needs transparency Thuswe will specify where the money from funds willbe used and publish the financial and activitiesreports

Full transparencyFreedom to act

LA - LA - LAAA

NEWS IN BRIEF

Your reviewsWe mentioned Christmas and New Year with symbolic

trip to the Pavilniai Regional Park

We visited one of the project Vivagrass areas

Kęstutis was captured by his favourite hawthorn

You cannot run away from the casesof Report about harmed nature

Continuous tradition of blood donation

Aivaras presented his song

Moments from our life in 2014

We relaxed in Trakai thanks to Jūratė

Cleaning up

Mentioned Lithuanian memorable days

We created a decoration forUžupis Christmas tree

Protect the nature and reveal its

value togetherYou can supportMost of the initiatives to preserve nature and promote peoplersquos individual experience could notexist without public support You can help us to maintain current and future ideas

Support our actions

By supporting the overall actionof Baltic Environmental Forumyou would contribute to theseinitiatives- wwwgamtojeorg - protection of Aquatic warbler- campaign Think when you buyldquo- maintenance of Dvarčioniaigrassland - development of newenvironmental publications - other activities

Gamtojeorg

This initiative mergesactions promotingconnection between humanbeings and nature We areseeking not only to solve theproblems of harming naturebut also to offer variousactivities which could helppeople to know the naturearound us to feel and cherishit Initiative exists anddevelops only with publicsupport

Support

This initiative solvesenvironmental problemscaptured by citizens It exists anddevelops only with publicsupport

Report about harmed nature

Support Support

Supporting environment - it is like a stump singing baritone

There is no tradition by society in Lithuania tosupport environmental protection What is outthere to support - asks Lithuanian surprised likehe had seen baritone singing stump So far thetradition to support poor children homelessanimals is rooted but the continuous support toNGOs ndashis still a rare thing in Lithuania Meanwhilein the world it is a widespread phenomenon It isan usual practise to deliver a constant part ofincomes for organization whose ideasandprinciples of activities are believed to be valued insociety

Greenpeace is a perfect example oforganization which annually collects millions ofsums only from society support That gives itabsolute freedom in action - no commitments forexternal organizations minimal documentationand accountability Greenpeace is responsibleonly for their direct supporters - society - and isfree to implement ideas

We Baltic Environmental Forum try to hold agood practice in Lithuanian society that peoplewould support environmental ideas and believingthat it will help to get not more freedom for NGOsin this sphere and willalso gather citizens andincrease their responsibility and participation

The first steps in LithuaniaNot formed practise

At the end of 2014 westarted to collect financialsupport in website aukokltOur initiative Report abouthurted nature was the firstenvironmental initiative inthis website

In 2015 we are going to activate communicationby giving opportunity to society to contribute tothe environmental field they are excited aboutWhile organizing the visit of Dalai Lama weunderstood that society needs transparency Thuswe will specify where the money from funds willbe used and publish the financial and activitiesreports

Full transparencyFreedom to act

LA - LA - LAAA

Protect the nature and reveal its

value togetherYou can supportMost of the initiatives to preserve nature and promote peoplersquos individual experience could notexist without public support You can help us to maintain current and future ideas

Support our actions

By supporting the overall actionof Baltic Environmental Forumyou would contribute to theseinitiatives- wwwgamtojeorg - protection of Aquatic warbler- campaign Think when you buyldquo- maintenance of Dvarčioniaigrassland - development of newenvironmental publications - other activities

Gamtojeorg

This initiative mergesactions promotingconnection between humanbeings and nature We areseeking not only to solve theproblems of harming naturebut also to offer variousactivities which could helppeople to know the naturearound us to feel and cherishit Initiative exists anddevelops only with publicsupport

Support

This initiative solvesenvironmental problemscaptured by citizens It exists anddevelops only with publicsupport

Report about harmed nature

Support Support

Supporting environment - it is like a stump singing baritone

There is no tradition by society in Lithuania tosupport environmental protection What is outthere to support - asks Lithuanian surprised likehe had seen baritone singing stump So far thetradition to support poor children homelessanimals is rooted but the continuous support toNGOs ndashis still a rare thing in Lithuania Meanwhilein the world it is a widespread phenomenon It isan usual practise to deliver a constant part ofincomes for organization whose ideasandprinciples of activities are believed to be valued insociety

Greenpeace is a perfect example oforganization which annually collects millions ofsums only from society support That gives itabsolute freedom in action - no commitments forexternal organizations minimal documentationand accountability Greenpeace is responsibleonly for their direct supporters - society - and isfree to implement ideas

We Baltic Environmental Forum try to hold agood practice in Lithuanian society that peoplewould support environmental ideas and believingthat it will help to get not more freedom for NGOsin this sphere and willalso gather citizens andincrease their responsibility and participation

The first steps in LithuaniaNot formed practise

At the end of 2014 westarted to collect financialsupport in website aukokltOur initiative Report abouthurted nature was the firstenvironmental initiative inthis website

In 2015 we are going to activate communicationby giving opportunity to society to contribute tothe environmental field they are excited aboutWhile organizing the visit of Dalai Lama weunderstood that society needs transparency Thuswe will specify where the money from funds willbe used and publish the financial and activitiesreports

Full transparencyFreedom to act

LA - LA - LAAA

Protect the nature and reveal its

value togetherYou can supportMost of the initiatives to preserve nature and promote peoplersquos individual experience could notexist without public support You can help us to maintain current and future ideas

Support our actions

By supporting the overall actionof Baltic Environmental Forumyou would contribute to theseinitiatives- wwwgamtojeorg - protection of Aquatic warbler- campaign Think when you buyldquo- maintenance of Dvarčioniaigrassland - development of newenvironmental publications - other activities

Gamtojeorg

This initiative mergesactions promotingconnection between humanbeings and nature We areseeking not only to solve theproblems of harming naturebut also to offer variousactivities which could helppeople to know the naturearound us to feel and cherishit Initiative exists anddevelops only with publicsupport

Support

This initiative solvesenvironmental problemscaptured by citizens It exists anddevelops only with publicsupport

Report about harmed nature

Support Support

Supporting environment - it is like a stump singing baritone

There is no tradition by society in Lithuania tosupport environmental protection What is outthere to support - asks Lithuanian surprised likehe had seen baritone singing stump So far thetradition to support poor children homelessanimals is rooted but the continuous support toNGOs ndashis still a rare thing in Lithuania Meanwhilein the world it is a widespread phenomenon It isan usual practise to deliver a constant part ofincomes for organization whose ideasandprinciples of activities are believed to be valued insociety

Greenpeace is a perfect example oforganization which annually collects millions ofsums only from society support That gives itabsolute freedom in action - no commitments forexternal organizations minimal documentationand accountability Greenpeace is responsibleonly for their direct supporters - society - and isfree to implement ideas

We Baltic Environmental Forum try to hold agood practice in Lithuanian society that peoplewould support environmental ideas and believingthat it will help to get not more freedom for NGOsin this sphere and willalso gather citizens andincrease their responsibility and participation

The first steps in LithuaniaNot formed practise

At the end of 2014 westarted to collect financialsupport in website aukokltOur initiative Report abouthurted nature was the firstenvironmental initiative inthis website

In 2015 we are going to activate communicationby giving opportunity to society to contribute tothe environmental field they are excited aboutWhile organizing the visit of Dalai Lama weunderstood that society needs transparency Thuswe will specify where the money from funds willbe used and publish the financial and activitiesreports

Full transparencyFreedom to act

LA - LA - LAAA

If you you like what we do how we do bullSupport our bullVolunteer - just contact us bullLike us and share our ideas on Facebook bullSubscribe our newsletter

Baltic Environmental Forum save nature together

BEF team

We are NGO that believe that we must save our planet notfrom people but together with them

Common values

Baltic Environmental Forum LithuaniaĮmonės kodas 110090837PVM kodas LT100002936910 Office addressUžupio g 92-17LT-01202 VilniusTel 8 5 213 8155Faks 8 5 213 5068El p infobeflt httpwwwbeflthttpswwwfacebookcomBEFLithuania

copy Baltic Environmental Forum 2015

If you you like what we do how we do bullSupport our bullVolunteer - just contact us bullLike us and share our ideas on Facebook bullSubscribe our newsletter

Baltic Environmental Forum save nature together

BEF team

We are NGO that believe that we must save our planet notfrom people but together with them

Common values

Baltic Environmental Forum LithuaniaĮmonės kodas 110090837PVM kodas LT100002936910 Office addressUžupio g 92-17LT-01202 VilniusTel 8 5 213 8155Faks 8 5 213 5068El p infobeflt httpwwwbeflthttpswwwfacebookcomBEFLithuania

copy Baltic Environmental Forum 2015

Baltic Environmental Forum wwwbeflt 2015

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