Participating Sites

Final Results:

Dnipro Basin Programme		1.10%	(1 votes)
South China Sea Project		37.36%	(34 votes)
Danube Regional Project		10.99%	(10 votes)
Lake Chad Basin Project		46.15%	(42 votes)
ReefBase		4.40%	(4 votes)

Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development of the Guarani Aquifer System (World Bank-OAS)

http://www.sg-guarani.org

The site is intended to reach different audiences with specific purposes. - Public in general (regional level: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay): information about the Guarani Aquifer System (GAS) and the Project itself. - Children and teachers: educational resources to work on groundwater in general, and the GAS in particular in Spanish, Portuguese, and also Guarani (indigenous language). - Stakeholders: information on project progress and news. - Institutions and actors involved in project execution in the four countries: project management tools like documents under review, technical reports, calls for meetings, job opportunities, monthly newsletters, steering committee acts and aid-memoires, among many others.

The site is updated on a daily basis. Each single information that is produced within the frame of the Project is uploaded to it (and automatically informed via e-mail to institutions and actors involved in project execution). That includes technical reports, news, project outputs, materials and tools targeted to specific audiences / stakeholders.
The site was developed in-house (with project staff).

The site offers:

• mailing lists
• forums
• newsletter
• search engine
• multiple languages
• photo album
• streaming video

The site plans to offer:

• RSS/ATOM feeds
• GIS
• Metadatabase

UNDP-GEF Dnipro Basin Environment Programme, UNOPS

http://www.dnipro-gef.net

The main goal of the website is to provide structured and easily understood information about the Project and current environmental issues faced in the Dnipro basin. The site unites the three Dnipro countries (Belarus, Russia and Ukraine) and focuses attention on the joint resolution of transboundary pollution issues – a first in the given region. The assembled information is an important data base which serves as a useful resource for researchers, policy makers, students and the wider community. Long term goals see the website serving the future needs of the Dnipro Basin Commission and becoming an important platform for monitoring legislative harmonization and Dnipro SAP implementation in general.

The first version of the Dnipro Website was developed in 2001 by a local partner organization however it had structural faults, was difficult to navigate and became unsustainable. As a result the Dnipro PMU team decided to assume responsibility for the Dnipro website and have it modified for further use in the Dnipro Programme. We applied to IW:LEARN requesting their assistance and connecting it to all IW project websites. The IW:LEARN team created the new design and familiarized us with the IW:LEARN toolkit for further use. As a result of 10 months cooperation, the Dnipro website is now significantly modified, functional and updated. Although there is no budget allowance for maintaining the website, the anticipated ease of use and lack of significant expenses should ensure that the website functions long after the project term is completed.

The site offers

• RSS/ATOM feeds
• Search engine
• Multiple languages
• Photo album

The site plans to offer:

• Live Chat
• GIS
  
• Useful links to the related websites of other environmental projects and institutions, particularly targeted to water issues

Pollution Reduction through Improved Municipal Wastewater Management in Coastal Cities in ACP Countries with a Focus on SIDS (IA: UNDP)

http://www.training.gpa.unep.org

This UN interagency web site on wastewater management training aims at multiple audiences: (1) Wastewater managers and other sector professionals find a management tutorial, compendium of technologies and software tools for decision-making. (2) Current and potential new project partners/institutions can use the web site to familiarize themselves with content, institutional set-up, and key documents. (3) Former training participants find references to activities in their region, training reports, photos, as well as the resources listed above. (4) General public (researchers, students, NGO staff etc.) looking for information on specific topics may find documents on this website through the metadata provided. The site is designed to be offered in multiple languages.

CMS, remote updating option, translator module (for later multi-lingual capacities), customized web statistics, lots of content (66.000 words plus 100 documents), fast download (average size 30-40 kb per page), breadcrumbs, full liquidity (everything resizes according to screen resolution and width), compatibility with many different browsers (including their old versions), fully searchable, print version of each page, easy navigation, many hyperlinks, UN-interagency look and feel, clean and lean design and navigation (no more than 3 levels)average time spend per visitor is 25 minutes!

The site was developed inhouse, content by project staff, technology by consultant.

The site offers:

• Search engine
• Metadata base
• Photo album

The site plans to offer:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• RSS/ATOM feeds
• Multiple languages

NBI - Nile Transboundary Environmental Action Project

http://www.nileteap.org

The site is a platform (knowledge base) for natural and environmental resources management knowledge/information exhange. The project activities on the website provide learning opportunities as well as sharing of information on best practices. The site has an online, interactive multimedia, self learning environmental education and awareness tool kit (Nile River Awraeness Kit), containing information on the ecology of the river Nile, livilihoods in the river basin, management of the natural and environmental resources and tools for monitoring. The objective of the tool is to use multimedia and interactive tools to support sustainable management and use of the environment and use resources within the Nile basin. The website is a useful resource for resource managers, users, reaseachers, policy makers, academicians and the general public.

The website is offering in addition to the mentioned features a database for Microgrant Projects implemented by the Nile Transboundary Environental Action Project and another one for transboundary Water Quality monitoring. Through the online Nile River awareness Kit, the website offers document centre for various documents, self learning tools, glossary, dowmloadable maps and editable templates for posters on the environment.

The website is fully dynamic, developed in ASP as a frontend and MS SQL database as backend.The adminstrative facilities of the website are used by the editor to add new pages, resources (newletters, documents, multimedia content etc.

The site was developed In-house (with project staff).

The site offers:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• GIS
• Metadata base
• Multiple languages

The site plans to offer:

• RSS/ATOM feeds
• Search engine
• Photo album

Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP), under UNEP Regional Seas

http://www.nowpap.org

As being a tool for furthered implementation/compliance of int'l environmental agreements, NOWPAP places it primary purpose in bureaucrats' awareness of the cause. Not only that, environmental scientists, oceanographers or environmentalists may receive a hint what activity or what research can help to make the region environmentally and sustainably better-off. NOWPAP is not the only marine environmental body in the region. The website plays a role of window of informational exchange, by which better efficiency could be achieved. A part of the website which serves larger population would be its collection of references for the marine litter reduction (http://www.nowpap.org/new_projects_sub06.php).

Given some larger virtual space in the server, recommendable is more eye-catching and intriguing version of its current contents for the public at large, such as public service announcement in form of flashy video or some interactive instrument. When the website is filled with more contents, within-the-site search engine will become neccessary.

The site offers:

• Multiple languages

The site plans to offer:

• Search engine

South West Indian Ocean Fisheries Project(SWIOFP)

http://swiofp.iwlearn.org

1. At National level the site targets national institutions which deal with licensing and implementation of management policies.
2. It targets private and public research organizations for information sharing and dissemination of the project research findings.
3. At the regional level the site is supposed to act as a medium for sharing on fisheries issues

1. Interactive information research
2. Interactive database management

The final implementation exercise is going on and the project is officially to take off in septemper 2007. so the site shall be officially published in september 2007.

The site offers:

• RSS/ATOM feeds
• Search engine

The site plans to offer:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• Live Chat
• GIS
• Metadata base
• Multiple languages
• Photo album
• Streaming video

Development and Implementation of Mechanisms to Disseminate Lessons Learned and Experiences in Integrated Transboundary Water Resources Management in Latin America and the Caribbean – DELTAmerica. Implementing Agency: UNEP. Executing Agency GS/OAS

http://conosur.rirh.net

The project was seeking to achieve an increased understanding and capacity of Integrated Water Resources Management in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Such capacity and understanding is predicated upon access and exchange of information. As such DELTA has been looking inter alia at strengthening the Inter-American Water Resource Network (IWRN) as the principal hemispheric communication tool for integrated water resources management; enhancing and promoting an active participation of civil society in water management decision making. The project also looked at developing specific processes for sharing and disseminating experiences and lessons learned from the LAC region in general but also from GEF-IW projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. The project thus focused its efforts on the development of new Information and Communication Tools (ICT) and a new dynamic Web-based Information System for the IWRN. This new Information System is based on three criteria: (1) a dynamic and decentralized “web” of Web sites; (2) mixed-partnerships for the operation of the Web sites; and (3) basin-based information systems. This new system allows for a distributed management of the information, fostering a broader participation (including national and sub-national groups, private and public sectors,) the preservation and strengthening of members’ identities, and the sharing of responsibilities. The distributed management of the information also provides for a more timely and efficient information and knowledge supply, which, in turn, facilitates the use of experiences, lessons learned and “best practices”, and their transfer to national and regional policy. The new dynamic Web-based Information System for the IWRN is composed of a series of interlinked sub-regional nodes across Latin America that is the (1) Southern Cone hosted in Argentina and serving Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay, (2) the Brazilian Node hosted in Brazil and serving Brazil, (3) the Pacific Node hosted in Peru and serving Peru, Columbia, Equator, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, and Venezuela, (4) the Central American Node hosted in Costa Rica and serving central American countries as well as the (5) Caribbean Node hosted in Saint Lucia and serving the Caribbean (Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Trinidad & Tobago) but also Guyana and Belize, English speaking countries. The Network has also a central or mirror node currently in Florida but which will be soon transferred to Montevideo at the new Secretariat of IWRN. The new dynamic Web-based Information System for the IWRN beyond establishing mixed-partnerships between governmental institutions, universities, NGOs, international organizations, and private organizations, is also allowing a rich discussion process for the development of an hemispheric agenda, as well as for the implementation of national and sub-regional ones. Indeed, the node in Brazil has been actively serving the whole country and its states likewise the Southern Cone hosted in Argentina has been actively used by Argentina and its provinces. In Argentina, a federal country formed of 23 autonomous different Provinces, the Southern Cone node was used by the Sub-secretariat of Water Resources, to facilitate the process of harmonization of the different water management provincial's laws under the leadership of the Federal Water Council (COHIFE- Consejo Hídrico Federal).

The architecture of the system provides for its sustainability in two very distinctive aspects: (a) financial, and (b) institutional. The “distributed” fashion allows for the sponsorship of private organizations, and others, which in turn can, not only provide funding for the maintenance and operation of the sites, but also for face-to-face information and knowledge exchange, through workshops, twining, and horizontal cooperation. Also, consortiums or co-management of the sites are being encouraged as to provide continuity of the efforts in case one of the institutions run into financial or institutional problems. Support of international organizations such as UNESCO, IICA, CEPAL, FAO, and others will also foster a more active participation of international organizations in the IWRN, based on their specific mandates and missions and their specific interest in specific countries or regions. Hence, the “new” network provides a useful tool to many organizations, from international cooperation to business oriented organization, increasing the IWRN’s role. As mentioned above, the IWRN is designed with a Central Node and 5 Regional Nodes that are interconnected covering: · Brazil · The Andean and Amazonian countries · The Central-American Region · The Caribbean · The Southern Cone Region. These regional nodes: · facilitate information search on water issues for interested users, inside and outside the Region; · offer interaction and exchange tools for experiences, lessons learned and good practices amongst the users promoting regional integration; · offer to the participating organizations a dynamic and participatory tool; · ensure access to a continuous and updated volume of information and data in support of the decision making process · act as information repositories for individual or institutional users. Any institution or individual, Networks members or not, can provide information (e.g. tenders, on-going or completed projects, publications, events, news and others) to the Nodes, through their Internet sites. The Regional Nodes data feeding is executed in a distributed way in agreement with the sites administrators. The Central Node, will daily collect and organise the new information available in the Regional Nodes in its own metadata base and make it available for worldwide visibility to the Americas water resources community.

All the nodes are fully sustained by regional or national IWRM institutions as follows. · Southern Cone: Water Resources Sub-Secretariat – SSRH, Argentina (http://conosur.rirh.net ) · Brazil: Water Resources Secretariat – SRH, Brazil (http://brasil.rirh.net) · Southern Pacific & Amazon: Natural Resources National Institute – INRENA, Peru (http://pacificosur.rirh.net) · Central-America: Hydraulic Resources Regional Committee – CRRH, Costa Rica (http://centroamerica.rirh.net) · Caribbean: Caribbean Environmental and Health Institute – CEHI, St. Lucia (http://caribean.iwrn.net) Budget: Development budget: Approx. US$ 10.000,00 for all Regional Nodes. Operating Budget: No costs to the Project - Approx. US$ 10.0000,00/year per node

The site offers:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• GIS
• Search engine
• Metadata base
• Photo album
• Streaming video

The site plans to offer:

• Newsletter

UNDP/GEF Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem (UNOPS)

http://www.yslme.org

Through disseminating and sharing information, the YSLME website will help to promote environmentally-sustainable management and use of the marine and coastal resources in the Yellow Sea. It is expected that the website will foster mutual knowledge and understanding of the Yellow Sea’s environment among a wide range of stakeholders in the region. One of strong points for the website is the prompt update of Events, Announcement, newly published documents including graphics with better-and-easy-to-use functions. Additionally the conciseness, handiness was focused for inplementation.

it was implemented in-house (with project staff) with basic web techniques.

The site offers:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• Streaming video

The site plans to offer:

• Live Chat
• RSS/ATOM feeds
• GIS
• Search engine
• Metadata base
• Multiple languages
• Photo album

BCLME Programme, implemented by UNDP

http://www.bclme.org

The BCLME Programme's website is an important tool in the Programme's communications strategy. It not only describes the purpose, structure and accomplishments of the Programme, but over the past five years it has become an important repository of information. All the projects that are supported by the BCLME Programme are listed on the website and, at the click of a button, interested browsers can access reports, findings and recommendations linked to the projects. The BCLME Programme is a joint initiative between Angola, Namibia and South Africa. Therefore, the website aims to inform scientists, managers, politicians and decision-makers about the progress of the Programme. A substantial amount of information on the site is available in two languages (English and Portuguese), but the project reports are predominantly in English.

An effort has been made to "package" the findings and outcomes of the different projects into short, precise summaries, allowing browsers to quickly identify the recommendations and/or policy implications of each project. Final reports sometimes run into hundreds of pages; by distilling this information into an easy-to-access summary, web browsers are able to quickly view project outcomes and, and only open the full reports of the projects they are really interested in. The process of summarising the project reports is ongoing. Ultimately, all the final reports will be summarised and the summaries will be available in English and Portuguese.

Almost 100 newspaper and magazine articles about the BCLME Programme and its projects have been published in the past five years. This is largely the result of a dedicated media strategy which strives to keep the BCLME community and associated industries informed about the progress of the Programme. The BCLME Programme's website has archived these reports and therefore extended their lifespan and usefulness. Browsing through the news reports, one is able to gain a good understanding of how the Programme has grown and developed over the years.

The site was implemented In-house (with consultant)

The site offers:

• Newsletter
• Search engine
• Multiple languages
• Photo album

Reversing Environmental Degradation Trends in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand (Implementing Agency: United Nations Environment Programme)

http://www.unepscs.org

The South China Sea Project Website was developed for the dissemination of project outputs and information, and to facilitate the online sharing of information and examples of best practice between members of the project network. The site's main audience is the full membership of the South China Sea Project network, including focal points, demonstration site managers and staff, and members of national-level committees and working groups. The scope of the site has recently been expanded to disseminate information of interest to other International Waters projects and regional and international organisations involved in waters management. It is intended that the website will continue to be operated beyond the completion of the project, largely to enable the continued updating of the site’s databases and to facilitate the continued sharing of information and examples of best practice at the regional level. As such, the site was designed to enable all members of the project network to update pages of the website and its associated databases from their own offices using a secure online login. Members of the project network have recently assumed responsibility for updating and managing certain pages of the site under the guidance of the Project Co-ordinating Unit, with the aim of building capacity within the network for the longer-term management of the site. A regional workshop is planned for the final quarter of 2007 to explore how to ensure the longer-term sustainability of the site.

Other features of the site include: (a) Google Earth-based interactive maps of project demonstration sites and pilot activity sites; (b) An online nutrient carrying capacity model for the South China Sea; (c) A multi-media library containing videos and TV news items on the project; (d) An online catalogue of community education and public awareness materials developed; (e) A repository of all key project documents and publications; (f) A database for storage of information on past and on-going projects; and (g) A repository of training materials developed as part of regional training events. The Project Co-ordinating Unit aims to integrate the following features into the site during the third quarter of 2007: (a) A repository of all discussion and information documents used in 76 project meetings convened since 2002 will be uploaded to the website during July 2007, this includes a powerful document search function; (b) Addition of project demonstration sites to the "Geographic Web" layer of Google Earth with links back to respective pages on the project website; and (c) Development of a "blog" of general news relating to the South China Sea (a prototype is currently available at http://www.unepscs.org/blog/ and the RSS feed for this blog is currently fed into the main page of the project website under the heading "SCS Environmental News").

A detailed guide on the use of the website was prepared to assist members of the project network in updating pages of the website and in contributing to the e-forum. Similar guides have also been prepared on the use and updating of all databases associated with the project website. These are easily accessible for download from the website.

The site was developed In-house (with project staff)

The site offers:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• Live Chat
• RSS/ATOM feeds
• GIS
• Search engine
• Metadata base
• Multiple languages
• Photo album
• Streaming video

INTEGRATED AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF TRANSBOUNDARY WATER RESOURCES IN THE AMAZON RIVER BASIN CONSIDERING CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND CHANGE - ACTO/UNEP/OAS

http://www.otca.org.br/gefam

The Project GEF Amazonas ACTO/UNEP/OAS(short for the name presented above)is moving towards the end of its PDF-B phase. Its website, at this stage, aims at providing Amazon Basin stakeholders with information on the progress of the activities which will result on the Project Core Document (that is, a proposal) for the Full Size Project in the Amazon Basin. Amazon Basin stakeholders include governmental and non-governmental organizations in the Basin, local communities (those who have access to the internet)and governments, the private sector and academic and research institutions that will be directly and indirectly impacted by the Project (which means throughout the eight Amazonian countries). The implementation of this website, along with the series of wokshops developed throughout the Amazon Region, has been just the first step in the direction of stakeholder integration and participation on the Project. During the next four years, the Project GEF Amazonas will undertake socio-economic and scientific investigations and will carry out activities that will generate input for the elaboration of an IWRM Strategic Action Program for the Amazon Basin as a whole. Among these activities, a Resource Information Center will be developed, centralizing socio-economic and scientific data, information and images related and relevant to the GEF Amazonas Project. This Resource Center will also include a vistual space for stakeholder dialogue, so that the communities and institutions affected by and interested on the Project have a voice on the development, implementation and monitoring of the activities taking place. Thus, the website of Project GEF Amazonas has an important role in this preparation phase and will be imperial for the success of the Full Size Project implementation. Future needs of the webpage, so that it fulfills the objective of becoming a Portal for the Project Gef Amazonas, include a forum for stakeholder interaction, GIS and metadata bases planned to be fully implemented and operational by the end of the second year of Full Size Project implementation.

The Project GEF Amazonas website offers an Agenda section which includes a calendar that shows when the planned evets should tke place.

The website of the Project GEF Amazonas was designed by a specialized company located in one of the riparian countries of the Project (Brazil) and has been updated by the Project's Technical Assitant during the PDF-B phase.

The site was implemented Out sourced

The site offers

• Search engine
• Multiple languages
• Photo album

The site plans to offer:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• RSS/ATOM feeds
• GIS
• Metadata base
• Streaming video

Development and Implementation of the Lake Peipsi/Chudskoe Basin Management Programme/UNDP

http://www.peipsi.org/gef/ and www.peipsi.org

This site was created in order to inform about the project and its events and distribute relevant information/publications in electronic form. This public site exists in three languages in order to address regional needs and engage wider audience. The second aim was to unite a project team and partners (including different agencies) in two countries via Intranet where it is possible to find all related project documents such as full reports, minutes, TORs etc. The Intranet is only in English in order to streamline the process. The project also has supported the Peipsi portal www.peipsi.org which aims to host information about the lake, its region, different sectors and problems. Future needs – to update the sites and refresh in terms of technological solutions.

search by alphabet, news and calendar - existing

Idea and TOR was developed by the project staff and than external IT company has executed required actions.
the site was implemented in-house (with consultant)
The site offers:

• Newsletter
• GIS
• Search engine
• Multiple languages

The site plans to offer:

• Forums
• RSS/ATOM feeds
• Metadata base
• Photo album
• Streaming video

Toward a Convention and Action Programme for the Protection of the Caspian Sea Environment Project - UNDP/UNOPS

http://www.caspianenvironment.org/

Audience: Environmental Experts Governmental Decision Makers NGOs and CBOs Public in General Purpose: Keeping the stakeholders informed and engaged Data & Information Banking Future Needs: Stakeholders web – based Networking Inter-active dialoging with stakeholders.

The site was developed in-house (with project staff)

The site offers:

• Newsletter
• GIS
• Search engine
• Metadata base
• Multiple languages
• Photo album

The site plans to offer:

• Mailing list
• Forums

Lake Chad Basin GEF Project, UNOPS

http://www.lakechadbasin.net

The site provides information to the project staff within the members states of the Lake Chad Basin Commission and project's partners and other members of the public. The site primary purpose is to provide information to project stakeholders that will promote collaboration in the implementation of the project activities. Project milestone achievements are disseminated through the website.

The site is implemented with the support of UNEP/DGEF IW:LEARN using Plone CMS. Since Chad is lacking the infrastructure for ICT the site is hosted by IW:LEARN while DNS is provided by Network Solutions. The site is maintained infrequently by an individual.

The site was implemented in-house (with project staff)

The site offers:

• RSS/ATOM feeds
• Search engine

The site plans to offer:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• Live Chat
• GIS
• Metadata base
• Multiple languages

"Managing hydrogeological risks in the Iullemeden Aquifer System (IAS)" ; Implementing agency : UNEP

http://iullemeden.iwlearn.org

The Iullemeden Aquifer System (IAS), shared by Mali, Niger and Nigeria, is a sub-regional aquifer system in West Africa sahelian zones. The area is 500 000 km². The annual rainfalls mean values change from North to South less than 100 mm to 800 mm. The Iullemeden Aquifer System is under environmental threats caused by:

1. climate changes;
2. growing population pressure: 15 million in 2000, the double in 2025;
3. Groundwater over-exploitation: 50 million m3 in 1970, 180 million m3 in 2004;
4. human induced water pollution.

In order to address transboundary risks associated with these threats in a strategic manner, the project adopts a risk-based management approach. The project is aimed at establishment of a joint mechanism and cooperative framework for: (a) identification of transboundary risks and uncertainty issues; (b) formulation of joint risk mitigation and sharing policy; and (c) joint policy implementation through a joint IAS legal and institutional consultative mechanism. These components will be supported by awareness raising, public participation and communication. The main achievements are:

1. major transboundary risks identified,
2. common data base elaborated (more than 17000 boreholes),
3. Geographic Information System developed,
4. Groundwater model developed,
5. Iullemeden website elaborated, and
6. a clear consensus on the need for, and on the structure and mandate of, the consultative mechanism, and on the approach to be followed for its establishment.

The perspectives are:

1. formulating the Strategic Action Programme,
2. improving data and information,
3. assessing and managing surface water and groundwater, and
4. implementing the regional consultative mechanism.

The project is managed through the project steering committee by the three governments with the Sahara and Sahel Observatory as the Executing Agency.

The site was implemented at the office with the help of the DEWA staff.

The site offers:

• RSS/ATOM feeds
• GIS
• Search engine
• Metadata base
• Multiple languages
• Photo album

The site plans to offer:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• Live Chat
• Streaming video

IW Learn capacity building in economics (in association with IUCN)

http://earthmind.net/rivers & http://earthmind.net/marine

These two worksites provide a wealth of information on the economics of marine and water-related resources, with a particularly focus on valuation. They were constructed as e-support sites for two IW-Learn workshops and were designed so that they could serve as esources for the IW Learn community long after the workshops had taken place.

The design of these two sites in intentially simple so as to enable users to find and access useful information easily.

Both of these worksites were produced by Frank Vorhies under small contracts from IUCN to organise the two associated IW Learn workshop (as well as an earlier IW Learn e-discussion.) They were, however, not specified in the contracts and were developed as an added service to IUCN and IW Learn.

North Western Sahara Aquifer System (NWSAS)

http://nwsas.iwlearn.org/

The North-Western Sahara Aquifer System shared by Algeria, Libya and Tunisia refers to the superimposition of two thick aquifer layers: - the Intercalary Continental (IC) formation, which is the thickest and has the greatest expanse, and - the Terminal Complex (TC) which is heavily exploited in the Algero-Tunisian Chotts region and in the Gulf of Sirte in Libya. This site aims to inform about the results of the project. Potential abstractions from these aquifers are limited first of all by economic constraints although the main constraints at present stem from environmental risks connected to the exploitation and vulnerability of Saharan watertables. The System covers more than a million km2 (1,800 km E-W, and 900 km N-S) of which 60% is in Algeria, a little less than 10% in Tunisia, and 30% in Libya.

The site offers:

• RSS/ATOM feeds
• GIS
• Search engine
• Metadata base
• Multiple languages
• Photo album

The site plans to offer:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• Live Chat
• Streaming video

Addressing Land-based Activities in the Western Indian Ocean (WIO-LaB) - UNEP

http://www.wiolab.org

The purpose of the main project website is to provide information on and make available outputs of project activities to both parties directly involved in the project: government representatives, institutions, international and national NGOs and individual experts and persons). The site furthermore offers facilities for regular updates on events, the exchange of background document on meetings and other events as well as discussion forums. The site also provides links to relevant partner projects, programmes and organisations. The main project site furthermore provides access to a specialized information management system set up by the project, referred to as the Nairobi Convention Clearinghouse Mechanism, and which for sustainability reasons (the site would later be maintained by the Convention Secretariat)is set up as a separate site, set apart from the general project information site. The Clearinghouse Mechanism presents relevant information sources on the eastern Africa Coastal and Marine Environment together in an organized and consistent manner using standards, guidelines and a common suite of tools and functions. Data holdings range from geo-spatial, socioeconomic, to environmental publications from institutes, departments, environmental management authorities, maritime services, data gateways, and relevant databases.

Development and implementation of the Clearinghouse Mechanism was done with the assistance of the Division of Early Warning and Assessment of UNEP (UNEP/DEWA). The Team for this activity is currently further elaborating on the system by establishing national data nodes in each of the project countries. Interlinkages with other data and information systems have and are also being established.

The site offers:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• RSS/ATOM feeds
• GIS
• Search engine
• Metadata base

The site plans to offer:

• Multiple languages
• Photo album

Global Mercury Project - UNDP/UNIDO

http://www.globalmercuryproject.org

The site brings a massive information about use of mercury in artisanal mining. We have also links with reports, videos and pictures. As the subject is usually overlooked by most environmental scientists we have presentations showing that Hg pollution from Artisanal Miners is the global LARGEST pollution from intentional uses of mercury. Accounting for 1000 tonnes/a of mercury releases into the environment we have been stressed that this is affecting the health of at least 100 million people in the planet. As this is a poverty-driven issue, the site brings lots of documents, manuals and reports to teach trainers how to demonstrate to artisanal miners and their communities ways to avoid mercury exposure and emissions using very simple locally-made techniques. The site will be soon re-build since we are introducing a database with 1000 entries on articles, scientific papers, reports etc. with information about the mercury use and misuse in artisanal gold mining. Vey soon, the site will have different levels of information (academic, technical, simplified) for the users in order to bring practical tips for people who are directly involved with miners in the field.

The site was implemented in house (with project staff)

The site offers:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• Live Chat
• GIS
• Photo album
• Streaming video

The site plans to offer:

• Search engine
• Metadata base
• Multiple languages

"Combating Living Resource Depletion and Coastal Area Degradation in the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem Through Ecosystem-Based Regional Actions" (GCLME Project), Executed by UNIDO and Implemented by UNDP and UNEP

http://igcc.gclme.org

This site reports on GCLME project activities and achievements. The visitor will have a historical background of the Project and an explanation of its founding concept i.e. the LME Approach. He/she will also have information on Project management and steering choices. The display of Data from the Regional Environmental Information Management Center, either in tables, graphs or maps using available and open source tools, forms the basis of a future elaborated online decision support system. The site also enables exchange among scientists, NGO's, Environmental journalists and Lawyers, Private and Public sector stakeholders of the project, through the forum and the online chat tools. Provision is also made to link all UN and non UN organizations that have interest in or that deal with International Waters and/or related environmental fields; and also the official sites of the participating countries.

The site was implemented in-house (with project staff).

The site offers:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• GIS
• Search engine
• Photo album

The site plans to offer:

• Live Chat
• RSS/ATOM feeds
• Metadata base
• Multiple languages
• Streaming video

Noth Werstern Sahara Aquifer System ; GEF, FAO, DDC-Suisse, FIDA, FFEM

http://nwsas.iwlearn.org/

The North-Western Sahara Aquifer System shared by Algeria, Libya and Tunisia refers to the superimposition of two thick aquifer layers: - the Intercalary Continental (IC) formation, which is the thickest and has the greatest expanse, and - the Terminal Complex (TC) which is heavily exploited in the Algero-Tunisian Chotts region and in the Gulf of Sirte in Libya. Potential abstractions from these aquifers are limited first of all by economic constraints although the main constraints at present stem from environmental risks connected to the exploitation and vulnerability of Saharan watertables. The System covers more than a million km2 (1,800 km E-W, and 900 km N-S) of which 60% is in Algeria, a little less than 10% in Tunisia, and 30% in Libya.

This site is implemented at the office with the help of the GEF-DEWA division.

The site offers:

• RSS/ATOM feeds
• GIS
• Search engine
• Metadata base
• Multiple languages
• Photo album

The site plans to offer:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• Live Chat
• Streaming video

ReefBase, The WorldFish Center

http://www.reefbase.org

ReefBase is a global information system on coral reefs and was developed by the WorldFish Center and the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN). This online database provides quality information and GIS maps on the location, status, threats, monitoring, conservation and management of coral reef resources. ReefBase website content encompasses a broad spectrum of information about coral reef resources in over 130 coral reef countries and territories. ReefBase serves as the central database for the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), as well as the International Coral Reef Action Network (ICRAN), and continues to provide valuable information services to managers, policy-makers, researchers, conservationists, educators and students around the world. The ReefBase website has been improved to provide a more informative and user-friendly interface. ReefBase has developed a new flash-hybrid version of online GIS (ReefGIS - http://reefgis.reefbase.org) to ease the users to navigate and access the information with better features and new GIS dataset. We strive to improve sharing and use of data, information, and knowledge in support of research and management of coral reef resources. ReefBase further expand its utility to develop the knowledgebase for lessons learned and best practices in the management of coral reefs. This project is funded by Global Environment Facility (GEF) and United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). The project will generate an interactive knowledgebase CD-ROM consists of a comprehensive Reef Manager’s toolkit, database, and relevant publication to maximize distribution and accessibility. This knowledgebase will contribute to enhancing the development, implementation and outcomes of future coral reef conservation and management projects by providing access to information, advice, the development of tools, resources and training based on the distillation of the best practices available and lessons learned from previous and ongoing projects.

The site was implemented in-house (with project staff).

The site offers:

• Newsletter
• RSS/ATOM feeds
• GIS
• Search engine
• Metadata base
• Photo album

The site plans to offer:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Live Chat
• Metadata base
• Streaming video

Coral Reef Targeted Research Program (World Bank)

http://www.gefcoral.org

Audience: The site's main audience is an external audience - coral reef and coastal managers, policy-makers and researchers. It does, however, also operate as a resource for Coral Reef Targeted Research program members. Purpose: The main purpose of the site is to provide the main (external) target audience with credible, scientifically-proven knowledge on coral reef ecosystems. As an international program the website is our main information source. It provides easy-access to reliable information and products, as well as links to several of the world’s leading coral reef researchers. The web site is regularly updated with ‘latest news’ and ‘research updates’ to provide users with new, up-to-date information on the Program’s results. Future Needs: The web site will seek to engage the target audience via video streaming, discussion boards, posting boards, etc. As more research results come out more interactive functions will be developed, in order to involve the target audience in a dialogue about the program's outcomes. Many of the Program’s future products will be available in different languages for downloading, in order to expand this dialogue worldwide.

In order to enhance the exchange of information, the Coral Reef Targeted Research program is building intranet sites for the various scientific Working Groups and Committees. These intranet sites will include discussion boards, document-posting and other areas which will be defined by the demonstrated requirements of our users.

The site was implemented in-house (with consultant). A specialist communications consultant has been hired to assist with the site's implementation and development. This public relations-based input ensures that the site's content is relevant to the target audience and that any changes to the technological features of the site meet the specific needs of our users.

The site offers:

• Mailing list
• Newsletter
• Search engine

The site plans to offer:

• Mailing list
• Forums
• Newsletter
• RSS/ATOM feeds
• Metadata base
• Multiple languages
• Photo album
• Streaming video

Fostering a Global Dialogue on Oceans, Coasts, and SIDS, and on Freshwater-Coastal-Marine Interlinkages

http://www.globaloceans.org

The website aims to provide information and services to ocean leaders around the world who are involved in decision-making and implementation of the global oceans agenda at the global, regional, national and sub-national levels. The website offers information on multi-stakeholder dialogues, policy analyses and other activities of the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands involving government and intergovernmental and international organizations, non-government organizations, the private sector, ocean donors, and scientific institutions, that address the sustainable development of oceans, coasts, and small island developing States. Among a number of planned activities, the website plans to offer information and services for a variety of users in linking freshwater management with ocean and coastal management, including decisionmakers at the national level, planners (spatial planners, area management planners, sectoral management planners), and project implementers and water/coastal/ocean managers. This planned service will initially focus on a few themes for the preliminary version that would eventually include case studies, best practices/guidelines, and contact persons. It may include a glossary of common terms, relevant references, a maillist and links to other web services providing related services. In order to provide this web service, the project will be needing a fair amount of funding particularly in the development of case studies and in extracting best practices and guidelines from current and future experience in linking the management of freshwater and oceans and coasts.

We have a global directory of NGOs working on oceans, coasts and islands issues, which is a comprehensive and current information source to aid those working in the marine field in identifying partners, colleagues, and networks. The directory could be periodically updated using a standard template. We are currently building a course catalog in collaboration with GEF IW:LEARN and other partners of the Oceans Training Partnership and a syndicated News section using IW:LEARN's news aggregator.

The web site is entirely hand coded HTML and Javascript, with ASP for dynamic content. The control obtained through hand coding allows the site to be viewed on a variety of platforms in a consistent and pleasing fashion. Content is provided by project staff, and by contributors to and participants involved in Global Forum activities.

The site was implemented in-house (with consultant).

The site offers:

• Mailing list
• Newsletter
• Search engine

The site plans to offer:

• RSS/ATOM feeds
• Metadata base
• Photo album

UNDP/GEF Danube Regional Project

http://www.undp-drp.org

The Project web site has two key targeted audiences. The first are our stakeholders, represented by the ICPDR - the Project key beneficiary (International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River) and its national experts and the second is wider public. The Project website provides: - general info on the Danube Basin and Project in a wider context - specific information on Project components (activities) with all outputs produced during the Project (focus on expert audience) - thematic information on Project activities (focus on wider public) - news and gallery section with stories on specific actions in the Danube Basin. The Project will be finalized in August 2007, but the web-site will be operational for two more years, to provide comprehensive overview on the Project activities and lessons learned. The content of the web-site will be also transferred to the ICPDR web site, this will ensure sustainability in use of the Project results.

The web-site of the Project operates in paralel with the web-based Information System of the ICPDR - Danubis: www.icpdr.org, development of which has been supported by the Project. The specific features like e-mail mailing list, forums, internal working area (information exchange platform for ICPDR experts), specific notifications, etc. are available at the ICPDR web site.

The design of the web-site (look & feel) has been developed by an outside company. The Content Management System has been provided by IT Unit at UNO Vienna (UNODC), including technical maintenance. Uploading documents and further maintenance of the web-site content has been carried out by the project staff.

The site offers:

• Newsletter
• Search engine
• Photo album