Working together for nature and society. Strategy for sustainable regional development to achieve the United Nations SDG goals in the Miory region.

Project period:  2019-2022

Sustainable development at regional and local level has been a key priority for Belarus in recent years. Partnerships between local authorities and civil society organisations will help to unlock regional potential and provide impetus for further development. The project envisages the development of a sustainable development strategy (SDS) for the Miory district. The focus is on developing local community initiatives and responsibility, supporting biological and cultural diversity, and developing social infrastructure and the green economy. Awareness-raising and training measures for local authorities on local development issues based on EU experience are planned. The implementation of the project will facilitate the active participation of local residents in efforts to preserve the unique natural potential of the Miory district. As part of the project, the wooden floor of the Azierauki-Yelnia eco-trail was extended and a campsite was set up.

As part of the implementation of the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ project component, a fitness area was set up in the agricultural town of Jazna. In Miory, the town’s gym floor was completely renovated and three tiers of seating for spectators were installed in the sports facility. Since 1 September 2020, several local initiatives have been implemented, two of which have received €60,000 each and eight of which have received €10,000 each to implement their ideas. The results of the initiatives will be summarised by the end of summer 2021. The sustainable development strategy for the Miory district, as well as the guidelines for the development of sustainable strategies and the youth strategy for sustainable development (the first in Belarus), are almost complete. Local residents, including young people, are actively involved in the development of the strategies. The Public Council for the Development and Implementation of the Miory District Sustainable Development Strategy was established at the end of 2019 within the framework of the District Council of Deputies – the first council of its kind in Belarus.

In the second year of the project, the council held ten meetings where local authorities and residents discussed relevant issues of district development, which enabled broader participation of local residents in regional administration. Thanks to a series of workshops and training courses conducted as part of the project, 16 people were accredited by the National Tourism Agency, received certificates as guides for the Yelnia Marsh and now offer leisure activities for every taste. Tourists can now buy unique handmade souvenirs made of wool through felting. The Paŭvostraŭ city park, where the annual ecological festival ‘Žoravy i Žuraviny Miorskaha kraju’ (‘Cranes and Cranberries of the Miory Land’) takes place, has been renovated: the footpath has been repaired, a dance floor and a pavilion have been built, children’s play equipment and torch-like lanterns have been installed, etc.

A large part of the work focused on improving the visibility of the district’s tourism brand. An art installation entitled ‘Miory 1514’ was erected in Paŭvostraŭ Park, and new benches and litter bins decorated with the recognisable Miory Land pattern were installed. Similar benches were also installed in the streets of Miory and in Dzisna Park.

As part of the project, murals were created that resemble a traditional ‘Malavanka’ carpet. They are ‘woven’ with local landmarks, the portrait of Jazep Drazdovič, the largest in Belarus, as well as graffiti inspired by the unique double weaving technique and a decorated shop with an iconic crane pattern – all these works of art allow visitors to learn more about the landmarks of the villages of Miory, Dzisna and Pierabroddzie.

Project funded by the European Union