NBSAP Implementation Program – International Conventions and Local Communities
Promote biodiversity conservation in Georgia by developing a local nongovernmental and community-based sector and promoting involvement in participatory planning and implementation of species and habitat conservation activities and mitigation and monitoring of development projects in selected areas.

Establishing the Conservation Status of the Acipenseridae Family in Georgia
Define the current status of the Acipenseridae species of sturgeon along the Georgian Black Sea coast, where no survey has been conducted over the last 15 years. The results will be used to elaborate recommendations on the current / updated status of the Acipenseridae species in a National Conservation Action Plan that will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment Protection and Natural Resources of Georgia and IUCN-The World Conservation Union.

Development and Capacity Building of Transboundary Bats Monitoring Network in the Caucasus
Establish and build capacity of a transboundary bats monitoring network in four countries of the Caucasus region: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Russia.  The project includes development of a key habitat database, national and regional conservation action plans, establishment of a model protected area in the region, and a public awareness campaign for globally threatened bats.

Reduction of Illegal Catch of Sturgeons by the Slowdown of the Demand for Caviar and Sturgeon Flash on the Domestic Market
Support the updating of data on sturgeon populations within the Caucasus Hotspot and enhance the ability of civil society to contribute to reducing demand for illegally harvested and processed caviar in Russia and Azerbaijan.

Site Network for Birds and Wetlands: Inventory, Protection, and Community Management
Expand the CEPF-supported network of Important Bird Areas caretakers into the Russian areas of the Greater Caucasus and Caspian biodiversity conservation corridors by generating new knowledge on the conservation needs of globally threatened species, particularly birds, and by developing and implementing management recommendations at key sites.

Provide Support to Conservation Agencies Specifically to Improve Implementation of International Conventions (CBD, CITES and Ramsar)
Improve protection and sustainable use of biodiversity resources in the Caucasus by supporting officials in implementation of international conventions directed toward protection, use and biodiversity management. Activities also include deepening cooperation between government bodies, nongovernmental groups, and public structures both within the country and on regional and international levels.

Global Reptile Assessment – Wider Caucasus Regional Workshop
Support a regional workshop to assess the current conservation status of reptile species within the Caucasus region.  The project will produce electronic maps of the current known distribution for each reptile species and assess their conservation status through the use of the IUCN Red List categories and criteria classification system. This will contribute significantly to the refinement of key biodiversity area targets for conservation within the Caucasus region.

Global Mammal Assessment – Wider Caucasus Regional Workshop
Support a regional workshop to assess the current conservation status of mammal species within the Caucasus region. The project will produce electronic maps of the current known distribution for each mammal species and assess their conservation status through the use of the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria classification system. This will contribute significantly to the refinement of key biodiversity areas and site outcomes within the Caucasus region.

Small Grants for Global Conservation of Amphibian Diversity Within Hotspots
Develop and implement the Amphibian Action Fund aimed at the long-term conservation of amphibian species, and their habitats, within biodiversity hotspots around the globe.  This fund will make available small grants of up to $10,000 to be awarded to individuals and groups working within the hotspots on targeted amphibian conservation activities.

Coordination and Development of Plant Red List Assessments for the Caucasus Biodiversity Hotspot
Improve understanding of threatened plants in the Caucasus and increase the capacity of local botanists to be able to use the internationally accepted methods for plant conservation assessment and monitoring. A botanical consortium from five countries in the hotspot, with technical support from IUCN and the Missouri Botanic Garden, will implement the project.

Development of an IBA Caretaker Network in the Priority Corridors
Increase the capacity of civil society at the national and community levels to support appropriate management and monitoring of 31 sites that are important for the conservation of globally threatened species. BirdLife’s Europe Division will coordinate overall implementation by working with four national NGOs: Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds, Azerbaijan Ornithological Society, Georgian Center for the Conservation of Wildlife, and Doğa Derneği Turkey.

Regional Council for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Resource Use in the Caucasus
Enhance implementation of the CEPF ecosystem profile and investment strategy for the Caucasus Hotspot by improving the coordinated donor investment and catalyzing the policy support necessary for sustainability beyond CEPF’s 5-year investment window.  The Regional Council will provide a high level forum to address transboundary issues as an effective, widely accepted, and broadly supported institution for regional conservation.