Rural Education on Environmental Impact (MK0165)

Which public problem is addressed by the commitment? - Lack of available information in rural areas; - Lack of developed awareness on climate change consequences; - Global instead of local approach to this topic; - Lack of education among rural population to recognize climate change impact and contribute to addressing this problem; - Non-involvement of citizens in decision-making related to climate action, etc.; - Reduced local food production and income from this activity; - Polluted air and threatened health of the population; - Contribution to negative effects from climate change; - Traditional ways of taking action and non-enforcement of adopted legal measures and norms; - Framers manage 50% of the land in RNM, use 60 to 80% of freshwaters in the state for their stables, hen farms, sheepfolds, or simply for farms with large number of animals, use thousands tons of strong or less strong toxic materials in the form of pesticides, fertilizers and other agrochemicals. - According to research on structure of agriculture holdings made by the State Statistical Office in 2016, the individual sector engages only 5.2% of people with any kind of agriculture education, while the number of highly educated staff in the field of agriculture accounts for only 0.8%. - As regards information of citizens, among 473 respondents from 48 municipalities in RNM covered under the research conducted by MESP, predominant is the attitude that addressing climate change is not an individual responsibility but responsibility of the government, industry and companies and citizens lack knowledge and sufficient information how to help in addressing climate change.

Main objective of the commitment Main objective of the commitments is to reduce environment pollution and negative effects from climate change through increased education and information for rural population. Outcomes: • Increased uptake of good agriculture practices as precondition for environmental protection from agriculture activities; • Increased knowledge with 50% of family agriculture holdings on applicable rules for good agriculture practices and penal provisions for non-enforcement; • Established system for regular information on climate change and negative effects thereof.

How will the commitment contribute to addressing the public problem? Above described milestones will directly contribute to addressing the public problem related to environment pollution and increased effects of climate change because it is a matter of more than 170,000 family agricultural holdings that perform agriculture activities without due care for environmental pollution. Enhanced awareness, education and greater information will contribute to change of habits among rural population and accordingly to reduced pollution and environmental protection.

How is the commitment relevant to OGP values? COMMITMENT IS IMPORTANT FOR TRANSPARENCY because it allows access to new and more information, improves quality of information and improves availability of public information. COMMITMENT IS IMPORTANT FOR CIVIC PARTICIPATION because it improves possibilities and conditions for public participation and impact in decision-making and improves the enabling environment for civil society. COMMITMENT IS IMPORTANT FOR PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY because it improves accountability rules, regulations and mechanisms for public officials.

Additional information The commitment is in line with and contributes to attainment of priorities and goals anticipated under several strategy documents, such as: - National Strategy on Agriculture and Rural Development 2021-2027 where one strategic goal concerns reduced effects from climate change on agriculture production; - UN Sustainable Development Goals, i.e. SDG13 that directly concerns climate action; - MESP National Action Plan on Climate, Communication Strategy on Climate Change, etc. Link to SDG target 13.3: Improve education, awareness raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning Measures under this commitment for public awareness, education and information for citizen will contribute to change of habits among rural population and accordingly to reduced pollution and environmental protection.

No. Milestone Indicators Activity holder Start date End date 5.1.1 Increase scope of information among rural population in respect to negative effects of climate change and environment pollution Number of informative materials developed Number of educative workshops held in rural areas Number of informed agriculture producers MESP October 2021 March 2023 5.1.2 Increase scope of information among rural population and education on the rulebook on good agriculture practices and Number of visited agricultural holdings Number of distributed informative materials MESP (NEA, AFSARD), RC October 2021 December 2021 110 changes in respect to sanctions for nonenforcement Number of issued sanctions for nonenforcement 5.1.3 Expanding the list of special minimum conditions for good agricultural practices and environmental protection to be met by agricultural producers by application of good agriculture practices and developing new rulebook on good agriculture practices Number of defined new criteria under the rulebook on good agriculture practices Number of changed minimum conditions established under the rulebook Number of agricultural holdings informed about changes and new rulebook MESP January 2022 March 2023

Action Plan Review

Commitment 5.1: Reduce climate change impact and protect the environment from agriculture activities

● Verifiable: Yes

● Does it have an open government lens? Yes

● Potential for results: Modest