With the supporting of GEF Small Grants Programme UNDP, in the period from 2012 to 2013 a project was implemented:

Demonstration of small-scale alternative and energy efficient technologies in Baljuvan district.

The aim of the project is to promote the conservation of biodiversity, through the demonstration of small-scale alternative, energy-efficient and eco-sanitation technologies in households of Baljuvon district.

Estimated initiative is aimed at the practical implementation of the National Strategy and Action Plan for the conservation of biodiversity in the CBD (ratified by Tajikistan in 2003), as well as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (ratified by Tajikistan in 1998).

The project demonstrated and tested alternative models of small-scale, energy-efficient and eco-sanitation technologies previously applied by experts in ecotourism and energy-efficiency, in the framework of the Energy and Environment UNDP project "Biodiversity of Hissar mountains" and received a positive opinion from leading experts. According to the project have been applied technologies:

 thermal insulation of residential premises using local available raw materials and thermal insulation.

 installing a solar water heater to provide hot water for domestic use.

 construction of energy-efficient stoves for cooking and space heating.

 construction Eco-Sanitation-toilets to improve eco-sanitation conditions and receipt of vermicompost.

Based on the accumulated experience in creating communities for the development of eco-tourism, in order to speed up the process for the implementation of the project and its subsequent mass replication, it was decided to introduce alternative and energy efficient technologies in large households of "Baldzhuvan" community (18 villages, population 4198 people) and "Sari Khosor" community (36 villages, population 4,806 people). These communities are located in the buffer zone of the Nature Park "Sari Khosor." Pilot sites selected by 5 households in each of the communities. These objects are selected to create the implementation of the above-mentioned examples of technologies that will contribute to the promotion of alternative and energy efficient technologies, the local population of Baldzhuvana, Sari Khosor and nearby communities. These technologies will reduce the consumption of natural energy resources; promote a more rational use of energy, which will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improving the lives and health of people. Also the application of the technology of dry toilets with urine separation mechanism will not pollute the environment, potentially hazardous waste will be separated and purified and further processed in a safe way that will be collected, composted and become fertilizer for the garden.

Target group:

1. Administration officials of Baljuvon area (including the Department of the Committee for

Youth, Sports and Tourism of Baljuvon district and department of the Committee for the Protection of Nature).

2. Local Population of the communities

3. Representatives of the PA.

4. Representatives of the Association of farmer facilities of the district.

Task 1. The introduction and demonstration of the three models of small-scale alternative and energy-efficient technologies, as well as one eco-sanitation technology in selected households of "Baldzhuvan" community and "Sari Khosor" community, located in the buffer zone of the Nature Park of "Sari Khosor."

Action 1.1. Home insulation + construction of energy-efficient stoves for heating

The following works were implemented: insulation of the floor and ceiling of premises, as well as insulation of windows and doors. It was also made the construction of energy-efficient stoves to heat-insulated room. In general, all work on the construction of the home insulation and energy-efficiency furnace were carried out by local population, which included an involved master trainer and two local masters.

This technology has been applied in two households in each of the target communities (4 total households).

Action 1.2. Building an energy-efficient kitchen yard

The following works were implemented: construction of shed with fencing, construction of energy-efficient stoves for cooking. All construction work of yard energy-efficient kitchen were conducted by local population, within which were involved master-trainer and two local masters.

This technology has been applied in two households in each of the targeted communities (4 total households). Additionally, two more yard furnace were installed in the neighboring communities

Action 1.3. The construction of the yard shower and the shower basin with a solar water heater for household purposes (laundry, washing dishes, bathing, etc.)

Work was carried out on the construction of the shower enclosure (metal basis), wash basin in the yard and installing a solar water heater on the roof of the shower in order to supply hot water to shower and wash basin. Work on the construction of shower, wash basin and solar water heater in the yard was conducted by homeowners.

Since this technology is expensive, use it as a demonstration of practice was conducted in the same household in each of the target communities (2 total households).

Action 1.4. Building of eco-sanitation toilets (dry toilets with urine separation mechanism)

Work was carried out on the construction of dry toilets with urine separation mechanism (Eco-Sanitation toilet). As part of the construction team will be involved master-trainer and two local masters. This technology is selected in view of its effectiveness both in terms of protecting the environment and sanitation and income opportunities of the produced organic fertilizer. To promote this technology have been carried out advocacy work (in the previous example of the Varzob district) among the local population and the spiritual leaders of the districts. One focus for advocacy was focused on the fact that the resulting organic fertilizer will be used in the meadows and forest belts thus will be improving soil fertility.

This technology is applied in two households of Sari Khosor and the household in Baldjuvan, the fourth toilet is set to refurbish Baljuvan fortress (a total of 4 Eco-Sanitation toilets).

All of the above actions, including alternative, energy-efficient and eco-sanitation technology have been demonstrated in practical training and demonstration of advertising and awareness campaign among the target groups.

Task 2. Promotion of small-scale alternative, energy-efficient technologies and eco-sanitation target groups of Baldjuvan district and protected areas.

Action 2.1. Conducted orientation seminars, practical trainings, and demonstration of promotion-educational activities on alternative and energy-efficient technologies to the target groups.

During the action, there were two types of learning activities and a demonstration campaign:

- Seminar on energy-efficiency and eco-sanitation for representatives of NP "Sari Khosor", tourism professionals, forestry, local people and masters, representatives of the community committee, NA.

Practical trainings for local masters with the participation of local communities and stakeholders on the following topics and technologies:

 Home insulation

 Construction and use of energy-efficient stoves for cooking and energy-efficient stoves for heating

 Construction of yard shower, wash basin and a solar water heater for household purposes (laundry, washing dishes, bathing, etc.)

 Construction eco-sanitation toilets and training in the principles of its operation (production of organic fertilizer)

Demonstration of advertising and outreach campaign was conducted among the local population, tourism professionals, forestry, representatives of the NP “Sari Khosor”, representatives of community committees, NA and interested persons on small-scale alternative, energy-efficient technologies and eco-sanitation.

In order to promote the above-mentioned technologies specifically were recruited local craftsmen, who gained skills to introduce technologies. 3 masters were trained.

Task 3. Changing attitudes of target groups and the local community of Baldjuvan area to alternative, energy-efficient, as well as to eco-sanitation technologies and dissemination of information about them.

Action 3.1. Release of information-educational and methodological materials (IEM) for energy-efficiency and renewable sources of energy, eco-sanitation, technology of construction and exploitation of ecologically pure technologies.

4 types of IEM were published in Tajik language:

1. Guide on “methods and principles of home insulation in the highlands” contains all the necessary information on the methods and technologies of thermal insulation of houses ecologically pure, cheap, local materials.

Circulation of the manual - 250 copies.

2. Guide on “How to install and operate a solar water heater” contains all the necessary information on the rules of the use and care of the installation. Circulation - 250 copies.

3. Practical guide on "The construction and operation of energy-efficient furnaces" contains all the necessary information on the methods of construction of energy-efficient stoves for cooking and heating.

4. Practical guide on "The construction of eco-sanitation toilets and its proper use," contains information about the eco-sanitation, the methods and techniques of construction of eco-sanitation toilets and principles of its operation. Circulation – 250 copies.

These guidelines were prepared and written in simple language and target different social groups, including rural areas.

These guidelines will be distributed for free.

Action 3.2. Dissemination of information through the local media and the Internet.

To change the attitudes of the local communities in these technologies, information is regularly disseminated through local media, publications, online UNDP GEF-SGP site and the NGO “Tourism Development Center” (www.tourism.tj).

Was prepared a cartoon on the topic of energy-efficient technologies.