Agriculture in North Africa: Sociocultural aspects

The article examines the concept of use of natural in Environmental Law. It has been shown that both in law and in legal science, the concept is unreasonably used in the following meanings: sustainable use of natural resources, the use of natural resources that does not make their exploitation difficult, the use of natural resources that does not entail violation of the legislation, etc Two common legal criteria for the rational use of all natural resources have been identified: (1) achieving maximum efficiency of their use at the current level of the technique and technology development (2) with such a level of negative impact that the environment can handle itself On the basis of the named criteria, the rational use of any natural resources suggests understanding of the use of natural resources characterized by maximum efficiency in terms of the balance of private and public interests in environmental law in compliance with the current level of technological development and the extent of the negative impact that the environment is able to cope with itself because of its assimilating capacity The article defines legal differences between rational use of natural resources and their sustainable use. Also, it formulates additional legal criteria that separate the rational use of renewable and non-renewable natural resources An additional legal criterion for the rational use of renewable natural resources includes enhancement of sustainability of natural ecological systems, natural and natural-anthropogenic objects. Additional legal criteria for the rational use of non-renewable natural resources include: their most efficient use and/or extraction; their economical consumption with minimum losses at the current level of technology development It is suggested that the rational use of renewable natural resources means the use that results in strengthening natural ecological systems sustainability, natural and natural-anthropogenic objects. Rational use of non-renewable natural resources means their most efficient use and/or extraction, their economical consumption with minimum losses at the current level of technological development and such extent of the negative impact that the environment is able to overcome independently

The sustainable use of non-renewable natural resources is essential for ensuring economic development and preserving the environment for future generations. Non-renewable resources, such as metallic, non-metallic, and energy minerals, are the foundation of modern industry and the economy. However, their limited availability and the environmental impacts of their exploitation raise signifi cant concerns about sustainability. This paper explores approaches and strategies that can be applied to ensure the effi cient and responsible use of these resources. The integration of environmental standards into urban development planning and industrial production highlights the importance of minimizing negative environmental impacts. The concepts of the green agenda in planning, sustainable resource management, and technological innovation are analyzed as key factors for achieving sustainability. The paper also emphasizes the role of education and community awareness in promoting sustainable practices through a multidisciplinary approach that balances economic, social, and environmental aspects, thereby contributing to long-term sustainability. By implementing eff ective zoning, environmental impact assessments, resource management, and land rehabilitation, mineral resources can be utilized without compromising long-term ecological balance and social stability. Additionally, integrating legislative frameworks and policies into future planning can help protect the interests of local communities while supporting economic development based on the responsible use of natural resources.

It is on a daily basis that modern humankind encounters a challenge to provide basic resources for living. Population growth leads to the emerging need to use natural resources (fresh water, oil, natural gas, coal, arable soil, etc.). The supplies and use of these resources are a persistent problem. As the process of urbanization intensifies, the awareness of the limitations of specific commercially overused resources rises. These processes are tightly connected with environment impairment and sustainable development. New technologies do increase productivity but the ratio of labor force and job positions decreases, raising an issue of future working population. Population and human resources have a multidimensional impact on economic growth of each country, which also includes continuous use of natural resources. A balanced population distribution is one of the crucial factors of functional sustainability of space, natural resource use, and social prosperity. It is in late 2020 that our planet marks the population of slightly less than eight billion and the figures will grow up to 10 billion in 2050. Changes in the structure and number of population affect many aspects of our lives. It is of an utmost pertinence to understand modern demographic processes in order to meet many challenges regarding natural resource use as these challenges are directly connected with fresh water shortage, hunger and underfeeding, climate change, diseases, economic growth, energetics shortage, clashes and wars. Even though natural resources play an important role, it is the human resources that matter the most. The specificity and exceptionality of human resources make them more relevant than other resources and they are extremely pertinent for the economic growth of any given area. Investing in human resources is more effective than investing in any other resource because of the ability of self-renewal and growth. In addition, human resources may employ all their mental, physical, and other available potentials. Hence, special attention should be paid to demographic processes and other changes taking place in regard to population. The fast scientific-technological revolution transformed the relation between demographic processes and natural resources, i.e. natural resource management. Centralization and the introduction of the so-called agribusiness market approach based on new economic models resulted in massive increase of productivity and efficiency in natural resource use, which successfully met the needs of the growing population but also led to wealth accumulation. Nevertheless, the same process caused the vast decrease and degradation of arable soil and forests, over-usage of natural resources, and irreversible destruction of habitats. Humankind gradually entered into a vicious circle of demographic growth, urbanization, increased food demands and requests for natural resources on one side and the increasing degradation of these resources on the other side. Unsustainability of natural resource management based solely on agribusiness market principles (supranational or global framework, accumulation of private property or corporate wealth) is becoming more evident. The Republic of Srpska is currently employed in the final phase of demographic transition, which is conditioned by poor economic growth and tertiarization, inadequate use of natural resources, and favorable transportation-geographical position, which has already initiated biological disturbances. Given the population density and distribution, the Republic of Srpska is an extremely homogeneous area with pronounced regional and interregional disparities. One such unbalanced spatial population distribution has negative effects on natural resource use and the total socio-economic growth. Most areas are affected by depopulation. The situation is most alarming in undersized and mountain settlements and areas along the entity borderline. The negative demographic conditions are further complicated by the negative migration balance so a large-scale depopulation becomes an emerging problem. Negative demographic features resulting from the current socio-economic situation, historical factors, and geopolitical issues from the 1990s are typical of the Republic of Srpska. All these determinants clearly indicate the unbalanced concentration and the decrease in the number of population. Early 21st century is demographically challenging for the Republic of Srpska as the number of population decreases and birth rates are negative. We may infer that demographic resources of the Republic of Srpska are humble and insufficient in regard to potential use of main natural resources (arable soil, forests, hydropotential, and mineral ore). The renewal of demographic resources depends on the constantly decreasing birth rates and, unfortunately, increasing mortality rates. If we add negative tendencies of intensive population aging and emigration, we may infer that the future use of natural resources shall be a great challenge to the economic growth of the Republic of Srpska. Hence, a question remains how to most optimally use natural and demographic resources in order to achieve a more balanced socio-economic growth in the Republic of Srpska.

Legal support for an environmentally balanced system of natural resource management in terms of European integration of Ukraine

There is a limited number of studies describing the situation and importance of current or potential usage of the local and indigenous traditional environmental knowledge in the region of Northern Nicaragua. To fill this gap, the author supported by a local team conducted the participative research in this rather neglected Central American region, concretely in the northern area of the aspiring Rio Coco Geopark. The purpose of this research was to identify the local and indigenous knowledge regarding the present and traditional use of natural resources including land use and to analyse the contribution and potential of the usage of this knowledge for the local development sustainability. The practical long-term impact of this research is expected mainly in the form of enhancement of the local geotourism sustainability. The research process itself was of the same importance as its results, especially the involvement of the local and indigenous people. In this participative research, young local and indigenous people obtained training and served as co-investigators who later interviewed representatives of the local households. The other field methods included life history of elders, discussions in the focal groups involving common people from local communities as well as the mapping and photo-documentation of the identified local and indigenous traditional environmental knowledge. The participative character of the research process not only facilitated the data collection and validation but also supported the revival of the community memory and revitalization of its cultural and natural identity. The research findings point out that the more distant and more dispersed are the local settlements the better conserved local and indigenous knowledge regarding the traditional land use and other use of natural resources is. Among the best-conserved local and indigenous traditional environmental knowledge in the northern area of the aspiring Rio Coco Geopark was the usage of the earth material and plants. The local indigenous people are not expressing and transmitting the spiritual dimension of their traditional environmental knowledge (sacred times or sites, rites, rituals or taboos regarding the traditional land use and other use of natural resources) anymore because they were experiencing a continuous repression realized by the dominant (colonial) society in the past. They are not accustomed to appreciating the aesthetic values of the landscape as do visitors, but they are open to share their authentic life with them. The majority of the identified traditional land use and the use of the other natural resources as well as related traditional environmental knowledge in the researched northern region of the aspiring Rio Coco Geopark seems to be more sustainable than the present land use practices and the use of natural resources generally for agriculture, medicine, constructions etc. The local communities should dedicate much more attention and efforts to conserve, transmit and use this local and indigenous traditional environmental knowledge to enhance the sustainability of their development as well as geotourism emerging in this part of the aspiring geopark.

Food security and sustainable use of natural resources: a 2020 Vision

The purpose of the paper is to develop factor model of renewable natural resources management, specifying the assessment of the amount of resource, including the natural factor, consumption level and intensity of reproduction.Methodology.The survey is based on highlighting factors influencing the reproductive capacity of natural environment.It allows, on the base of taking into consideration reproductive abilities of resources and intensity of consumption, to substantiate three models for their use, including: heavy exploitation of renewable natural resources as the most commonly used model at the current level of development of society; model of reproductive use of natural resources, stipulating for the interference from the side of authorities and management, and the model of simple reproduction of renewable natural resources, at which the resource itself and the amount of its reproduction for the next period remain constant.Practical implications.The need is substantiated in implementation of the new model for determination of the processes of managing balanced use of natural resources, which will stipulate processes of reproduction in the sphere of natural management, form new approaches to environmental protection and promote the optimal ratio between the consumption and reproduction of natural resources.At this, the processes of natural reproduction are influenced by the amount of resource itself, intensity of its reproduction and level of consumption.The main objective of the managing bodies in the sphere of the use of renewable natural resources should be securing optimal ratio between consumption and reproduction of such natural resources.The efficiency of the implementation process and reproduction of natural resources presupposes providing their simple and extended reproduction, economic effectiveness and sustainability in allocation and use of such resources.This will have positive effect on ecological and economic security of the country as a whole and enhance implementation of basic provisions of the concept of balanced and sustainable nature management.Value/originality.Solving the problem of renewable natural resources preservation requires decreasing the level of consumption of natural resources to the level lower than their recovering capabilities are.Determination of the processes for securing reproductive capabilities of natural resources, their sustainable use and preservation substantiate the importance of the use of managerial approaches aiming to form favorable environment for their preservation and accumulation, and such way of using natural goods, that will provide for increase in consumption levels due to both advance growth of goods and their reproductive capabilities.The more the deviation between reproduction and consumption is, the more effective accumulation and reproduction processes will be, as well as consumption process in future.

Purpose is to determine directions for improving the implementation of control and supervisory administrative procedures in the field of use and protection of natural resources. Methods – analysis, synthesis, comparative law, sociological. Results. It is established that setting effective limits on the use of natural resources should be one of the effective administrative and legal means of public administration; in case of their excess to economic entities, administrative and economic sanctions are applied, in particular, such as termination of activity of the enterprise. It is emphasized that the limitation of the use of natural resources is carried out with the aim of forming special environmental funds, as well as in order to stimulate the introduction of new technologies by economic entities that contribute to the reduction of pollution of natural resources (atmospheric air, water resources, soils). Based on the conducted research, the feasibility of optimization in Ukraine of the use of the limitation mechanism in the field of natural resources is substantiated, accompanied by a number of administrative problems, the solution of which is an absolute guarantee of improving the efficiency of human rights protection for a safe environment. Searching for ways to optimize public administration was done by developing and conducting a poll. In order to determine public opinion on the effectiveness of public management in the use of natural resources, as well as to develop optimal ways of optimizing this activity, we conducted a sociological survey (sample size is 321 persons). The poll was attended by citizens of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia and Kharkiv regions of Ukraine, that is, regions where a threatening ecological situation has developed and where the most environmentally-friendly enterprises are located. The subject of the study is defined as finding out the attitude of the population to the problem of efficiency of public management in the sphere of the use of natural resources and finding ways of its optimization. Conclusions. The results of the sociological survey confirmed the hypothesis that the majority of respondents determine the low efficiency of public participation in management decisions in the field of natural resources; in fact, its effectiveness, according to the population, is minimal. This is a confirmation of the existing existing practice of neglect on the part of public authorities and local self-government by the opinion of the population in adopting normative legal acts and actual leveling of the public opinion in the adoption of acts of public management of individual action. It is substantiated that one of the ways to increase the efficiency of the use of such administrative and legal means of public administration, as limiting pollution of natural resources, is to establish impossibility of prolonging the permit for pollution in case of non-implementation of measures for introduction of the latest technologies aimed at reducing the negative impact on the environment. In addition, it is advisable to introduce additional financing measures for economic entities in the case of the introduction of new treatment plants that reduce the negative impact on natural resources.

Purpose is to determine directions for improving the implementation of control and supervisory administrative procedures in the field of use and protection of natural resources. Methods – analysis, synthesis, comparative law, sociological. Results. It is established that setting effective limits on the use of natural resources should be one of the effective administrative and legal means of public administration; in case of their excess to economic entities, administrative and economic sanctions are applied, in particular, such as termination of activity of the enterprise. It is emphasized that the limitation of the use of natural resources is carried out with the aim of forming special environmental funds, as well as in order to stimulate the introduction of new technologies by economic entities that contribute to the reduction of pollution of natural resources (atmospheric air, water resources, soils). Based on the conducted research, the feasibility of optimization in Ukraine of the use of the limitation mechanism in the field of natural resources is substantiated, accompanied by a number of administrative problems, the solution of which is an absolute guarantee of improving the efficiency of human rights protection for a safe environment. Searching for ways to optimize public administration was done by developing and conducting a poll. In order to determine public opinion on the effectiveness of public management in the use of natural resources, as well as to develop optimal ways of optimizing this activity, we conducted a sociological survey (sample size is 321 persons). The poll was attended by citizens of Dnipropetrovsk, Zaporizhia and Kharkiv regions of Ukraine, that is, regions where a threatening ecological situation has developed and where the most environmentally-friendly enterprises are located. The subject of the study is defined as finding out the attitude of the population to the problem of efficiency of public management in the sphere of the use of natural resources and finding ways of its optimization. Conclusions. The results of the sociological survey confirmed the hypothesis that the majority of respondents determine the low efficiency of public participation in management decisions in the field of natural resources; in fact, its effectiveness, according to the population, is minimal. This is a confirmation of the existing existing practice of neglect on the part of public authorities and local self-government by the opinion of the population in adopting normative legal acts and actual leveling of the public opinion in the adoption of acts of public management of individual action. It is substantiated that one of the ways to increase the efficiency of the use of such administrative and legal means of public administration, as limiting pollution of natural resources, is to establish impossibility of prolonging the permit for pollution in case of non-implementation of measures for introduction of the latest technologies aimed at reducing the negative impact on the environment. In addition, it is advisable to introduce additional financing measures for economic entities in the case of the introduction of new treatment plants that reduce the negative impact on natural resources.

Topicality. Current high socioeconomic (public) request for recreational and tourist services and the inadequate use of available natural resources in Ukraine as recreational make it necessary to find directions for diversification of their rational use for expanding recreational and tourist activities and related species.Aim and tasks. Purpose of the article is to determine the conceptual approaches to the diversification processes development in the use of natural resources around the territory of Kuyalnitsky estuary, that are aimed at revealing its potential and expansion of business activities of enterprises and districts in general.Research results. According to the analysis of financial and economic indicators of administrative units (Bilyaivskyi, Ivanivsky and Limansky districts), adjacent to the Kuyalnitsky estuary, and the aim, the authors conclude that the traditional use of natural resources in agriculture and industry does not provide the proper level of socio-economic development of the districts and they are not financially self-sufficient. Consequently, the economic activity in the Kuyalnitsky estuary basin is focused on agriculture and industrial production, but this territory diversification of the natural resource potential use in the direction of recreational and tourist activity as an alternative to existing types of production is required. The processes of diversification will consist in the production of environmentally friendly products and services to meet the needs of recreational activities, as recreational activity will contribute to increasing demand for them. To start diversification of economic activities types, which will provide synergistic effect and increase economic indicators of the development of areas around the Kuyalnitsky estuary is proposed. Among the areas of natural resources diversification of the estuary, it is proposed to consider the development of a network of sanatorium and resort establishments, enterprises of cosmetic products creation, as well as beauty salons with the use of the resource potential of the Kuyalnitsky estuary (brine, mud, salt, blue clay, phyto-preparations).Conclusions. The districts located around the Kuyalnitsky estuary have rich recreational natural resources, but do not use them fully in economic activity. In fact, there is only one sanatorium that uses mud and peloids of the estuary. The budgets of these districts do not cover their expenditures and receive subsidies from the regional budget, and the lack of proper implementation of the environmental legislation has led to the almost critical environmental situation of the Kuyalnitsky estuary. In order to improve the current situation, the authors propose to direct economic activities diversification processes of economic entities for the tourism development, in particular, rural, green, ecological, cognitive with the provision of medical services on the basis of unique mud of the estuary, taking into account ecosystem and polyfunctional approaches that will ensure the use , preservation and protection of a unique natural object.

Natural resources, e.g., metals, industrial minerals, water, and soil, are the essential basis for our economy and well-being. We have to know where these raw materials come from and how they are mined. Sustainable development requires the maintenance, rational use and enhancement of natural resources, as well as a balanced consideration of ecology, economy and social justice. Four general rules concerning the implementation of sustainable development for renewable and non-renewable resources are discussed. Examples of the consumption of selected materials from historical times to the present day are presented, as well as of regional distribution, usage (in contrast to consumption), lifetimes of resources, the supply-and-demand cycle, recycling and substitution in modern times. To fulfill the requirement of sustainable development, the efficiency with which resources are utilized has to be improved. The learning process, often driven by financial rewards, leads from one technology to a better one, thus increasing the efficiency of the use of a resource or commodity. Examples of learning curves are discussed. Industrial countries have to transfer their advanced technologies to developing countries in order to avoid undesirable development in the mining industry and use of natural resources in those regions. The use of the best available technology by the mining industry, taking into account economic considerations, and the necessity to establish environmental guidelines are essential if environmental impact of the production of non-renewable resources is to be minimized. Far more critical than the production of non-renewable resources under the aspect of sustainable development and the capacity of the pollutant sinks of the Earth is the element of natural attenuation with regard to the resources soil and water.

The problems of efficient use of natural resources capacity in conditions of administrative and territorial reform show themselves the most at local level. That is why it is important to eliminate contradictions that emerge between population and economic entities on one side and territorial natural sector on the other side at the level of consolidated territorial communities (CTCs). Natural resources are the component of complex territorial natural systems. A certain combination of various types of natural resources or modifications of one type of resources within the integral system forms the territorial combination of natural resources. Therefore, the analysis of the use of natural resources capacity of communities is of utmost importance for forming of the CTCs’ development policy. The paper aims to analyze the natural resources capacity of CTCs, detect and substantiate the process of forming, use and maintenance of natural resources capacity of CTCs and to form the directions and measures to increase it. Methodology of research. The set tasks are accomplished by means of calculations groups of sub-indices: budget efficiency of the use of natural resources capacity; density of natural resources; provision with resources; rent payments. Findings. The use of natural resources capacity to fill the CTC’s budget is analyzed; density of natural resources at the territory of a CTC is determined; provision of a CTC’s population with natural resources is calculated; main aspects of rent payment as the main revenue to local budget are examined; reserves of increasing of natural resources capacity of communities are detected. Practical value. The paper proves that participation of residents in control over the use and protection of natural resources on their territory and complex assessment of natural resources based on cadaster data as information-analytical ground for making managerial decisions by CTC’s authorities on nature management are of the utmost importance for the development of communities. Keywords: administrative-territorial reform, budget, authorities’ decentralization, consolidated territorial communities, natural resources capacity, rent. REFERENCES 1. Shkuratova, І. І. (2011). Upravlinnya pryrodnoresursnym potentsialom v ekonomichniy systemi rehionu [Management of natural resources capacity in economic system of a region]. Visnyk Akademiyi mytnoyi sluzhby Ukrayiny. Seriya Derzhavne upravlinnya – Bulletin of the Academy of Customs Service of Ukraine. Series Public management, 1, 92–97 [in Ukrainian]. 2. Dmitriyevskiy, Yu. D. (1968). 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Irrigated agriculture plays a vital role for the socio-economic development of the Mediterranean area, although it has significant impacts on both water and energy resources. Therefore, in a context in which water resources are also experiencing increasing pressures, there is an urgent need for supporting their sustainable management. This may be an extremely challenging task, especially at the local scale, due to the several interconnected dynamics affecting the state of a complex irrigation system. In fact, multiple actors are involved in decision-making processes, and the use of natural resources (and their mutual interactions) strongly depends on their behaviors, which affect the system as a whole. In this context, the present study proposes an integrated methodology, based on the Water Energy Food Nexus (WEFN), specifically focused on the sustainable management of water resources for irrigation. Firstly, a model based on Causal Loop Diagrams (CLD) is developed in order to get a deep insight into the key dynamics behind a complex irrigation system. Secondly, three indices based on the “footprint” concept are identified, in order to synthesize such dynamics. The integration of these two approaches support investigating the whole system and, particularly, understanding the influence of multiple decisional actors on it, as well as the role of a set of key drivers and constraints. This might also allow drawing some relevant conclusions, useful for supporting effective decisions oriented to a sustainable water resources management. Specific reference is made to a case study, the Capitanata irrigation system, located in the Southern Italy.

One of the most important socio-economic problems in rural areas is inequality in income distribution and poverty, which is also the cause of conflicts in direct resourceuse. There is no doubt that struggling with poverty is not an effort to increase incomes alone. The fight against poverty, of course, including protection of natural resources as well as the use of natural resources, requires planning with integrated and longrange applications. In other words, especially if natural resource management does not include sustainable implementations of basin-based integrated plans, resources are entering the process of extinction. Fighting poverty and raising rural prosperity in the rural area, of course, it is necessary to use natural and cultural resources. On the other hand, it is the most basic problem that resource management needs to solve the use of natural resources should be kept at a level that does not jeopardize the existence of resources and the natural resource management should be based on an approach which emphasizes protection. If natural resources are to be used to provide job and income opportunities in an area, the sustainability of these jobs and revenues will, of course, be limited to the power of resources protection. The most important dilemma in today's resource management plans is the conflict between use and protection of natural resources. Conflicts; It may be due to the excessive use of natural resource by the people living in a region and some times by the opposition of the local people against the investments for development, that is their motivation of resource conservation. Two goals have been identified in working with these assessments. These are; To identify of natural resource management problems and to create strategies and solutions to solve these problems in Fırtına Watershed. Data used in the study were obtained from field studies carried out since the long run in the Fırtına watershed; face to face interviews with local residents, public and private sectore presentatives; information obtained from the applied surveys and studies conducted by different researchers related to the Fırtına Basin. According to this study: Despite the significant investments being made, the planning and strategies of natural resources management to support the rural development is not well enough; The necessity for the innovative research works to provide multiple use of forest and pasture resources in Fırtına valley is inadequate and should be initiated immediately; Kaçkar Mountains National Park, which has a great potential for tourism and which is located in the Fırtına basin, does not have sufficient number and quality stuff to protect it sresources; The consequences of developing inadequate or inadequate capacities of institutions in administrative activities in the Fırtına basin have emerged, and the strategies and evaluations for resolving these problems have been put forward.

UNESCO has been required by its Member States to assist in implementing the recommendations of the World Conference on Science, held in Budapest in June 1999. In particular, UNESCO should identify national strategies for biodiversity protection in biosphere reserves and similarly managed areas, with special emphasis on coastal areas, small islands and mangroves, South-South technology transfer and intensive training for the management of renewable natural resources in selected case studies throughout specific developing countries. With generous support from the Government of Japan, UNESCO is now implementing the ASPACO project from January 2001 to December 2003, in close collaboration with MAB-Japan, ISME and the UNU. The project emphasises the role of biosphere reserves as catalysts for both conservation and development. The complementary roles of UNESCO, ISME and UNU in scientific issues of nature preservation and sustainable use of natural resources are eminent for action in (1) integrated management and sustainable development of coastal areas, including economic zones, and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage via "ethical tourism"; (2) mangrove forest environmental protection, (3) sustainable use and conservation of renewable natural resources under national jurisdiction; and (4) strengthening international, including regional, co-operation and co-ordination. This project will pay particular attention to those countries having or planning biosphere reserves and to those countries whose governments have strong relations with the MAB of UNESCO. Training, capacity building and increase of local capabilities for research and management of sustainable use of renewable natural resources are key elements of the project. In particular, through the involvement of ISME, the project will promote exchange of information, research results and scientists with respect to preservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It will help to disseminate knowledge of comparative research through publications and/or network databases. Within the framework of action for poverty eradication, the project will try to identify how to improve living conditions for the inhabitants of concerned areas as a basic requirement for human security, with special attention to food and fodder production and the rational use of biodiversity for the benefit of local populations. Capacity building for the development of biosphere reserves will be through North-South exchanges; exchange of experience by training of biosphere reserve managers will be through South-South exchanges. This includes strengthening of existing capacities and increase of local capacity for carrying out management, natural resources assessment, research and training, with special emphasis on the education of young women. Project activities will be located in selected countries of the Pacific region, including small islands of the Pacific and the West Coast of Latin America.