Team CASPI
Team CASPI
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"The Best way to predict future is to create it" Abraham Lincoln
Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Traditional Ecological Knowledge
The series of field studies we are promoting to develop the TeamCASPI strategy is not just about “consulting” with indigenous peoples, it is about engaging them equally from planning to evaluation of results.
Mechanisms for Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Mechanisms for Integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge
Collaborative research and monitoring
Ethnographic research.
Combining scientific data (e.g., satellite monitoring and hydrological models) with local observations of sea level changes, fish migration, etc.
Participation in resource management.
Joint working groups involving elders, fishermen, and pastoralists to develop fisheries plans and protect critical ecosystems.
Local Protected Areas: Recognizing traditional restricted fishing areas or seasonal bans based on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK).
Adaptation strategies.
Ecosystem restoration: Use traditional methods, such as planting reeds to protect banks from erosion.
Early warning systems: Incorporating folk omens of storms or droughts into climate warning systems.
Specific communities and knowledge holders
Specific communities and knowledge holders
Kazakhstan and Russia (Atyrau Oblast and Astrakhan Oblast).
Kazakh fishermen (Balykshi): Their knowledge of seasonal sturgeon migrations and changes in water salinity is integrated into fish stock management models.
Nogai and Kalmyk people: Their traditional grazing practices, adapted to droughts, are used in projects to combat desertification.
Dagestan (Russia) and Azerbaijan:
Tabasarans and Lezgins: Their rainwater harvesting and slope terracing techniques are being studied for erosion control.
Caspian Azerbaijani communities: They have experience adapting to Caspian Sea level fluctuations over the last 100 years.
Turkmenistan and Iran:
Turkmen fishermen (Khazar region): Knowledge of Garmsil winds and their impact on schools of fish.
Iranian Gilians: Traditional rice checks as a method of controlling soil salinity.
Initiatives under feasibility study
Initiatives under feasibility study
TEK Digital Archive: Creation of a database containing audio and video interviews with knowledge holders (with support from UNESCO).
Caspian Wisdom Schools: Educational programs in which elders teach traditional methods to young people.
Governance Framework
Governance Framework
Steering Committee
Steering Committee
Provides strategic direction, approves major decisions, and ensures alignment with UNESCO Ocean Decade, SDGs, and regional frameworks (e.g., Caspian Environmental Programme). Composed of representatives from Caspian littoral states (Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Iran), international organizations (e.g., UNESCO, UNEP, World Bank), academia, NGOs, and the private sector.
Meets biannually.
Regional Advisory Boards
Regional Advisory Boards
Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkmenistan, Iran.
Offers technical and policy advice, ensures stakeholder engagement, and facilitates regional cooperation. Includes scientists, policymakers, community leaders, indigenous groups, youth, and women’s organizations.
Meets quarterly.
Operational Structure
Operational Structure
Executive Team
Executive Team
Oversees implementation, manages resources, and ensures coordination. Includes a Hub Director, Deputy Director, and Program Managers leading initiatives like early-warning systems, nature-based solutions, and ocean literacy.
Working Groups
Working Groups
Focus on research, innovation, policy, and community engagement. Groups include:
Research & Innovation: Conducts interdisciplinary research and manages pilot projects.
Policy & Governance: Integrates research into policies and supports regional agreements.
Community Engagement: Builds capacity, fosters ocean literacy, and ensures local participation.
Monitoring & Evaluation: Tracks progress and ensures accountability.
Regional Coordinators
Regional Coordinators
Act as focal points in each Caspian state, facilitating stakeholder engagement, monitoring activities, and supporting capacity-building.
Collaboration Mechanisms
Collaboration Mechanisms
Digital platform
Digital platform
Facilitates communication, data sharing, and knowledge exchange with open-access databases and collaboration tools.
Annual Forum
Annual Forum
Brings together stakeholders to share progress and plan future activities.
Task Forces
Task Forces
Address specific challenges (e.g., carbon removal, early-warning systems, nature-based solutions, ocean literacy).
Financial and Administrative Support
Financial and Administrative Support
Finance Team
Finance Team
Facilitates Manages budgets, allocates resources, and ensures compliance with funding requirements.
Administrative Team
Administrative Team
Provides logistical support, organizes events, and ensures legal compliance., data sharing, and knowledge exchange with open-access databases and collaboration tools.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
MEL Team
MEL Team
Develops and implements the MEL framework, collects and analyzes data, and prepares reports.
KPI's
KPI's
Tracks metrics like CO2e removal, early-warning systems implemented, community engagement, data shared, and policies influenced.
Yernar Sailybayev, Aselle Tasmagambetova, Adylkhan Tovasarov (Dec 2024, CAIER, Almaty)
Join us
Join us
We are looking for bright people charged with the idea and power of solving the triple planetary crisis. Any age, gender or group.
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