A Capacity Development Programme for MCPA Training and Implementing Center is being developed

As the main outcome of the Project, it is expected to develop capacities and internal structures of EPASA required for prioritizing the establishment of new Marine and Coastal Protected Areas (MCPAs), and for more effectively managing existing MCPAs. In this respect, a meeting was held with both national and international participation to prepare a capacity building programme for the MCPA Training and Implementation Center to be established in Akyaka (Mu?la) on January 27-28, 2011 in Ankara.

Overall, 32 representatives participated in the meeting, representing the EPASA central and local units,  MoEF General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks and Mu?la University as well as UNDP Turkey, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) International Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Capacity Development Programme and WWF Mediterranean Programme and Turkey Offices.

Representatives from NOAA and WWF Mediterranean Programme Office shared their knowledge and experience on MPA capacity building programmes then followed by the discussions on how to apply the similar world-scale capacity building programmes in Turkish MCPAs.

EPASA, UNDP Turkey, NOAA and WWF MedPO were agreed to collaborate in developing MPA management tools under MedPAN South Project and in feasibility study under MedPAN South Project both in national and international level within the context of capacity development strategy in the Mediterranean level.

A draft Capacity Building Programme structure for the MCPA Training and Implementation Center was developed during the meeting. Moreover, the each component of the capacity building programme was discussed further in detail and structured based on the participants’ suggestions.