Projectplan 2009: Difference between revisions

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(New page: ==1. About: the Biketour, CZZS, EYFA== ===The Biketour=== The Biketour is annual returning cycle trip through a region of Europe. Between 20 and 35 people travel in an environmental conci...)
 
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== footnotes ==
== footnotes ==
# Only in theory, trains in the region offer a possibility for transporting bikes, so Skopje might be difficult to reach with a bike as baggage. As most Biketour participants will probably pass Belgrade to get to the start of BT in Skopje, we want campaign for a bike-carriage from Belgrade. As ecotourism is developing in the region, the railways should facilitate people traveling around with bikes – otherwise people just as easily take their bikes on the airplane.
# Only in theory, trains in the region offer a possibility for transporting bikes, so Skopje might be difficult to reach with a bike as baggage. As most Biketour participants will probably pass Belgrade to get to the start of BT in Skopje, we want campaign for a bike-carriage from Belgrade. As ecotourism is developing in the region, the railways should facilitate people traveling around with bikes – otherwise people just as easily take their bikes on the airplane.
# See for example SEEDW: [http://bankwatch.org/documents/seedw_ener_gy_futures.pdf South-east Europe energy policies]
# See for example SEEDW: "[http://bankwatch.org/documents/seedw_ener_gy_futures.pdf South-east Europe energy policies]"
 
 
= Budget =
 
{| frame="VOID" rules="NONE" frame="VOID" rules="NONE"
|-
|  align="CENTER" valign="TOP" colspan="3" | '''Budget for 2009 Biketour'''
|-
| align="LEFT" | '''No.'''
| align="LEFT" | '''Budget category'''
| align="CENTER" | '''Description'''
| align="CENTER" | '''in Euros'''
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 1
| align="LEFT" valign="MIDDLE" | Travel costs
| align="LEFT" | initial strategy meeting for 2009 BT (4p return BiH&Serbia - Zagreb)
| align="RIGHT" | € 185
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 2
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Travel costs
| align="LEFT" | DSAs initial strategy meeting (€ 5/day*5p)
| align="RIGHT" | € 25
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 3
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Travel costs
| align="LEFT" | introduction meeting of 2 IC's with NC's and other participating groups in Serbia, Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro (by bus&train from BiH)
| align="RIGHT" | € 300
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 4
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Travel costs
| align="LEFT" | national travel expenses 2 IC's during activity preparation (within BiH)
| align="RIGHT" | € 100
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 5
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Travel costs
| align="LEFT" | travel expenses 2 IC's return BiH - start/end of tour
| align="RIGHT" | € 150
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 6
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Travel costs
| align="LEFT" | national travel expenses 5 NC's (€75/country*5p)
| align="RIGHT" | € 375
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 7
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Travel costs
| align="LEFT" | DSAs for 2 IC while travel for project related activities (€5/day*12days*2p)
| align="RIGHT" | € 120
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 8
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Travel costs
| align="LEFT" | DSAs for 5 NC's while travel for project related activities (€5/day*3days*5p)
| align="RIGHT" | € 60
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" |
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 9
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Logistics
| align="LEFT" | petrol for checking BT route (1700km)
| align="RIGHT" | € 170
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 10
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Logistics
| align="LEFT" | vehicle rent & petrol use for bike transport where cycling isn't possible during BT
| align="RIGHT" | € 300
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 11
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Logistics
| align="LEFT" | transport of trailers from Zagreb to starting point (Skopje) and storage (Belgrade)
| align="RIGHT" | € 50
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 12
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | info leaflets on biketour (5000) BW copy
| align="RIGHT" | € 250
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 13
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | BT promo stickers (500)
| align="RIGHT" | € 200
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 14
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | t-shirts, eko fairtrade (€8*80p + €15 sending costs)
| align="RIGHT" | € 655
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 15
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | design & printing of t-shirts
| align="RIGHT" | € 150
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 16
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | info booklet and map copies for biketour participants (100)
| align="RIGHT" | € 100
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 17
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | dvd copies of BT08 for organizers and hosts (30)
| align="RIGHT" | € 30
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 18
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | production BT09 dvd
| align="RIGHT" | € 150
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 19
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | website hosting and maintenance @ Ecobytes.net
| align="RIGHT" | € 96
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 20
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | simcards (6countries)
| align="RIGHT" | € 30
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 21
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | (Internet) call credit during preparation and tour
| align="RIGHT" | € 400
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 22
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | headset to Skype
| align="RIGHT" | € 20
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 23
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | internet use during tour (internet cafés)
| align="RIGHT" | € 25
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 24
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | netbook for communication on the road, reporting online, film screening
| align="RIGHT" | € 450
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 25
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Communication & Publicity
| align="LEFT" | micro led projector (portable beamer)
| align="RIGHT" | € 500
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" |
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 26
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Office
| align="LEFT" | compensation facility use of hosting organisation - 6 months (computers, internet, electricity, etc.)
| align="RIGHT" | € 150
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 27
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Office
| align="LEFT" | office supplies (stamps, pens)
| align="RIGHT" | € 35
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" |
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 28
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Participants - support in visa requirements
| align="LEFT" | estimated 30 required visa, € 30 per visa (BT transits 5 countries)
| align="RIGHT" | € 900
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 29
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Participants - food & accommodation
| align="LEFT" | food & accommodation during BT for all participants (€5/pp/day*20p*55days)
| align="RIGHT" | € 5.500
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" |
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 30
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | General equipment of BT
| align="LEFT" | medical aid
| align="RIGHT" | € 25
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 31
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | General equipment of BT
| align="LEFT" | cooking pots & tools
| align="RIGHT" | € 75
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 32
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | General equipment of BT
| align="LEFT" | bike repair tools
| align="RIGHT" | € 75
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" |
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 33
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Campaign equipment
| align="LEFT" | energy trailer (aluminium child- & cargo trailer)
| align="RIGHT" | € 500
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 34
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Campaign equipment
| align="LEFT" | energy trailer equipment (solar penal & dynamo, acu)
| align="RIGHT" | € 300
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 35
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Campaign equipment
| align="LEFT" | digital video camera for documentation campaigns & tour in general
| align="RIGHT" | € 500
|-
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 36
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | preparation costs: reimbursement 5 NC's + Belgrade action coordinator: 6x voluntary fee €20/day x 8days + €35/pp small expenses)
| align="RIGHT" | € 300
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 37
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | Licence fee for screening of films
| align="RIGHT" | € 100
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 38
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | SP-Belgrade : public transport action, plus film screening
| align="RIGHT" | € 200
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 39
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | MK-Skopje: public transport action, pro-bike rent & use
| align="RIGHT" | € 200
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 40
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | MK-Veles, outdoor film screening & debate
| align="RIGHT" | € 450
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 41
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | MK-Smokvica, public action on endangerment species by highway plans
| align="RIGHT" | € 150
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 42
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | MK-Bitola, public transport action & debate at opening of environmental centre
| align="RIGHT" | € 50
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 43
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | AL-Elbasani, public action on environmental & health issues smelter
| align="RIGHT" | € 200
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 44
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | AL-Durrës, 2 times outdoor film screening, plus public action on issues energy park
| align="RIGHT" | € 900
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 45
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | AL-Prëze, workshop permaculture
| align="RIGHT" | € 50
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 46
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | AL-Tirana, film screening & public transport action
| align="RIGHT" | € 200
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 47
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | AL-Kruja, public action on issues cement factories
| align="RIGHT" | € 200
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 48
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | AL-Shkoder, workshops on sustainable energy sources, public action NPP plans
| align="RIGHT" | € 200
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 49
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | ME-Rijeka Crnojevica or Moraca Canyon - public action on water management Shkader Lake
| align="RIGHT" | € 200
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 50
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | ME-Podgorica, public transport action
| align="RIGHT" | € 200
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 51
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | ME-Niksič, workshop or film screening with debate
| align="RIGHT" | € 100
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 52
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | ME-Žabljak or Plužine, workshops
| align="RIGHT" | € 50
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 53
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | BiH-Sarajevo, film screening and public action
| align="RIGHT" | € 200
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 54
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | BiH-Zenica, public action on environmental and health issues smelter
| align="RIGHT" | € 150
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 55
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | BiH-Banja Luka, film screening and debate
| align="RIGHT" | € 50
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 56
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | BiH-Omarska and Prijedor, public action smelter related companies
| align="RIGHT" | € 200
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 57
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | HR-Sisak, public action on environmental and health issues oil refinery
| align="RIGHT" | € 150
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 58
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | HR-Vukomerić, workshops on sustainable energy sources and permaculture
| align="RIGHT" | € 50
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 59
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | HR-Zagreb, not defined event
| align="RIGHT" | € 50
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 60
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | HR-Bjelovar, public transport action
| align="RIGHT" | € 100
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 61
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" | Events
| align="LEFT" | HR-Koprivnica, action on water management river
| align="RIGHT" | € 50
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" |
| align="LEFT" valign="TOP" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | 62
| align="LEFT" | Unforseen
| align="LEFT" | (2% of total budget)
| align="RIGHT" | € 350
|-
| align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="LEFT" |
| align="RIGHT" | '''total expenses'''
| align="LEFT" |
| align="RIGHT"  | '''€ 18.051'''
|-
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="LEFT" |
| colspan="3" align="CENTER" valign="MIDDLE" | '''Expected Income for 2009 Biketour'''
|-
| align="RIGHT" | 1
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" | participant's fee (€5/day*15p*55days)
| align="RIGHT" | € 4.125
|-
| align="RIGHT" | 2
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" | funding application
| align="RIGHT" | € 13.926
|-
| align="LEFT"  |
| align="RIGHT"  | '''total expected income'''
| align="LEFT"  |
| align="RIGHT" valign="MIDDLE" | '''€ 18.051'''
|-
| align="LEFT" |
|}
 
== Annex ==
{| frame="VOID" rules="NONE" frame="VOID" rules="NONE"
 
 
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" | BT: Biketour
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" | NC: National Coordinator
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" | IC: International Coordinator
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" | add 2, 7, 8
| align="LEFT" | DSA: daily subsistence allowance for the additional costs one has when on the road for project related activities
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" | add 28
| align="LEFT" | number of participants or nationalities are yet unknown, €30 is average price for a tourist visa. To create equal chances we like to contribute in the visa costs, especially to young people with fewer opportunities
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" | add 29 (and exp. income add 2)
| align="LEFT" | To create equal chances, participants from “the east” are required to pay €4/day and from “the west” €8/day, but to not exclude (esp. young) people with less opportunities we take into account that some of the participants will pay less then average. For this reason we've estimated an income of 15p/day.
| align="LEFT" |
|-
| align="LEFT" |
| align="LEFT" | add 37-61
| align="LEFT" | The events of the Biketour are in coordination by the NC's and usually per event one more local group involved. Most of the events are still in early preparation process, for which we can't yet guarantee them all to happen like estimated: some content may change (a bit), an event can even be canceled, yet others will be created (also during the tour). Yet we aim to have the number and types of activities as mentioned in the project plan, and we hope you agree if we will move some of the sums around within the expenses category of 'Events' without further notice
| align="LEFT" |
|}

Revision as of 12:18, 18 June 2009

1. About: the Biketour, CZZS, EYFA

The Biketour

The Biketour is annual returning cycle trip through a region of Europe. Between 20 and 35 people travel in an environmental concious manner, on their way promoting environmentally sound ways of living in a very straightforward and accessible way. During the summer of 2009 the 19th episode biketour will be held in the Western Balkans.

The Biketour project is initiated by EYFA from the Netherlands, who is the sending organisation of the international coordinators of each Biketour to an hosting environmental organisation in the region. This year the Biketour will be hosted by the Center for Environment (CfE) in Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Previously, the Biketour provided a sustainable way of travelling to (or from) the environmental “Ecotopia gathering” (hence the name “Ecotopia Biketour”). In 2006 the Biketour went from Lithuania to Slovakia (Ecotopia) and then on to Croatia. In 2007 from Spain to Portugal, where Ecotopia was held on the Atlantic coast. Last year the Biketour left from Sofia (Bulgaria) to end in Ecotopia at the Turkish Black Sea coast, near the site of a planned nuclear power plant.

Last year EYFA, also the organisation behind Ecotopia, decided that it will scale down its role in organising the Ecotopia gathering. This is why only in 2010 a group of individuals in Germany is preparing to organise the Ecotopia gathering on own behalf. This year the Biketour (without the “Ecotopia” prefix) has again become an aim in itself, independent from Ecotopia. However, the means and methods of the Biketour largely remain unchanged.

The international group of cyclists, crossing many borders, has always made a strong transnational statement wherever they turn up.

With the slogan “Feel the heat!” this year, the Biketour will cycle with a particular focus on climate change and energy.

CfE (CZZS)

Center for Environment (Centar za životnu sredinu, CfE) from Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina, is a non-governmental, not-for-profit and non-partisan organization of activists and professionals dedicated to protection and improvement of environment, advocating principles of sustainable development and larger public participation in decision-making on environment.

Regular activities consist of advocating, campaigning and public awareness activities which are mostly implemented through projects funded by international, national and local donors.

Currently, there are four people working in the office of CfE on different projects, and there are 12 active members who are also involved in realization of different activities on voluntary basis. CfE also hosts several EVS volunteers. CfE is aware of the advantages of working in the European context and having opportunity do develop youth as active citizens of European society.

EYFA

EYFA started in 1986 as a network of European youth environmental grassroots-groups striving for more sustainable environmental policy and a just society, while developing alternative ways of living and working for these ideals. EYFA works closely together with a number of projects in different countries and has contact with more than 350 youth organisations.

The network implements these objectives through developing alternative ways of living and working, which consists of campaigns and activities for better environmental and social practice. Some long-term projects have been established in the following fields: alternative media (The Green Pepper); sustainable transport (The Biketour); sustainable communities (Ecotopia); alternative currency systems (Ecorates); and consensus-based decision making.

Locally the groups are looking to approach the gaps left by the mainstream systems in joint, collaborative projects. The groups are gathered through intercultural exchange thus promoting tolerance and the synthesis of complementary cultural perspectives and inspirations. The network activities are coordinated and supported by EYFA's office, based in Amsterdam since 1986.

2. 2009 Biketour : “Feel the heat!”

Summary of 2009 biketour project

This summer the 19th Biketour will be held in the Western Balkans: From beginning of July until end of August, between 20 and 35 young people from - mostly - European countries will travel by bike from Belgrade (footnote 1) via Skopje to the Mnogo u Malom camp near Jagnjedovec (Croatia). On their way they will cycle through Albania, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Biketour halts on places where there are pending environmental issues, good or bad, and this year we will add extra focus on climate change and energy. At its stops, the Biketour will participate in local environmental campaigns, organise workshops and film screenings on environmental issues in close relation with local civil society organisations. During the journey, the Biketour participants will report through the web and through local media on the issues they encounter on their way.

Problem analysis

End of November 2009, the biggest climate summit ever will be held in Copenhagen. The EU is negotiating its energy and climate package for this summit. Observing the increasing scientific consensus on the acuteness of climate change, it becomes apparent that the current EU plan (-20% of CO2 emissions by 2020) will not be enough to ease the climate crisis.

Unfortunately, climate and energy policy in the Balkans is even worse. And although officially the European Union stimulates the Balkans (EU pre accession countries) to adopt the EU acquis communautaire on eg. environmental protection, public access to information and public procurement - in practice it often facilitates dirty energy generation by allowing governments in the region to use the SEE Energy Community(fotnote 2) for oil- and coal-based electricity generation projects, conflicting the acquis. There is an acute threat that South Eastern Europe could become a sink-hole for dirty energy production of the EU.

At the same time, the general public in South Eastern Europe still not has a sufficient level of environmental awareness, while the countries politically lack a solid, transparent energy policy on national and local level in which environment and health of people are respected. Find more specified information at the part on issues and events.

Aim and methods

Increase awareness, exchange experience, cooperate with local communities

Each year, the Biketour acts as a practical tool for active citizens and environmental NGOs to raise awareness on environmental issues. This year, the Biketour will also create a link between local climate change and energy issues and the international process before Copenhagen.

The Biketour will do this on one hand by raising general environmental awareness raising among citizens and local policy makers. On the other hand, the Biketour wants to bring the environmental issues of the Balkans to a more international audience, to add to the pressure on the delegations in Copenhagen to come up with a more ambitious climate agreement.

The Biketour - a group of young, politically interested people travelling by bike - will be catching a lot of attention on its way. Together with local NGOs we visit local communities where we address decision makers and citizens –about positive local development or concerning environmental issues at hand.

Experience from previous Biketours shows that the cooperation of the Biketour with local environmental NGOs creates considerable outreach on the topics dealt with.

At the same time, the participants of the Biketour learn first-hand about many environmental issues in the Western Balkans. Through the outreach of the Biketour itself and through the personal networks of the participants, this information will be spread to a larger, international audience.

In order to achieve all this we are going to engage in many activities, dealing with good and bad examples, and theoretical as well as practical issues touching on environment and on climate change and energy, for example:

  • Participate in local campaigns: We participate in local environmental campaigns – eg. attend a press conference, help out with cleaning a natural reserve, meet with local officials, hold a demonstration or a performance, help with the setting-up of environmental friendly alternatives, etc.
  • Media outreach: The organizers of the biketour as well as other involved groups will contact the press (Internet, TV, written press; magazines and newspapers) on the content and aim of the Biketour and the specific local climate issues that we address in such a way that local and international media pays attention to them.
  • Workshops: In order for the people of the Biketour to learn about the issues at stake, and to come to an exchange of ideas, we invite our local partners to organise workshops on the topics they encounter. Also, more experienced participants of the Biketour will give workshops on issues where they are familiar with.
  • Film reel: The Biketour will compile a film reel with a few films, to alert citizens on the urgency of action against climate change. This film reel we'll present in cooperation with our local partners, or, when we are on a site where we haven't planned a concrete activity, to interested local citizens.
  • Website: This year we want to extensively blog from the Biketour on our website, http://www.thebiketour.net. There will be a weblog on the topics encountered, the campaigns participated in, and on the general impressions about the region. Last year, the tool Twitter was already successfully used on the road, and this year we want to add regular youtube videos as well. The aim of extensive reporting on the website is to present the people we meet on the road with the broader aim of the Biketour – raising environmental awareness – and to inform people who didn't come on the issues encountered in the Balkans.
  • Video: Besides regular short video clips on our website, we want to compile a longer video (10-15 minutes) which gives a broader view on the climate and energy issues in the Balkans. This video we want to send as a reminder to the climate conference in Copenhagen in December, and we'll make it available to interested parties.
  • Sustainable energy trailer: A few participants of the Biketour are preparing to build a “sustainable energy bike trailer”. This will be a bike trailer, which demonstrates several small-scale techniques of sustainable energy generation – mostly solar. The trailer can both power equipment for the Biketour and on the way serve as a demonstrative example for providing renewable energy.

With the Biketour we want to build cross-cultural relations, empower local environmentalists and inform the public. Biketour participants are experienced environmental campaigners as well as newly interested people from different backgrounds. The Biketour is working with participatory methods and involves all of its participants in the preparatory process as well as during the tour itself, e.g. for workshops, best practices exchanges etc. The Biketour also puts effort into inviting local people to join, many of whom will have their first introduction to environmental awareness and active citizenship, and by keeping costs and participation fees low and give support in visa costs aims to let (young) people with less opportunities join the tour as well.

Target groups

The Biketour has a very diverse range of target groups:

  • Local audience: First and foremost, we want to get into contact with local people and engage them with sustainable living in general and the topic of climate change and energy in particular. The Biketour is a small scale, hands-on project, where people from different backgrounds meet and exchange their ideas and visions about local and global environmental problems.
  • Participants of Biketour: This also goes for the participants of the biketour themselves. By meeting people on the road they will gain more insight in the environmental issues of the region, which enables them to have more adequate ideas and opinions about the challenge of globally fighting climate change.
  • Local NGOs: Both in the preparatory phase and during the actual Biketour, there will be close cooperation with national and regional environmental organisations. The Biketour aims to function as a tool for these organisations to further their work to fight climate change en environmental degradation.
  • Local authorities: The cooperation of the local organisations and the group of international activists, which the Biketour is, can give quite a stir in a local debate, and trigger local authorities to take a fresh new look at contending local issues.
  • International audience: By reporting from our tour and spreading our message through various channels that can be accessed globally, we aim to raise awareness of an international audience on climate and energy issues. Also we want to motivate those already aware to become (more) active themselves.

Work plan

The Biketour is organised by a group of diverse young people. Participants from last yours’ Biketour roughly decided on this years’ route, topic and destination in a democratic process. This year For the first time since its start 18 years ago, the Biketour will not have Ecotopia as its final destination.

With help of Amsterdam based EYFA (European Youth for Action), which in the past also organised Ecotopia, the Biketour acquired funding for two Dutch volunteers that will do the international coordination for the Biketour. The volunteers are hosted at the Center for Environment (CfE) in Banja Luka, the region where Biketour will take place. The volunteers are financed through the European Voluntary Service Programme of the European Commission. Working together with local environmental and sustainable transport NGOs and with help of experienced former participants, the international coordinator(s) are currently preparing the upcoming Biketour.

CfE, which is working both on environmental and on bicycle-promotion issues, hosts the 2 international coordinators (IC) and act as the national coordinator (NC) for the Biketour in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The international coordinators seek contact with environmental- and cycling organisations along the planned route in Serbia, Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia. Ideally biketour has a national coordinator (NC) in each country, who coordinates the development of the project from that country, and helps finding the other local organisations with which events or route is organised.

Biketour and local collaborators

Biketour has national coordinators for Belgrade/Serbia (Milan Boric, NGO Yugocycling), Macedonia (Julijana Daskalov, NGO Ekosvest), Albania (Merita Mansaku, NGO Eden), Bosnia-Herzegovina (Miodrag Dakic, NGO Center for Environment) and Croatia (Ivan Gregov, NGO Zelena Akcija) and is in contact with many other groups from Montenegro and the other countries.

Together we will decide which local issues will be addressed by the Biketour, and how to fit this into the detailed bike itinerary. For an overview of environmental or civil society groups with which Biketour so far agreed to collaborate, see appendix 1, of which we have left out the several contacts we had with groups and individuals that 'just' shared their experiences, advise and contacts with us, like the regional offices of Milieukontakt.

Selection of issues and events

As the organisation of most events is still in early process, and scale and content is often relying on (to be) submitted finances, we cannot guarantee them all to happen like estimated: some content may change (a bit), an event can be canceled, just likely others will be created (also during the tour). Yet we aim to have the number and types of activities as mentioned in this project plan, and we hope you agree if we will move some of the sums around within the earmarked expenses category of 'Events' without further notice.

issue of transport

While EU countries are striving to move towards more sustainable modes of transport such as railways, urban public transport, cycling and walking, the countries in South Eastern Europe are blindly following the outdated western model of car-dependent transportation. All (big) cities in the region are affected with heavy road transport, causing air and noise pollution and congestion. Most cities are missing on sufficient, safe and connected cycling paths.

Several NGOs are actively campaigning on national and local level for sustainable transport strategies and methods. Biketour, being a perfect example of clean transport on even long distances, will support their campaigns via various events.

  • Belgrade (SP): 6th of July 2009 - Critical Mass, Transport-of-Bikes lobby railway company - i.a.w. Jugo Cycling Kampanja, Young Researchers of Serbia and Serbian Green Youth
    Together with other cyclists (many will be invited) we will hold a bike demonstration at the Republic Square and a Critical Mass through the center of Belgrade to stress that the new cycling schemes in New Belgrade still need some improvement, and to generally promote bike use as form of transport in the city. Secondly Jugo Cycling will lobby for realization of transport of the bikes of Biketour-partcipants by train to Skopje, as a sign of good will to make eco tourism in the region reality.
  • Skopje (MK): 7th of July - Promotion of the new public bike-rent system
    Macedonia square, i.a.w. Ekosvest
    NGO Ekosvest has realized a public Rent-a-Bike system in Skopje, equal to those recently started in cities like Paris, Barcelona and Toulouse. The system will be promoted during our action, together with attention raising on the general transport issues.
  • Smokvica (MK): 9th of July - Action on the environmental threats by the planned Demir Kapija- Smokvica highway - i.a.w. Ekosvest (SEEDW)
    With a public awareness action in the city we will inform people on the threats by the planned highway, which will cross near the protected Demir Kapija gorge, at put the existence of many rare species, especially several rare vulture birds at stake.
  • Podgorica (ME) - 31st of July - Bike action and parade on air pollution and sustainable transport - i.a.w. Green Home
    Green Home has a campaign to reduce air pollution in the city. With an visual attractive action they like to promote bike use to the people in Podgorica, and inform them about the effects of nun-sustainable traffic.
  • Bjelovar (HR) - 26th of August - Critical Mass in the center, i.a.w. Priroda i Drustvo
    Priroda i Drustvo actively campaigns to restrict access of cars in the historical city center of Bjelovar. With a Critical Mass we will once more raise the issue.

issue of energy

Balkan countries have the highest energy intensities in Europe, i.e. much more energy is used for the production of a unit of work than in any European country. Though most being EU pre accession countries, very little investment and priority are given to increasing efficiency: by improving industrial environmental performance (changing industrial processes), invest in renewables and in small scale energy projects which would bring greater benefit to local communities and small scale businesses, by decreasing energy consumption by the public. Balkan countries have high potential for developing energy production from renewable energy sources: sun, water, wind, biomass, and geothermal energy. However, these potentials are not studied and exploited enough. Instead priorities of The Energy Community of South Eastern Europe (ECSEE) - a process driven by Balkan governments and International Financial Institutions (IFIs) - are going to dirty and "cheap" energy and a transit operations for oil and gas from the countries east of the EU rather then to sustainable solutions (Read more...).

  • Bitola (MK) - 21th of July - bike ride on sustainability, opening of IEC Volvox - i.a.w. Biosfera
    Biosfera has build an Information and Education Centre for sustainable development “Volvox”, where solar and energy park models are build, as part of their non formal education activities on sustainability and the reduction of the process of Climate Change. To present the new center to the public, a biketour will be held through the city, ending at Volvox, where decision makers at local level, business sector and all interested citizens of Bitola that want to contribute to sustainable energy usage are invited.
  • Durrës (AL) - 15th &16th of July - film screenings on Vlora and public action - i.a.w. Eden
    After many protest of citizens, ngo's and local politicians against the (international subsidized) national plans of the Industrial and Energy Park in Vlora, part of it is industry, like the Coal Power Plant, is now planned for Porto Romano in Durrës. A film about Vlora will inform both citizens and tourists about the risks, and there will be a public action where results of a citizens opinion pole will be presented to the public.
  • Shkoder (AL) and/or Ulcinj (ME) - demonstration against NPP - i.a.w. citizens groups of Shkoder and Zeleni Korak from Ulcinj (ME) - to be confirmed
    The first officially announced and later denied plans on a cumbent nuclear power plant at Shkoder (AL), on the border between Albania and Montenegro, have caused many fears and critics from citizens and specialists. Some citizens in Shkoder started to build up a protest movement by means of facebook which resulted in a very quick organised successful protest in Shkoder. Zeleni Korak also campaigns against the plans from Montenegran side. The action will consist of a protest in case the plans still stand, and otherwise will have a more informative character on energy types and clean solutions like renewables.
  • Sisak (HR) - 21st of July - public action - i.a.w. Sisacka eko akcija
    The oil refinery of Croatians biggest oil company INA in Sisak causes serious health problems for the population of Sisak, such as an increase of cancer diseases. Despite the fact that measures of air-quality shows that air pollution is often above the legal limit, INA has failed to improve the situation. With a joined protest we will urge INA to stop such practises.
  • Vukomeric (HR) - 24th of August - workshops and presentation on sustainable agriculture and energy - i.a.w. ZMAG
    Presentation about permaculture and sustainable sources of energy, showing how this is working in practice on the recycle farm of the ZMAG eco-community.

issue of heavy polluting industry

Starting with this project we thought to campaign for reduction of industry emissions for it's severe share in the global Climate Change. But the (air) pollution of heavy industries, partly due to old production units or methods and little investment in cleaner techniques, is causing such serious health problems among citizens in different cities on our route that the CO2 emissions these industries produce became of a second matter.

  • Veles (MK) - 8th of July - Films screening of Veles Kaputt, public debate - i.a.w. Green Power
    The iron smelter of Veles had been closed since 2003, but it's recently bought up, the new buyers name or aims are not yet revealed to the public. Air, underground water and soil in and around Veles are still heavily polluted from the former activities, causing high rates of serious health problems like cancers and abnormalities around birth and child development. The Green Coalition of which Green Power is part of, fights for the health of Veles citizens and wants a public debate on the new risks coming, by inviting public, experts and policy makers for watching Veles Kaputt and have a debate.
  • Elbasani (AL) -17th of July - action still to be considered - i.a.w. local environmental groups
    The situation and health problems around the chrome and iron smelter in Elbasani is very similar to the one in Veles. Though closed for now, Turkish company Kurm might re-open.
  • Kruja (AL) - 19th of July - public actions at the centre of Kruja and cement factories - i.a.w. Eden
    Fushë Cement Factory is 4 years in operation and heats it's oven by the old fashioned and very polluting method of burning car tires. Antea Cement Factory is planned for operation in 2010.
  • Zenica, Omarska and Prijedor (BiH) - resp. 12th, 18th and 19th of August - public action on the pollution and health risks by Arcellor Mittal's steel mill and coal mine - i.a.w. Eko Forum, Eko Omarksa and Centre for Environment (CfE)
    When it fully restarted integrated steel production in 2008 (production was affected for a long period due to the war), ArcelorMittal made itself unpopular with affective communities of the area around it's steel smelter in Zenica and it's supplying iron ore mines in Omarska. Although the EBRD already in 2005 gave the smelter a €25million loan to realize energy efficiency and environmental improvement, the by law obliged Environmental Action Plan today is still not implemented and emissions are often high above legal limits for both BiH and EU. Near Omarska Arcelor Mittal illegally started the preparation of it's new mine, impairing both surrounding nature and settlements, while the whole city is affected by pollution of ore dust - high number of respitory, cancer and urinary diseases are rated. Both civilian action groups want to put a hold on these practises, for which we'll have joined demonstration in both cities, and a picket line in front of Arcelor Mittals office in Prijedor.

other events

Events in Tirana and Nikšić, Zagreb still have to be defined by the groups we will work with, just as the second event in Sarajevo, next to the film screening. In Tirana it's likely going to be about transport and bicycle use, although we also might show a film on Climate Change and/or Transport issues. In Nikšić we likely will have workshops on renewables, but perhaps it will be a cleaning action of waste in the area. Although we are in contact with two groups on water-management issues around Shkader Lake, it is still not clear with which of them Biketour finally will hold an event: either with Green Home on the dams project in Moraca Canyon or with an international voluntary camp of FORUM-MNE on the sewer system near the campside which goes straight into the protected lake.

Other events are:

  • Prezë (AL) - 22th of July - workshops on permaculture and sustainability - i.a.w the Permaculture Association of Prezë and communities involved in Green Agenda
  • Banja Luka (BiH) - film screening on Climate Change with public debate - CfE
  • Sarajevo (BiH) - film screening on Climate Change, plus event to be considered - i.a.w. Oneworld SEE, Re:Element and others
  • Koprivnica (HR) - public action to protect the natural course of river Drava - i.a.w. organisers of the Mnogo u Malom festival and eco-club and Kneja

Besides these events for which we'd need funds to realize them in the way we'd like to have them, the Biketour looks actively for other “spontaneous” opportunities to have workshops, debates and related film screenings on the way, for which we bring our own equipment.

Evaluation

There are several evaluation processes taking place during and after Biketour.

On the organisational level the people mainly involved in the organising will for the first time evaluate the outcome of their effort at the start of the actual tour.

During the tour itself there are several moments of evaluation, in which route and plans can be customized to some extend. As the Biketour from its start is a self-organised process, all participants become part of the organisation, take part in creation and decision process. This is also a tool to increase the sustainability of the results. Furthermore the results of events will be measured by keeping a track on the numbers of visitors and participants of each event. Expenditures will be administrated.

At the end of the tour a final evaluation with all participants as well as among the initial organising team is being conducted. In addition there will be evaluating meetings with local organisers and partner groups, for which a questionnaire will be developed. The results of the final evaluation will be documented for future Biketour organisers, as it is essential for us to reflect if and how we have achieved our aims and what to change in future Biketours. Funders involved in the project will also receive a final evaluation report, according to their demands, which will include a final financial report.

footnotes

  1. Only in theory, trains in the region offer a possibility for transporting bikes, so Skopje might be difficult to reach with a bike as baggage. As most Biketour participants will probably pass Belgrade to get to the start of BT in Skopje, we want campaign for a bike-carriage from Belgrade. As ecotourism is developing in the region, the railways should facilitate people traveling around with bikes – otherwise people just as easily take their bikes on the airplane.
  2. See for example SEEDW: "South-east Europe energy policies"


Budget

Budget for 2009 Biketour
No. Budget category Description in Euros
1 Travel costs initial strategy meeting for 2009 BT (4p return BiH&Serbia - Zagreb) € 185
2 Travel costs DSAs initial strategy meeting (€ 5/day*5p) € 25
3 Travel costs introduction meeting of 2 IC's with NC's and other participating groups in Serbia, Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro (by bus&train from BiH) € 300
4 Travel costs national travel expenses 2 IC's during activity preparation (within BiH) € 100
5 Travel costs travel expenses 2 IC's return BiH - start/end of tour € 150
6 Travel costs national travel expenses 5 NC's (€75/country*5p) € 375
7 Travel costs DSAs for 2 IC while travel for project related activities (€5/day*12days*2p) € 120
8 Travel costs DSAs for 5 NC's while travel for project related activities (€5/day*3days*5p) € 60
9 Logistics petrol for checking BT route (1700km) € 170
10 Logistics vehicle rent & petrol use for bike transport where cycling isn't possible during BT € 300
11 Logistics transport of trailers from Zagreb to starting point (Skopje) and storage (Belgrade) € 50
12 Communication & Publicity info leaflets on biketour (5000) BW copy € 250
13 Communication & Publicity BT promo stickers (500) € 200
14 Communication & Publicity t-shirts, eko fairtrade (€8*80p + €15 sending costs) € 655
15 Communication & Publicity design & printing of t-shirts € 150
16 Communication & Publicity info booklet and map copies for biketour participants (100) € 100
17 Communication & Publicity dvd copies of BT08 for organizers and hosts (30) € 30
18 Communication & Publicity production BT09 dvd € 150
19 Communication & Publicity website hosting and maintenance @ Ecobytes.net € 96
20 Communication & Publicity simcards (6countries) € 30
21 Communication & Publicity (Internet) call credit during preparation and tour € 400
22 Communication & Publicity headset to Skype € 20
23 Communication & Publicity internet use during tour (internet cafés) € 25
24 Communication & Publicity netbook for communication on the road, reporting online, film screening € 450
25 Communication & Publicity micro led projector (portable beamer) € 500
26 Office compensation facility use of hosting organisation - 6 months (computers, internet, electricity, etc.) € 150
27 Office office supplies (stamps, pens) € 35
28 Participants - support in visa requirements estimated 30 required visa, € 30 per visa (BT transits 5 countries) € 900
29 Participants - food & accommodation food & accommodation during BT for all participants (€5/pp/day*20p*55days) € 5.500
30 General equipment of BT medical aid € 25
31 General equipment of BT cooking pots & tools € 75
32 General equipment of BT bike repair tools € 75
33 Campaign equipment energy trailer (aluminium child- & cargo trailer) € 500
34 Campaign equipment energy trailer equipment (solar penal & dynamo, acu) € 300
35 Campaign equipment digital video camera for documentation campaigns & tour in general € 500
36 Events preparation costs: reimbursement 5 NC's + Belgrade action coordinator: 6x voluntary fee €20/day x 8days + €35/pp small expenses) € 300
37 Events Licence fee for screening of films € 100
38 Events SP-Belgrade : public transport action, plus film screening € 200
39 Events MK-Skopje: public transport action, pro-bike rent & use € 200
40 Events MK-Veles, outdoor film screening & debate € 450
41 Events MK-Smokvica, public action on endangerment species by highway plans € 150
42 Events MK-Bitola, public transport action & debate at opening of environmental centre € 50
43 Events AL-Elbasani, public action on environmental & health issues smelter € 200
44 Events AL-Durrës, 2 times outdoor film screening, plus public action on issues energy park € 900
45 Events AL-Prëze, workshop permaculture € 50
46 Events AL-Tirana, film screening & public transport action € 200
47 Events AL-Kruja, public action on issues cement factories € 200
48 Events AL-Shkoder, workshops on sustainable energy sources, public action NPP plans € 200
49 Events ME-Rijeka Crnojevica or Moraca Canyon - public action on water management Shkader Lake € 200
50 Events ME-Podgorica, public transport action € 200
51 Events ME-Niksič, workshop or film screening with debate € 100
52 Events ME-Žabljak or Plužine, workshops € 50
53 Events BiH-Sarajevo, film screening and public action € 200
54 Events BiH-Zenica, public action on environmental and health issues smelter € 150
55 Events BiH-Banja Luka, film screening and debate € 50
56 Events BiH-Omarska and Prijedor, public action smelter related companies € 200
57 Events HR-Sisak, public action on environmental and health issues oil refinery € 150
58 Events HR-Vukomerić, workshops on sustainable energy sources and permaculture € 50
59 Events HR-Zagreb, not defined event € 50
60 Events HR-Bjelovar, public transport action € 100
61 Events HR-Koprivnica, action on water management river € 50
62 Unforseen (2% of total budget) € 350
total expenses € 18.051
Expected Income for 2009 Biketour
1 participant's fee (€5/day*15p*55days) € 4.125
2 funding application € 13.926
total expected income € 18.051

Annex

BT: Biketour
NC: National Coordinator
IC: International Coordinator
add 2, 7, 8 DSA: daily subsistence allowance for the additional costs one has when on the road for project related activities
add 28 number of participants or nationalities are yet unknown, €30 is average price for a tourist visa. To create equal chances we like to contribute in the visa costs, especially to young people with fewer opportunities
add 29 (and exp. income add 2) To create equal chances, participants from “the east” are required to pay €4/day and from “the west” €8/day, but to not exclude (esp. young) people with less opportunities we take into account that some of the participants will pay less then average. For this reason we've estimated an income of 15p/day.
add 37-61 The events of the Biketour are in coordination by the NC's and usually per event one more local group involved. Most of the events are still in early preparation process, for which we can't yet guarantee them all to happen like estimated: some content may change (a bit), an event can even be canceled, yet others will be created (also during the tour). Yet we aim to have the number and types of activities as mentioned in the project plan, and we hope you agree if we will move some of the sums around within the expenses category of 'Events' without further notice