This year, among the categories of initiative grants and grants from the regional branches of the RGS Grant Competition, a new category has appeared - “Preservation of the Natural, Historical and Cultural Heritage of Russia, including as a part of UNESCO Programs”. Applications for work related to existing and potential UNESCO sites and programs in Russia are accepted in the nomination. Thus, the applications considered will be the ones for implementing educational projects to raise public awareness of the importance of the geological heritage of Russia, and the creation of geoparks in our country as part of the UNESCO International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme, as well as projects for the Decade of Ocean Science, and others.
polina_polezhankina-584574.jpg
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is an intergovernmental specialized agency of the United Nations with headquarters in Paris, established in 1945. At present, it includes 193 full members from among the UN member states and 11 associate members. UNESCO has contractual relationships with leading intergovernmental organizations and collaborates with major international non-governmental organizations. UNESCO deals with education matters and the eradication of illiteracy, the study of national cultures and the training of national personnel, the problems of social sciences and the biosphere. The Russian Geographical Society largely shares the values and ideas of UNESCO. Environmental activities, as well as activities for the preservation of historical and cultural heritage are one of the main charter tasks of the Society.
polina_polezhankina-584613.jpg
Among UNESCO's programs is International Geoscience and Geoparks Programme, which is of particular interest to the RGS. In world practice, the term "geopark" refers to a territory with a geological heritage of international or regional significance, where, with respect to local traditions, the strategies for the integrated management of geological and cultural heritage for innovative, integrated and sustainable development of the territory are implemented. To date, 127 geoparks with international status have been created and are successfully operating in 37 countries of the world. They are a kind of cultural, scientific and educational centers in the field of earth sciences. In Russia, at the legislative level, there is one UNESCO geopark: the Yangan-Tau geopark in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Other territories are considered, that may be included in the program in the future.
polina_polezhankina-yangan-tau-hohlataya_chernet_i_obyknovennyy_gogol584625.jpg
We would like to remind you, that any person or organization can apply for a grant. Applications are accepted only through a unified electronic system on the website grant.rgo.ru. It can be used by the registered users.
Applications for grants from the regional branches of the Russian Geographical Society for 2020 are accepted from September 16 to October 23, 2019. Applications for initiative grants for 2020 are accepted from September 16 to November 1, 2019.
The results of the grant competition will be published on the website of the Russian Geographical Society in May 2020. Follow the news on the website of the RGS!