More information
Description
Lithuania has neither political will nor consistent public advocacy on mineral fertilizer use and soil protection policy. Excessive use of these fertilizers results in soil degradation, greenhouse gas emissions and increased nitrate concentrations in Lithuanian rivers.
In the agricultural sector, the most influential stakeholders in the decision-making process are institutions and agribusiness lobbying associations. CSOs defending public and environmental interests often operate on a voluntary basis. Therefore, their activities are rather fragmented, resulting in inconsistent representation of these public interests in the decision-making processes related to the environment.
The weak representation of public interests related to fertilizers, soil and other natural resources threatens farmers and the future of farming. Deterioration of the environment can affect food quality, which may further negatively affect consumers. Settlers, tourists, anglers would encounter other negative consequences such as polluted waters and changing climate.
The aim of the project is to put together interdisciplinary knowledge into a position paper on sustainable fertilization. The position would be presented to the decision-makers at national level, and further used for advocacy. The position will also be presented and communicated to farmers and other stakeholders in the region. Such position would strengthen the CSO''s advocacy work and make pressure on decision-makers in public governance processes related to mineral fertilizer use, offering more sustainable alternatives.
The project is aimed at strengthening the voice of environmental CSO and to represent environmental interests in decision-making processes related to fertilization and soil protection policies. This in turn should encourage environmentally and climate friendly decisions that further protect the environment for the future generations.
Summary of project results
The project aimed at strengthening the voice of environmental CSO in order to represent public environmental interests in decision-making processes related to fertilization and soil protection policies. The weak representation of public interests related to fertilizers, soil and other natural resources threatens farmers and the future of farming. The project promoter sought to put together interdisciplinary knowledge into a position paper on sustainable fertilization and advocate for environmentally and climate friendly public decisions on use of mineral fertilizers and soil protection.
The project consolidated experts working in this field and conducted 9 round-table discussions with them. They identified the major problems related to agricultural soil management, proposed solutions and presented them in a position paper and a website. The proposed solutions were endorsed by 8 other NGOs and farmers'' associations. The position paper laid the foundation for an advocacy campaign. Changes were proposed for strategic documents at the national level. A few of the proposals were accepted and were reflected in the national CAP strategic plan. The project promoter networked and made contacts with relevant politicians, decision makers, farmers'' associations. Its team participated in various working groups and policy consultations. This project laid a solid foundation for future advocacy of environmental NGO advocacy in agricultural policy.
Increased the cooperation of CSOs in shaping environmental policy (14 CSOs participated and 6 were closely involved).
Contributed to national policy measures and legal acts on environmental policy and clarified issues and solutions for all stakeholders through monitoring of actions of state institutions, participating in a working group on limits of use of mineral fertilizers and on balanced use of soil, developing joint positions of several NGOs on the issues and proposing environmental recommendations for a new Lithuanian strategic plan on economy and rural development (target groups - the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment).
Three NGOs participating in the project used media in their advocacy (Coalition on Environmental Protection, NGO „Circular Economy" and Lithuanian Soil Science Society).
One website was created with information about the project and the environmental issues.
The project''s advocacy involved several NGOs and touched upon multiple environmental issues, such as soil protection, water protection by limiting synthetic fertilizers, protection of biodiversity, the effects of various environmental measures for the economy of local communities.