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About the Programme
Background, structure, and operating model of the Customised Support Programme for Internationally Designated Areas (CSP-IDA).
Background and Purpose
The Customised Support Programme for Internationally Designated Areas (CSP-IDA) is implemented by GCIDA, with the support of UNESCO, to help strengthen the management, conservation, and sustainable use of Internationally Designated Areas (IDAs), including Multi-Internationally Designated Areas (MIDAs).
Internationally Designated Areas (IDAs), such as biosphere reserves, natural World Heritage properties, UNESCO Global Geoparks, and Ramsar Sites, contribute to biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, community participation, climate action, education, research, and international cooperation. However, least developed countries, those with limited human, financial, professional, or institutional capacities, may face practical challenges in developing management plans, conducting periodic reporting, review and evaluation, strengthening governance, and engaging stakeholders. Countries or institutions without existing IDAs may also require external support when preparing applications for new IDA designation, due to limited experience with the designation process or insufficient technical capacity.
In response to these needs, the CSP-IDA provides a demand-driven and customised support model that reflects the specific conditions, priorities, and capacities of participating institutions and sites. Rather than offering only one-way training or general information, the programme is structured around three complementary projects: the Online Support Project, the Field-based Support Project, and the Post-mentoring Project.
The programme aims to support active engagement, practical feedback, and knowledge-sharing opportunities, helping participating institutions and practitioners diagnose their own challenges, identify feasible solutions, and apply expert advice in their work. In the longer term, GCIDA will build a knowledge base of shareable cases, lessons learned, and resources to support peer learning among IDA managers and related institutions.
Programme Structure
The Customised Support Programme for Internationally Designated Areas (CSP-IDA) is structured around three complementary projects: the Online Support Project, the Field-based Support Project, and the Post-mentoring Project.
The Online Support Project provides remote expert consultation for institutions and organisations seeking practical guidance on IDA and MIDA management, designation, reporting, review and evaluation, or related capacity-development issues.
The Field-based Support Project provides a more intensive form of tailored support centred on expert site visits and capacity-building workshops for participating institutions and practitioners. Unlike the Online Support Project and the Post-mentoring Project, which are delivered remotely, this project combines on-site expert consultation with practical capacity-building activities for IDAs, including MIDAs, as well as institutions preparing for designation. It aims to address site-specific ecological and management challenges and strengthen relevant institutional and professional capacities.
The Post-mentoring Project provides follow-up online mentoring linked to GCIDA's capacity-building workshops and training programmes. Coordinated by the Operational Team in collaboration with resource persons and other relevant experts, the project may be offered in connection with GCIDA capacity-building activities where follow-up support would be beneficial. Through online meetings, discussions, written feedback, and other suitable formats, it helps participants apply the knowledge and experience gained through these activities to their own work, sites, or institutions.
Note
The 2027 cycle of the Programme will be operated as a pilot and will not be open for general application. From 2028, the Programme is expected to be open to eligible institutions through a general application process.
Implementation Structure
The Customised Support Programme for Internationally Designated Areas (CSP-IDA) is operated through a coordinated structure consisting of the Operational Team, the Coordination Committee, and the Expert Group. Their involvement may differ depending on the nature of each project.
Operational Team
Within GCIDA, responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of the programme, including communications with applicants, participants, experts, and the Coordination Committee.
Coordination Committee
Provides overall guidance and supports key decisions related to the Online Support Project, including selecting applications to be supported and identifying suitable experts from the Expert Group to be invited for selected cases.
Expert Group
Composed of specialists with relevant expertise and practical experience in IDA-related fields. Experts may provide technical advice, written consultation, document review, online discussions, and practical recommendations according to the needs of each request. Where needed, experts may also be invited to participate in mentoring activities.
Join the Expert Group
The Expert Group supports the Customised Support Programme for Internationally Designated Areas (CSP-IDA) by providing specialised advice and technical input according to the needs of each project.
Experts may provide technical advice, written consultation, document review, mentoring, online discussions, practical recommendations, or other appropriate forms of support. Experts may be invited based on the subject of the request, relevant IDA (or MIDA) expertise, regional experience, language skills, availability, and the absence of conflicts of interest. Where appropriate, they may also participate in mentoring activities.
Experts who wish to participate in the Programme may submit their relevant information through the Registration Form for Participation. Eligible experts will be registered in the Expert Group Roster and may be contacted when a suitable consultation or mentoring opportunity arises.