August 12, 2004 - Within the framework of the FOR-ZA, Swiss-Ukrainian Forest Development Project in Zakarpattia, ULRMC conducted a seminar "Implementation of GIS Component - Activity 1.2". The goal of this seminar was to introduce project participants to the objectives, methodology and implementation plan for GIS component, as well as to discuss, clarify and coordinate the inception report.

The project originates from the Swiss-Ukrainian collaboration in natural disaster relief and reconstruction after the devastating floods that occurred in the years 1998 and 2001 and was jointly prepared in 2002/03. The project works with a long-term perspective of 7 to 9 years. The first phase started in October 2003 and will last until the end of 2005. Under the overall goal of implementing sustainable, multi-functional forest management in Transcarpathia with particular emphasis on environmental management, natural disaster prevention and improving livelihoods of local people.

Within the framework of this project ULRMC will do the assessment on the state of the existing technical equipment and software, forestry-related information, planning technology, and the usage of GIS technology at the National and Local Levels in the Forestry Sector, assist in formulating technical requirements on software and GIS equipment, as well as will provide consultations and proposals concerning necessary technical characteristics for the appropriate equipment and software. In addition, ULRMC will support the partner organizations in signing appropriate contracts with identified organizations for equipment and software procurement, provide consultation support to the two target groups of users: Ukrderzhlisproekt (Irpin) and representatives of pilot state forestry enterprises and conduct trainings on GIS technologies.