1. Creating a working group from the regional/oblast government, the regional Ministry of Agriculture, regional public organizations, the academia, and private sector, and participation of stakeholders in the application preparation and processing.

2. Selecting a responsible person and project coordinator from the region.

3. Approving the working version of the topic meeting GIAHS criteria:

• Food security;
• Agrobiodiversity;
• Local and traditional knowledge systems;
• Cultural identity, value systems and social organizations;
• Landscape features, its sustainability and adaptability.

4. Filling application forms in Russian (for this step please check Guidelines for making a GIAHS Proposal document):

• Summary information table (p.I);
• Summary of the application for the designation as GIAHS site (p.II);
• Significance of the proposed system (p.III);
• GIAHS selection criteria (p.VI);
• Action plan for the system’s dynamic conservation (p.V).

5. Sending the application to the FAO Liaison Office with the Russian Federation for an informal review.

6. Translating the application into English (document volume is from 70 to 150 pages^*).

7. Preparing two video presentations/short films (3 minute and 10 minute duration) in English (or with subtitles) about the system described.

The estimated time for writing the application and preparing video presentations is 7 to 11 months^*.

8. Formal submission of the application to FAO headquarters, Secretariat, through the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

9. An FAO expert group (SAG – Scientific advisory group) arriving to the region to learn more about the potential GIAHS site on the ground (the expenses for the group’s travel and stay in the region are covered by the FAO budget).

10. The final decision on the GIAHS system and the Certificate award ceremony for the region (Rome, Italy).

The period for consideration of applications by FAO international experts and addressing concerns is 6 to 12 months^*.

^{* Approximately (based on the approved applications)}