IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK Getting Started

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 2 Getting Started 1)Initiate LEAP process and define project goals 2)Seek sponsors and funds 3)Identify stakeholders 4)Initiate preliminary public involvement activities 5)Form stakeholder group and working committees 6) Create community vision 7)Hire or appoint LEAP coordinator “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." Confucius

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 3 Collaboration Is Key to a LEAP LEAPs provide a framework for bringing a broad cross-section of the community to work together. Collaboration: Means getting people involved in creating their own solutions Requires exploring mutual interests rather than taking positions Requires common goals, openness, time, trust and strong communication

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 4 1.Initiate LEAP Process and Define Project Goals Anyone can initiate a LEAP — local governments, NGOs or any committed group of individuals! Local government support and leadership are critical to success. Pull together an “organising” or “initiating” group of individuals in the community who can start the LEAP and help form stakeholder group. An organising group helps define the scope and goals of LEAP.

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 5 In Defining Scope of the LEAP, Consider: Are environmental problems in the community clearly understood? Are there already clear environmental priorities? To what degree will your LEAP address issues beyond environmental concerns, e.g. economic development? How will the LEAP tie in with other planning processes under way, e.g. the municipal land-use plan? What should the geographic focus of your efforts be, e.g. neighbourhood, city, watershed? How informed are community residents about local environmental problems? Is there already such a plan in place? If so, does it need to be updated?

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 6 2. Seek Sponsors and Funds Funds are required for: Start-up costs: associated with publicising the LEAP and establishing the stakeholder group. Operational costs: associated with the LEAP itself, including: maintaining an office, conducting studies and research and paying a coordinator. In raising funds: Seek funds from a diversity of sources Seek "in-kind" contributions, donations and grants

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 7 3. Identify Stakeholders Stakeholders in a LEAP are those people, organisations, businesses and public agencies that have a direct interest in environmental protection. Potential stakeholders include: Local government: mayor's office/municipal council Environmental non-governmental organisations Regional government institutions, e.g. regional environmental and health inspectorates Large industries and businesses Public and private utility companies Academic institutions, e.g. universities Environmental professionals, e.g. ecologists, doctors Media Teachers and students Community residents

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 8 4. Initiate Preliminary Public Involvement Activities Successful public outreach efforts require educating citizens and seeking their ideas, concerns and opinions. Early public outreach is critical to: Consider the following activities to raise public awareness: Educate community members about the LEAP Solicit ideas on LEAP’s scope and design Stimulate community’s interest in participating in the stakeholder group Hold a community forum. Work with the media. Survey community residents. Prepare publicity materials. Hold a community celebration.

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 9 Case Study: Formation of Citizen Committee in Kavadarci, FYR Macedonia LEAP was initiated in 1998 — 120 community members participated in public forum. Citizen committee (i.e. stakeholder group) made major decisions and technical committee gave expert support. Citizen committee was composed of 27 individuals from the community representing: Municipal council Regional inspectorates Journalists NGOs Major companies Educational institutions

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 10 5.Form Stakeholder Group and Working Committees It is critical that the city council gives a planning mandate to stakeholder group to undertake a LEAP! Stakeholder group serves in advisory capacity and makes recommendations to the local government. Stakeholder group draws its effectiveness and influence from the diversity of views it represents. Organisers and/or municipality invite potential stakeholders to participate on stakeholder group through open and fair selection process. Methods to encourage stakeholders to participate: Send personal letters. Hold one-on-one discussions. Conduct small focus group meetings with certain groups of stakeholders. Sponsor a community forum.

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 11 Memorandum of Agreement Stakeholder group members sign a memorandum of agreement that serves as a basis for cooperative work in many communities. Memorandum of agreement can include: Timeframe for completing each LEAP phase Methods for group decision making/conflict resolution Resources to be provided by each member of the stakeholder group How recommendations of the action plan will be integrated into activities of implementers LEAP goals Specific activities that are to be jointly undertaken Respective responsibilities of stakeholder group members Responsibilities of chairperson(s) and other positions within the stakeholder group Types of information to be shared and standards for sharing information

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 12 Working Committees Working committees can be involved in: Implementing public outreach activities Preparing information and recommendations for stakeholder group review Conducting research Preparing technical analyses

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 13 Proposed Organisational Structure of Local Environmental Action Programme Source: Adapted from Local Agenda 21 Planning Guide, International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives, Toronto, Canada Helps form the stakeholder group and provides a formal planning mandate Provides data and information Reviews actions and proposals Integrates stakeholder planning decisions with formal planning processes Appoints liaison / representative to serve on stakeholder group Support & information Recom- mendations & plans Guidance & management Research & analysis Includes work of LEAP coordinator Provides and oversees policy and management for the planning process Establishes and oversees working committees Develops the community vision Consults with public and establishes priorities Negotiates consensus positions and action recommendations Review and finalises environmental action plan Appointed by stakeholder group Conducts research and analyses problems and opportunities Proposes actions Prepares draft action plans Helps conduct public outreach Develops indicators Municipality Stakeholder group Working committees

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 14 Build Group Process Skills of Stakeholder Group Building collaboration among stakeholder group members takes practice and often requires training. Stakeholder group members can benefit by participating in workshops focused on: Brainstorming Negotiation Effective meetings Facilitation skills Decision-making methods Team building and leadership development Effective communication and conflict resolution

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK Create a Community Vision “A vision without a plan is just a dream. A plan without a vision is just drudgery. But a vision with a plan can change the world.” Author unknown A community vision is a shared concept or picture of what residents want the community to be like in 10 or 20 years. A community vision provides a common framework and an agreed upon direction for your work. The community vision asks residents: “If you are walking down the streets of your city 20 years from now, what do you see? What does your community look like? What does it feel like?”

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 16 Community visions encompass a broad range of issues affecting a community’s well-being, including: Community vision offers: A consistent framework for developing and implementing environmental goals and actions A starting point for addressing the broader issues of how to achieve a sustainable community An excellent opportunity to involve the community in the LEAP process The natural environment Land-use and population growth Civic participation, leadership and diversity Community infrastructure Economic vitality Education, social services and recreational opportunities Cultural heritage

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK 17 Case study: Barlinek, Poland’s Community Vision for Natural/Cultural Environment and Economy Natural and cultural environment Harmonious landscape High quality environment Preserved cultural heritage Replenished green areas in parks Green strips along transportation routes Health/recreational paths, educational and recreational bicycle routes Organised water supply and wastewater treatment Economy Economically developed municipality Developed tourism and recreation Minimal unemployment Developed services sector Use of renewable energy sources Community without air pollution Environment without waste Preserved natural resources

GETTING STARTED IMPLEMENTING LEAPS IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE: TRAINERS’ HANDBOOK Hire or Appoint a LEAP Coordinator Project coordinator(s) can play a critical role in completing the numerous logistical tasks associated with a LEAP. Coordinator’s responsibilities can include: Helping to prepare drafts of the problem descriptions, environmental action plan and other key documents Organising stakeholder group meetings Arranging meetings with government agencies and other information sources Facilitating data collection and other necessary research Performing logistical tasks associated with public education and involvement activities