1 Greening Regional Development Programmes ‘Learning from each other!’ Integrating the environment in Structural Funds 8 th December 2004 Barry Guckian Programme Executive BWM Regional Assembly

2 Introduction Background to the Assembly National Development Plan Environmental Integration Mid Term Review Process

3 Background Objective 1 Status -Increased prosperity -Per capita GDP > 75% of EU average -Ireland no longer qualified as a single region

4 Objective 1 Areas

5 Role of Regional Assemblies  Manage the Regional Operational Programmes under the NDP  Monitor the general impact of all E.U. Programmes under the N.D.P. / C.S.F. in their regions  Promote the co-ordination of the provision of Public Services in the Region  Evolving role in creating a regional identity  Highlighting issues of concern for the region  Ensuring that national policies take the regional dimension into account

6 NDP Implementation. NDP

7 Integrating the Environment BMW OP The carrying out of a pilot eco-audit of The Operational Programme Operational Programme and Programme Complement sets out what impact (if any) the measure or sub-measure will have on the environment The NDP provides that environmental considerations must be incorporated into the project selection procedures of implementing bodies

8 Where appropriate and feasible, specific indicators to assess impact on the environment have been developed at measure level The Monitoring Committee includes representatives from the appropriate bodies responsible for the environment Environmental Co-ordinating Committee has been established to promote and co-ordinate the principle Integrating the Environment BMW OP

9 Environmental considerations feature as requirements in all evaluations undertaken under the Operational Programme Each Implementing Body is required to report to the Monitoring Committee on the progress of the integration of environmental considerations in their Measure Integrating the Environment BMW OP

10 Non-National Roads measure (3 sub-measures) Rural Water measure Waste Management measure Urban and Village Renewal measure Habitat Protection and Conservation sub-measure Heritage Conservation sub-measure Tourism Measure (4 sub-measures) Forestry Measure (3 sub-measures) Aquaculture Development measure Farm Waste Management sub-measure Animal Carcass Disposal sub-measure Development of Horticulture Sector sub-measure Advisory Services sub-measure Measures identified to report under the Environment Horizontal Principle

11 The existing Objectives and their relevance to the Environmental Principle The existing Measure Descriptions and their relevance to the Environmental Principle The Selection Criteria being used and how they could be improved The existing use of Indicators and the opportunities for improvement. The structures for the ongoing Monitoring and Reporting of the Environment Principle under the measure. Improved Reporting

12 Examples of Environmental Integration Urban and Village Renewal

13 Examples of Environmental Integration Rural Water

14 Examples of Environmental Integration Waste Management

15 Examples of Environmental Integration Habitat Protection

16 Contact Details Barry Guckian Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly The Square Ballaghaderreen Co. Roscommon Ireland Tel Fax Website: