Kiev + 1 Conference 22 October Tbilisi, Georgia RECs Partnership Regional Environmental Centres: Central Asian REC REC Caucasus REC for Central and Eastern Europe REC Moldova Russian REC

The Regional Environmental Centres Five independent centres with their mission to assist stakeholders in solving environmental problems have succeeded in building a strong partnership throughout EECCA region

Mission The Regional Environmental Centres To assist in solving of environmental problems in EECCA region To provide assistance to all environmental NGOs and other stakeholders To increase public participation in the decision-making process

The Regional Environmental Centres At an EECCA High Officials Meeting in Moscow 29th Sept. 2003, the Officials noted that: “The RECs have a special role which cannot be implemented by other organisations. This is especially valid for the promotion of multi- stakeholder cooperation and their role to channel the transfer of knowledge and experience”... RECs NGO Min. of Env Local Govs MediaStudentsScience Int. Community Business Local Community Stakeholders

The Regional Environmental Centres “…The RECs are well positioned to address many problems on local level… The RECs operating in the EECCA region have a special role in project implementation which cannot be taken by other organisations.” The overall objective of the Strategy is to improve environmental conditions in Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia (EECCA). EECCA Strategy and RECs

According to the Ministers and EECCA High Officials, RECs can facilitate transfer of lessons learned from Central and Eastern Europe to EECCA region will serve as co-leader of the public participation component of the EECCA strategy; Should contribute to nearly all other elements of the EECCA environmental strategy; Are mandated to promote the environmental partnerships; Enjoy a special role which cannot be taken on by other organisations: facilitating cross-country/sectoral/multi-stakeholder cooperation and transfer of knowledge and experience; Will build on their expertise and accumulated knowledge, which has to be consulted and used. The Regional Environmental Centres RECs for EECCA Strategy Implementation

Why? RECs Joint Work Programme In response to the Kiev Declaration, and more specifically to the ministers' statement that “a larger concentration of efforts on Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) is needed,” the RECs have met and discussed opportunities for supporting the implementation of the Strategy and transfer of lessons learned. This statement also clarifies the role the RECs shall play in serving as an effective tool to facilitate cooperation, and indeed bring the EECCA strategy to life.

What? RECs Joint Work Programme Therefore, the RECs have elaborated a common work plan with specific actions, in order to contribute to the practical implementation of the EECCA Strategy (focussing on objectives I, IV, VI, and VII)

How? RECs Joint Work Programme This process has taken place in close cooperation with the EAP Task Force and other international organisations and partners active in the EECCA region. An official consultation with representatives of environment ministries from the EECCA countries was organised in September 2003 to ensure effective resource allocation according to priority needs. In the future, the RECs will continue to coordinate and strengthen partnership between all stakeholders in the EECCA region and international programmes.

Assistance in the Implementation of the Aarhus Convention and PRTR Protocol in EECCA Countries Public Access to Information and Participation in the Decision-Making on Bio safety Issues Support for long-term sustainability of the NGO sector Environmental education: sharing best practices, harmonising the approach RECs network EECCA Strategy Clearing House Mechanism Information, Public Participation and Education RECs Planned Joint Activities

Promotion and implementation of Local Environmental Action Plans (LEAPs) in EECCA countries Sustainable Production and Consumption in EECCA Capacity Building for Effective Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in EECCA countries Environmental Legislation and Policies RECs Planned Joint Activities

Promotion and implementation of Local Environmental Action Plans (LEAPs) in EECCA countries Sustainable Production and Consumption in EECCA Capacity Building for Effective Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in EECCA countries Environmental Legislation and Policies RECs Planned Joint Activities

Promotion and implementation of Local Environmental Action Plans (LEAPs) in EECCA countries Sustainable Production and Consumption in EECCA Capacity Building for Effective Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) in EECCA countries Environmental Legislation and Policies RECs Planned Joint Activities

Protection and conservation of land and biodiversity resources and introduction of organic farming principles and techniques in the agricultural sector Sectoral Integration RECs Planned Joint Activities

Acceptance and implementation of MEAs in EECCA with a special emphasis on water related issues Supporting sustainable development within transboundary river basins and mountain regions in the EECCA territories Transboundary Issues and Conventions RECs Planned Joint Activities

RECs Past Projects LEAPs: Local Environmental Action Plans: Solving environmental problems at local level and increasing Public Participation (All RECs) Approximation of National Environmental Legislation to EU standards, e.g. in the field of integrated pollution prevention and control, and waste management (REC Moldova; REC CEE)

Transboundary Grants: Support to NGOs, media and other environmental stakeholders, encouraging cooperation across boarders (All RECs) Environmental Information, Education and Public Awareness through training officials and civil society on the requirements of the 'Aarhus' Convention (REC Moldova; REC CEE; REC Caucasus) RECs Past Projects

Strengthening Strategic Environmental Assessment capacity and implementation (REC for Central and Eastern Europe; REC Caucasus; REC Moldova) EcoLinks: Establishing lasting partnerships among environ- mental businesses, governments and associations with their counterparts in the United States (REC CEE) (REC Moldova; REC CEE; REC Caucasus)

Sustainable Development of Mountain Regions Local Agenda 21 (REC Caucasus, RREC, CAREC) Decreasing the Level of Fugitive Methane Gas Emissions in the household sector in Kaliningrad province (Russian REC) RECs Past Projects

Sustainable Development of Caspian Coastal Communities CAREC; Russian REC; REC Caucasus Education for Environment and Sustainable Development in Central Asia CAREC RECs Past Projects

Implimenting Aarhus Convention: Practical Tools of Public Participation REC CEE, REC C RECs Past Projects