1. Developing Environmental Information Systems in SEE Countries REReP 1
JEROME SIMPSON
The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe
The Objective of this short presentation is to introduce the ongoing activities related to the REReP 1.8 project.
I have been asked to give the presentation because of the similarities between both this project and REReP 2.2, in promoting the implementation of the Aarhus Convention and access to environmental information.
What do we mean by environmental information systems?
National environmental information systems comprise a network of institutions, information technology and traditional tools that improve access to information among decision-makers and the public.

2. Presentation Outline • Introduction/Goals • Achievements and Progress
• National Action Plans for EIS development
• Case Studies on Electronic Access to Information
• Forthcoming Activities
• Linkages with the E-Tools Task Force
I would therefore like to spend app. the next 15 mins introducing you to the project, and more specifically the following items

3. Introduction • The goal is to assist in improving the
management and dissemination of environmental
information for the benefit of SEE government institutions and citizens
• This will be realised through training workshops, case study sharing & financing, within a regional framework & based on a needs assessment
The project aims to support Aarhus Convention implementation, integration into EEA/EIONET, and promotion of online governance.
• Project duration: April Dec (extended)
Implementing Agency: REC, in coop. with Croatia (lead country)
Note; the project is not solely focused on use of electronic tools

4. Achievements and Progress
• Completed needs assessments & action plans for each territory in SEE
Two workshops to review progress and offer training in data management/ dissemination
EUR 310,000 disbursement: equipmt, training, info sources + 24,000 for related expert services
Circulation of Compendium and 12 new case studies on the use of electronic tools to implement Aarhus
Project website at:
Disbursements ongoing:
Romania – A brochure on the environmental information services of the MoE
Yugoslavia – Radoje!
Macedonia – On use and documentation regarding CIRCA group communications software
Croatia – development of a Croatian coastal monitoring system and is being integrated with the Bosnian Neretva Delta monitoring system (being implemented under REReP )
Bosnia - delayed

5. National Action Plans Based on 5 key categories….
Institutional Setup/Legal Framework/Data Management/Inf. Dissem/ Access to information in policymaking
• Al: Training on EIS setup; appx. of EU standards; data collection training; EIS-reporting to key stakeholders
• Bg: Upgrading of communications links, equipment; municipality trainings on Aarhus; data processing tools; regional info centres upgrade
• BiH: Circa s/w training for inter-entity coop.; equipment upgrades; well-qualified webmaster; training in data management
• Kos: Design/development of a monitoring ntwk; training on achieving compliance; data publishing assistance, a public forums for inf. exchange

6. Case Studies on Aarhus Implementation
•  Twelve new examples, nine countries (Bg, Ee, No, UK, Cz, At, USA, Sk, Dk)
•  Electronic as well as non-electronic examples (Es, Ei, Dk)
•  Part of a Compendium of Good Practice, filed article by article
•  Encompassing Articles 4-8
•  Accessible
Twelve new examples on….e and non e-tools that demonstrate implementation of the Aarhus Convention
Estonia: A network of cottages offering Internet connectivity and environmental information for rural communities
Denmark: Green InformationCentre which offers consumers information on the environmental impacts of different products
Bulgaria: Use of an online noticeboard to solicit national feedback to draft laws, policies and plans
Austria: Real-time online data on air quality
UK: Pollutant release and transfer registers

7. Forthcoming Activities
1) Summary report of the needs assessments and national action plans/case studies (to alert donors to the need for continuing support!) 
2) Workshop: Spring 2003, Bulgaria to:
•  evaluate progress/lessons learned
• validate country priorities and future support actions
•  scope a new 2 yr workplan
•  elect a lead country (if demand exists)
•  share regional experiences with the E-Tools Task Force

8. The E-Tools Task Force
•  Led by Bulgaria as of Oct (with REC, UNEP, Austria)
•  Supporting information access and public participation in DM, chiefly through electronic means
•  Hosting a workshop for 50, Spring 2003 to discuss needs/ priorities, offer demonstrations and training
•  Exchanging and gathering case studies, in hardcopy and online at
•  Preparing recommendations on application of e-tools in framework of convention

9. Summary • Project Introduction/Goals • Achievements and Progress
• National Action Plans for EIS development
• Case Studies on Electronic Access to Information
• Forthcoming Activities
• Linkages with the E-Tools Task Force

10. Thank You for your attention!