1. Local Environmental Action Planning for Sustainability in Western Balkans Srdjan Susic Project Manager Environmental Policy Department

2. www.rec.org CURRENT SITUATION POVERTY Status of decentralization Weak local institutions and shifts in political structures Speed of institutional reforms

3. www.rec.org CURRENT SITUATION Negative Economic Growth FAILING ECONOMY DEEPENING POVERTY Extensive Depleting Natural Resources Lack of Funds Poor decentralization Political Shifts Weak Institutions Fiscal Dependence Ownership un- resolved

4. www.rec.org CURRENT SITUATION MDG 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability ARE WE THERE IN SEE?

5. www.rec.org RESPONSE Provide support for local sustainable development initiatives and decentralization, strengthen local institutions and enhance the speed of institutional reforms to reach Millennium Development Goals.

6. www.rec.org RESPONSE - OBJECTIVES Objective 1. Improve environmental planning Objective 2. Improve environmental management Objective 3. Provide environmental investments

7. www.rec.org Improving Environmental Planning Providing Environmental Investments Improving Environmental Management MDG 7 Ensure Environmental Sustainability Curb governance failures Eradicate areas of specific policy neglect

8. www.rec.org C1. Local Environmental Action Planning for Sustainability C2. Environmental Financing C3. Sustainable Rural Development and Biodiversity RESPONSE - COMPONENTS

9. www.rec.org Improving Environmental planning Providing Environmental investments Improving environmental management MDG 7 Ensure Environmental Sustainability Curb governance failures Eradicate areas of specific policy neglect LEAPs (C1) – Financing (C2) – Rural Development (C3)

10. www.rec.org C1. Local Environmental Action Planning for Sustainability 1.Elaborate solid and robust LEAPs 2.LEAP considers socio-economic trends and root causes of environmental problems 3.Link key development planning processes in local communities through LEAPs 4.Include marginal groups in decision-making 5.Support local priority projects 6.Provide opportunities for regional exchange of experiences and lesson learned

11. www.rec.org C2. Environmental Financing 1.Further support to strategic environmental investment planning in the SEE; 2.Increase capacities of local authorities in developing environmental investment projects; 3.Provide support for designing environmental financing mechanisms.

12. www.rec.org C3. Sustainable Rural Development and Biodiversity 1.Building platforms for co-operation for effective nature protection, sustainable agriculture and sustainable tourism 2.Promote the integration of nature conservation principles in the development of rural areas; 3.Strengthen the role of rural communities in preserving nature in areas rich in biodiversity, including protected areas and Natura 2000 sites; 4.Enable protection and sustainable use of natural resources in cross-border areas rich in biodiversity

13. www.rec.org Thank your for your attention.