20 A N N U A L 03 R E P O R T [setting the stage]

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1 2003 A N N U A L R E P O R T [setting the stage]

2 The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) is a non-partisan, non-advocacy, not-for-profit international organisation with a mission to assist in solving environmental problems in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The REC fulfils this mission by promoting cooperation among non-governmental organisations, governments, businesses and other environmental stakeholders, and by supporting the free exchange of information and public participation in environmental decision making. The REC was established in 1990 by the United States, the European Commission and Hungary. Today, the REC is legally based on a charter signed by the governments of 28 countries and the European Commission, and on an international agreement with the government of Hungary. The REC has its head office in Szentendre, Hungary, and country offices and field offices in 16 beneficiary countries which are: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, FYR Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia and Turkey. Recent donors are the European Commission and the governments of Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, The REC is eternally grateful to the Hungarian State Opera House and its gracious staff for allowing us to photograph its splendid interior. Canada, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as other inter-governmental and private institutions.

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5 The moment a theatre goes dark, all activity stops. Props are in place, deft hands are poised on lighting switches, fists tighten around the curtain rope. The actors who must now face the audience carry the momentum of weeks and months of preparation. Like a crew of key grips, the REC is the steady hand and strong back that Central and Eastern Europe needs for sustainable development. [2] CHAIRMAN S MESSAGE [3] EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR S LETTER [5] ACHIEVEMENTS [21] FINANCIAL INFORMATION [23] GRANTS AWARDED [31] STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2004 [32] BOARD AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY [33] STAFF AND JUNIOR FELLOWS one ANNUAL REPORT 2003

6 [MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN] SETTING THE STAGE two TheWorld Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg in 2002, promoted an integrated, cross-sectoral and broadly participatory approach to sustainable development, and its implementation at the local, national, regional and global level. Just over one year ago in Lisbon, the European Council set a new strategic goal for the Union: to become the most competitive and dynamic knowledgebased economy in the world capable of sustainable economic growth with more and better jobs and greater social cohesion. The Stockholm European Council then decided that the EU sustainable development strategy should complete and build on this political commitment by including an environmental dimension. This recognises that, in the long term, economic growth, social cohesion and environmental protection must march in tune. These principles were put into play during the SAVA project International Framework Agreement (2003), which sought to establish state-of-art river basin management. Managing resources efficiently, with something not everything for everyone, is the key to success, and therefore to sustainable, development. Sustainable development is not an abstract idea of international treaties, political declarations, scientific books: it is a reality having concrete impacts in our daily life. Environment is one of the cornerstones of this challenge, and harnessing the synergy created by the three dimensions of sustainable development represents a fundamental step in the implementation of the commitments undertaken by the international community. But compliance with the Johannesburg and Lisbon targets needs a profound and significant knowledge of the different realities where activities are implemented. This is the REC s mission. Its country and field offices provide a comprehensive picture of ways in which people understand and relate to the environment and the scientific implications of their knowledge in the contemporary world. Therefore, the local knowledge, the experiences, the ability that REC country and field offices are constantly showing in all different kinds of sectors where its services and products are needed a testament to how much REC is capable of intervening in the most efficient and professional manner, adapting itself to the needs and geo-political changes that Europe is facing. The Sustainable Development Programme for the Czech Republic and the Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Single Programming Document of Estonia were two successful national projects, while the Drina River Basin Project, which established consensus of all interested parties in the River Drina region and Lake Perucac for prevention of pollution from solid waste, showed how the REC thrives in the international arena. In this new reality, and in the dialogue that is underway with other European Countries, the REC will continue to work and to strengthen its capacities, always inspired by its mission: to assist in solving environmental problems in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), by promoting cooperation among non-governmental organisations, governments, businesses and other environmental stakeholders, and by supporting the free exchange of information and public participation in environmental decision making. Corrado Clini CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL REPORT 2003

7 SETTING THE STAGE [LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR] Itis a pleasure for me to present the Annual Report for 2003, which provides a transparent picture of the results of the REC s work in the fields of sustainability and environmental protection in CEE was another year of hard work. Changes in the economy, society and the environment in the countries serviced by the REC have accelerated thus there is the need for new approaches from all environmental stakeholders, including the REC. The REC with the support of its 28 signatory countries, the European Commission and its Board of Directors carefully adjusted its strategy to these new requirements. New strategic directions built future activities onto the two critical assets of the REC: a workforce with fourteen years of experience and a thriving country office network. In 2003, all environmental protection eyes were set on the 5th Pan-European Environment for Europe Ministerial Conference. Nine months after the Johannesburg Summit, environmental ministers gathered in Kiev to discuss implementation of the environmental pillar of the European drive towards sustainability. The REC has been contributing to the Environment for Europe process for more than a decade, and Kiev was no exception. The ministerial declaration stressed that the REC should continue to contribute to international multi-stakeholder cooperation. The REC restructured its operations to meet the needs and interests of the geopolitical regions of Europe we work in. The new EU member states require assistance at both the regional and local level with regard to the spending of EU funds in ways that contribute to long-term sustainability. In South Eastern Europe (SEE), we further the policy and institutional reforms of the Stabilisation and Association Process and encourage environmental investments. Countries negotiating EU accession, including Turkey, which joins the REC family in 2004, require support in implementing the acquis communautaire. The REC is also excited about sharing its valuable experiences with the countries of Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA). In 2003 the REC successfully accomplished its mandate as secretariat of the CEE sub-programme of the EAP Task Force Task and carried out policy work and stakeholder capacity building under the Regional Environmental Reconstruction Programme for South Eastern Europe. Among its many activities are the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership; strategic environmental assessment; priority investments; environmental education; greenhouse gas inventories; environmental legal advocacy/advisory centres; biodiversity projects bridging borders in SEE; and support for implementation of the Aarhus Convention. I would like to express our gratitude to two special teams within the REC, the Italian Trust Fund and the Japan Special Fund, for their commitment and contributions to the region, while not forgetting the support from the governments of many other countries, international organisations and private institutions. It is my hope that this report will give you an idea of the hard work that the REC team has done in Thank you for your support to our work and your partnership in sustainable development and environmental improvement! Marta Szigeti Bonifert EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR three

8 four Like the hidden technician who casts the limelight, the REC spent 2003 working behind the scenes, setting the stage for the players of Central and Eastern Europe.

9 SETTING THE STAGE [KEY ACHIEVEMENTS] In2003 the REC head office and country offices carried out more than 300 projects. With over 100 staff members from 30 countries, the REC team operated on local, national and regional levels, in most cases across borders. This broad repertoire of assistance comes from the high number of projects and variety of methodologies developed and sharpened during the REC s 13 years of service to the Central and Eastern European region. [MULTI-STAKEHOLDER APPROACH] The REC insists on involving multiple stakeholders to realise its commitment to partnership among environmental stakeholders, common understanding of the goals at hand and mutual trust. This approach builds on values like: discussions with partners and stakeholders about proposed joint activities, open and constructive cooperation, transparent decision making, timely and quality implementation of decisions, and last but not least paying tribute to all involved in the partnership. The best examples from 2003 are connected to implementation of the Aarhus Convention. [PARTNERSHIPS] The REC is not only a member of different partnerships, but also initiates them, whether it is convening authority, drawing on specialised expertise, seeking access to information or procuring financial support. Two highly productive endeavours include the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) and the Sofia Initiative on Local Air Quality (SILAQ). [REGIONAL PROGRAMMING] Ownership and commitment of beneficiary countries is a key factor for success. REReP and the Joint Programme of the RECs for Implementation of the Environmental Partnership Strategy in EECCA are successful examples of this approach. five [CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION] Environmental protection and sustainable development especially in CEE cannot be realised without cross-border cooperation. Conflict between economic development and nature conservation can be solved only by analysing all aspects and influences of a single action. In transboundary areas, it is even more difficult to find the best solutions for sustainable development. [LESSONS LEARNED] The REC provided substantial assistance to the SEE countries by sharing lessons learned from the REC s 13 years of experience in the new EU member states. It has engaged in a similar process for the EECCA countries based on the Kiev Ministerial Declaration. The transfer of best practices and lessons learned are reflected in projects like the LEAP workshop, which promoted the transfer of methodology and experience from CEE to the EECCA region. [CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE] The REC s projects fall into nine programme areas: climate change; strategic environmental assessment; biodiversity conservation; renewable energy; waste management; enforcement and compliance; public participation; education; and environmental investments. The Strategic Environmental Assessment team of the Environmental Policy Programme is one of the best examples of a REC knowledge hub. ANNUAL REPORT 2003

10 [KEY ACHIEVEMENTS] SETTING THE STAGE Business and Environment Programme [RESEARCH] Several research projects were carried out with international institutes, such as the Institute for Prospective Technological Studies of the Joint Research Centre, the Fraunhofer Institute of Germany and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research, via DG Transport and Energy and DG Research of the European Commission. The projects included various techno-economic, socio-economic and environmental assessments of clean technology diffusion across Europe. Outlooks and scenarios have been developed for waste and industrial residue management, as well as for renewable-energy technology penetration. Business and Environment s major role in most of these projects was to cover the accession countries/new member states in the EU-wide studies, but contributions were also made to general development of the methodology and various analyses. [HAZARDOUS WASTE] A regional approach to managing hazardous wastes in the western Balkan countries was drafted. Building on this experience and information, a new project was initiated via the Italian Trust Fund on the rapid assessment and sound management of industrial risks within the same region. six [STACKING UP] Factories like this one in Bulgaria are an ambivalent presence in local communities. The REC promotes local involvement to ensure that all sides participate in the decision-making process. [CLEANER PRODUCTION] The Aarhus Business and Environment Initiative resulted in an easy-to-use environmental management toolkit for small and medium-sized enterprises and a report on progress made in implementing the Aarhus Policy Statement on Environmental Management in Enterprises in CEE. Activities were also started up to support the Norwegian government s efforts to provide cleaner production know-how to Croatian and other western Balkan enterprises. Most recently, work was carried out for the Netherlands Ministry of Spatial Planning, Housing and the Environment in support of the Dutch EU presidency, conveying the message that environmental investments and eco-efficient innovations in CEE are drivers for rather than barriers to economic development. Capacity Building Programme [GREEN PACK] A multi-media environmental education curriculum kit primarily intended for secondary school teachers and their students was launched in both Hungary and Bulgaria. The pilot project in Poland reached over 300,000 pupils with the help of several partners: teachers, government officials, non-governmental organisations, environmental institutes and Toyota, which generously supported the activity. Preparations of the Russian, Albanian, Slovakian, and Czech version were initiated. The English-version launch was an enormous success during the Kiev Ministerial Conference. An online version is available at the REC website. [EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT] During the Kiev ministerial conference, the REC organised an official side event on education for sustainable development with the European ECO-Forum of NGOs. The event, which featured a keynote address by Lena Sommestad, the environmental minister of Sweden, focused on the need for partnership in preparing education on sustainable development. ANNUAL REPORT 2003

11 SETTING THE STAGE [KEY ACHIEVEMENTS] [TRAINING FOR YOUNG ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS] The Dutch and Italian ministries of environment supported continuation of the training of young environmentalists with six groups of six trainees each in Two groups were focused on young environmentalists from the NIS countries, and for a further four, the REC organised these courses together with an Italian Partner, L Umana Dimora. These sessions included a new departure for the programme a one-week field trip to Italy to study the work of Italian environmental organisations in person. [BLACK SEA TRAINERS] An intensive, two-week training-of-trainers course was held with funding from the Black Sea Environmental Programme. Participants came from Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine. Climate Change Programme [RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY PARTNERSHIP] REEEP is a global framework initiated at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in August 2002 by the UK Government. It provides an open and flexible framework within which stakeholders can work together to meet their own sustainable energy objectives according to their own timetables. (See for more information.) A REEEP regional meeting for CEE was hosted by the REC in Szentendre. More than 50 participants from 17 countries gathered to explore policy and regulatory priorities and financing possibilities, as well as to recommend future activities in the field of development and utilisation of renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies. [JOINT IMPLEMENTATION] A comprehensive study was begun to assess the potential for joint implementation in 10 CEE countries. This brief overview contains an assessment of present and future potentials, including economic indicators relevant to joint implementation. The methodology and preliminary results were presented at a side event during the ninth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 9) in Milan. [WINDED] The unlimited supply of renewable energies make for an attractive alternative to fossil fuel dependency. Wind turbines can help countries to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases, in line with the Kyoto Protocol. seven [GREENHOUSE GAS INVENTORY] A UNDP/GEF-funded project was initiated in June 2003 to build capacity for preparing greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories in selected CEE and EECCA countries. Its status was presented at a COP 9 side event. [SUPPORT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE KYOTO PROTOCOL IN CEE] An assessment of basic elements of a GHG registry system (i.e. an electronic database to track and record the transfer of emission reduction units of GHGs under the flexibility mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol) for six CEE countries was completed. In late 2003, the project started assessing capacity in the field of climate change protection (i.e. legislative and institutional preparedness) of Lithuania, Croatia, as well as two non-annex I countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro). National case studies on public participation in climate change-related decision making had been completed and were published in Aarhus Meets Kyoto. ANNUAL REPORT 2003

12 [KEY ACHIEVEMENTS] SETTING THE STAGE eight [CROWNING ACHIEVEMENTS] School children learned the importance of wetland vegetation on a trip to the Norin River in southern Croatia. Country Office Support Department COSD works extensively to further cooperation between the REC s country offices, while also coordinating fundraising activities. A large number projects have been launched and implemented on national levels, and included the following selected achievements: [ALBANIA] Country Office Albania launched the three-year project Trust Fund for Local Environmental Initiated Activities. It included grants for NGOs in partnership with local authorities for small environmental investment projects. [BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA] Country Office Bosnia and Herzegovina supported the efforts of the Environmental Steering Committee, including the cooperation between the environmental ministries of Republika Srpska and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It also prepared a feasibility study as a precondition for the establishment of an Environmental Protection Agency. [BULGARIA] Country Office Bulgaria produced results connected to the Sofia Initiative on Local Air Quality (SILAQ). From 1998 to 2003 the REC managed SILAQ with CO Bulgaria acting as secretariat of this EAP Task Force activity. [CROATIA] Country Office Croatia s projects results related to BERCEN received official recognition from the Ministry of Environment, touted as the best within the REReP process in Croatia. [CZECH REPUBLIC] Country Office Czech Republic successfully implemented the project Support of Strategic Environmental Assessment in Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. This project was jointly financed by the Official Development Assistance of the Czech Republic through the Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic, the REC and the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. [ESTONIA] Country Office Estonia successfully completed the project Strengthening the Administrative Capacity and Partnership between NGOs, Municipalities and Enterprises by Supporting the Preparation of the Guidelines for Developing a Municipal Waste Management Plan. [HUNGARY] Country Office Hungary initiated long-term cooperation with the Ministry for Environment and Water. As a result, CO Hungary contributed to the National Environmental Programme of Hungary II ( ). [LATVIA] Country Office Latvia implemented the highly successful project Eco-team: An Idea to Promote Sustainable Development in School and in Family, which was supported by the Latvian Environmental Fund. [LITHUANIA] Country Office Lithuania developed Education for Sustainability, an interactive learning website for enhancing pupils knowledge of and support for sustainable development. [FYR MACEDONIA] Country Office FYR Macedonia published the National EIA Overview for the Republic of Macedonia within the project Support to Macedonian Legal System with International EIA Guidelines. This publication was based on a broad assessment of current legal practices and multi-stakeholder dialogue for future implementation aspects. Within the same project, a comprehensive pilot EIA was conducted for the wastewater treatment plant in the Municipality of Saraj. [POLAND] Country Office Poland continued the dissemination of the Green Pack multimedia project. The Pack has helped more than 300,000 kids to learn about sustainability. ANNUAL REPORT 2003

13 SETTING THE STAGE [KEY ACHIEVEMENTS] [ROMANIA] Country Office Romania began new fields of work, especially in light of EU enlargement by contributing to the application of the Water Framework Directive of the EU and in drafting the national Action Plan on Climate Change. [SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO] Country Office Serbia and Montenegro started the Regional Municipal Waste Management Project REMUS to establish an environmental and economically sustainable municipal solid waste management system in the one waste management region-district, which is composed of a few municipalities in Serbia. [KOSOVO] Kosovo Field Office, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning REF, facilitated the preparation of the Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development Strategy. It also signed a pre-implementation agreement with the ministry to prepare an environmental action plan. Kosovo is under UN interim administration. [SLOVAKIA] Country Office Slovakia implemented a comprehensive study of the area s Local Agenda 21 in six selected municipalities. [SLOVENIA] Country Office Slovenia continued its strong role in implementation of Phare Programmes, like Access, Cross-Border Cooperation and Project Preparation Facility programmes. Environmental Law Programme [GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES FOR FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN HAZARDOUS ACTIVITIES] This guidance for reducing risk to human health and the environment arising out of the investment process was one of the REC s key contributions to the Kiev ministerial conference and is a major initiative in the area of investor and corporate social responsibility. [ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL ADVOCACY/ADVISORY CENTERS] The Bulgarian pilot centre was legally registered and is now acknowledged as a reliable organisation delivering professional legal expertise to citizens and NGOs in protection of their environmental rights. Legal advocacy activities were carried out under the ELAAC grants programme, on the Rosia Montana Gold Mine project in Romania and on several new cases in Bulgaria and FYR Macedonia. The Environmental Advocacy Network for South Eastern Europe (EANSEE) was extended to 45 environmental independent lawyers from all the beneficiary countries. The EANSEE members established a strong cooperative relationship and are actively assisting each other in their legal advocacy work both at national and regional levels. [PACKED IN] Green Pack educational materials were warmly received in Hungary and Bulgaria in The Pack s popularity in Poland merited a second distribution there with updated materials. nine [ENVIRONMENTAL LAW DRAFTING IN SEE] The project established and facilitated a network of senior officials and legal experts (ELDNSO) and organised three ELDNSO network meetings. A successful workshop on Strategy towards Approximation of EU Environmental Legislation in SEE was held. The first phase report, Assessing Environmental Law Drafting Needs in SEE, was published in November in time for the REReP Task Force meeting. Concrete country/entity-based legal assistance was provided to seven SEE ministries and two major, topic-oriented regional workshops took place. ANNUAL REPORT 2003

14 [KEY ACHIEVEMENTS] SETTING THE STAGE ten Ah Lucifer! Just look back at our planet, the flowers were first to vanish from our sight, and then the trembling branches of the forests; Our well-known haunts, a hundred favourite nooks have levelled down, become a featureless plain. Whatever thrilled us has been washed away. Now even the cliffs have shrunk to useless clods... Imre Madacs [GOVERNANCE OF SHARED NATURAL RESOURCES] As a follow-up to the Tisza River Basin Sustainable Development Programme Initiation Phase, the REC began the assessment of legal, policy and institutional frameworks related to sustainable water management in five Tisza riparian countries. The REC provided legal support for the establishment of the International Commission for the Sava River. The REC also played an important role in the development of the work programme under the Carpathians Framework Convention. [AIMS] The REC supported the acceptance and implementation of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) in SEE. Two regional meetings were held in 2003, including workshops on the Basel Convention and three related UNECE conventions. Country activities focused on promoting the implementation of priority conventions identified through multi-stakeholder processes. Workshops were held in three countries on the Basel Convention and CITES. A major national MEAs forum, organised in cooperation with UNEP and UNECE, was held in Albania under the project. Environmental Policy Programme [REREP] As Regional Environmental Reconstruction Programme in South Eastern Europe (REReP) Secretariat, the REC organised two task force meetings in 2003: the 5th REReP TF meeting in Tirana, in January, and the 6th REReP TF meeting in Brussels in November. Two publications were prepared for the Kiev ministerial conference. REReP: Model for Successful Assistance Mechanism explains the process of REReP development, endorsement and implementation. The second publication, Highlights of the Regional Environmental Reconstruction Programme for South Eastern Europe, describes the major results of the programme s implementation. The importance of REReP in supporting the Stabilisation Association Process (SAP) through developing regional cooperation was underlined at the 6th REReP TF meeting. The REReP Task Force provided guidance for further implementation of the programme, and took note of major project results such as strategies, action plans, analytical studies and reports. A major development within REReP was the Joint Statement of the Ministers of Environment of the Stabilisation and Association process (SAP) countries, Skopje, October 15, The ministers met for the first time after endorsing the REReP programme. They welcomed the progress achieved in the environmental protection of their countries, expressed recognition for the assistance received within REReP and identified priority areas for future joint work and assistance. [BERCEN] In 2003 the main capacity building activities were the 3rd Train the Trainer Programme, study tours in Germany and Finland, and participation of the Balkan Environmental Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement Network (BERCEN) inspectors in IMPEL projects implemented in EU member states. The topics covered were IPPC and Seveso II directives, EMAS, minimum criteria for environmental inspections, organisation of inspection, reporting and conclusions from site visits, operator self-monitoring, permitting systems and enforceability of permit conditions, BAT and production of BREF documents. National training programmes were organised in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Romania and Serbia and Montenegro. The BERCEN Training Manual for Environmental Inspectors was published. The BERCEN 2nd Plenary Meeting in September 2003 in FYR Macedonia assessed the results from the network operations in the period and agreed on the work plan for ANNUAL REPORT 2003

15 [YET A DROP TO DRINK] A lush lake in the Mazury district of north-east Poland maintains much of its original beauty. (Left) Bulgaria and Serbia and Montenegro s Stara Planina region allows possibilities that can benefit both the economy and natural resources. (Below left) Several lakes outside of Bekescsaba, Hungary are devoted to fishing evidence that the region has the resources to meet both recreational desires and daily needs. (Below right) eleven ANNUAL REPORT 2003

16 [KEY ACHIEVEMENTS] SETTING THE STAGE [ENVIRONMENTAL FINANCING] The Environmental Financing in Central Eastern Europe report was an important REC contribution to the Kiev ministerial conference. The report summarised trends in environmental financing, taking into account both domestic sources of finance and international assistance provided. The report highlighted key changes in the region that occurred between 1996 and 2001 and proposed recommendations for further improvements in the area of environmental financing. The Priority Environmental Investment Programme (PEIP) for South Eastern Europe was developed and published. The PEIP identified pressure reduction targets for the SEE region, identified hot spots for main environmental sectors (air, waste and water) and developed a pipeline of priority environmental investment projects from South Eastern Europe. Additionally, the project website was created: Financing/. Two regional meetings related to capacity building were organised for members of the Network of Environmental Finance Specialists from South Eastern Europe. A study tour to Poland was organised in November for the network members to see successful examples of environmental investments that were implemented in a large Polish city and in a cross-border area. The Assessment of the Institutional and Policy Framework was conducted and published for all SEE countries, including Romania and Bulgaria. A performance review of the National Trust EcoFund in Bulgaria was conducted and a final report was developed. twelve [EAGLE-EYED] The REC supported an international campaign to stop the smuggling of threatened and endangered birds and crack down on black markets. [BIODIVERSITY] Strategic plans for the period of were elaborated for each of the cross-border sites within the Transboundary Cooperation Through Management of Shared Natural Resources project Shkoder Lake (SCG/Albania); Neretva River Delta (Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia); and West Stara Planina (SCG/Bulgaria). The overall goal of the project is to enhance coordination and cooperation between countries and communities in the management of shared natural resources. National reports identified important plant areas in SEE, including cross-border sites. A Forum on Biodiversity and Tourism in South East Europe was organised in Sofia, Bulgaria. Recommendations have been agreed for the promotion of ecotourism in the region, including a variety of joint activities. [PUBLIC TRANSPORT] Representatives of public transport companies and municipalities from the capitals of the new EU member states and EU candidate countries met in Szentendre, Hungary to review the status of public transport and its current needs. Discussions were based on case studies from Warsaw, Tallinn and Sofia. Joint conclusions identifying future activities were agreed. The REC also contributed to the Urban Transport Benchmarking Initiative, which is aimed at developing and exchanging best practices for urban transport (see [SEA] Strategic environmental assessment aims to integrate environmental, economic and social concerns into decision making, and to set conditions for environmentally sound implementation of strategic decisions. The programme reaches beyond the CEE region to assist EECCA countries, South America and even China. In 2003 the REC finalised the SEA Training Manual for SEE, which enables users to obtain information on trends and developments in SEA, and provides illustrative examples on five countries. The manual will be used as a basis for a REC/UNECE training resource manual for the SEA Protocol to the Espoo Convention. The programme also implemented several assessments in the CEE region. ANNUAL REPORT 2003

17 SETTING THE STAGE [KEY ACHIEVEMENTS] Information Programme [LIBRARY] As one of its most important tools, the REC s in-house library continues to expand. The largest collection of environmental information in English in CEE has grown to over 10,000 publications, including books, grey literature, videos, CD-ROMs, and periodicals. In 2003 the environmental information reference service served not only individuals, but other environmental libraries as well. Its online catalogue and a new screening facility for contacting the REC via its website enabled users to make the most of the REC s information services. [SEE ENVIRONMENT WATCH AND SERVICES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALISTS] The Regional Environmental Press Centre, developed within the REC s REReP 2.1 project, launched a bi-weekly news tip sheet and opened its services in Skopje, Bucharest and Sofia. In addition, a four-day practical training was offered to a group of environmental journalists from the SEE region. Journalists from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine were trained on how to take advantage of Aarhus Convention requirements. [ENVIRONMENTAL NGO ELECTRONIC NETWORKING] The second regional electronic networking conference and workshop was organised in Kosovo to promote electronic networks of environmental NGO to donors and the media, to review activities since the first regional meeting and to map out further plans for cooperation. Implementation of the Italian-funded component of this project got underway with the organisation of three study tours to Rome for NGO network representatives from South Eastern Europe. Altogether more than 20 participants from SEE have benefited from training and introductions to Italian NGOs, networks and media that parallel activities in their own countries. thirteen [THE BULLETIN] Four issues of The Bulletin, the REC s flagship magazine, were produced and sent to more than 3,000 subscribers worldwide. One of the issues was a special edition for the Kiev ministerial conference. A marketing survey was carried out that will pave the way for the 2004 transformation of the magazine into Green Horizon, which will contain even more expert journalism and accept sponsorship from patrons. [SPELUNKING] Propast Cave in Bulgaria was mapped by students during an educational excursion supported by REReP. [DEVELOPING NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS] A regional workshop involving more than 50 participants took place in Sofia to review and evaluate progress in SEE countries and exchange experiences accumulated during the two-and-a-half-year project. Both government and NGO representatives contributed enthusiastically to and benefited from three-hour training sessions on strategic communications and Internet/Intranet webpage design. Future priorities for continuing the development of national environmental information systems under a second phase were mapped with contributions from the EEA and the Aarhus Convention Secretariat, and were included in a similarly titled regional report published in August The report also provided country-by-country summaries of current progress in system development, their individual action plans/strategies for future development and NGO perspectives on information access. ANNUAL REPORT 2003

18 [PART OF THE SOLUTION] Whether it is farming along organic principles, keeping watch over a nest of threatened birds, or teaching children to respect the environment, it is people, and only people, who can provide future generations with an environment worth living in. fourteen ANNUAL REPORT 2003

19 SETTING THE STAGE [KEY ACHIEVEMENTS] Italian Trust Fund The activities and support of the Italian Trust Fund (ITF) plays an important role in the environmental protection and sustainable development of Central and Eastern Europe. The auspices of ITF reach beyond financial sponsorship to provide valuable contributions to all beneficiaries. [SUSTAINABILITY] ITF assisted the REC in promoting sustainability in the region by running a training course on strategies, methodologies and policies for sustainable development for several countries of CEE. It also funded sustainable agriculture projects (Poland, Romania) that promoted less-polluting technologies and strengthened local research capabilities. ITF advocated practices promoting the use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. Support went to REC projects (Croatia, Bulgaria) aimed at building capacity to plan and implement measures. [CAPACITY BUILDING] Activities were initiated to improve CEE countries capacity to absorb funding available from the EU and other sources (Poland, Slovenia). ITF also focused on providing support to governmental institutions to further develop their institutional capacity. It assisted environmental institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, both at the entity and state level, and within the framework of economic reconstruction in SEE. [INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS] ITF funded projects that provide the REC with the possibility to support multilateral agreements, such as the Aarhus Convention and the Carpathian Convention, by facilitating their implementation. [NGOS] ITF assisted the REC in promoting environmental protection by fostering the advancement of civil society. To this end, ITF funded the development of management capabilities of young environmentalists and supported a telecommunications network for environmentalist NGOs. [SEA] The REC received assistance in the international codification of modern SEA systems within the Environment for Europe process and the Rio+10 process. ITF also supported pilot SEAs of national programming documents for future use in the Structural Funds. Japan Special Fund During the Japanese fiscal year of 2003 (April 2003 March 2004) the Japan Special Fund supported four REC projects carried over from the previous fiscal year, and the following new projects: Environmental Information Education and Public Awareness: Phase II (CO Bulgaria); Support for the Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol in CEE countries: Promotion of the Kyoto Protocol (Climate Change Programme); Support to the Macedonian Legal System with Development of International EIA Guidelines in FYR Macedonia (CO FYR Macedonia); Regional Municipal Waste Management (CO Serbia and Montenegro); and Water Sector Strengthening and Support to the Sava Agreement Implementation (CO Bosnia and Herzegovina). Highlights of the newly supported projects include the opening of the Environmental Information Center in Sofia, Bulgaria, for the facilitation of public access to environmental information in Bulgaria, and the preparation of a comprehensive regional municipal waste management plan for the Sabac region of Serbia. Think not forever of yourselves, O Chiefs, nor of your own generation. Think of continuing generations of our families, think of our grandchildren and of those yet unborn, whose faces are coming from beneath the ground. T.S. Eliot fifteen ANNUAL REPORT 2003

20 [KEY ACHIEVEMENTS] SETTING THE STAGE Local and Regional Development Programme [LEAPS] This programme implemented several projects within local environmental action plans (LEAPs). A workshop on LEAP implementation promoted the transfer of methodology and experience from CEE to regional environmental centres in the EECCA region (the Caucasus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, and Central Asia). The training also involved participants working out preliminary needs assessments related to LEAP for their own countries. A side event at the Kiev ministerial conference entitled How can we continue to improve the LEAP Model to serve as a useful tool for communities? brought together members of the REC s LEAP Practitioners Network to present and discuss LEAP as an effective tool for implementing national legislation, EU requirements, and international commitments such as the Aarhus Convention and Local Agenda 21. [ASSISTING MUNICIPALITIES] The REC assisted nine municipalities in Romania and Serbia and Montenegro to prepare their environmental infrastructure projects for financing. The municipalities were able to submit the prepared projects to EU pre-accession financing programmes in Romania and national project pipelines in Serbia and Montenegro. [ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTMENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS] Cooperation with Slovenia, the Italian Ministry for Environment and Territory and REC Country Office Poland led to the initiation of two events. The project aims to foster partnerships between Italian environmental enterprises and Polish and Slovenian local and regional authorities for priority environmental investment projects. sixteen [RUN OFF] Agriculture is often a source of surface water ills such as eutrophication. One campaign seeks to educate farmers in the Black Sea area to reduce unsound practices. [CROSS-BORDER MUNICIPAL ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION] Within the framework of the Drina River Basin project in cooperation with REC Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and REC Field Office Banja Luka the programme held the Cross-Border Municipal Environmental Cooperation project s First Stakeholder Forum. Stakeholders agreed to a conceptual solution involving the use of floating water cleaner combined with preventive activities to address awareness and education about solid waste management. NGO Support Programme [GRANTS FOR NGOS] The NGO grants component of the Danube Regional Project was announced to NGOs in March The programme is aimed at reducing nutrients and covers 11 countries of the Danube basin. It includes national and regional grants totalling USD 1.5 million, available over a period of four years. Regional proposals were evaluated and, coupled with the national grants of the first round, USD 700,000 of projects were selected. Also, a new programme was launched for grants developing regional NGO sustainable development activities. Funded by the European Commission, the programme targets the countries of the western Balkans. In addition to these new funds, the already awarded projects under the REReP Development and Strengthening of NGOs (Germany) and Supporting NGOs within and beyond CEE borders (Denmark) calls for their continued implementation. ANNUAL REPORT 2003

21 SETTING THE STAGE [KEY ACHIEVEMENTS] [SUPPORT FOR NGOS AT KIEV CONFERENCE] Through targeted grants supporting NGO input to the Kiev ministerial conference, environmentalists were able to cooperate at the regional level and formulate their positions on key agenda issues. The participation of 18 CEE NGO leaders in Kiev was also made possible by these grants. The agenda of the ECO-Forum, a parallel NGO conference, was enriched by side events and workshops organised by REC grantees. In addition, the REC organised a special session on NGO funding and self-financing. [SUPPORTING LOCAL ADMINISTRATIONS] Local Authority Grants 2002 aimed to improve the implementation and enforcement of Environmental legislation applicable at the local level and to build public awareness on EU environmental legislation, and its costs and benefits. Fifteen municipalities were awarded a total grant of EUR 213,299 to support them in managing projects that address primarily waste- water- and air-pollution issues by tackling the aspects of implementation of EU environmental legislation and awareness raising components. [DANUBE: EUROPE IS MEETING] A variety of stakeholders from civil society organisations, local authorities and government ministries were brought together under the Danube: Europe is Meeting project to discuss a gamut of issues relating to the creation of a broader Europe one that includes the Balkans. The event focused on new strategies for environmental awareness raising and participatory water management in the framework of the European Union enlargement process. Public Participation Programme [IMPLEMENTING THE AARHUS CONVENTION] In the framework of Practical Tools for Public Participation, a project covering eight countries of the CEE/EECCA region and aiming to facilitate implementation of the provisions of Article 6 of the Aarhus Convention, four trainings took place in Moldova and Ukraine. The sessions focused on practical aspects of applying the convention and supported the implementation of NGO grants provided earlier for this topic. During 2003, Aarhus Convention user guides were drafted at regional and national levels for officials and civil society to facilitate implementation in six EECCA countries. The guides will be published in English and local languages. Training of trainers and national trainings were held for officials, NGOs and other stakeholders in Ukraine, Armenia and Azerbaijan in November and December to help with implementation of national pilot projects within a EuropeAid-funded project. The pilot projects deal with implementation of the Aarhus Convention in one concrete field, such as improving public access to information through more efficient mechanisms for active and passive dissemination of information, introducing new procedures and better implementation practices on access to information or public participation in decision making for the ministries of environment regarding their obligations under the convention. [ROYAL DECREE] Efforts to save the imperial eagle involve a variety of activities from nest monitoring to public awareness raising. seventeen ANNUAL REPORT 2003

22 [KEY ACHIEVEMENTS] SETTING THE STAGE [REGIONAL RECONSTRUCTION] Two Steering Committee meetings and a closing workshop was held in October within the REReP project Support Developing Strategy for Implementation of the Aarhus Convention to evaluate the achievements and impact of the project. The meeting was attended by governmental and NGO Aarhus focal points from six SEE countries, donor representatives, the Secretary of the Aarhus Convention, the ECO Forum and REC experts. By the end of the year, country strategies and action plans for implementation of the Aarhus Convention had been discussed with different stakeholders and finalised in the SEE countries. Within the project, a study tour was organised for five governmental officials and NGOs from Albania to learn from the experience and good practices of the Hungarian ministries and agencies, as well as for NGOs regarding public access to environmental information. Five NGOs from Bosnia and Herzegovina studied the cooperation of NGOs and officials on Aarhus Convention implementation in Hungary. Among the final activities, several local language guides and manuals on practical implementation of the Aarhus Convention were finalised, and trainings were held in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, FYR Macedonia, Romania and Serbia and Montenegro on access to environmental information, public participation and access to justice matters. eighteen [PRTRS] The draft of the Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR) was finalised at the final working group meeting of UNECE in January with the contribution of programme experts and submitted for signature at the Kiev ministerial conference. Multi-stakeholder roundtable meetings were held in several accession and SEE countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Serbia and Montenegro and Slovakia, and pilot projects on introducing PRTR systems were implemented in Bulgaria, Czech Republic and Poland. The series of roundtables were part of a project on the Aarhus PRTR Protocol. The roundtables brought together NGOs and government officials from different ministries and agencies to discuss the content and future implementation of the protocol. [RIVER BASIN STRATEGY] Members of the Public Participation Programme participated in the expert group meetings and a workshop organised by the International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River (ICPDR) to develop the Danube River Basin Strategy for Public Participation in River Basin Management Planning (for the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive). The strategy was adopted at the June meeting of ICPDR. REC experts were also involved in developing a component on public participation within the new phase of Danube Regional Project. ANNUAL REPORT 2003

23 nineteen

24 twenty The play loses a great deal of its meaning if it is robbed of a magic which springs, not from the glittering tip of a department-store wand, but from the earth, the stones, the very air of the wood; and a magic which is not merely pretty but dark and dangerous. Tyrone Guthrie ANNUAL REPORT 2003

25 Just as a performance must have an even balance of events, so the REC maintains a balance in its operations a balance between learning and teaching, between acquiring and distributing, and between planning and executing. The following pages present the REC s financial balance with uncompromising transparency, which is at the heart of the REC s mission. twenty-one ANNUAL REPORT 2003

26 SETTING THE STAGE [FINANCIALINFORMATION] We REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT AUDITORS To the Board of Directors The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe have audited the accompanying balance sheet of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (the Organisation) as of December 31, 2003, and the related statements of revenue, expense and changes in fund balances and cash flows for the year then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Organisation's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing. Those Standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements give a true and fair view of the financial position of the Organisation as of December 31, 2003, and of the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Ernst & Young Budapest, Hungary March 12, 2004 BALANCE SHEET (All amounts in EUR 000 s) December 31,2003 ASSETS Current Assets: Cash 3,405 3,385 Term deposit 1,955 Prepaid expenses and accrued income Country Office prepayments 1,117 1,155 Receivables 6,988 8,586 Total current assets 11,749 15,288 Fixed assets, net 1,059 1,120 TOTAL ASSETS 12,808 16,408 LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCES Current Liabilities: Accounts payable and accruals 10,280 12,598 Grants payable 148 1,686 Total current liabilities 10,428 14,284 Interfund transfers Fund balance 2,380 2,124 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCES 12,808 16,408 STATEMENT OF REVENUE, EXPENSE AND CHANGES IN FUND BALANCES (All amounts in EUR 000 s) December 31, REVENUES Cash contributions 11,042 10,820 Internal charges Interest income 4,420 3,900 Other TOTAL REVENUE 15,624 14,929 EXPENSES Direct programme expenses 8,374 7,180 Internal charges 4,420 3,900 Grants and awards 730 2,667 Administration 1,151 1,141 Depreciation Foreign exchange gain/loss TOTAL EXPENSES 15,368 15,444 Excess (deficiency) of revenues over expenses: 256 (515) Fund balances at the beginning of year 2,124 2,631 Interfund equilibration 8 FUND BALANCES AT THE END OF YEAR 2,380 2,124

27 STATEMENT OF CONTRIBUTIONS December 31,2003 Donor Contributions 2003 Total Contributions In-kind Contributions EUR EUR EUR Albania 76,866 Austria 522,625 Belgium 70, ,207 Bosnia and Herzegovina 93, ,672 Bulgaria 23,932 Canada 759,770 Croatia 8,300 28,679 6,350 Czech Republic 36, ,815 Denmark 732,228 3,844,849 Estonia 8,308 46,738 European Union 3,746,145 17,869,605 Finland 215,646 1,151,451 France 25,683 Germany 386,880 1,549, ,646 Hungary 15, ,425 1,231,134 Italy 915,000 2,966, ,427 Japan 395,607 11,841, ,715 Latvia 10,051 93,280 Lithuania 5,480 FYR Macedonia 166,071 Netherlands 1,230,616 7,969,298 New Zealand 14,048 Norway 337,729 2,161,003 Poland 86, ,825 Sweden 246, ,280 Switzerland 260,095 2,513,638 Slovakia 353,923 Slovenia 53, ,443 United Kingdom 174, ,282 United States 382,446 11,294,417 52,280 UN/UNMIK 272,313 2,143,765 3,846 Serbia and Montenegro 2,617 37,521 Other 416,123 2,922, TOTAL 10,096,257 73,396,277 2,549,895 ANNUAL REPORT 2003

28 twenty-two The nervous system of any age or nation is its creative workers, its artists. And if that nervous system is profoundly disturbed by its environment, the work it produces will inescapably reflect the disturbances, sometimes obliquely and sometimes with violent directness. Tennessee Williams ANNUAL REPORT 2003

29 SETTING THE STAGE [GRANTS AWARDED] Bythe time an actor takes the stage, countless hundreds, if not thousands of hours have gone into sewing costumes, setting the lighting cues, recording the sound effects and selecting just the right props for a performance. In the same vein, before any birds are saved or pollution monitored, an enormous amount of time has gone into announcing programmes, reviewing proposals, verifying credentials and transfering funds. Effective grant distribution requires years of experience something the REC has. For more than a decade the REC has been distributing grants throughout Central and Eastern Europe in a fair and transparent manner. Our in-house experts maintain contracts throughout the region, allowing us to evaluate a wide variety of proposals fairly and accurately. The quest for sustainable development must take place at all levels, and the REC is proud to have supported the projects listed in the following pages. HEAD OFFICE REReP 2.6: Environmental Legal Advocacy/Advisory Centers in South Eastern Europe (ELAAC) Donor: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Organisation Project Title EUR Marija Harangozo, Novi Sad Womens Centre Legal Advisory on the Issues of Environmental Protection and Improvement 5,468 Sreten Djordjevic, Legal Advocacy First Step 5,918 and Advisory Centre of Serbia Access to Information Programme Enhancing Free Access to Environmental Information 6,000 Foundation (AIP) Andrea Szabo, OTUS Society Measuring the Capacity of Using Legal Assistance of Environmental Protection NGOs in Romania 4,985 for Nature Protection Journalists Legal Environmental Center ERINA Environmental Public Advocacy Center 9,830 twenty-three TOTAL: 32,201 ALBANIA REReP Transboundary Cooperation Through the Management of Shared Natural Resources Shkoder Lake Donor: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Organisation Project Title EUR Luigj Gurakuqi University, Shkoder Universities: Important Centers for Environmental Education 3,180 Rainbow Youth Environmental Organisation Partners in the Protection of the Transboundary Resources of Shkoder Lake 3,920 Center for Farmer Training Eternal Values: Joint Descriptive Photo Album of Shkoder Lake 3,835 Regional Environmental Agency Collecting Data and Raising Awareness for the Protected Areas Status of the Shkodra Lake/Buna River/Vilun Area 3,125 Albanian Association for Transboundary Values Fair: Tradition Revitalisation 4,340 Environmental Education, Shkoder TOTAL 18,400 ANNUAL REPORT 2003

30 [GRANTS AWARDED] SETTING THE STAGE BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA REReP Transboundary Cooperation Through the Management of Shared Natural Resources Neretva Delta Site Donor: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Organisation Project Title EUR Dunjac Biletici-Citluk, Cleaning, Arranging and Revitalisation of Fishing Areas 3,000 Sport Fishermen s Association Civil Engineering Faculty, University of Mostar Morphological Characteristics and Legends of the Neretva River Basin 3,000 Institute for Public Health, Mostar Healthy Schools for a Healthy Future 2,000 Hutovo Blato Nature Park Karaotok-Capljina Protection of Wild Horses in the Hutovo Blato Area 3,000 Faculty of Agronomy, University of Mostar Possibilities for Establishing a Temperate Freshwater Fish Farm 3,000 Croatian Agronomy Association of the Developing the Ecological Awareness of Elementary Students Through the Farming 2,000 Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on School Grounds of Endemic Vegetable Species from the Neretva Delta Region Wetland Nature Association, Capljina Gaining Knowledge and Learning How to Use Endemic, Medicinal Plants from the Herzegovina Karst 2,000 Our Beautiful Homeland, Capljina Ecology through Practical Teaching Eco-classes in Nature 2,000 TOTAL 20,000 wenty-four BULGARIA ReREP Transboundary Cooperation Through the Management of Shared Natural Resources West Stara Planina Donor: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Organisation Project Title EUR Youth Center for Development Local Natural Values: A Source of Livelihoods, Culture and Life 1,849 of Belogradchik Municipality Balkan Civil Coalition, Belogradchik West Stara Planina: Natural and Cultural Attractions 1,994 Chiprovtzi Patriotic Society Preservation and Enrichment of Biodiversity in the Chiprovtzi Region 1,850 Council of Tourism, Chiprovtzi Natural Coloring, an Ancient Tradition for the Chiprovtzi Carpet: An Alternative for Tourism Development 1,640 Hristo Botev Culture House, Chuprene Initiation of Ecotourism in the Village of Chuprene 1,800 Ivan Vazov Culture House, Berkovitza West Balkan: With Clean Nature and Preserved Cultural Values 1,900 Information Business Center for Old Mountain, New Bridges 1,000 Regional Development, Belogradchik Nature Conservation Society, Belogradchik Promotion of Natural Attractions and Biodiversity of West Stara Planina 1,996 Organization of Bulgarian Scouts, Exploration of the Natural, Historical and Cultural Values of the Zbegove Eco-Trail 1,965 Belogradchishki Skali Scouts Club Belogradchik Rocks Tourist Association, Preservation and Conservation of the Karst Forms of the Belogradchik Anticline 1,992 Belogradchik Balkan United Sports Club Preservation of Protected Ancient Trees on the Territory of Belogradchik, Berkovitza, 1,479 Chiprovtzi and Chuprene Municipalities TOTAL 19,465 ANNUAL REPORT 2003

31 The real test of a man is not how well he plays the role he has invented for himself, but how well he plays the role that destiny assigned to him. Jan Patocka twenty-five ANNUAL REPORT 2003

32 [GRANTS AWARDED] SETTING THE STAGE CROATIA REReP Transboundary Cooperation Through the Management of Shared Natural Resources Neretva Delta Site Donor: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Organisation Project Title EUR Our Beautiful Homeland, Metkovic Amphibians in Neretva Delta 2,800 Healthy Town Metkovic and Eleonora, Biodiversity of Neretva Delta: Practical Education for Children 4,350 Zagreb on the Richness and Preservation Needs of Flora and Fauna in the Area Speleologist, Split and Matrix Croatica, Significant Caves in Lower Neretva Valley 4,150 Opuzen Waterlilly, Opuzen Sustainable Use of Chemicals in Agriculture 4,200 Don Mihovil Pavlinovic Primary School, Let s Learn About Norin River Vegetation 1,500 Metkovic Our Beautiful Homeland, Ploce Eco-Bulletin for School Children in Ploce 3,000 TOTAL 20,000 twenty-six ESTONIA Grant Programme of the Environmental Ministry of Finland Donor: Environmental Ministry of Finland Organisation Project Title EUR Vonnukivi Building the Camping Site Cleaning up Dunes at Soomaa Nature Park 315 Estonian Fund for Nature Forest Media Chamber in Ida-Viru County 1,000 Junior Achievement Development Foundation Sustainable Thinking: The Only Opportunity for Economy Leaders 2,500 Kullamaa Arboretum Disseminating Nature on the Trail 1,448 TOTAL 5,263 LATVIA Grant Programme of the Environmental Ministry of Finland Donor: Environmental Ministry of Finland Organisation Project Title EUR Children Environmental School Clean Water and Clean Coast 1,400 Selija Region Development Center Involvement of Schools in Ziemelsuseja River Basin Protection Activities 325 Latvian Ornithological Society No Wetlands No Water! 1,487 Bioma Environmental Studies Club Clean Springs in Kuldiga District 1,325 Nature Friends Club Contest for Schools of Preili District: Nature School on Aqua 726 TOTAL 5,263 ANNUAL REPORT 2003

33 SETTING THE STAGE [GRANTS AWARDED] LITHUANIA Grant Programme of the Environmental Ministry of Finland Donor: Environmental Ministry of Finland Organisation Project Title EUR Sietuva Club Public Awareness Raising and Collaboration to Protect Amphibia on the Road in Stervas Nature Reserve 913 Viola, inter-school environmental club, Youth Environmental School: Promotion and Environmental Movement in the Utenos Region 890 Utena region Leliunai, local community, Utena region In Beautiful Village: United Community 1,000 Samylai Community Centre Sustainable Development Information Centre 980 Liepija Improvement of Living Conditions of Local People of Zemaitija National Park 1,000 Through Provision of Information Concerning EU Requirements TOTAL 4,783 ROMANIA Supporting NGOs Within and Beyond CEE Borders Donor: Danish Environmental Protection Agency Organisation Project Title EUR Floare de Colt Best Waste Management Practice for Cluj-Napoca City 4,200 Amonit Speological and Ecological Club Household Waste Management Model for the Rural Communities in Mountain Areas 2,740 EarthVoice Romania The Children: Actors of Change 4,000 Trascau Corp Household Waste Management in the Valtori Valley 2,042 Service Civil International, Romania Plastic Waste: Major Polluting Factor in Danube Delta 4,748 Bio Logic Association Waste and the Press 3,100 Horizont Association Waste and Forest: The Future of Covasna County 4,170 twenty-seven TOTAL 25,000 SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO REReP Transboundary Cooperation Through the Management of Shared Natural Resources West Stara Planina Donor: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Organisation Project Title EUR Timok Club, Knjazevac West Stara Planina: New Bridges 1,885 Gurgusovac Education Association West Stara Planina: Cultural and Natural Sights 1,200 Logos Teachers Association, Pirot Along the Paths of Stara Planina for Better Cooperation between Nations 1,957 Association for Guarding and Development Colours of the Pirot s Kilim 1,990 of the Pirot s Kilim Weaving ANNUAL REPORT 2003

34 [GRANTS AWARDED] SETTING THE STAGE REReP Transboundary Cooperation Through the Management of Shared Natural Resources West Stara Planina continued Organisation Project Title EUR Pirgos Civic Library, Pirot Guidebook through West Stara Planina 1,200 Municipal Cultural Center, Pirot Traditional Cattle Raising on West Stara Planina and its Perspectives 1,968 Caribrod Cultural Informative Center Holy Places of the Caribrod Region 800 Network of Four Municipalities Capacity Building of Municipalities of Zajecar, Knjazevac Pirot and Dimitrovgrad 9,000 on West Stara Planina TOTAL 20,000 REReP Transboundary Cooperation Through the Management of Shared Natural Resources Skadar Lake Project Donor: Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation Organisation Project Title EUR Center for Bird Protection and Research Discover Skadar Lake 5,000 LYNX Animal World Preservation Society Skadar Lake: Source of Healthy Food 3,446 Group for Sustainable Development Promotion of Eco-tours on Skadar Lake 3,000 and Euro Integration Skadar Lake National Park Information Center 4,946 Montenegrin Royal Yachting Club Lake Without Borders 3,422 wenty-eight TOTAL 19,814 ANNUAL REPORT 2003

35 Life s splendour forever lies in wait about each one of us in all its fullness, but veiled from view, deep down, invisible, far off. It is there, though, not hostile, not reluctant, not deaf. If you summon it by the right word, by its right name, it will come. twenty-nine Franz Kafka ANNUAL REPORT 2003

36 All the World s a stage and all the men and women merely players, they have their exits and their entrances and one man in his life plays many parts, his act being seven stages. William Shakespeare thirty ANNUAL REPORT 2003

37 SETTING THE STAGE [STRATEGIC DIRECTION 2004] Inthe early 1990s, common needs were characteristic of the 15 Central and Eastern (CEE) countries comprising the emerging REC constituency. At the beginning of the political changes, much of the environmental heritage for countries in the region seemed similar in nature. By the year 2000, however, the REC beneficiaries became more diversified because of differences in the evolution of political, social and economic processes. The one remaining overarching theme from the late 1980s is the quest for sustainability, which is now supported by many multilateral agreements, including those forming the legal basis of the EU. The countries of the region evolved into five strategic beneficiary group areas with special environmental problems, differing political statuses, donor interests, and funding opportunities that shifted along with these changes. The new beneficiary groups of a larger CEE area can today be identified as: new EU member states (joining May 2004); countries negotiating their accession to the EU (candidate countries); Balkan Stability Pact countries (SEE); NIS/EECCA countries; and Turkey. This development requires new approaches that provide a better platform for reflecting both the realities of the beneficiary groups needs and the priorities and requirements of potential funding sources. The REC focuses its efforts on well-developed fields of expertise, while also securing resources for knowledge creation and management that contribute to a widening of in-house expertise in several areas with the aim of further strengthening its centres of excellence. Many new projects and initiatives provide focused support to new groups of REC beneficiaries. The Course for Sustainability for key governmental officials, for example, assists SEE countries within the implementation of the Regional Environmental Reconstruction Programme for South Eastern Europe (REReP). The official opening of the REC s 16th country office based on the bilateral agreement with the government of Turkey was held in May, The REC will cooperate closely with Turkish authorities and environmental stakeholders in supporting and facilitating Turkey s accession to the EU. thirty-one ANNUAL REPORT 2003

38 [BOARD OF DIRECTORS & GENERAL ASSEMBLY] SETTING THE STAGE thirty-two BOARD OF DIRECTORS Corrado Clini* DIRECTOR GENERAL Department for Environmental Research and Development Ministry for the Environment and Territory of Italy CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Soledad Blanco HEAD OF UNIT Enlargement and Neighbouring Countries Environment Directorate General European Commission Nadya Boneva EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Time Ecoprojects Foundation Bulgaria Zuzana Drhova*** EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Zeleny Kruh (Green Circle) Czech Republic Tom Garvey*** Belgium Allan Gromov** DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL International Cooperation Ministry of Environment Estonia Robert Herbst CO-FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL Global Environment & Technology Foundation USA Palle Lindgaard Joergensen*** HEAD OF DIVISION Division of Danish Cooperation for Environment in Easter Europe (DANCEE) Danish Environmental Protection Agency Jon Opem SENIOR ADVISOR Department for International Cooperation Norwegian Ministry of the Environment Istvan Pomazi CHIEF ADVISOR Department for Strategic Planning Ministry of Environment and Water Hungary Yukio Yanagisawa PROFESSOR OF ENVIRONMENT SYSTEMS Departement of Environmental Science Graduate School of Frontier Science University of Tokyo School of Frontier Sciences Institute of Environmental Studies * Chairman from November 8, 2003 ** Chairman until November 8, 2003 *** Served as a board member until October 2003 GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY JAAKKO HENTTONEN Consul Consulate General of Finland Russia ALBANIA PELLUMB ABESHI General Secretary Ministry of Environment AUSTRIA MANFRED SCHNEIDER Director International Affairs Department Federal Ministry of Environment, Youth and Family BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA MAJA TAUBMAN-BEVANDA Professional Assistant Federal Ministry of Physical Planning and Environment BULGARIA EMILIA KRAEVA Deputy Minister Ministry of the Environment and Waters CANADA NORINE SMITH Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Communications Ministry of Environment CROATIA VISNJA JELIC-MUCK State Secretary for Environment Ministry of Environmental Protection and Physical Planning and Construction CZECH REPUBLIC LENKA KAROVA Director Department of Strategies Ministry of Environment DENMARK THOMAS BECKER Head of International Department The Ministers Secretariat Ministry of Environment ESTONIA SULEV VARE Secretary General Ministry of the Environment EUROPEAN COMMISSION SOLEDAD BLANCO Head of Unit Enlargement and Neighbouring Countries European Commission DG Environment FINLAND LEENA VOUTILAINEN Senior Advisor Central and Eastern European Cooperation Environmental Protection Department Ministry of the Environment GERMANY DIETER GOTTLOB Division Environmental Strategies and Information Federal Environmental Agency HUNGARY TIBOR FARAGO Chief Head of Division, Cabinet of the Minister Ministry of Environment and Water ITALY MASSIMO COZZONE Department for Global Environment, International and Regional Conventions Ministry for the Environment and Territory JAPAN HIDEHIKO HAMADA Minister Charge d Affaires Embassy of Japan Hungary LATVIA ANDRIS EGLAJS Deputy State Secretary Ministry of Environment LITHUANIA EVALDAS VEBRA Senior Specialist International Relations and Agreements Department of Environmental Strategy Ministry of Environment MALTA GEORGE PULLICINO Minister Ministry for Home Affaires and the Environment FYR MACEDONIA DRAGOLJUB MATOVSKI Deputy Minister Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning THE NETHERLANDS ADRIAAN OUDEMAN Coordinator for Eastern Europe Environmental Affairs Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment NORWAY PAUL HOFSETH Special Advisor Ministry of Environment POLAND EWA OLESIEJUK Specialist Department of International Cooperation Ministry of Environmental Protection, Natural Resources and Forestry ROMANIA ALINA CRISTINA VASC Expert Department of International Programmes and Projects Ministry of Environment and Water Management SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO MIHAJLO GAVRIC Deputy Minister Ministry for the Protection of Natural Resources and Environment SLOVAKIA KAMIL VILINOVIC Director Department for European Affairs Ministry of the Environment SLOVENIA MARKO SLOKAR State Secretary for Environment Ministry of Environment Spatial Planning and Energy SWITZERLAND JEAN-PIERRE EGGER Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Cooperation with Eastern Europe and CIS Division Federal Department of Foreign Affairs TURKEY ABDURRAHMAN ULUIRMAK Head Foreign Relations and EU Department Ministry of Environment UNITED STATES JUDITH E. AYRES Assistant Administrator Office of International Affairs Environmental Protection Agency CO-OPTED MEMBERS VLADIMIR DOBES Director EMPRESS, Czech MT Centre Czech Republic BRENDAN GILLESPIE Head Environment Directorate, Non-Member Countries Branch Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD France BEDRICH MOLDAN Director Environmental Center Charles University Prague Czech Republic ERZSEBET SCHMUCK Vice-President EEB President Hungarian Association for Nature Conservation Hungary STANISLAW SITNICKI Vice-President Ekofund Poland ANDREJ STEINER Chief Advisor Regional Environmental Governance Program UNDP RBEC Regional Center Bratislava Slovakia JERNEJ STRITIH Chairman of the Board Oikos Inc., Environmental Consulting Slovenia ANNUAL REPORT 2003

39 REC PUBLICATIONS 2003 Aarhus Meets Kyoto November 2003, ISBN: Assessing Environmental Law Drafting Needs in South Eastern Europe, REReP 1.3 Phase One Report August 2003, ISBN: Creating Congruence: Highlights and Achievements of REC Activities in Central and Eastern Europe under the Environmental Action Programme May 2003, ISBN Developing a Priority Environmental Investment Programme for South Eastern Europe October 2003, ISBN: Developing and Implementing Integrated National Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers May 2003, on-line version only Developing Environmental Assessments and Comparing Risks October 2002, ISBN: DG ENV-NGO Dialogue Group, Summary of the Seventh Meeting February 2003, ISBN: Environmental Enforcement and Compliance in South Eastern Europe February 2002, ISBN: Environmental Financing in Central and Eastern Europe May 2003, ISBN Governance Principles for Foreign Direct Investment in Hazardous Activities May 2003, on-line version only Handbook on Access to Justice under the Aarhus Convention March 2003, ISBN Highlights of the Regional Environmental Reconstruction Programme for South Eastern Europe May 2003, ISBN x Implementing Local Environmental Action Programmes in Central and Eastern Europe September 2003, ISBN: Investing in the Local Environment: Assisting Municipalities in South Eastern Europe to Access Environmental Financing October 2003 Nature Conservation in Rural Policy (SAPARD programme) February 2003, ISBN Progress in the Implementation of the Aarhus Policy Statement on Environmental Management in Enterprises: Central and South Eastern Europe May 2003, on-line version only Regional Approach to the Management of Hazardous Waste in SEE Countries August 2003 Snapshot of Environmental Information Systems in South Eastern Europe: Current Progress and Future Priorities August 2003, ISBN: Training Manual for Environmental Inspectorates in South Eastern Europe May 2003 ISBN: Developing Skills of NGOs: Series of 7 Training Manuals, (Albanian, Bulgarian, Croatian, English, Romanian and Serbian), on-line version only Green Pack (Bulgarian and Hungarian) 2003, ISBN: and Measuring Up: EIA Training Resource Manual for South Eastern Europe October 2003, ISBN thirty-three ANNUAL REPORT 2003

40 SETTING THE STAGE [BEHIND THE SCENES] CAST LIST [for Head Office production] REC SENIOR MANAGEMENT Marta Szigeti Bonifert Executive Director (from May 19, 2003) Toni Popovski Executive Director (until May 18, 2003) Oreola Ivanova Deputy Executive Director Strategy and Development (from September 1, 2003) Alexander Juras Deputy Executive Director Outreach and Special Programmes Zoltan Madaras Deputy Executive Director Finance and Administration (from September 1, 2003) Motoharu Yamazaki Assistant Executive Director, Director of Japan Special Fund and Head of Climate Change Programme Francesco Rizzo Coordinator of Italian Trust Fund REC DEPARTMENT AND PROGRAMME HEADS Ferenc Andras Administration Department Robert Laszlo Nemeskeri Business and Environment Programme Ilona Bonyine Docze Conference Department Melita Ivanova Country Office Support Department (until March 31, 2003) Christie Duijvelaar Country Office Support Department (from April 1, 2003) Stephen Stec Environmental Law Programme Oreola Ivanova Environmental Policy Programme (until August 31, 2003) Zoltan Madaras Finance Department (until August 31, 2003) Maria Angyal Human Resource Department Jerome Simpson Information Programme Jennifer McGuinn Local Initiatives Programme Robert Atkinson NGO Support and Capacity Building Programmes Jozef Skultety Office of the Executive Director (until May 31, 2003) Magdolna Tothne Nagy Public Participation Programme Sylvia Magyar Publishing Department (from April 1, 2003) REC HEAD OFFICE STAFF Pavel Antonov Erzsebet Aszalos Zarina Azizova Judit Balint Zsolt Bauer Janos Banga Tamas Becker Helene Bertrand Peter Bodo Marianna Bolshakova Mihaly Bonifert Tsvetelina Borissova Anna Boros Nicholas Bown Stefan Bonsch Lucia Brocato Miroslav Chodak Adriana Craciun Istvanne Dankovics Kornelia Deak Mihail Dimovski Jiri Dusik Zsuzsanna Fejosne Ivanyi Joanna Fiedler Tsvetelina Filipova Borissova Angelika Brigitta Foldesi Emese Gal Janos Gelencser Steven Graning Istvan Hegyi Gabor Heves Beata Horvath Gabriella Jani Tamas Janicsek Paulina Janiak Rousslan Jetchkov Nathan Johnson Ausra Jurkeviciute Maria Khovanskaia Mozes Kiss Violeta Kogalniceanu Aniko Kovacs Maria Kralj Grazyna Krzywkowska Tinatin Kvatchantiradze Magdolna Lajti Laszlo Leitold Tamas Magyar Jolanta Manska Ors Marczin Katarina Mareckova Balazs Martini Agata Miazga Lubomira Mileva Kirilova Kliment Mindjov Yordanka Minkova Attila Morotz Karoly Mozes Robert Orban Vadim Ostapenko Peter Pal Pakot Daniel Pazsitzky Szilvia Pandine Szegedi Eva Peto Entela Pinguli Hajnalka Rab Gabor Rehak Eunice Reyneke Dana Carmen Romanescu Eszter Rozsa Julianna Rumy Balazs Ruzsa Todd Schenk Sergiu Dragos Serban Graciela Simunovic Kristiina Soone Gregory Spencer Cerasela Stancu Andras Szabo Csaba Szabo Jozsef Szabo Laszlo Nimrod Szabo Orsolya Kinga Szalasi Jozsef Szlezak Kaidi Tingas Andrea Toth Danco Uzunov Erika Varga Barbara Vertes Kristina Vilimaite Roman Vyhnanek Krisztina Wegner Janos Zlinszky UNDERSTUDIES AND INTERNS Zarina Azizova Steve Brookes Iiro Caarinen Anthony Dvarskas Yumiko Fujii Helena Grahn Angela Hahlbrock Judith Kiss Ariyoshi Kusumi Ruairidh Charles Mackenzie Kety Mateshvili Simon Milton Todd Schenk Nike Sommerwerk Sjoerd Steenbergen Pavel Steiner Bela Szegezdy Eugenija Tautkute Jelica Vesic CAST LIST [for Country Office productions] ALBANIA Directed by Mihallaq Qirjo Diana Bejko Eduart Cani Jorida Gjonca Genta Hoxha Alken Myftiu Migena Pengili Doreida Petro Daniela Tola BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Directed by Nesad Seremet Andrea Bevanda Jasna Draganic Suad Hajric Nirmela Musa Enisa Pulic Inka Sehovic Sunita Selak Banja Luka Field Office Directed by Djordje Stefanovic Ljiljana Pandzic Ozren Runic Djordje Vojinovic BULGARIA Directed by Margarita Mateeva Tanya Ivanova Sylvia Kirova Borislav Mourdzhev Nelly Papazova Kristina Strukanska Mihail Staynov Katya Todorova CROATIA Directed by Irena Brnada Dunja Fadljevic Silva Fucic Konstantinovic Suncica Kopjarevic Juric Dalia Matijevic Zeljka Medven Meri Rogosic Diana Jaksic (intern) CZECH REPUBLIC Directed by Simona Kosikova Sulcova Nadezda Frelichova Tomas Kazmierski Martin Smutny ESTONIA Directed by Tuuli Rasso Heidi Hansen Anne Kivinukk Meelis Magi HUNGARY Directed by Eva Csobod Petur Farkas Zsolt Kosznovszki Laszlo Perneczky LATVIA Directed by Erika Lagzdina Kristina Dzelstina Sarmite Lucane Diana Meijere Ilze Strausa LITHUANIA Directed by Kestutis Navickas Laima Galkute Aurelija Grauzinyte Arunas Gricius Maryte Keziene Edita Zvirblyte FYR MACEDONIA Directed by Katarina Stojkovska Jordanco Bajraktarov Aleksandra Dimova Stole Georgiev Marina Ordzanova Slavjanka Pejcinovska-Andonova Kornelija Radovanovik Daniela Simova POLAND Directed by Malgorzata Koziarek Anna Dabrowska-Kurzajak Barbara Maksimowska Michal Miazga ROMANIA Directed by Anca Tofan Bogdan Albu Iulian Atanasiu Magda Chitu George Guran Oana Penu Virgil Predescu Rxana Schiopu Dana Stratila SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO Directed by Radoje Lausevic Svetlana Aleksic Marin Conc Darko Cudanov Dusan Djurdjic Marian Djordjevic Snezana Dragojevic Momcilo Dzunic Sergej Ivanov Jelena Kis Milos Kuzmanovic Natasa Maksimovic Jasmina Marinkovic Uros Miloradovic Alaksandra Mladenovic Tamara Nikolic Damir Oravec Jovan Pavlovic Ana Popovic Jovana Risovic Mladjan Sladakovic Maja Spasojevic Srdjan Susic Kosovo Field Office Directed by Shkipe Deda Fejzullah Abdullahu Naim Arifaj Pranvera Firza Vardon Hoxha Nenad Rikalo Aleksandar Savic Mirlinda Shaipi Florina Skeja Blerim Vela SLOVAKIA Directed by Vladimir Hudek Daniel Buzinkay Milan Chrenko Zuzana Hudekova Viera Mihaldova Richard Muller Daniel Skobla SLOVENIA Directed by Milena Marega Darko Fercej Mateja Sepec-Jersic Julija Skarabot Tatjana Studen JUNIOR FELLOWS ARMENIA Naira Harutyunyan Women for Green Way for Generations BELARUS Maryna Karavai Foundation for Realization of Ideas BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Krsto Lukic Young Researchers of Banja Luka Maja Jelic Solidarity for the South BULGARIA Dragomira Raeva For the Earth (Za Zemiata) CROATIA Sandra Ilic Agroturist Tea Kovacevic Society for Sustainable Development Design CZECH REPUBLIC Petr Rychtecky Environmental Education Center Chaloupky HUNGARY Eszter Kollar Protect the Future Krisztina Szabo Ecoservice Foundation Levente Pencz Fauna Society KAZAKHSTAN Seifullina Aigerim Areket Gulzhaina Issabayeva Climate Change Coordination Centre KOSOVO Shefqet Thaqi Cooperazione Internazionale KYRGYZSTAN Nurzat Abdyrasulova Unison FYR MACEDONIA Daniel Medaroski ERINA Jouranalists Legal Environmental Centre Biljana Mircevska Biosfera ROMANIA Csaba Cseko Hungarian Students Union of Bihor Adriana-Ani Gurau Eco-Alpex 024 Simona-Iolanda Burete Carpathian Wildlife Foundation RUSSIA Ekaterina Godunova Greenpeace Iaroslava Sennicova Youth Ecologocal Organisation of Baltic-Ladoga SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO Andrej Medved Greens Ecology Movement Dejan Dojcinovic GRuPa Pancevo Civil Reaction Igor Jezdimirovic Novi Sad Red Cross Organization SLOVAKIA Lenka Milonova TATRY Civic Association Pavla Misikova Living Planet Civic Association SLOVENIA Barbara Kvac Fokus Association for Sustainable Development Simon Resman Association for Protecting the Environment of Radovljica TAJIKISTAN Faizullohodja Nasulloev Youth and Environment Timur Norov Youth Group of Protection of Environment TURKEY Yasemin Mia Cagatay TURMEPA Tuna Turkmen Greenpeace Mediterranean TURKMENISTAN Makhym Orazmuhamedova Counterpart Consortium UKRAINE Julia Myasyshcheva Bakhmat Environmental and Cultural Center

41 TEXT Zsolt Bauer Steven Graning DESIGN Sylvia Magyar COVER PHOTOS Hadley Kincade PHOTOS Antonela Dragobratovia (8) Belogradchik Rocks Tourist Association (13) Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (17) Center for Environmental Information and Education (11) Eco-Association Children of the Earth (14) Greener Bourgas Foundation (6,16) Hadley Kincade (1,3,4, 5,18,19,20,22,23,24,25,27,28,29,30,31,33) Ivailo Nikolov (14) Laszlo Nimrod Szabo (9) Milvus Group (12) Open Garden Foundation (14) Peter Lehoczky/European Commission (11) Reuters/Sergio Perez (7) Robert Szabo Benke (2,21,33) Sylvia Magyar (21,26) Stanislaw Ciok/European Commission (11) IMAGING Laszlo Falvay PRINTING Typonova Kft. This and all REC publications are printed on recycled paper or paper produced without the use of chlorine or chlorine-based chemicals.

42 COUNTRY OFFICES ALBANIA Rr. Durresit P. 11 Shk. 2 Ap. 12 Tirana Tel/fax: (355-4) rec@albania.rec.org BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA Koste Hermana 11/ Sarajevo Tel/fax: (387-33) , nseremet@rec.org.ba Banja Luka Field Office Slavka Rodica Banja Luka RS Tel/fax: (387-51) rec.bl@inecco.net Mostar Project Office Ante Starcevica b.b Mostar Tel/fax: (387-36) rec-neretva@tel.net.ba BULGARIA Pozitano str. 3 Floor Sofia POB 1142 Tel: (359-2) Tel/fax: (359-2) rec@rec-bg.org CROATIA Djordjiceva 8a Br Zagreb Tel: (385-1) Tel/fax: (385-1) rec@rec-croatia.hr Project Office Metkovic K. Zvonimira Metkovic Tel/fax: (385-20) rec-neretva@hi.hinet.hr CZECH REPUBLIC Senovazna Prague Tel/fax: (420-2) rec@reccr.cz ESTONIA Ravala str Tallinn Tel: (372-6) Tel/fax: (372-6) info@recestonia.ee HUNGARY Ady Endre ut Szentendre Tel: (36-26) , Tel/fax: (36-26) coh@rec.org LATVIA Peldu 26/28, Riga Tel/fax: (371-7) reclat@parks.lv LITHUANIA Svitrigailos g. 7/ Vilnius Tel: (370-5) Tel/fax: (370-5) rec@rec.lt FYR MACEDONIA Mit. Teodosij Gologanov Skopje Tel/fax: (389-2) katarina@rec.org.mk POLAND ul. Zurawia 32/34 lok Warsaw Tel: (48-22) , Fax: (48-22) recpl@data.pl ROMANIA Str Episcop Timus nr. 4 Sector 1 Bucharest Tel: (40-21) , Fax: (40-21) rec@recromania.ro SLOVAKIA Vysoka Bratislava Tel: (421-2) Fax: (421-2) rec@changenet.sk SLOVENIA Slovenska cesta Ljubljana Tel/fax: (386-1) Tel: (386-1) rec-slovenia@guest.arnes.si SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO Primorska Belgrade Tel: (381-11) Fax: (381-11) office@recyu.org Kosovo Field Office Kodra e Diellit Rruga 3 Lamela 26 Pristina Kosovo Tel/fax: (381-38) sdeda@kos.rec.org TURKEY Ceyhun Atif Kansu Cad. No 124 Balgat-Ankara Tel: (90-312) Fax: (90-312) info@rec.org.tr HEAD OFFICE The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe Ady Endre ut Szentendre Hungary Tel: (36-26) Fax: (36-26) Web site: