Transparency as a Key to Sustainable Regional Development Experiences from CEE Countries with EU Funds Programmes and Projects Keti Medarova-Bergstrom, CEE Bankwatch Network / Friends of the Earth Europe

CEE Bankwatch Network is an international NGO with member organisations currently from 13 countries across the CEE and CIS region. Our mission is to prevent the environmentally and socially harmful impacts of international financial institutions, but also of EU funding, and to promote alternative solutions and public participation. Friends of the Earth Europe unites more than 30 national environmental organisations with thousands of local groups and is part of the worlds largest grassroots environmental network, Friends of the Earth International. Project: Billions for Sustainability? Monitoring EU funds in CEE countries

Why is transparency important for effective use of EU funds? EU Funds % of the EU budget Single biggest spending of EU taxpayers money EUR billion for projects EUR 177 billion for new member states

Why is transparency important for effective use of EU funds? (2) Social, environmental and economic opportunities and impacts Transparency and timely access to information can facilitate better absorption of these funds and prevent their misuse Stepping stones to the implementation of effective partnerships Both EC and MS should have responsibility for providing access to information and transparency

Legal Arrangements Council Regulation N 1083/2006 in article 69 stipulates the requirement for publicity and information Implementing Regulation 1828/2006 –electronically or otherwise – the list of beneficiaries – the names of the operations and – the amount of public funding allocated to operations – flying the flag of the European Union for one week starting 9 May, in front of the premises of each managing authority What does this say to EU citizens?

Is This Enough? Rather basic information Ex-post publication once per year It says nothing about whether a dump site or a 6 lane highway will be build next to peoples homes It says nothing about the impact on their livelihoods and the environment

Some Shameful Examples Bulgaria: –No effective public scrutiny –No proper communication and co-operation among relevant authorities and judicial bodies –More than a EUR billion frozen, 2 implementing agencies discredited, Operational Programs in jeopardy Poland: –Nearly half of the municipalities believe that the project selection procedure was little (38%) or very little transparent (11%)

Some Positive Examples Latvia: Programming process conducted in an orderly and transparent manner Submitted comments were always made publicly available Hungary: Public hearings on the programming documents properly organised Authorities always gave enough time for partners' and public comments

Minimum Standards for Transparent EU Funds Programmes and Projects Minimum electronic information published about ALL the projects that apply for financing and are being assessed Providing comprehensible information to local communities Short project descriptions – after the formal assessment, –After the expert assessment, –Information on points won in respective categories and –Final decisions

Transparency and Partnership: 10 Golden Rules 1)Equal status and voting rights 2) Same information and timely access 3) Relevant documents to be discussed at least 2 weeks in advance 4) Feed-back mechanisms 5) Project selection criteria and appraisal 6) Minutes of meetings are publicly available 7) Training and capacity building for partners 8) Transparent selection of NGO committee members 9) At least one place for an environmental NGO partner in all ERDF, EAFRD and Cohesion Fund committees 10) Cover costs

Thank you! For more information about and transparency of and partnership for cohesion policy: