1. European Environment Agency
Who we are, what we do...

2. The EEA mission
The European Environment Agency is the EU body dedicated to providing sound, independent information on the environment
We are a main information source for those involved in developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating environmental policy, and also the general public

3. What is our mandate?
To help the Community and member countries make informed decisions about improving the environment, integrating environmental considerations into economic policies and moving towards sustainability
To coordinate the European environment information and observation network (Eionet)

4. The EEA is... An independent information provider
An analyst and assessor
Building bridges between science and policy
Dependent upon strong networks to carry out its work
...to support policy processes and inform the public

5. Who are EEA’s clients? Institutions and governments
European Commission, Parliament, Council, EEA member countries
Influencers
NGOs, business, media, advisory groups, scientists, debaters
General public

6. The context EEA EC’s 6th Environment Action Prog. EU legislation
National
legislation
EU 7th
Research FP
Non-member
country
activities
EEA
International
legislation
Sectoral
integration
International
Organisations
activities
EU SDS

7. EEA member and collaborating countries
Member countries
Collaborating countries

8. European environment information and observation network (Eionet)
About 300 national institutions
National focal points
European topic centres
National reference centres
Other institutions

9. How does the EEA reach its objectives?
By providing a wide range of information and
assessments of
The state of the environment and trends
Pressures on the environment and the driving forces behind them
Policies and their effectiveness
Outlooks/scenarios

10. Process for new European Topic Centres
ETCs on Biological diversity and on Resources and waste management in operation
EEA management board agreed in November 2008 to initiate process for two new ETCs – Biological diversity and Sustainable consumption & production
New ETCs to operate for up to 5 years – (period of next EEA Strategy)

11. Timetable 2008 (Publication of open call: 19 December 2007)
Information briefing: January
Deadline for proposals: 21 April
Opening of proposals: April
Evaluation of proposals: May
Designation of new ETCs
by management board: 18 June

12. Framework partnership agreements
Signed by EEA and coordinator of ETC consortium
Specifies specific and general conditions
Specific conditions include constitution of consortium, award of grants via specific agreements, duration, co-financing, and contact points
General conditions cover other legal/administrative provisions and financial management including eligible costs and cost statements

13. Specific agreements Description of the (specific) work programme
Estimated budget for work programme
EEA and consortium contributions to costs
Payment arrangements
Submission of reports etc

14. Questions?