1. Integra Consulting Services Ltd. Implementing the SEA Directive: Experience from the new EU Member States Martin Smutny

2. Overview Introduction Background Major issues Conclusions

3. Introduction Consultancy company based in the Czech Republic Projects in the SEA field (CEE, EECCA, Asia) Personal experience with –SEA for NSRF/OP in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia –Capacity building on SEA/EIA in CEE –Preparation of guidelines/legislation More info www.integranet.cz

4. Background Presentation reflects mainly experience from the Czech Republic and Romania (altogether 8 OPs and 1 NSRF) –Basic characteristics –Key success factors –Main problems –Lessons learned

5. Basic characteristics SEAs fully conducted by the external consultancy Developers of the programmes – responsible ministry with the involvement of the external consultancy Strict and complicated SEA legislation Powerful role the SEA authorities Use of the GRDP methodology on SEA

6. Key success factors SEA in parallel with the program preparation Communication with the programming team Good knowledge of the whole area of the Structural Funds Communication with the MoE Focus on the relevant environmental issues

7. Main problems Long processes with many uncertainties –Content of the programme –Terms and deadlines –Implementing structure Changes of the programme after SEA Lack of understanding of SEA purpose / environmental issues in general Low public interest

8. Lessons learned Conducting SEA = capacity development process SEA for OPs is close to SEA for policies (no specific projects, no specific locations) The real environmental impacts will depend on a way of the OPs implementation Strong focus on the monitoring and environmental criteria for the project evaluation and selection is necessary

9. Conclusions SEA can provide valuable inputs / results….but it is necessary to fulfil general preconditions The environmental report is only summary of the outputs, not the single final result Role of the national environmental authorities is a key for the enforcement of SEA results Further expert capacities for the environmental issues within the implementing structures are needed

10. Thank you for your attention! martin.smutny@integranet.cz