1. From Strategies to Actions: The Aarhus Developments in South East Europe Magda Tóth Nagy Public Participation Program November 17, 2005

2. www.rec.org REC projects implemented in Southern and Eastern Europe: Key objectives Promote ratification and practical implementation of Aarhus Convention Develop implementation strategies and action plans in transparent and participatory process Assist and enable officials and NGOs to implement more efficiently the Convention

3. www.rec.org Support Developing Implementation Strategies Southern Europe Implemented in Albania, BiH, Bulgaria, FYR Macedonia, Romania, Serbia &Montenegro, Kosovo (UNMIK) 2001-2003 Funded by Netherlands Ministry for Foreign Affairs

4. www.rec.org Project Approach Assessment of status, needs and priorities Developing strategies and action plans Combination of technical assistance and different capacity building methods Regional, national and local activities

5. www.rec.org Key Achievements 6 National strategies and action plans to implement Aarhus Convention 9 NGO pilot projects in 6 countries to apply AC in practice Over 1000 government officials and NGOs trained Manuals, handbooks, resource and training materials for officials and NGOs Network of Aarhus experts and NGOs

6. www.rec.org Improving the Practices of Public Participation: Next Steps in Implementing the Aarhus Convention Follow up project implemented in Albania, B&H, FYR Macedonia, S&CG and Kosovo (UNMIK) Funded by the Dutch Ministry for Foreign Affairs Project period: December 2004 - December 2006

7. www.rec.org From Strategies to Actions: Objectives To improve the practical implementation of Aarhus Convention To support development and application of various mechanisms To increase the skills and capacities of officials To strengthen the capacities of NGOs and other stakeholders to use the available opportunities and tools

8. www.rec.org Activities Identify and prioritize the planned practical activities Assistance to achieve legislative, institutional, practical improvements Capacity building workshops, trainings on practical issues 2 pilot projects/country 3 regional experience sharing workshops

9. www.rec.org Outputs/Outcomes Legislative, institutional recommendations Further progress in ratification and implementation Strengthened government and NGO capacities Improved practices in municipalities Common approaches, solutions or actions by a network of officials and NGOs Resource/training/ guidance materials, brochures, web sites, etc.

10. www.rec.org Contact Information Magda Tóth Nagy Public Participation Program REC tmagdi@rec.org www.rec.org