Developing Environmental Information Systems in SEE Countries REReP 1.8

JEROME SIMPSONThe Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe

JSimpson@rec.org

Presentation Outline

• Introduction/Goals

• Achievements and Progress

• National Action Plans for EIS development

• Case Studies on Electronic Access to Information

• Forthcoming Activities

• Linkages with the E-Tools Task Force

Introduction

• The goal is to assist in improving the

management and dissemination of environmental

information for the benefit of SEE government institutions and citizens

• This will be realised through training workshops, case study sharing & financing, within a regional framework & based on a needs assessment

• The project aims to support Aarhus Convention implementation, integration into EEA/EIONET, and promotion of online governance.

• Project duration: April 2001 - Dec. 2003 (extended)

• Implementing Agency: REC, in coop. with Croatia (lead country)

Achievements and Progress

• Completed needs assessments & action plans for each territory in SEE

• Two workshops to review progress and offer training in data management/dissemination

• EUR 310,000 disbursement: equipmt, training, info sources + 24,000 for related expert services

• Circulation of Compendium and 12 new case studies on the use of electronic tools to implement Aarhus

• Project website at: http://www.rec.org/REC/Programs/REReP/InformationSystems/

National Action Plans

• Al: Training on EIS setup; appx. of EU standards; data collection training; EIS-reporting to key stakeholders

• Bg: Upgrading of communications links, equipment; municipality trainings on Aarhus; data processing tools; regional info centres upgrade

• BiH: Circa s/w training for inter-entity coop.; equipment upgrades; well-qualified webmaster; training in data management

• Kos: Design/development of a monitoring ntwk; training on achieving compliance; data publishing assistance, a public forums for inf. exchange

Based on 5 key categories….

Institutional Setup/Legal Framework/Data Management/Inf. Dissem/ Access to information in policymaking

Case Studies on Aarhus Implementation

•  Twelve new examples, nine countries (Bg, Ee, No, UK, Cz, At, USA, Sk, Dk)

•  Electronic as well as non-electronic examples (Es, Ei, Dk)

•  Part of a Compendium of Good Practice, filed article by article

•  Encompassing Articles 4-8

•  Accessible online@ www.rec.org/e-aarhus

Forthcoming Activities

2) Workshop: Spring 2003, Bulgaria to:

•  evaluate progress/lessons learned

• validate country priorities and future support actions

•  scope a new 2 yr workplan

•  elect a lead country (if demand exists)

•  share regional experiences with the E-Tools Task Force

1) Summary report of the needs assessments and national action plans/case studies (to alert donors to the need for continuing support!) 

The E-Tools Task Force

•  Led by Bulgaria as of Oct. 2002 (with REC, UNEP, Austria) •  Supporting information access and public participation in DM, chiefly through electronic means •  Hosting a workshop for 50, Spring 2003 to discuss needs/ priorities, offer demonstrations and training •  Exchanging and gathering case studies, in hardcopy and online at www.rec.org/e-aarhus •  Preparing recommendations on application of e-tools in framework of convention

Summary

• Project Introduction/Goals

• Achievements and Progress

• National Action Plans for EIS development

• Case Studies on Electronic Access to Information

• Forthcoming Activities

• Linkages with the E-Tools Task Force

Thank You for your attention!