National
Grants and Training Programme |
Support
to the Environmental Non-governmental Organisations in Bosnia
and Herzegovina |
Donor:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria through Austrian
Development Agency (Austrian Cooperation)
Amount for grants distribution and training sessions: 150.000 EUR
Duration: January 2004–2005
Project Background
Non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) have always been important for raising the profile of environmental
issues. They are key players in the development of civil society in SEE,
and environmental NGOs form one of the biggest and most active civil sectors
in the region. Working together on environmental activities, people have
been rebuilding a sense of community purpose, improving their local environment
and introducing a new generation to their responsibilities towards the
environment. NGOs also function as a vehicle for public participation.
They serve as channels of communication with the public and a voice for
public concerns about the government.
The overall objective of the project was to strengthen
and support the development of environmental NGOs in Bosnia and Herzegovina
and their small-scale projects. This objective was achieved through the
Local Grants Programme at local and national levels, which strengthens
NGO capacity to carry out projects, enabling them to contribute to sustainable
development and public participation by carrying out projects on the following
topics:
• developing local environmental
action plans (LEAP);
• water management; and
• brown issues (including waste management and rural development).
It also aimed to improve transparency and quality of environmental decision
making, to built capacity and to empowered local communities to address
their environmental problems.
The purposes of the project were:
• to enhance NGO participation in the environmental decision-making process;
• to enhance NGO cooperation with local authorities and central government
on environmental issues;
• to address and raise public awareness on environmental issues;
• to initiate the process of LEAP preparation in municipalities, and to
mobilise relevant local stakeholders to take an active part and give their
contribution to the process of developing LEAPs; and
• to define, estimate and rank environmental problems based on the risk
to human health, eco-systems and overall quality of life.
Summary
of the project activities:
1) Signing of the Agreement between the REC BiH and the Austrian Embassy
in BiH/ Austrian Coordination Office (donor) on 12th December 2003.
2) REC BiH defined the methodology, timeline of implementation, and Terms
of Reference for each project team member (January 2004).
3) Project has been presented through various information channels (REC
BiH website; REC BiH Bulletins; press releases, etc). REC staff also used
the opportunities to present the project on various REC events in the
country.
4) Grants were given to 16 NGOs, through three calls for grants.
5) All awarded projects were implemented.
6) Monitoring of all projects as conducted.
7) Several training sessions were conducted, with the purpose to strengthen
the capacities of the environmental NGOs in project preparation.
8) Publications/Manuals on project proposal preparation were prepared,
printed and disseminated.
Contact persons in REC CO BiH:
Inka ©ehović, Grants Manager (inka@rec.org.ba)
Lejla Pulić, Grants Financial Officer (lejla@rec.org.ba)
