REC PROGRAMMES
	The REC implements its environmental projects within eleven basic organisational units called programmes and funds. Business and Environment Programme The Business and Environment Programme assists in improving the environmental performance of companies in Central and Eastern Europe. Capacity Building Programme The Capacity Building Programme increases the individual capacity of present and future environmental leaders and supports the development of institutions and programmes for environmental capacity building in Central and Eastern Europe. Climate Change Programme (Within the Japan Special Fund) The Climate Change Programme focuses on assisting countries from Central and Eastern Europe in identifying policies and measures to comply with and respond to opportunities created by the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. Environmental Law Programme The Environmental Law Programme contributes to environmental protection and sustainable development through the progressive development of international and domestic environmental law and through support to legal communities in Central and Eastern European countries, including independent environmental lawyers, judges, prosecutors and other entities. Environmental Policy Programme The Environmental Policy Programme contributes to Central and Eastern European and global environmental policy processes through innovative policy solutions such as the use of strategic environmental assessment, closer integration of environmental and economic policies through effective use of economic instruments, and drafting and implementation of national and international legal instruments. Information Programme The Information Programme provides free access to information and assists others in improving access to information. It also promotes cooperation between environmental stakeholders and encourages greater environmental responsibility among diverse target groups. Local Initiatives Programme The Local Initiatives Programme provides support to local authorities and other concerned stakeholders in environmental capacity building. NGO Support Programme The NGO Support Programme enhances the development of civil society in the Central and Eastern European region by supporting the development and activities of environmental NGOs. Public Participation Programme The REC's Public Participation Programme is involved in project activities resulting in policy analysis, surveys, publications, training materials, workshops and capacity building events concerning the implementation of the Aarhus Convention and best practices of public participation. Funds Italian Trust Fund The Italian Trust Fund was established in 2001 as a targeted contribution of the Italian Ministry for the Environment and Territory to the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC). Its activities contribute to the REC’s mission and complement the work of other REC programmes — sharing the same ambition to strive for a solutions to environmental problems. Japan Special Fund The Japan Special Fund of the REC, established in 1993, is a mechanism through which the Government of Japan supports the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe in its efforts to solve the environmental problems of the Central and Eastern European region.