News from the ENV.net
 

Social Media, Activism and Participation:
ENV.net e-learning course ready to start

All countries: ENV.net Capacity development programme has started. The first three days training session of the programme were delivered in Tirana the 15-17 of April. Around 20 participants working for different Albanian CSOs took part of the initiative. The course touched themes as EU programming system, calls for proposals mechnaism, action desing, EU environemntal poilcies and action programme. Gorup work have been organised to stimulate debate on how CSOs might be better effective in Influencing policy maker with regard of Environment protection (read more). Nex training is planned in Istambul the 7th and 8th of May (read more).

Albania: The law on integrated waste management again to be revised. Lately Minister of Environment has brought to attention the discussion waste import, which by the end of last year was prohibited by law. He has stated that recycling companies are more than valued for our country and a second revision of the law on integrated waste management, to revise waste import condition, is more than necessary. Following the statement of the Minster, the Alliance against Waste Import reacted on stating that the battle will continue to not allow waste import in the country by law.
Consultative Meeting with Albanian CSOs on IPA/CSF Programming for 2014-2015. European Union Delegation to Albania in coordination with TACSO Albania Office invites the interested CSOs to participate in the consultative meeting that will be held at the 6^th of May at 9:30 at EU Delegation premises in Albania
(read more).

Turkey: Partners met on 14.04.2014 to provide input for the 2014 EU Progress Report. Within the context of ENV.net project, TEMA Foundation called for a round table to discuss possible input to 2014 EU Progress Report of Turkey on 14.04.2014 in Ä°stanbul TEMA Foundation Office (read more)

Serbia: EU Delegation to Serbia organised the Economic Criteria Consultation with the CSOs representatives from Serbia on April 4, 2014.  At this meeting, which is a part of the preparation for the 2014 Progress Report, Mr. Freek Janmaat discussed the progress since the last Progress Report with CSO representatives from Serbia.  ENV.net partner from Serbia, Environmental Ambassadors, participated at this meeting, and also sent a written contribution to the 2014 progress report (read more).

Kosovo: Formalized cooperation between atrc / env.net and four local organizations in Kosovo. On April 4, 2014, ATRC organized the informational meeting with grantees for advocacy at the local level in environmental issues supported within the framework of regional ENV.Net. The meeting was attended by directors of beneficiary organizations and finance managers, who were informed about the procedures and forms to be used in the process of implementation and reporting (read more)

Macedonia: Platform for Green Macedonia officially signed on 22nd April. On 22nd April, the World Earth Day, 25 environmental NGOs from Macedonia, convinced that with joint efforts would achieve better results for protection of nature and biodiversity in the country, called upon the political parties and coalitions, participants in the upcoming presidential and parliamentary elections to sign a common Platform for Green Macedonia and by that to guarantee that in the next four-years period, they would take measures to address  “environmental hot spots" in the country (read more and see video).

I.  New Instruments for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II) for the year 2014-2020 finally aprpoved by EU Parliament and Council. The most important novelty of IPA II is its strategic focus. Country Strategy Papers are the specific strategic planning documents made for each beneficiary for the 7-year period. These will provide for a stronger ownership by the beneficiaries through integrating their own reform and development agendas. A Multi-Country Strategy Paper will address priorities for regional cooperation or territorial cooperation (read more).
 
II.  Noise pollution is a growing problem for Europe’s environment. Transport and industry are the main sources of concern and long term exposure can damage human health and adversely affect ecosystems. European legislation aims to reduce noise pollution and also highlights the need to preserve areas that are currently unaffected. These so called quiet areas may be found, not only in rural areas, but also inside our busiest cities. They are not only where people recreate, but also where they live and work, so how can they be identified and preserved in order to protect environmental health and well-being? This report offers a digest of actions from all across Europe to identify and protect environments with good acoustic quality. 
To read the study click here.

 III. A new study from the EEB makes the case for more ambitious resource efficiency and waste policies at EU level. The report, entitled “Advancing Resource Efficiency in Europe” finds increased reuse and recycling targets could, alongside greater food waste prevention, generate substantial benefits for the economy and the environment. By 2030 as many as 415 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions could be avoided, while 860,000 jobs would be created. A significant reduction in food waste would also help bring about €73 billion in savings for citizens, and help avoid cropland use of 57,000 km² by 2030 – an area the size of Croatia. The report comes out as the European Commission is finalising a major Waste Targets Review that is expected to align key targets in upcoming legislation with goals outlined in its overarching strategy document - the Resource Efficiency Roadmap. 
To read the study click here.
 
IV.  The revised directive on environmental impact assessment (EIA) will enter force in May  this year  following its publication in the EU’s official journal on 25 April 2014.  Member states will have until 16 May 2017 to transpose the new rules into national law. The main changes include a more standard approach to the screening process national authorities use to decide when an EIA is needed for annex II projects to address existing variations across the EU. Annex I projects automatically require an EIA. Other additions to the EIA rules include a requirement on member states to set penalties for non-compliance, post-development monitoring for significant project impacts and an extension of the topics considered by EIAs to include biodiversity, climate change and natural resources. EIA Directive, click here. Revision, click here.
 
 

Q: "How the EU defines its programs?"

A:  "EU development assistance is distributed through multi-annual programs, which are coordinated for the eastern Balkans and Turkey by the Directorate General for Enlargement and External Relations. When  Formulating and managing these programs, the Commission consults the authorities in partner countries and  his result in an agreed country and regional strategy paper, which includes the multi-annual national  indicative program. In these documents socio-economic indicators in the EU and its partner countries’  priorities are reviewed, problems and opportunities which can be addressed through co-operation are   identified, and main objectives and sectoral priorities for cooperation are then decided in order to provide a  relevant framework within which programs and projects can be defined and developed." (from Fundraising and Accessing EU Funds - Tacso Manual, 2013, read more).