Network of funds

Formed in March, the Network of Environmental Funds builds on earlier REC experience with Central and Eastern Europe and South Eastern Europe (SEE) environmental funds. Facilitated by the REC, the network agreed to a draft work programme for 2004. A meeting to explore state aid models in Western Europe and mechanisms for co-financing the environmental components of the Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund will follow.

Drina River meeting

For the second time, a river basin stakeholders forum was held in Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 8-9. Government, business and NGO representatives reviewed a feasibility study and work plan for a solution to the problems of waste accumulation in the Drina River and agreed to prepare an application for a grant to the Norwegian government for the purchase of equipment to control the waste problem.

Infrastructure projects

Environmental experts, public utilities and consultancies from SEE as well as representatives from funding institutions active in the region participated in a REC seminar on May 16-19 in FYR Macedonia. Participants received hands-on training on identifying and attracting bankable environmental infrastructure investments.

Grants for the Western Balkans

A sustainable development grants call drew 27 submissions from Balkan NGOs. In the first concept paper stage, 10 grantees were given start-up funds to prepare full proposals, which were submitted by May 21. EUR 160,000 is available for these regional grants, offered by EC Europe Aid.