Balkan Information Service provides window to REReP The new Balkan Information Service (BIS) is intended to act as a window to the world for implementation of the Regional Environmental Reconstruction Programme for South Eastern Europe (REReP). The BIS project, being run by the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) until September 2002, will distribute REReP project results and offer a one-stop shop for environmental information related to South Eastern Europe (SEE). The “Balkan Information Service” will build on theREC’s long-established information sources from the countries of SEE and privileged contacts with the international funding agencies. It offers a question-and-answer service, directories and databases, as well as unique web information, including an interactive list of all REReP projects. Those who wish to take advantage of the service can go to the REC’s InformationInformation Services web site at:  http://www.rec.org/rec/programs/informationprogram/lis.html or contact Project Manager Otilia Petre, email: opetre@rec.org. Another service that may be of use to those seeking information is the REC library search, available online at: http://www.rec.org/REC/Programs/InformationProgram/Library.html. REReP is an international programme focusing on environmental protection in the SEE countries. It consists of a large group of projects aimed at protecting the region’s environment and rebuilding civil society in SEE. REReP is endorsed by the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe and was the first initiative under the Stability Pact undertaken by the countries of SEE themselves. The BIS was established after a snapshot survey performed in early summer 2001 showed that a strong interest exists among environmental stakeholders from SEE in the REReP and its results. All survey respondents identified the REReP, its projects and actors as their primary field of interest.   REC offers EUR 35,000 grants Thanks to a grant from the German Technical Cooperation Agency (GTZ), the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) is able to offer EUR 375,000 in grants to support the development and strengthening of non-governmental organisations in South Eastern Europe. (SEE) The Regionwide Cooperative Grants Program is part of a larger REC project to help rebuild and support the environmental NGO movement and civil society development in SEE. The grants are “cooperative” because they will only go to projects that involve two or more NGOs, from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, FYR Macedonia, Romania or Yugoslavia (including Kosovo and Montenegro). Grants of EUR 35,000 will be awarded to NGOs on the basis of a call for proposals that is to be published in the first week of January. Watch for further updates about the call on the web page of REC’s NGO Support Programme at: http://www.rec.org/REC/Programs/NGO_Support/Default.html.   REC publications win design awards The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) received three different awards for design of its publications in the Impresszio-Creative Paper design contest. The awards, announced Nov. 22 in Budapest, were sponsored by Europapier, one of the few suppliers of recycled paper in the region. The REC won a first place award in the company information/ annual reports category for its “1998 Opening Doors Annual Report.” The REC won runner up in the same category for its “2000 Focus on the Region Annual Report.” In the PR/marketing category, the REC won “runnerup” for last year’s calendar promoting local environmental action programmes.   REC staff on the move NEW STAFF Maria Angyal, Head of Human Resources Department. Daniel Buzinkay, Financial Manager, CO Slovakia. Julieta Georgieva Dineva, Technical Assistant, CO Bulgaria. Pranvera Firza, Project Assistant, Field Office Kosovo. Marian Hodza, Civil Servant, CO Slovakia. Genta Hoxha, Project Assistant, CO Albania. Meri Rogosic, Site Coordinator, CO Croatia. Eszter Rozsa, Project Assistant (NGO Support Programme). Ilona Skangale, Project Manager, CO Latvia. Katya Todorova Marinova, Financial Assistant, CO Bulgaria. Balazs Toth, Civil Servant (Human Resource Department). Vytautas Turonis, Project Manager, Lithuania. OTHER CHANGES Morana Belamaric, Local Representative, CO Croatia, back from maternity leave. Adriana Craciun, NGO support, on maternity leave. Magdolna Lajti, ED Office, on maternity leave. Ors Marczin from Civil Servant to Country Offices Officer. Robert Laszlo Nemeskeri, from Country Office Director CO Hungary) to Head of Business and Environment Programme. Balazs Ruzsa, from Civil Servant to Postmaster/System Officer. Katarina Stoykovska, Local Representative, CO FYR Macedonia, back from maternity leave. DEPARTURES Juozas Kameneackas, Project Manager, Lithuania. Dalibor Kysela, Project Manager (Climate Change Programme). Mrika Maliqi, Project Assistant, Kosovo. Ivana Rihova, Project Manager, Czech Republic. Enkelejda Velo, Project Assistant, Albania.

Contents off this page:  Balkan Information Service provides window to REReP REC offers EUR 35,000 grants REC publications win design awards REC staff on the move   Photo: Pavel Antonov Greening the REC Entela Pinguli of the Szentendre, Hungary, headquarters of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) uses a special recycling bin that is part of Greening the REC, an inhouse initiative to reduce the Center's environmental impact. Since the effort began in January, the office has recycled 10,200 kilograms of paper, 380 kilograms of bottles and 31 kilograms of batteries, many of which were brought from home by REC workers.