By Allan Gromov Illustration: LASZLO FALVAY GROWING CONCERN: The REC tends its familiargarden in CEE while sowing seeds further afield. In its 12-year existence, the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) has developed with the region, continuously adapting to new circumstances. The greatest change that it will face, however, is expected with the entry of eight Central and Eastern European countries, Malta and Cyprus to the European Union in 2004. Naturally much debate has occurred within and outside the organisation about its future and the rele-vance of the services it provides. Essentially, where does the REC go from here? Over the last year the Board of Directors has discussed the post-accession strat-egy of the REC. Discussion took place internally and with all stakeholders. This culminated in the REC General Assembly in October where the paper on The Role of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe after 2004 was finalised. See www.rec.org/REC/Introduction/Strategy2004. The optimistic scenario for CEE Joining the European Union in 2004 will mean a significant change for the envi-ronmental sector in the eight CEE countries. The worst environmental problems from the past have already been addressed and those that lie ahead are becoming increasingly like those of the EU. A major challenge will be to implement and enforce the EU s legislation, the acquis communautaire, according to commitments that each state made during the negotiations. The greatest burden here will fall on local and regional authorities, which will have to build their environmental infrastructure and implement the relevant laws. The remaining candidate countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey will continue with reforms they are undertaking, including capacity-building at gov-ernment level, legal transposition and negotiations. These countries still have much to do in terms of environmental clean-ups and development of govern-mental institutions, NGOs and environmental service providers. They can reap generous benefits by learning from the experience of the first group. The countries of South Eastern Europe (SEE) are also edging toward EU accession through the negotiation and implementation of Stabilisation and Association Agree-ments (SAA). In these countries, institutional development, legal reform and capacity building in the environmental sector are the building blocks of democra-cy and political stability. These countries can also benefit from lessons from the new member states from CEE. Orientation of the REC's work We consider that the demand for environmental cooperation at local, national, EU and global levels continues to grow. Through its years of existence, the REC has proven to be a viable, independent organisation providing services to govern-ments, local authorities, NGOs and businesses. In the future, the REC will adjust its services and activities incrementally to respond to the new situation, thus continuing to be a relevant service provider to all CEE coun-tries and a gateway to make valuable CEE experiences available to the coun-tries of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia (EECCA) and the rest of the world. In particular, the REC will undertake the following: For the CEE region as a whole Continue activities that are crucial to implement the REC s mission and to perpetuate the identity of the organi-sation (e. g. NGO support, information services, support to regional cooperation); Become a policy think-tank on issues of regional, European and global importance; Gradually move from environment to sustainable development and support initiatives to design and implement sustainable development; Become a resource centre for infor-mation and sustainable development; and Get more deeply involved in the busi-ness community with its activities and by enhancing its Business and Envi-ronment Programme. For new EU member states: Promote environmental priorities in the planning and operations of EU Structural Funds and Cohesion Funds; Lend support to local and regional governments for implementation of the acquis communautaire; Promote good governance and public participation and giving assistance to civil society; and Support cooperation on transbound-ary and regional issues. For candidate countries and SAA/ SP states: Promote experience exchange and cooperation among/ between coun-tries of central, eastern and south-eastern Europe; Facilitate the stakeholder dialogue; Build capacity at all government lev-els and in the business community; Transpose and implement the EU acquis communautaire; Support development of NGOs; and Extend REC activities to Turkey Regarding global processes and other regions Become an information source for sustainable development worldwide; Support policy development in the Environment for Europe process; Promote the implementation of global, regional and subregional conventions; Facilitate transfer of experience from CEE to the EECCA, including in cooperation with NRECs; Share lessons with other regions. After the accession of the first group of CEE states the REC's services will be needed in different but related ways in the EU, in the remaining candidate countries, in South Eastern Europe and on the global level. The REC will have to maintain its cooperation with the CEE coun-tries, the United States, Japan, the Commission, other EU states, international organisations, private foundations and other stakeholders. The changes for the organisation as a whole will be a great challenge, but the Board, management and staff are ready to meet these challenges in the same way that we have met the challenges of the last 12 years. Allan Gromov, chairman of the Board of the Regional Environmental Center, may be contacted at agromov@rec.org

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