An NEAP is a document that should give governments clear guidelines for environmental policy making. It should include a timetable and financial arrangements, be concrete and target oriented, and delegate clear responsibilities. By doing so NEAPs can help countries address priority problems, prevent poor project implementation, and avoid unfriendly projects such as nuclear plants, dams, or highways through forests.

But to create a strong NEAP, ministries need NGO help. As the Environmental Action Program points out, NGO involvement in the creation of national environmental policy is vital. Fortunately, there are a number of opportunities available for such participation. The first thing an NGO can do is attend the EAP seminar to be held in its country. The seminar will not only inform participants about the use of the EAP, but allow for open discussions on the EAP and the NEAP of the country concerned. Participation in such a seminar could be a very good first step for NGO involvement in the formulation of a NEAP. However, it does not have to end the matter.

This June, at a consultation in Leszno, Poland, attended by 40 participants from the Region, further possibilities for NGO involvement with the NEAPs, and the use of the EAP, were discussed intensively. A draft action guide, a report, and an issue of the NEAP Bulletin, were some of the concrete products of this meeting. (They can be ordered free from the address below.)

First, they noted that NGOs can participate in public discussions on policy making. Without broad public involvement, they said, effective environmental policy making is impossible. Business, possibly trade unions, but definitely NGOs, can provide their expertise and their own grassroots support.

Second, in case NGOs feel the ministry of environment in their country has not made a good NEAP yet, they can make their own NGO NEAP, as they are doing in Hungary at the moment. Such an NGO NEAP would be a good tool to start discussions with the government.

A third possibility, which is being done in Bulgaria, is to assess the government's record in the field of environmental policy making, including plans like an NEAP. Such a study could assist NGOs in looking for ways to influence government policy more effectively.

Contributed by Ewout van der Weij