Lidija Pavic takes one of her first phone calls in the new REC Local Office in Zagreb.

Like other international organizations, the REC faces the difficult challenge of establishing local offices as it becomes more established in the countries that it serves. Complicated and time-consuming legal, administrative, and financial questions all need to be resolved. Once these obstacles are overcome and a local office is running, a place exists where people know they can find information about REC services and programs, such as the popular grants programs, in their own language. The local office staff also help with writing project proposals and then advising on project implementation.

The REC tries to obtain financial support from the country's government, but until now it has not succeeded. "We were expecting some kind of support from the ministry of environment. We hoped we would at least get free office space, but we did not succeed in that in any country," says Alexander Juras. He is the REC Local Office and Outreach Team Leader and is responsible for local offices. Although the REC supports its local offices, part of its strategy is to make the offices more self-reliant. "The offices should rely more on national funding sources," explains Juras.

When all the hurdles are overcome and offices are finally opened, they quickly grow out of their original space and the whole process starts again. "In some cases, the new role of the offices does not fit the original concept. We thought the offices would serve administrative functions, such as telephoning, faxing, and reviewing grant proposals. But they became meeting places with people coming in and out all the time. People came in frequently asking for information and help," says Juras.