Winners of the Pilot Program on Cooperative Environmental Projects
The REC's Earmarked Grants Team announces the first-ever winners of the Pilot Call for Tender on Cooperative Environmental Projects. Nongovermental organizations, from at least two different CEE countries, collaborated to write joint project concept papers. Of the 71 papers received, eighteen were selected. Those NGOs were then awarded a small grant to facilitate meetings to develop full project proposals. The eight final projects selected by the expert panel represent a range of environmental problems that only can be solved through international cooperation.
The recipients are:
Promotion of Sustainable Energy Alternatives
This project is essentially a cost/benefit research study of sustainable energy alternatives in all three Baltic States, including the preparation of an NGO Energy Strategy. The Lithuanian Green Movement will lead this effort in partnership with the Sustainable Energy Information Office, Latvia, and the Renewable Energy Center (TAASEN), Estonia.
Grant amount: 18,240 ECU
CEE Consumption and Production Patterns Network, Common Policy and Action Plan
The goal of this project is to increase the ability of NGOs to promote the development of sustainable society. Training will focus on three priority areas: influencing policies, increasing consumer awareness and encouraging international organizations to promote more sustainable consumption and production. Leadership for the project is provided by three NGOs: Umanotera, Slovenia; VAK Green Center - Liepaja, Latvia; and Ecosens, Romania; although other NGOs in all CEE countries will be involved.
Grant amount: 23,892 ECU
Enhancement of the Balkan Bear Conservation Network
The project aims to initiate the implementation of the main Immediate Action Priorities agreed by the Balkan Bear Conservation Meeting by improving knowledge of the Southern Bear population in the Balkans, and the promotion of bear conservation at the regional level through an awareness raising campaign. The leading organization is the Wilderness Fund, Bulgaria; and partners include: Federation Green Balkans, Bulgaria; Bird Study and Protection society of Macedonia-Mammals Section, Macedonia; Albanian Society for Protection of Birds and Mammals, Albania; Arcturos, Greece (not funded by REC).
Grant amount: 18,065 ECU
Free and Applied Internships in Renewable and Efficiency (FAIRE)
FAIRE is a capacity-building program to address the need for replacing power sources for nuclear power facilities. FAIRE aims to train interns from the CEE in analytical and lobbying skills so that they can work for the clean energy future of their countries. (Applications for a 3-month intensive program in the English language and a follow-up internship with a Western organization are currently being accepted.) Partner organizations are: Energia Klub, Hungary; and Hnuti DUHA, Czech Republic.
Grant amount: 17, 645 ECU
Regionwide Environmental Information Services (REIS)
The goal REIS is to improve grassroots connectivity and transboundary communication among CEE NGOs. It includes coordination of information management strategies, development of three communication networks, development of common training materials and user interface, and implementation of strategic regional WWW sites. The leading NGO is: Nemere Hiking Association, Romania; and partners are: Green Spider Foundation, Hungary; and Econnect, Czech Republic.
Grant amount: 19,035 ECU
Replenish the Springs
The partner NGOs aim to increase the water retention capability in the landscape of Slovakia and the Czech Republic by saving remaining native forests in Slovakia and renewing native forests in the Czech Republic. The Wolf Forest Protection Movement, Slovakia will lead this effort with partner, Hnuti DUHA, the Czech Republic.
Grant amount: 18,927 ECU
Sustainable Product Campaign: Menus for the Next Millennium
This project will introduce a sustainable agricultural system as a way to find a balance between economic development, environmental care and social justice. Popular campaigns on sustainable food menus, will bring different groups together, increasing public awareness and saving "good practices" in Polish and Hungarian agricultural systems. Leading organizations are: Green Federation - Krakow Group/ Foundation for the support of ecological initiatives, Poland. They'll work in partnership with the National Society for Conservationists (MTVSZ), Hungary.
Grant amount: 10,000 ECU
Protection of High Biodiversity Through Latvian-Estonian Crossborder Protected Area
Latvian and Estonian NGOs intend to protect the high biodiversity of a cross-border wetland complex shared by their countries, and to stimulate communication and cooperation at the NGO, regional and national level, in order to ensure the protection of the ecosystem. The Estonian Fund for Nature will be working with partner, Latvian Fund for Nature, as well as local government agencies.
Grant amount: 24,301 ECU
REC * PUBLICATIONS * THE BULLETIN * SUMMER 1996
