E U   A C C E S S I O N

One is the LIFE Programme, providing financing, technical support and demonstration assistance to local authorities in CEE. LIFE helps integrate environmental considerations and sustainable development practices into municipal land-use strategies, planning and industrial activities. For info: <europa.eu.int/comm/life/envir/index.htm>.

Two twinning programmes have been developed by the EU to forge and strengthen European links and democratic structures. The Tacis City Twinning Programme is aimed exclusively at cities and local authorities in the Newly Independent States (NIS). It provides the opportunity for an exchange of best practices between local and regional governments by offering training and familiarisation of NIS local government officers with their EU counterparts. For CEE countries, the town-twinning programme helps local authorities, twinning committees, associations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) develop and strengthen European links. Eligible CEE partners include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. For Tacis info: taciscitytwin@skynet.be. For CEE info: <europa.eu.int/comm/sg/jumelage/en/jum.htm>.

The 5th Framework Programme and the City of Tomorrow action will provide local authorities the opportunity to submit proposals on all matters of sustainable urban development. Both CEE and NIS countries are eligible: <www.europa.eu.int>.

The Phare Credo Programme is a multi-country grant scheme for cross-border cooperation between CEE-CEE and CEE-NIS border regions. Municipalities, chambers of commerce, NGOs and development agencies are eligible.

The EU's Directorate General XVII (Energy) has developed the SAVE II Programme to help promote the rational use of energy within the EU. Plans are underway to make this programme available to EU associate countries. (<europa.eu.int/en/comm/dg17>).