Increasing participation of municipalities and the public in EIA processes

Project facts

Project promoter:
Association of Towns and Villages Slovakia
Project Number:
SK10-0036
Target groups
Civil servants/Public administration staff
Status:
Completed
Initial project cost:
€42,230
Final project cost:
€38,754
From EEA Grants:
€ 34,879
The project is carried out in:
Slovakia

More information

Description

The EIA process is a powerful tool allowing all citizens to take part in a decision process on activities that may have direct impact on the environment they live in. The project aims to apply interactive and participatory techniques of target group involvement in EIA processes and transfer the experience to the daily practice of municipalities. A new methodology will be prepared for municipalities, ZMOS co-ordinators and active representatives of the public. Concrete EIA processes will be managed with 3 selected municipalities and a new legislative initiative will be prepared to improve EIA conditions. All municipalities in Slovakia (2,792) will have access to the new methodology. 60 regional coordinators of ZMOS will be trained. At least 250 active representatives of the public (including NGOs) will take part in public participation. The Norwegian partner will contribute by examples of good practices and by their expert consultancy at preparation of documents and new legislation.

Summary of project results

The EIA process is a powerful tool allowing all citizens to take part in a decision process on activities that may have direct impact on the environment they live in. The project aimed to apply interactive and participatory techniques of target group involvement in EIA processes and transfer the experience to the daily practice of municipalities. A new methodology on preparation and realisation of and also a handbook Manual for Action Plan on EIA Preparation at Municipal Level were elaborated for municipalities, ZMOS co-ordinators and active representatives of the public. 3 concrete EIA cases were managed at 3 selected municipalities where active participans had an opportunity to learn in relation to the real practice. All municipalities in Slovakia (2,792) have access to the new methodology and the manual. 70 regional coordinators of ZMOS were trained. 151 active representatives of the public (including NGOs) took part in public participation actions. A new legislative framework was prepared to improve EIA conditions in the upcomming legislative process (planned in 2016). The Norwegian partner contributed by providing examples of good practices and by their expert consultancy at preparation of documents and new legislation. The representatives of the organosation participated also at the closing conference in October 2015.

Summary of bilateral results

One of the areas, where the Norwegian partner has gathered valuable experiences, is the area of Environmental Impact Assessment processes. This organisation shared with the Slovak partner its good practice and experience in public participation at the level of municipalities in Norway in relation to EIA. The organisation contributed to preparation of the Manual for Action Plan on EIA Preparation at Municipal Level by providing The Norwegian partner also actively participated by presentations to representatives of the municipalities in Slovakia at the closing conference in October 2015. Transfer of the relevant knowledge from Norway has a potential to significantly change the situation in Slovakia in relation to EIA participation, especially at the level of municipalities. Active citizens across the whole country now have better access to relevant information on participation at EIA processes. 151 of theme were directly trained by participation in 3 real EIA processes. The prepared methodological materials on EIA for municipalities were distributed to representatives of all municipalities in Slovakia. Information to the broader public were spread especially via printed newspapers Municipal News and the ZMOS website.