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Description
In Greece, there is complexity and gaps in the disclosure of the data related to the resources invested; the funding sources and the process of accessing them. Improving transparency will lead to better use of resources and therefore better results.
The aim of the project is to enhance transparency in the management of state resources for the prevention and suppression of forest fires and to propose institutional interventions that will promote good governance by strengthening social control mechanisms.
Actions include: Data collection, mapping of funding and stakeholder groups, identifying gaps & malfunctions at different levels of management and decision-making for which specific interventions will be proposed to supervise the absorption of funding, highlight good practices from abroad, and disseminate knowledge that will be produced through cooperation with mass media and information measures for the target groups.
The target groups will be: forest firefighting volunteer groups, other NGOs, public authorities & local authorities in high fire danger risk areas. Beneficiaries will have full access to the findings of the survey and will contribute to the development of the tools that will strengthen their watchdog role allowing them to exert political pressure and become agents of change.
WWF Greece, as the implementing body, will coordinate and implement all actions except the investigative journalism and dissemination of research results, which will be undertaken by MIIR partner.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to address systemic weaknesses in Greece’s forest fire protection system, which were highlighted by the devastating wildfires in the summer of 2021 that burned over 1.5 million acres. Specific challenges included:
- The lack of transparency and accountability in managing public funds allocated for forest fire prevention and suppression.
- Inefficiencies in resource allocation and governance of financial mechanisms within the national forest protection system.
- Insufficient public awareness and engagement in addressing forest fire issues.
- The need for institutional reforms to strengthen governance and improve the efficiency of the forest fire prevention system.
This was the first comprehensive national-level assessment of the financial aspects of forest fire protection in Greece.
The project undertook several activities to address these challenges and achieved notable outputs:
- Data Collection and Evaluation: Gathered financial data from competent authorities and evaluated the allocation of resources to key financial mechanisms.
- Policy Development and Dissemination:
- Created a policy brief titled “Finances of prevention and repression of forest fires: Evaluation of the management of the resources and proposals on strengthening transparency, accountability, and effectiveness” to guide institutional reforms.
- Developed a fundraising guide for volunteer firefighters’ organizations.
- Capacity Building Workshops: Conducted nine workshops across Greece (including Achaia, Kefalonia, and Thessaloniki) to train local authorities and volunteer groups on public consultation and enhance their involvement in fire prevention strategies.
- Public Awareness Campaigns:
- Published five press releases during the 2020 and 2021 fire seasons to provide evidence-based insights and recommendations for improving fund distribution and transparency.
- Released seven opinion articles to promote public dialogue on the governance of forest fire finances.
Outcomes:
- Public Dialogue and Consultation: The project succeeded in bringing the issue of forest fire finances into public consultation, a critical step in promoting transparency and accountability.
- Policy Guidance: The deliverables, including the policy brief and fundraising guide, provided concrete recommendations and tools for improving the governance and efficiency of the forest protection system.
- Capacity Building: Improved the ability of local authorities and volunteer groups to engage in public consultation and take active roles in fire prevention and response efforts.
- Awareness Raising: Increased public awareness of the need for transparent and effective financial management in forest fire prevention through targeted press releases and opinion articles.
Impacts:
- Beneficiaries:
- Volunteer Firefighter Organizations: Received practical tools and training to enhance their operations and fundraising capabilities.
- Local Authorities and Communities: Gained capacity and knowledge to better participate in fire prevention governance.
- General Public: Became more informed and engaged in discussions about the efficient use of public resources for forest fire management.
- Systemic Improvements: Provided a foundation for institutional reforms in the governance of Greece’s forest protection and fire prevention system, potentially leading to more effective use of resources and better outcomes during future fire seasons.
This project marked a critical step forward in addressing the systemic inefficiencies of Greece’s forest fire protection framework and ensuring a more transparent and accountable system for all stakeholders.