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Description
The Adriatic Sea is exposed to numerous pressures of human activities with a prevailing linear economic approach that causes poor condition of marine ecosystems. Despite the efforts, environmental NGOs (ENGOs) don’t have sufficiently strong impact on policymaking and legislation to steer marine environment management towards sustainability. The strengthened participation of the ENGOs will improve content and quality of implementation of policies and acts related to sustainable marine env. management (specific goal:SG1). With the same aim, the project will promote the importance of civic engagement in protecting marine env. To ensure that public policy advocacy and the conduct of strategic litigation for sustainable marine env. management are knowledge-based, in cooperation with business and academic sector partners, analyses and thematic researches will be carried out and databases (SG2) will be established. Analysis of the effectiveness of the use of public participation right (PP) and access to justice will be used in the positioning of ENGOs in creation of env. policies. Conduct of strategic litigations for infringements of legislation that impede sustainable marine env. management will improve quality of the implementation of legislative acts and strengthen case law (SG3). Public communication of project activities and results towards target groups (ENGOs, decision-making bodies, judicial bodies, professional and academia sector, media and citizens) will ensure visibility of work of ENGOs and solutions they offer to preserve sea. GI will contribute with expertise in field of PP and will provide support to smaller ENGOs and civic initiatives in procedures for approving projects in marine env. WWF Adria will contribute with expertise and experience in field of sustainable blue economy principles and by organising relevant expert conferences.
Summary of project results
The project focused on the issues of effective and sustainable management of marine and coastal areas. Namely, the over-exploitation of natural resources in Croatia, as well as globally, is leading to a decline in biodiversity and the degradation of the good status of marine ecosystems. It has been observed that the Adriatic Sea is exposed to numerous pressures from growing economic sectors, which are neither strategically managed nor follow an ecosystem-based approach to protecting and preserving the marine environment. Therefore, various activities aimed to contribute to the development of the legal branch of environmental law in Croatia.
The project planned to strengthen environmental civil society organizations (CSOs) and civic initiatives by enhancing their advocacy and organizational capacities, as well as through increased and strategic use of advocacy tools. Ultimately, empowered and educated CSOs would, by participating in decision-making processes, have a stronger influence on policies and regulations related to the protection of the sea and coastal areas, as well as their implementation. By establishing the necessary knowledge base, the project aimed to achieve strategic, evidence-based advocacy, ensuring credibility and increasing the awareness of all stakeholders involved.
The project also sought to achieve greater inclusivity of public bodies and encourage cooperation across various sectors. In addition to the key target groups, there were plans to raise awareness among the media and the public about the solutions advocated by civil society organizations for the purpose of protecting and ensuring effective management of the marine environment.
A 1.1: Participation in the creation of relevant national policies affecting the marine environment:
In the first year, the project aimed for involvement in at least three national policies but achieved participation in eight. The increased recognition of civil society organizations (CSOs) by authorities, especially in 2021, was a result of long-term engagement in sustainable marine management.
Throughout the project’s second year, partners continued their engagement in various national and regional working groups.
A 1.2: Participation in Amendments, Proposals, and Adoption of Relevant Legislation Concerning the Marine Environment
Supported transparency and the principle of public participation in the process of adopting and implementing relevant national acts related to the sustainable management of the marine environment in the Republic of Croatia.
Contributed to the content and quality of relevant acts whose implementation can impact the marine environment and advocated for the implementation of legal norms that ensure sustainable marine environment management using public participation tools.
Initially, the project aimed to participate in two legislative processes.
A 1.3: Monitoring Decision-Making and Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs), and Other Relevant Procedures for Approving Marine Activities
Ensured monitoring of public decision-making in environmental impact assessment procedures of projects/plans in local communities in Croatia, particularly in Dalmatia and Istria, through the Environmental Protection Act-regulated procedures (PUO/OPUO/SPUO). Improved the quality of environmental assessment procedures (PUO/OPUO/SPUO) through enhanced use of public participation tools in processes related to marine environment management. The project involved in a total of 13 procedures, with partners Sunce participating in 11 and Zelena Istra in 2. They provided feedback during public consultations and collaborated with citizens and initiatives via phone, meetings, and email.
A 1.4: Development and Implementation of Education Programs for Public Participation and Access to Justice, and Raising Awareness Among Law Students About Marine Environmental Protection
Enhanced capacities of students for active participation in marine environment protection.
Provided additional support to project partners for advocacy and public participation activities as well as for raising public awareness and encouraging civic engagement in marine environment protection.
Ensured intergenerational collaboration and exchange, and transfer of knowledge and skills regarding public participation in marine environment protection through student education in the mentoring program.
Promoted the importance of civic engagement in marine environment protection.
Strengthened the capacities of CSOs (Civil Society Organizations).
The goal was to create and implement an educational program for law students at the University of Split, focusing on public participation, access to justice, and the importance of marine environmental protection.
A 2.1: Comparative Analysis of Spatial Planning Systems in Croatia and Selected EU Countries to Identify Weaknesses in SEA Procedures
The database has been enhanced with a comparative analysis of spatial planning systems in Croatia and selected EU countries, aiming to advocate for possible positive solutions to identified weaknesses in the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process in Croatia through public participation and access to justice for civil society organizations (CSOs).
CSOs have been empowered in advocacy by using verifiable data on the weaknesses of SEA processes for spatial plans in Croatia, including evidence from strategic litigation initiated and conducted for selected interventions in the marine environment and during environmental procedures that assume public participation.
A 2.2. Comparative Analysis of the Effectiveness of Public Participation and Access to Justice in Environmental Planning and Approval Procedures in Croatia and the EU
Improved Use of Public Participation Mechanisms in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs), Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs), and assessments of plans and projects (OPUO/SPUO) related to marine environments, as well as enhanced use of legal tools for access to justice through strategic litigation concerning marine environmental management.
Results from the Analysis of Public Participation and Access to Justice Mechanisms in planning and approval procedures for marine environment interventions in Croatia and the EU have been utilized to advance and advocate for a better position for environmental civil society organizations in these processes.
A 2.3. Conducting Specialized Thematic Research for Advocating Public Policies and Leading Strategic Litigation for Sustainable Marine Environmental Management
Established Database: Created a database containing expert facts and evidence on various components of the marine environment and anthropogenic impacts on it, for use in public participation procedures (EIAs, SEAs, and assessments of plans and projects) and in preparing and conducting strategic litigation concerning selected marine interventions at the national level.
Enhanced Knowledge and Awareness: Improved the knowledge and awareness of environmental civil society organizations (OOCDs) in specific areas related to marine environmental management. This enhancement is based on conducted thematic research aimed at advocating for policies that support sustainable marine environmental management.
A 3.1 Initiating and Leading Strategic Litigation for Identified Violations of Regulations Related to Pressures on Sustainable Marine Environmental Management
Strengthened Existing Practices: Enhanced the practice of environmental NGOs in initiating and leading strategic litigation for identified violations of regulations related to pressures on sustainable marine environmental management.
Improved Quality of Legislation Implementation: Improved the quality of legislative implementation through judgments made in initiated and led strategic litigations for violations of regulations related to identified pressures on sustainable marine environmental management.
A 4.1: Conducting Communication Activities with the Media Related to the Use of Public Participation Tools in Marine Environmental Protection
Increased Information Accessibility: Enhanced the availability of information about the solutions advocated by civil society organizations for the protection and effective management of the marine environment, and increased the visibility of these organizations.
Strengthened Positive Public Perception: Improved the public''s perception of the role of environmental NGOs (OOCDs) in shaping and creating policies and legislative acts related to marine environmental management.
Increased Media and Public Awareness: Boosted awareness among the media and the public regarding the solutions advocated by civil society organizations for marine environmental protection, as well as garnered support for these solutions.
A 4.2: Conducting National Online Campaigns
Implemented 5 National Online Campaigns: Conducted a total of 50 campaign posts across the websites and social media platforms of project partners.
Strengthened Positive Public Perception: Enhanced the public’s view of the role of environmental NGOs (OOCDs) in shaping and creating policies and legislative acts related to marine environmental management.
Increased Media and Public Awareness: Raised awareness among the media and the public about the solutions advocated by civil society organizations for the protection and effective management of the marine environment, and garnered support for these solutions.
A 4.3: Organizing Public Educational Events by Students from the Educational Program and Volunteers
Informing the Public and Target Groups: Provided information to the broader public and specific target groups about the project, selected project themes, and issues related to the protection and preservation of the marine environment, as well as the importance of civic engagement.
Promoted Civic Engagement: Highlighted the importance of civic engagement in the protection of the marine environment.
Promoted Intergenerational Collaboration and Intercultural Dialogue: Emphasized the significance of intergenerational cooperation and intercultural dialogue through active civic engagement in marine environmental protection.
A 4.4: Holding Advocacy Expert Workshops on Marine Environmental Management and Media Communication
Increased the knowledge of project partners and the awareness of media and the public about specific aspects of the need for marine environmental protection through the activities and work of civil society organizations.
Reinforced intersectoral cooperation for the protection of the marine environment.
A 4.5: Presentation of Analysis and Research Results
Analysis and research results tailored for communication and disseminated through media, to the public, and targeted groups.
Strengthened public perception of the role and impact of environmental organizations (OOCDs) in shaping and developing policies and legislative acts related to marine environmental management.
Raised awareness among media and the public about threats and sustainable solutions related to anthropogenic impacts on the marine environment.
A 4.6: Managing Media Communications Related to Strategic Litigation
The media and the general public are informed about the work and role of civil society organizations in strengthening environmental judicial practice related to sustainable marine environmental management, specifically through initiating and conducting strategic lawsuits by these organizations.
The key achievement of the project is surpassing the planned indicators related to active participation and engagement in public consultation processes. Through strategic and evidence-based involvement of civil society organizations (CSOs) in the development and implementation of 17 relevant policies and 11 environmental procedures, contributions were made to the content and quality of these acts, enhancing the quality of their implementation. A methodology for tracking the impact of participation in consultation processes was developed.
The project produced a total of five analyses that improved the advocacy skills and capacity of CSOs. Dissemination of these results increased the knowledge and awareness of public bodies and other key stakeholders. Particularly noteworthy was the overlap between public participation activities and the development of analyses and advocacy campaigns. For example, the analysis of beach nourishment provided valuable information used in public participation and environmental cases and was shared with all relevant authorities upon completion.
By the end of the second implementation year, a new draft of the Maritime Domain and Seaports Act entered legislative procedure, incorporating changes advocated for throughout the project cycle. Further advocacy efforts ensure that the Law aligns with the guidelines and conclusions from increased public participation. This alignment indicates the thematic and temporal coherence of the project with actual societal needs.
Four strategic lawsuits were supported, including a pioneering environmental case exploring collective litigation for the right to a healthy and clean environment. This case, still ongoing, was initiated following thorough legal research and engagement with a civil law professor. While no final decision has been made yet, the case will continue to be used for advocating changes to the Environmental Protection Act, specifically regarding future legal regulation of collective environmental lawsuits.
Continuous communication efforts exceeded the planned number of 393 media posts, significantly impacting public knowledge and perception of CSO roles and influence. Notable positive communication outcomes were achieved during national campaigns and coordinated advocacy efforts, especially for the amendment of the Maritime Domain and Seaports Act. Amendments to the law included removing explicit bans on beach access restrictions, stricter monitoring of beach nourishment methods, and clearer regulations on beach nourishment and construction.
This project has provided systematic theoretical solutions to legal environmental protection issues and strengthened public participation and access to justice, contributing to the development of environmental law in Croatia. The most significant result is the contribution to legislative and political processes related to marine environment management and guiding Croatia in fulfilling international commitments, with ongoing and sustained involvement of CSOs in these processes.
Summary of bilateral results
Methods of participation included exercising the right to provide opinions and comments during the drafting of regulations, typically through the e-consultation portal, and participating in working bodies. Together, the project team initiated a dialogue among stakeholders (fishermen, scientific community, civil society, and institutions) to formalize such forms of cooperation and decision-making. This effort led to the initiation of establishing a permanent working body for joint fisheries management.Additionally, WWF Adria contributed to the document "Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in Croatia – Civil Society Perspective," which is the first "shadow report" by Croatian civil society organizations evaluating the fulfillment of the United Nations'' (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 14: Life Below Water. WWF Adria prepared and submitted a proposal for the designation of a marine protected area around Molat Island to both relevant national ministries (Environment and Agriculture). They also participated in drafting the National Aquaculture Development Plan up to 2027 as part of a working group.During 2022, WWF Adria developed guidelines for creating a national action plan on bycatch of sensitive marine species and served as a member of the working group for "Pledge for Designations of 30% Protected Area Targets" at the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development. WWF Adria monitored the development of maritime spatial plans, including communication with the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Property regarding unfinished maritime spatial plans. The permanent working body for joint fisheries management has been established but has yet to hold a meeting.