For Babina gora health

Description

The project proposal refers to the environment and non-transparent methods of decision making regarding the construction of the Regional Centre for Waste Management in Karlovac County, which the political authorities decided to locate in the area of nature reserves rich in water resources, making a number of very suspicious actions on the way, due to which a criminal complaint has been filed for the second time with the competent Croatian institutions. The main objective of the project is to strengthen the advocacy role of NGOs and encourage civic engagement of local community on the importance of healthy environment and protection of natural resources. The specific objective of the project is to further sensitize the public about the procedural shortcomings in the preparation of the RCWM Babina gora and to initiate the process of revision of the conclusions reached on the location suitability and decisions on financing the project of the Centre for Waste Management (CWM). The said activities require an urgent response because a tender has been announced to finance the construction of RCWM Babina gora. The “Babina gora” initiative cooperating with organisations that deal with similar issues on other locations in Croatia, trying to point out the wrong, outdated and too expensive concept of waste disposal in Croatia. Until now, it has been established that there had been obvious irregularities in the approach to site selection, inconsistencies and manipulations relating to exploratory hydro- and geological works, quantities of waste which should be processed in the centre, and multiple misuse of EU funds. Reactions to the actions of NGO representatives indicate a disregard and incorrect attitude of public services towards the residents in the local community. Stakeholders gathered in the initiative believe that the progress they have made is visible and that they lack greater support from the interested public, which they want to achieve with this project.

Summary of project results

The project aims to address several issues related to the construction of the Regional Center for Waste Management (RCGO) in Karlovac, a project that has faced significant controversy and challenges. The key issues the project targets include:

1. Lack of Transparency in Decision-Making:

   • The decision to build the RCGO in Karlovac was made nearly 16 years ago, but the project has not progressed. The location chosen for the center is considered unsuitable for such a facility, raising concerns about the transparency of the decision-making process.
   • NGO sector representatives have discovered various manipulations, including the misuse of EU funds and potential corruption. This has led to multiple criminal complaints being filed with Croatian authorities.

2. Inaccurate Waste Processing Estimates and Misleading EU Funding Proposals:

   • Initial estimates projected that the center would process 95,515 tons of waste annually, and the facility was designed to handle 100,000 tons of waste per year. However, later projections reduced this amount to 30,000 tons annually, while the facility''s size and capacity were not adjusted accordingly.
   • This discrepancy raises serious questions about the feasibility of the project and the financial justification for its large-scale construction, especially considering that the planned waste processing capacity is significantly reduced.

3. Irregularities in the Construction of Access Roads:

   • The construction of an access road to the planned RCGO site is problematic, as the project was approved and completed despite the fact that the center itself does not yet exist. This road construction was funded through the Rural Development Program''s Measure 7.2, but it does not align with the regulations governing such projects.
   • The approval of this access road project without a corresponding waste management center raises concerns about the misuse of public funds and highlights further issues in the governance of the project.

4. Environmental and Organizational Concerns:

   • The construction of the RCGO is viewed as a potential environmental threat, with concerns about its impact on the local ecosystem, the lack of proper planning, and the technical difficulties that could arise once the complex is completed.
   • The NGOs argue that the project could lead to significant organizational and financial problems, and believe that there has been a clear lack of transparency in the management of public funds.

5. Need for Increased Public Awareness and Advocacy:

   • The project faces challenges in effectively communicating these issues to the local population due to limited access to media controlled by the ruling political group. As a result, the project''s organizers must find alternative ways to mobilize the public and raise awareness about the risks associated with the RCGO.
   • The project aims to engage the community through public events, media campaigns, and educational efforts to highlight the potential dangers of the RCGO, advocate for a review of the project’s location and funding decisions, and ensure that the issue of transparency is addressed.

By focusing on these issues, the project seeks to promote greater accountability in public decision-making, challenge the misuse of EU funds, and mobilize local communities to take action in addressing the environmental and organizational risks posed by the RCGO.

The project aimed to strengthen the advocacy role of NGOs and encourage civic engagement within the local community on the importance of a healthy environment and the protection of natural resources. Specific objectives included raising public awareness about procedural shortcomings in the preparation of the Regional Waste Management Center (RCGO) Babina Gora project and initiating a review of the decisions made regarding the location and funding of the project.

Key activities and outputs of the project included:

1. Raising Awareness in the Local Community:

   • The project focused on raising awareness among local residents about the flaws in the RCGO Babina Gora project. This included informing the community about the procedural issues and the questionable transparency in decision-making, particularly regarding public spending.
   • Through media releases, poster campaigns, and invitations to visit the planned site for the RCGO, residents—especially those living in the vicinity of the proposed site—expressed their opposition to the project and its potential environmental risks.

2. Advocacy Campaign:

   • A key part of the project was advocacy activities aimed at mobilizing both local residents and political representatives. This included outreach to key institutions, such as the Karlovac County government, the relevant ministry, the President’s Office, political parties in the Croatian Parliament, Members of the European Parliament, and relevant EU representatives.
   • Given the project’s timing close to local elections, political groups publicly stated their positions on the issue, increasing visibility and pressure on decision-makers.

3. Media and Public Support:

   • The project received support through media and promotional activities, which generated significant public interest and highlighted the concerns of local residents. As a result, the community voiced their opposition to the project, raising doubts about its necessity and the transparency of public funds being spent on it.
   • This community mobilization, along with media coverage, helped amplify the impact of the project and attracted attention from relevant authorities and stakeholders.

4. Government and Institutional Engagement:

   • The project led to direct engagement with key institutions, particularly through interactions with the State Commission for the Control of Public Procurement Procedures. This engagement resulted in the cancellation of the decision regarding the design and construction of the RCGO Babina Gora due to numerous technical and procedural errors. The State Commission issued a ruling in February 2021, which outlined 32 pages of identified issues with the project.
   • This decision effectively halted the project’s progress and provided an opportunity for the NGOs involved in the "Inicijativa za Babinu Goru" to continue advocating for a proper review of the project and its alignment with the needs and interests of the local community.

The project successfully mobilized public interest and political support, ultimately leading to the suspension of the project’s development, thus giving new momentum to the campaign and further advocacy efforts aimed at resolving this long-standing issue.

The project achieved several significant results, benefiting a variety of stakeholders, including NGO members, local community members, political representatives, and media outlets. The project primarily impacted residents of local communities near the planned RCGO Babina Gora site, who have been actively involved in opposing the project for years.

Key Results and Impacts:

1. Increased Public Awareness:

   • The project raised awareness in the local community about issues surrounding the proposed RCGO Babina Gora. Many residents and stakeholders previously believed the project was near completion and construction was imminent. Through the project’s activities, it became clear that many unresolved issues remained, and the project was far from finished.
   • The campaign successfully highlighted these concerns, contributing to a greater understanding of the ongoing risks and procedural issues with the project.

2. Engagement of Local Stakeholders:

   • Local residents, political representatives, and members of various NGOs were involved throughout the project. This collaboration strengthened community involvement and advocacy efforts. Local council members, regional politicians, and even a member of the European Parliament, Ivan Vilibor Sinčić, participated in discussions and supported the project’s objectives.
   • Media coverage played a significant role in keeping the issue in the public eye and engaging local and national stakeholders.

3. Political and Institutional Engagement:

   • The project led to increased political discourse on the issue, with key figures from local and national government institutions commenting on the matter. Local and regional councilors, along with other political actors, publicly expressed their positions on the proposed waste management center.
   • One of the significant impacts was the recognition of ongoing concerns that had previously been overlooked, showing that the project was not as far along as some had assumed.

4. Shift in Public Opinion:

   • The project’s media campaign and public outreach led to a change in public opinion, particularly in relation to the construction of the waste management center. A survey conducted by the political group Možemo revealed significant opposition to the project among local residents. This shift was visible in the results of public opinion polls, which showed that a considerable portion of the community was against the construction of the center.

5. Enhanced Community Mobilization:

   • One of the most notable outcomes was the active engagement of a growing number of local residents through the Facebook group “Ne želimo centar za gospodarenje otpadom u Karlovcu” (We Don’t Want the Waste Management Center in Karlovac), which grew to 256 members by the end of the project. This group became a platform for discussing waste management issues, nature conservation, and alternative energy production methods.
   • The group was especially notable for fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment, with all members encouraged to share their views on the issue, regardless of background or political stance.

Beneficiaries:

• Local Residents: Particularly those living near the proposed site for the RCGO Babina Gora, who have been directly impacted by the potential environmental and social effects of the project.
• NGO Members: The project empowered NGOs, including Udruga Pravica and Društvo Potrošačica, to play a more active role in advocating for transparency and environmental protection.
• Political Representatives: Local and regional council members, as well as political figures at the national level, were influenced by the growing public opposition and the issues raised through the project.
• The Broader Community: Media coverage and outreach activities helped to engage a wider audience, leading to a more informed public debate on the issue of waste management and environmental governance.

In summary, the project led to increased public awareness, political engagement, and mobilization of local residents, resulting in a shift in public opinion against the RCGO Babina Gora project and setting the stage for further advocacy efforts.