Coalition for sustainable EU funds

Programming the EU funds for 2007-2013

Krakow, November 25-26, 2005

Day 1: Friday, November 25

10.10– 11.20	Preparation of the cohesion policy framework for 2007-2013 on the Community level Chair: Magda Stoczkiewicz, CEE Bankwatch/FoEE David Sweet, DG Regio State of play on the new cohesion policy framework and negotiations with the member states Martin Konecny, CEE Bankwatch/FoEE An NGO view on the new regulations and strategic guidelines for 2007-2013


11.50 –13.00	Programming 2007 – 2013 – country experience Chair: Tomasz Terlecki, CEE Bankwatch Network Bozenna Wójcik, Institute for Sustainable Development, Poland Strategic Environmental Assessment of some strategies and of the NDP – practical experience from Poland Anna Dworakowska, Institute of Environmental Economics/CEE Bankwatch, Poland Experience of Polish environmental NGOs in preparation of the National Development Plan 2007 - 2013


14.30- 16.00	Programming 2007 – 2013 – country experience Chair: Peep Mardiste, Estonian Green Movement (FoE/CEE Bankwatch), Estonia Istvan Farkas, National Society of Conservationists (FoE/CEE Bankwatch), Hungary Public participation during programming of National Development Concept 2007 – 2013 in Hungary Miroslav Parvonic, Centre for Community Organizing, Czech Republic Cooperation of Czech NGOs and national authorities in preparation of the National Development Plan Juraj Zamkovsky, Centre for Environmental Public Advocacy (FoE/CEE Bankwatch), Slovakia The quality of programming process in Slovakia

16.30- 19.00

Strategic session – further actions for influencing programming period 2007 – 2013
Chair: Magda Stoczkiewicz, CEE Bankwatch/FoEE

Group 1. Negotiations between Commission and member states – our further
actions
Leading: Martin Konecny, CEE Bankwatch/FoE Europe)
Group 2. NGO participation in programming process on national level – plans for further actions
Leading: Peep Mardiste, Estonian Green Movement (FoE/CEE Bankwatch), Estonia)
Introductory presentation: Pavel Pribyl, Hnuti Duha (FoE/CEE Bankwatch), Czech Republic - NGO inputs into infrastructure and accessibility part of the NDP in Czech Republic
Group 3. Strategic Environmental Assessments of the programming documents
Leading: Robert Cyglicki, Polish Green Network/CEE Bankwatch, Poland

Day 2: Saturday, November 26

10.00-11.30	Preventing negative environmental impacts of EU funds 2007 – 2013 Chair: Anelia Stefanova, CEE Bankwatch Network Robert Cyglicki, Polish Green Network/CEE Bankwatch, Poland Road development in a clash with Natura 2000 sites - case from Poland Akos Eger, National Society of Conservationists (FoE/CEE Bankwatch), Hungary Threats to Danube river 2007 – 2013 – “Beszedes" program Pavel Pribyl, Hnuti Duha (FoE/CEE Bankwatch), Czech Republic Controversial projects related to the EU funds 2007 – 2013 in Czech Republic


12.00 - 13.20	Sharing positive ideas for next programming period Chair: Juraj Zamkovsky, Centre for Environmental Public Advocacy (FoE/CEE Bankwatch), Slovakia Peter Torkler, WWF-Germany Making use of EU funds - how WWF is preparing for the next financial period Linas Vainius, Atgaja Community/CEE Bankwatch, Lithuania Development of cycling with use of EU structural funds in Lithuania- positive experience

12.00 - 13.20

Strategic session – group work
Chairing person: Andrzej Gula, Institute of Environmental Economics, CEE Bankwatch,
Poland

Group 1. Sharing ideas for the positive projects 2007 – 2013
leading: Juraj Zamkovsky, Centre for Environmental Public Advocacy (FoE/CEE
Bankwatch), Slovakia
Group 2. Tackling transport projects in clashes with NATURA 2000 &
environmentally valuable sites 2007 – 2013
leading: Robert Cyglicki, Polish Green Network/CEE Bankwatch, Poland
Group 3. Controversial environmental infrastructure projects
leading: Linas Vainius, Atgaja Community/CEE Bankwatch, Lithuania

Background:

The seminar gathered about 50 representatives of environmental NGOs actively involved in monitoring and promoting EU Fund-related projects and policies in new member states and the candidate countries.

The seminar focused on three major components, which are of significant concern for the NGOs in CEE countries:
1) Greening the programming process and documents 2007 – 2013 – actions done and to be undertaken,
2) Potential negative environmental impacts of the EU funded projects under the new programming period,
3) Sharing the ideas for sustainable projects to be promoted for the new programming period.

Goals of the seminar included:
• sharing knowledge and experience from NGO involvement in the programming process 2007 – 2013, i.e. actions undertaken in order to green EU programming documents, actions that still need to be done;
• sharing information and ideas for actions with regard to future projects and programmes that pose threat to environmentally valuable sites (e.g. Natura 2000);
• presenting ideas for projects working for the benefit of environment in the light of new programming period;
• discussing joint actions to promote the sustainable use of EU funds (actions on the international level).

Seminar organisers gratefully acknowledge funding support from the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM) and from the European Commission.