REC Country Office Czech Republic

Contents of this page:
Establishment Staff Achievements Projects Expertise
Donors Contact address

Year of Establishment:
1996

Current Staff:

Major Achievements:

Country Office Czech Republic has established very good cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry for Regional Development of the Czech Republic. The ministries and different and local authorities are traditional partners in country office operation for projects in the fields of Biodiversity (especially in local branding in protected areas), Strategic environmental assessment and Effective communication and education in nature protection.

The organization has been gradually building good contacts and cooperation with key groups of society: NGOs, state government, local administration and business. Activities of the organization are realized within the following main areas: strategic environmental assessment, environmental regulation, effective communication and education in nature protection, indicators for sustainable local development, management of public participation programmes.

Main Projects:

• Implementation of local brands in protected areas (2004 – 2008)
  There are implemented the local brands for products in Czech protected areas and regions, for example Sumava, Beskydy, Krkonose (The Giant Mts.), Moravian Karst, Orlicke Mts. etc. The activities are focused on support of local inhabitants, their interest of sustainable development of the region where they live and the promotion of local products, traditions and natural heritage. (web site: www.domaci-vyrobky.cz)
• Natura 2000 Network – People for nature, nature for people (2004-2005)
  The goal of the project is to provide accurate and easily accessible information about the Natura 2000 Network in order to empower and involve citizens. The project activities have been concentrated around three modules: Information campaign and effective communication with land users and landowners; Environmental education and Activities to support the promotion of local products.
• Developing a good practice in strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and public participation in planning and decision-making processes (2004-2005)
  This project was aimed to initiate establishment of the center for support and development of SEA in the Czech Republic. The very important part of the project was also to mediate discussion and information exchange between relevant stakeholder groups. Project activities included e.g. series of workshops, development of training manual for SEA and preparation of informational leaflet on SEA for public.
• Partnership for Nature (IUCN) (Jun 2002 – Nov 2003)
  Pilot projects on implementation of methods and tools of effective communication with stakeholders in the landscape protected areas. Development of Guideline for management of effective communication of the Landscape Protected Areas (LPA) and National Parks (NP) agencies, utilizing experience from pilot projects areas.
• Local Sustainability Indicators for Czech towns and cities
  National partners’ initiative aimed at introducing in the Czech Republic a program of active implementation of the indicators of sustainable development at local level, utilizing methodology of European Common Indicators (ECI) developed by the European Commission. The initiative is focused on helping local authorities to overcome the lack of communication between municipalities and public and help them to incorporate environmental aspects in their decision-making process utilizing the concept of ECI. Sustainable planning and management of environmental NGOs (2002) Series of workshops on project cycle management and project preparation; seminars on double entry accounting for NGOs and (10) case studies on developing strategic plans for financial sustainability of selected NGOs active in the field of environmental education. Development of guidelines for NGO on strategic planning.
  

Country Office Expertise:

• Strategic Environmental Assessment
• Effective communication and PR in nature protection
• Environmental education in nature protection
• Project cycle management
• Management of public participation programs
• Management of seminars and workshops
  

Donors for Projects:

• UNDP
• GEF
• Partnership Foundation
• EC - DG Environment
• Foundation for Civil Society Development
• UNEP
• Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic
• Ministry for Regional Development of the Czech Republic different regional and local authorities in the country
  
  

Contact address:
Senovazna 2
110 00 Prague, Czech Republic
Tel/Fax: (+420) 224 222 843
E-mail: rec@reccr.cz
Web: http://www.reccr.cz

Related information:

Map of Czech Republic

UNEP-Infoterra Czech Republic: Environmental Information Section

Econnect: Czech NGO electronic network

Ministry of Environment

This page was last updated: 
June 2007