Full project description Geographic scope: Carpathian countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovakia, Ukraine) General objectives To contribute to the sustainable development of the Carpathian Mountains region; To support the streamlining of efforts for implementation of the Carpathian Convention; To facilitate implementation of the Convention at local level. Specific objectives To conduct a diagnostic audit of the policy, institutional and legislative set up existent in the Carpathian countries in comparison with the principles promoted and commitments undertaken under the Carpathian Convention. The main findings of the diagnostic audit shall be reflected in the Carpathian Environmental Outlook, to be produced by UNEP; To support the immediate implementation of the Carpathian Convention through a Guide on Implementation for local authorities. Background information The Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathians (Carpathian Convention) is a major tool for the protection and sustainable development of the Carpathian Mountains region, as well as a sub-regional example of implementation of the partnership for cooperation for the protection and sustainable development of mountain areas developed during the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the Mountain Summit in 2002. The Convention was adopted following a negotiation process facilitated by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and strongly supported by the Italian government. The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) was actively involved in the development of the Carpathian Convention. The REC acknowledges the strong need for further actions to support immediate implementation of the Convention and the need for coordination of different initiatives in this area. Concrete follow-up activities should be focused on supporting its early ratification and implementation. The current proposal results from consultations with UNEP on specific needs and priority actions. It is elaborated in the context of a joint framework of four projects, including two projects led by UNEP (Secretariat and Carpathians Environment Outlook), and two led by the REC (implementation guide and diagnostic audit). A steering group has been established for this framework that includes the REC, UNEP, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Territory, and the European Academy (EURAC). The REC has substantial experience in the development of implementation guides, as shown in particular by the highly successful Guide to Implementation of the Aarhus Convention, published by the UN. Recognising the experience gained in the framework of the Alpine Convention and the need to take into account the lessons learned from this experience, the REC shall, to the extent possible, make use of this knowledge and build upon the experience gained by organisations involved in the work of the Alpine Convention. The REC has substantial experience in the development and application of diagnostic audits, having pioneered the methodology in the context of the project on Sustainable Water Management of the Tisza River Basin in cooperation with UNDP. In 2000 the REC, together with UNEP and the World Conservation Union (IUCN), formed the Joint Environmental Law Service (JELS), focusing on providing advice and short-term legal expertise; development and codification of international environmental law; monitoring the status and implementation of MEAs, and other activities, such as capacity building, compliance and enforcement. This activity is in furtherance of the JELS Consortium’s cooperative aims. Justification The adoption of the Carpathian Convention during the Kiev Conference triggered the obligation of the signatories to enhance efforts to achieve sustainable development of the Carpathian Mountains through activities in a wide range of sectors, such as biodiversity, agriculture, forestry, water management, energy and transport. In collaboration with UNEP and the Ministry of Environment and Territory of Italy, the REC has identified two areas where its experience and expertise can be applied to assist the Carpathian countries in their goals. These areas are the diagnostic audit, and the implementation guide. The signatories/parties will need a very clear overview of the way the provisions of the convention relate to the existing policy, as well as the institutional and legislative set-up in the different areas covered by the convention. Therefore there is a need for a comprehensive diagnostic audit for each country. The audits may be used by donors and convention bodies as instruments for establishing the strategic directions for financing projects related to the Carpathian Convention. The diagnostic audit can be presented to the convention bodies meeting as a joint project outcome, and it could support identification and prioritisation of activities in the framework of the work programme of the convention. Moreover, given the complex, horizontal approach of the convention, which is based on the principle of integration of environmental concerns in sectoral issues, it is critical for all the stakeholders involved to have detailed and comprehensive guidance on possible mechanisms for meeting the obligations deriving therefrom. This need is already recognised under the Alpine Convention, where the preparation of an implementation guide is envisaged as a necessary step as a tool for promoting the implementation of that convention at the local level. Following the approach used for the Alpine Convention, it is envisaged that preparation of such an implementation guide for local authorities in Carpathian Countries will be one of the most important steps in supporting the implementation of the Carpathian Convention. Activities Diagnostic Audit Develop terms of reference for the preparation of a comprehensive diagnostic audit of the policy, and the institutional and legislative set-up in the Carpathian countries to evaluate their readiness to implement the convention and to pursue the commitments undertaken under it. The diagnostic audit shall be done on a country-by-country basis in English (national language versions shall also be produced). The European Academy shall take part in the development of the terms of reference for preparation of the national diagnostic audit. EURAC shall also focus on the issue of environmental quality targets. Contract national experts. The UNEP commissioned background paper, “The Carpathians: Existing Instruments and Programmes and a Carpathian Sector Analysis,” shall be taken into account and built upon by the in-country experts when developing the national assessments. Review draft reports for compliance with the ToR and make comments/suggestions for the preparation of final versions of the national reports. Transmit the draft and final diagnostic audits to UNEP to be taken into account during the process of developing the Carpathian Environmental Outlook. In this respect the REC shall take part in the meetings related to the Carpathian Environmental Outlook within the project budget limits. Organise in each country a stakeholder consultation meeting for presenting the findings of the diagnostic audit and for collecting feed-back on it. Distribution of the final diagnostic audits in electronic format at country level both in English and national language. Implementation Guide Develop terms of reference for the preparation of the implementation guide for the Carpathian Convention, targeted at local authorities. The preparation of the implementation guide will be a complex process based on the lessons learned through the preparation of other implementation guides (for example, the Aarhus Implementation Guide), and guides to the Biodiversity Convention and the Biosafety Protocol. Given the fact that a similar initiative is underway for the Alpine Convention, the REC will contact relevant expert(s) involved in the work of the Alpine Convention in order to share experience and provide expertise. Contract experts and preparation of the implementation guide in cooperation with relevant international expert(s) and project partners. EURAC shall be involved in the development of the guide on implementation. Organise a mechanism for active consultation on the draft guide, in order to collect feedback from all relevant stakeholders at international, national and local levels. This process shall include presentation of the draft implementation guide during a stakeholder meeting to be organised as a side event in connection with the 2nd meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee. Depending on its stage of development, the draft guide may also be presented during the national stakeholders meetings organised for consultations on the diagnostic audits (see Revised Concept for “Diagnostic Audit” project for more details). Revise the Guide based on feed-back received during consultations. Submit the guide to the parties and/or signatories through the Secretariat for their consideration within the framework of the rolling work programme of the convention. Final editing and electronic publication as a PDF file in English on the REC webpage. Timing 2004 - 2005 (2 years) Estimated outputs Country by country diagnostic audit of the policy, and on institutional and legislative set-up relevant to the convention in English and national languages. Minimum 50-page implementation guide, available in electronic (PDF) format on the Internet. Active involvement of stakeholders in the preparation of the guide. Increased stakeholder awareness at national/local level of the requirements and means for implementation of the Carpathian Convention. Estimated impact Interested parties will get a comprehensive overview of synergies/conflicts of existing national policy, institutional and legislative set up with the Carpathian Convention and an identification of areas that need to be covered in order to ensure efficient implementation. Policy makers in each country will get the basis for defining a roadmap for the actions that need to be taken in order to ensure implementation of the convention. The convention bodies will get important elements of facilitated implementation of the convention in the framework of the rolling work programme. Local authorities will gain exposure and awareness of the implications of the convention. The Carpathian Mountain region and its stakeholders will have additional tools and materials for improved protection and sustainable development. Reporting Regular financial and narrative reports shall be submitted to the donor. The frequency as well as specific requirements of the reporting shall be commonly agreed with the donor. Follow-up In a second phase of the project to be developed further, the REC will seek additional support from various donors for the following outputs: publication of a regional report based on the findings of the country-by-country diagnostic audits that will summarise common priority issues and make recommendations on joint activities for addressing those issues; hard-copy publication of the implementation guide in English; translation and publication of the Guide in the languages of the Carpathian countries; meetings in each country for local authorities in the national language(s) for presenting the Guide and providing training on the implementation of the convention; and an omnibus wrap-up meeting with representatives of each Carpathian country, donors and other interested organisations on further support to the implementation of the Carpathian Convention, based on the published guide(s) and the Regional Report.

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