During the past decade of war, instability and slow economic, democratic and political reforms in South Eastern Europe (SEE), both the societies and environment of the region have suffered greatly. At this crucial moment in time, when economic reconstruction efforts are beginning rapidly in South Eastern Europe, e.g. in the framework of the Balkan Stability Pact, but also through bilateral cooperation, it is essential to ensure that environmental concerns are properly taken into consideration from the beginning. Today, the environment of  South Eastern Europe is seriously neglected - including post-war damage, insufficient institutional infrastructure, decaying industrial systems, and a legacy of years of unchecked pollution. Additionally, the environmental institutional capacity in the national and local governments is often weak and environmental civil society in SEE is not prepared to meet these challenges. This is evidenced by inadequate legal frameworks, little public participation in decision-making, a low number of NGOs, and a lack of public awareness - particularly regarding environmental issues - throughout the region. On the other side, many countries of South Eastern Europe possess great areas of unspoiled nature, rich in biodiversity, which might be endangered by possible future increased economic activities. In order to ensure that environmental concerns are better taken into consideration during the phase of Balkan reconstruction, environmental ministries of SEE countries have initiated on a meeting of Environmental Ministers held in Skopje, FYR Macedonia on 15th & 16th January 2000 the "Regional Environmental Reconstruction Programme for South Eastern Europe" (REReP). This programme is formally acknowledged by the Balkan Stability Pact and is coordinated by a Taskforce, which is chaired by the European Commission and a South Eastern European Country on a rotating base. The Secretariat for the Taskforce is the REC. The Taskforce meets regularly. Its next meeting will be in November 2000 in Brussels. REReP focuses on the following five priority areas: institutional strengthening of governmental bodies and policy development; environmental civil-society building; emergency assistance for combating war damage; reinforcement of existing cooperative mechanisms and structures and development of regional cross-border projects; and support to priority national and local environmental projects. With the support of various donors it is planned to implement in the coming year a variety of projects that will enable all South East European Countries to properly deal with the environmental challenges they are facing on all levels. Special emphasis is given to the development of well-organised and functioning environmental institutions (ministries, inspectorates etc. but also NGOs). Additionally priority environmental problems, which constitute an actual and major threat to people and environment, will be addressed. Further information on the REReP is available at http//www.rec.org. All applicants are advised to carefully study the documents available there. From the beginning, it was acknowledged that strong NGO involvement, not only in the activities of the REReP Taskforce, but also within projects under the REReP, is essential. Furthermore, environmental NGOs play a crucial role in overseeing and influencing other activities under the Balkan Stability Pact, which represents by far the bulk of the available donor funding. Within REReP, the entire priority of area Two of REReP focuses on the development of civil society.

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