1. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this REAP subtask were strengthening the awareness, commitment and capacity of local authorities in the implementation of EU environmental requirements through the following tasks: Award Programme for Local Authorities The overall objective was to raise awareness on EU environmental requirements and to give recognition to notable municipal achievements in those fields. Moreover, the objective was to evaluate the present level of compliance of local authorities with the EU's main quality standards deriving from selected directives and municipalities' general level of commitment to identifying environmental problems and their willingness to elaborate consistent strategies to solve these problems.  Training Local/Regional Authorities on Financing Plans for "Investment Heavy" Directives The objective was to build the capacity of selected local authorities (with the focus on major cities and municipalities) and regional authorities in methods to develop financing plans for environmental investment related to the implementation of key "investment-heavy" directives. Facilitating the "European Common Indicators" Initiative in the Candidate Countries The general objective was to support local authorities from the candidate countries participating in the European Common Indicators initiative. EU accession Local Authority Grants The general objective was to strengthen the initial commitment of local authorities (winners of the 1999 and 2000 editions of the award) through a grant programme, towards EU accession proven by their successful participation in the City Towards EU Compliance Award Programme. Contact Entela Pinguli for more information. Local Environmental Action Plans and Sustainable Cities Networks Support Programme The objective was to maintain and strengthen the activities of two networks - LEAP and Sustainable Cities Networks - and enable them to play active roles in promoting the benefits of the EU approximation process for sustainable development at the local level, as well as to provide them with a key understanding of the implications at the local level. 2. TARGET GROUPS Local Authorities and Municipalities in the 10 CEE candidate countries.