This project falls within the scope of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe and forms part of the Regional Environmental Reconstruction Programme for South Eastern Europe (REReP). The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) contracted the REC to implement the project in three cross-border sites: Neretva Delta (Croatia and Bosnia Herzegovina), Shkoder (also known as Skadar or Schkodra) Lake (Albania and Serbia and Montenegro) and West Stara Planina (Bulgaria and Serbia and Montenegro). Activities in the first two sites began in July 2000, while in Stara Planina activities began only in September 2001. The three sites are globally significant crossborder ecosystems in South Eastern Europe (two of which are designated Ramsar sites, one a biosphere reserve, and all of which are national conservation priorities), which serve as critical habitats for a wide range of species of global significance. They are also of considerable socio-economic and cultural importance, supporting the livelihoods of local communities and contributing to local and national economic development. The overall goal of the project was to enhance cooperation between SEE countries through the management of shared natural resources. All project activities sought to promote: local organisations; cooperation in the management and protection of cross-border sites; cross-border exchanges between local organisations and people; and technical networks at the regional level. The area of environment and joint management of natural resources was the first domain where cross-border cooperation was established in the framework of the Stability Pact. As a pioneering cross-border activity, the project functioned as a laboratory for studying the dynamics between the diverse political, institutional and economic contexts at play in these natural areas. The project succeeded in repairing many cross-border contacts between the countries involved. Dialogue was established, and local stakeholders were brought in to define common objectives and actions. A Memorandum of Understanding (DOC file) was signed between the ministry of environments of Albania and Montenegro (Serbia and Montenegro) and local forums were held at the three sites. Various activities were carried out, including: A report and logical framework resulted from the planning workshop for the first phase of the project (Szentendre, Hungary; November 18-20, 2000). Local stakeholders learned to carry out environmental planning. Joint project proposals for further support, a joint bibliography, and a common list of species for Shkoder Lake were written. A Joint Rural Tourism Strategy for Neretva Delta was developed. Experience exchange programmes and joint educational modules were developed for Skoder lake and Neretva Delta. A Joint Declaration was signed between teachers from Bulgaria and Serbia in West Stara Planina. Other cross border local initiatives such as festivals and fairs were carried out in order to promote local traditions and culture. Apart from the project activities, small grants were given to local NGOs and stakeholder groups to implement local projects of common bilateral interest. Nearly all project activities implemented so far have identified priorities for follow-up activities. In most cases the priorities have been based on detailed needs assessments and discussions with the countries involved. An external evaluation of the project was conducted in October 2002. The representatives of the ministries of environment of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Serbia and Montenegro selected NGO partners, a REC project team and representatives from the external evaluation team. SDC Switzerland endorsed the findings of the evaluation. As a result, a planning process for continuing the project was initiated in November 2002. It was agreed that the REC should lead this process, calling upon resource persons and key partners. For each of the three sites, joint draft papers (Synthesis and Diagnosis, and Main Objectives for a Next Phase) were prepared and discussed at bilateral planning workshops in June 2003, involving the REC team, key project partners and resource persons from the ministries of environment and local communities, as well as a representative of SDC. On the basis of these discussions, synthesis and diagnosis reports were finalised, and main objectives and action lines were identified for each site. The Strategic Plan 2004-2008 was developed, along with two-year action plans.

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