The REReP was developed in a very short time period during the last year to respond to the opportunity created by the Stability Pact. This means that it was necessary to improvise along the way, and since its endorsement the need for a clear understanding of implementation arrangements became apparent in view of imminent donor commitments to specific projects. The purpose of this paper is to outline the current situation and start a discussion about these arrangements in the REReP Task Force. The discussion should lead to a common agreement on the role of the Secretariat and other actors, and on other open issues, such as the geographic scope of the REReP.   1. Coordination of REReP project implementation In order to ensure the successful and efficient implementation of the REReP in the long-term, the responsibilities of the following actors need to be clearly defined: the REReP Secretariat, the implementing agencies, and the lead countries. -- based on the approved REReP ToR [background document: REReP/TF/1(c)]. The Role of the REReP Secretariat As agreed at the ministerial meeting in Skopje, Macedonia (15-16 March 2000), the REC serves as the secretariat of the REReP Task Force. Its responsibilities include: preparation and organisation of Task Force meetings, implementation of Task Force decisions between the meetings, assistance to SEE countries in formulation of projects (to the level of project concept) and fundraising, acting as the "implementing agency" for specific projects in its area of expertise and/or in absence of other organisations, facilitating communications between all REReP stakeholders by providing information on progress of activities, facilitating donor coordination to avoid duplication or omission of activities, assisting the Task Force in continued assessment of REReP priorities. The REC has currently three persons working full time as REReP Secretariat and several other people working part time in the head office. The Country Offices in the SEE countries are also spending most of their time on work related to the REReP. This capacity will remain available or even expand in the future in line with available funding. The Role of the Implementing Agencies: Implementing agency can be any international or national, governmental or non-governmental organisation that has the capacity to take full responsibility for the preparation and implementation of specific projects. Basic preference is for implementing agencies that are based in the SEE region, whose involvement itself presents a contribution to institutional capacity building. The implementing agency for a specific project is designated by the lead country or by the Task Force itself. The implementing agency's responsibilities include: development of the full project proposal for submission to specific donors in consultation with the lead country for that project, fundraising for the project (with assistance from the REReP Secretariat as needed), signing of the contract with the donor, carrying out the implementation phase (including delivery of services, subcontracting, financial management, etc.) and preparing interim and final reports, informing the REReP Secretariat of progress at milestones, so that the Secretariat can make information about progress available through the REReP website. For certain areas of activities (such as the biodiversity working group) it may be useful to set up working groups of various implementing agencies and other interested organizations having expertise in that area, as tools for coordinating development and implementation of REReP projects in that area. Such groups will ideally prevent any duplication of activities under the REReP, ensuring the highest level of efficiency and accountability in REReP activities. The Role of Lead Countries: Lead countries should principally be the SEE countries who are cooperating within the REReP, but in exceptional cases also the donor countries, international organizations or NGOs would be able to take the lead. The main purpose of this concept is to give the SEE countries opportunity to exercise international leadership, to actively contribute to the cooperation in the region, and in this way, develop the institutional capacity and experience needed to actively participate in international processes. On the other hand, the role of the lead country should not put an undue burden upon the already strained environmental institutions in the country. The role of the lead countries is to: initiate and/or endorse project ideas and bring them to the attention of the Task Force; select the implementing agency for the specific projects; review project proposals and give consent on project scope; provide political support to the project during the fundraising phase and throughout the implementation process by promoting it at domestic, regional and international events; participate in the project implementation according to its capacity and needs; provide strategic directions to, and monitor the work of, the implementing agency and report to the Task Force in the progress of the project. These activities will require a very clear channel of communications between the countries, the implementing agencies and the donor and NGO communities. A possible model to achieve this would be to set up a steering committee for each project with members from interested countries and organizations, chaired by a representative of the lead country. For smaller and national projects, it would be sufficient to nominate a national coordinator who will serve as a focal point for communicatsions and activities related to project implementation. The REReP Secretariat will facilitate communications with steering committees and national coordinators as needed.   2. Dissemination of information about REReP activities Information dissemination will be a key element in the implementation of the REReP program - particularly in ensuring that all interested parties are well informed and have the opportunity to comment on REReP activities. A transparent procedure for disseminating information about REReP activities should be set up. In particular, expressions of interest from the donor community, completed project proposals involving all countries and other information of concern to all REReP Task Force members should be distributed widely and openly. The information could be distributed through: Posting of relevant information and documents on the REReP webpages (maintained by the REReP Secretariat). Larger documents may be downloaded from the web. establishing an unmoderated email discussion list to collect and discuss diverse opinions. establishing an announcement email list to disseminate important news and Press releases by the REReP Secretariat.   3. Introduction of new projects into the REReP program As the "Quick Start" phase of REReP project implementation moves forward, and the overall process of SEE reconstruction continues under the Stability Pact, there will be a need to introduce new projects into the REReP. Delegates are therefore invited to discuss and agree upon a procedure for the transparent introduction of project ideas to be included in the REReP programme (including project proposals submitted by NGOs and international organizations). A possible procedure of introduction of new projects could be set up along the following lines: any interested parties will be eligible to circulate project ideas - a common format will be provided by the Secretariat (available for downloading on the REReP webpages), open posting of project ideas on the REReP webpages (maintained by the Secretariat)., all Task Force members will be notified of the proposed project ideas and will be invited to review the materials received by the Secretariat, the project ideas will be brought to the attention of the Task Force by the countries who endorse these ideas and are either willing to take the lead or provide funding, under the priority area 2, the NGOs would be able to present projects to the Task Force independently, the Task Force will discuss and agree on: a) inclusion of projects into the REReP programme, b) the lead country for each project, and c) the implementing agency for that project.   4. Inclusion of Kosovo and Montenegro in REReP activities Kosovo and Montenegro are currently two territories in SEE that are in great need of environmental investment and a number of donors are planning to provide funding for projects there. Some of the trans-boundary projects listed in the REReP also already include these territories. It is recommended that the environmental projects in Kosovo and Montenegro are recognized as part of the REReP, provided they are in line with the principles of the Stability Pact. The question of participation of environmental authorities from these territories in the work of the REReP Task Force shoudl be discussed further, also with the Stability Pact. In the case of Kosovo, UNMIK is the obvious counterpart to work with, and who has already expressed interest in cooperation within the REReP.

Contents of this page: Coordination of REReP project implementation Dissemination of information about REReP activities Introduction of new projects into the REReP program Inclusion of Kosovo and Montenegro in REReP activities