Only some of the identified needs can be addressed by a REC-like organization, because such an organization will have a limited budget and will focus on public participation and regional cooperation. To sum up the results of the governmental needs analysis, needs that could be partly addressed by a REC-like organization are:
Understandably, a NREC would not be in a position to substitute any governmental institution in delivering services to address these needs. In fact, the issue would be to facilitate the process of governmental institutional capacity building. We suggest that a new service organization concentrates on (1) meeting governmental information needs, (2) offering special training options, (3) facilitating regional cooperation and (4) providing constructive dialogue with NGOs.
Options for facilitating regional cooperation and a dialogue with NGOs should be considered of highest importance when preparing strategic plans for a new organization. Special programs to promote a participatory approach in the process of environmental decision-making should be designed.
The needs analysis clearly showed that a REC-like service organization cannot address the many needs of central and local governments because the needs are beyond the scope of such an organization. In addition, governments and donor governments who want to increase bi- and multilateral cooperation should pay close attention to the shortcomings indicated at the government level.