A New Organization

4.1 Why a New Organization

• no direct action,
• establish a NREC within an existing organization,
• establish a new organization for a NREC.

One must recognize a key difference between the situation in the CIS and that in CEE. When REC-Budapest was founded, service organizations supported by western donors did not exist in CEE. In the CIS, however, some organizations deliver services similar to those proposed in this report. Due the size of the CIS area, these organizations are not able to meet all the needs. The need, nevertheless, exists for enhanced services delivered on a CIS-wide basis, in a similar mode as REC-Budapest delivers services in CEE.

4.1.1 No Direct Action

Selecting this option would mean that the situation in CIS countries will remain more or less as it is now. Consequently, the process of building civil society in the field of the environment, of introducing public participation and promoting regional cooperation will continue very slowly. Needs and demands of NGOs and governments identified in the frame of the feasibility study will not be met.

We do not recommend this option.

4.1.2 Establish a NREC Within an Existing Organization

However, as a NREC should be an indigenous CIS organization and not a short-term Western project, only existing CIS organizations should be considered. At this time, a CIS service organization does not appear to exist which could serve as a NREC, meet the needs identified in the study and act to promote public participation and regional cooperation.

NGOs established by Ministries of Environment that serve as consulting firms for the ministries were suggested by the ministries to work as a NREC. The NGO community would not view such organizations as neutral and independent. Furthermore, these are purely national organizations which do not rely on any regional networks.

Alternatively, there are NGOs in CIS that have credibility among the NGO community. Some of them, such as the Socio-Ecological Union, provide REC-like services. Here the opposite problem arises. Governments would not view such an organization as neutral and impartial. NGOs do not usually act as a pure service organization.

We do not recommend this option.

4.1.3 Establish a New Organization

This new organization would look not only at one environmental stakeholder, as most existing organizations do, but would provide services for all. The focus on regional cooperation presents a niche that the existing organizations do not address with the attention that a NREC would. A new organization would be the first to serve as a catalyst to facilitate a dialogue with different sectors of society.

By providing a wide range of services, as described in the services chapter, the new organization would meet the needs identified in this study. Nevertheless, the new organization would work closely with existing CIS and Western service providers so as to operate in a cost effective mode and not duplicate the work of other organizations. When preparing a detailed work plan during the initial implementation stage of the project, the NREC implementers would consult with other providers. The NREC would benefit from their first-hand experience and would tailor the NREC services to complement the existing services.

Unlike existing Western service organizations, the new organization will be established as a CIS organization with a view toward reaching long-term sustainability. It will not be a short-term project. Staff for the organization should come largely from the region.