The Environment Forum (EF) is a project funded by the European Commission intended for all environmental non-governmental organizations (from Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Kosovo under UNSCR 1244, and Turkey) interested and involved in the EU enlargement process. It aims to support NGOs in their active and constructive role in the enlargement process. One of its goals is to develop capacities of environmental NGOs to establish a constructive dialogue with national authorities and support their active role in the EU enlargement process. The project also aims to support:

• information exchange on EU environmental policy and developments in the enlargement process;
• consultation by DG ENV with NGOs on developments in the EU environment policy and the implications for their respective countries;
• develop capacities of environmental NGOs to establish a constructive dialogue with national authorities and key stakeholders (e.g., business, academia etc.)
  

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Environment Forum is driven by consortium formed by Pescares Italia (leader), the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), and punto.sud. The project team is composed by both in-house and external experts in order to cover all the specialisations required by the project and support the optimal implementation of planned activities. EF supporting project team coordinates and facilitates project implementation and support collaborative partnership between the European Commission and NGOs.
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The project builds on the previous NGO Dialogue and New NGO Forum which were focused on the issues of information exchange and improvement in transparency between NGOs and the Commission.
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Participating environmental NGOs are representatives of the environmental movement in the Environment Forum, catalyzing the NGOs role in the pre-accession period. The selected NGOs have to act as “hubs” to appropriately consult and coordinate with other (smaller or local) NGOs in order to get a complete overview of their national environmental civil society requiring their active contribution. All NGOs selected for the EF project were going through application and evaluation process and were selected based on strict criteria.
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Criterion 1: Organizational capacity
Demonstrated record of conducted activities, system of management. At least 3 years of existence. At least 3 staff persons working on full time/part time. Capacity to work proficiently in English. Capacity to attract supporting members and volunteers. Geographic scope of activities (i.e., local, regional or national/international level). Presence in different networking activities. Experience with policy work, lobby and campaigning. Professional experience of the person representing the NGO (based on provided CV), and her/his experience with tasks defined in the ToR.. For this criterion, a score of 4 will only be attributed if all sub criteria are met.

Criterion 2: Thematic focus
The NGOs selected are expected to be oriented and have previous experience in one or more of the foreseen thematic issues planned for the work of the Forum i.e., MEA, Horizontal legislation (EIA, SEA, Access to Information, Public Participation), Water management, Waste, Air Quality, and/or IPPC. For this criterion, a score of 4 will only be attributed if the NGO is active in at least 3 of these thematic areas.

Criterion 3: Involvement in the EU enlargement process
Presence and importance of the EU enlargement process in the agenda of the NGO. Previous active participation in the EU – NGO dialogue, or EU enlargement project management experience. Campaigning and policy lobby activities (primarily on regional/national level). Experience with participation in parallel activities promoted by DG ENV. Involved in programmes focused on the EU enlargement (initiated or supported by EC or by individual EU countries). A score of 4 will only be attributed if the NGO can show at least 3 previous or ongoing activities related to EU enlargement process.

Criterion 4: Information dissemination capacity
Previous experience with information dissemination activities. Publishing of reports, policy documents or regular publications (e.g., bulletins or newsletters, own web page). Capacities and ability to share information with other NGOs and stakeholders. A score of 4 will only be attributed if the NGO publish and disseminate information regularly, and to a broad range of stakeholders.

It is important to consider that the purpose is to select environmental NGOs representative of civil society and public in each of the participating countries. The selected NGOs will have to demonstrate ability to act as coordinators at the country level, information dissemination centres and appropriately consult and coordinate with other NGOs not directly involved in the EF.

Criterion 5: Capacity to work with other stakeholders in the EU enlargement process
Demonstration that the work of the NGO is inclusive and conducted in integrative ways. Involvement of relevant partners, stakeholders or public authorities into activities. Demonstration of feasible local, regional/national level cooperation. Ability to co-organize preparatory meetings. A score of 4 will only be attributed if the NGO is part of a regional/national networks, has experience with organizing stakeholders meetings and is involved in a regular dialogue with local or national authorities.

These are: 1) the organization of national Preparatory Meetings; 2) the participation in the Annual Meetings with the European Commission representatives; and 3) Internet based communication and information sharing. To note that the preparatory meetings will provide space for dialogue between environmental civil society and local authorities and other national stakeholders.
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You will find list of the participating NGOs at: http://www.envforum.eu/doku.php/ngos_enlargement/partecipating_ngos/start

The list is devided by countries and you may easily find your country representatives and their contact details.
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The papers tackle important topics in the accession process and primarily serve for preparation and stimulation of discussion at the preparatory and annual meetings. The papers is the result of the joint effort of the project team and representatives of NGOs. It is anticipated that 1 or 2 background papers will be developed (and posted on the web) in preparation of each of the annual meetings.
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If you are from region of EU candidate and potential candidate countries, you may participate in the project activities in several ways:

• visit project web page and benefit from the posted information
• contact selected NGOs and ask them for access to information, dates of the preparatory meetings and explore ways of possible cooperation (recommended especially to NGOs and activists);
• use helpdesk to get access to latest information and documents on the enlargement process (open to general public).
  

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The Helpdesk is a day-to-day service allowing users to submit questions, requests or comments and receive prompt replies. It provides an easy and practical “entry point” for organisations which are attracted by the possibility of having a “tailored” access to information through the submission of specific questions related to the EU enlargement process and EU policies. A team of experts will (in close collaboration with the EC) prepare answers and/or provide guidance to relevant documents or materials. The Helpdesk can also be used to provide information to EC officials. It also ensures a practical way to tailor information to the final users and maintain a certain degree of privacy. For more detail information on this tool click here: http://www.envforum.eu/doku.php/helpdesk/start
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The Helpdesk functioning is simple: just register with your email address, you will automatically receive a Password, login into your account and fill in the Helpdesk Form with your query. Once your query is received, our Help Desk Officer will register the question and coordinate the preparation of an answer . The Helpdesk can also be used to provide information to EC officials. A team of experts will (in close collaboration with the EC) prepare answers and/or provide guidance to relevant documents or materials. When ready, it will be sent back to your registered email address. Please note that you may also use helpdesk anonymously (we would however need a valid email address to be able to send you the answer).
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Your query and the answer provided will be published in this page (anonymously), unless you specifically ask us not to do so at the moment of the submission of your query.
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Please visit regularly our web page. If youcan not find required information, contact the project team at: info@envforum.eu For EU enlargement related questions use the Helpdesk function on this web site.
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