The overall objective of the Environment Forum (“the project”) is to build and strengthen civil society active in the environment field in candidate countries (Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Turkey) and potential candidates (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia and Kosovo under UNSCR 1244/99) through information exchange on EU environmental policy and developments in the enlargement process. The project will also enable DG ENV to consult NGOs on developments in the EU environment policy and the implications for their respective countries.

The EC in its Enlargement Strategy and Main Challenges 2008-2009 (Brussels, 5.11.2008) identifies capacities building needs of Civil Society organisations and recognises that their involvement in policy-making requires further strengthening. Regional Environmental Network for Accession (RENA) highlights importance of NGOs in the EU enlargement process.

The project requires a very active role of selected NGOs during implementation, and is based on a transparent and collaborative partnership between the European Commission, NGOs and the supporting project team. The NGOs involved will receive up to date information on the enlargement process, the RENA and other important issues related to the EU, e.g. Western Balkan countries' and Turkey pre-accession processes. To realise the full potential of the Environment Forum, the selected NGOs will 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. In this sense, the call for interest clearly stresses, that NGOs will not be considered representative de facto simply because they have been selected. Selected NGOs will have to earn this position through active consultation and management work on the ground. The work at country level is important to ensure that the agenda of the Environment Forum reflects broad issues that are important for civil society in the respective countries. Last but not least, the Environment Forum aims to strengthen the role of NGOs in the enlargement process.

The project involves NGOs from 8 countries at very different stages in the accession process. To be effective the project will take account of these differences and respond as much as possible to specific country needs. To see list of participating NGOs click here.

The Western Balkans and Turkey share the common ambition of becoming members of EU. The NGOs role is important in supporting a gradual and carefully managed enlargement process, contributing to environmental democracy, diplomacy, advocacy and the respect of environmental rule of law. Participating environmental NGOs are national hubs under the Environment Forum umbrella, catalyzing the NGOs role in the pre-accession period.