Hungary,Slovenia: MSP - Building Environmental Citizenship to Support
Transboundary Pollution Reduction in the Danube: a Pilot Project in
Hungary and Slovenia (UNDP)
Operational Program: 8 (International Waters)
GEF Secretariat Review:
Financing (millions):
$0.75
Total (millions):
$1.58
1144
Summary
This project would develop effective and replicable mechanisms for institutionalizing and operationalizing
environmental public participation in two leading countries of Central Europe that are part of the Danube
restoration process. By assisting Hungary and Slovenia in the development of practical and appropriate
mechanisms to provide meaningful public access to environmental information and increase public involvement
in decisionmaking relating to transboundary pollution reduction in the Danube, the project will increase the
overall effectiveness of and public support for programs to reduce toxics and nutrients discharged to the
Danube. The project will demonstrate the positive interaction between increased public involvement and
transboundary pollution reduction goals and lead the way for creating similar enabling institutional mechanisms
to promote sustainable development in the other countries in transition that are engaged in the Danube process.
Expected Project Outputs:
(i) Report on Needs Assessment and Case Study; (ii) three capacity-
building workshops completed for key officials of pilot countries; (iii)
laws/regulations/policies drafted during the technical assistance phase to
facilitate public involvement in Danube efforts; (iv) study tour completed
by key officials and NGO representatives of pilot countries; report on
Study Tour; (v) final report completed/disseminated on lessons learned
and recommendations for replication in other Danube CEE countries.
Project Duration (months):
18
Date last Updated:
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Basic Project Data
Project GEF ID:
Staff
Processing Status
Date
Program Manager
Merla
Processing Stage
Implementing Agency
UNDP
Concept Pipeline Discussion
Regional Coordinator
PDF A - Agency Approval
Executing Agency
International NGO
PDF B - CEO Approval
Bilateral Project Review Meeting
10/18/99
Work Progrom Submission and Approv
CEO Endorsement
Agency Approval
Project Completion
Cost Summary
Cost Item
Years
Amount (USD'000)
Preparation
- PDF A
- PDF B
- PDF C
Project Allocation
- Executing Agency Fees and Costs
$0.00
- Project Managment Costs
$0.00
- Other Incremental Costs
$0.00
Completeness of Documentation
Focal Point.....................
Budget............................
Logical Framework........
STAP Review.................
Increment Cost...............
Length............................
Disclosure of Administration Cost....................................
Complete Cover Sheet....
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1. Country Ownership
Country Eligibility
Under para. 9(b) of GEF instrument.
Evidence of Country Ownership/Country-Drivenness
Countries have endorsed the project, and will provide substantial in kind contributions.
2. Program and Policy Conformity
Portfolio Balance
This MSP would contribute to the overall GEF nutreint reduction program in the Black Sea Basin.
Program Conformity
The project conforms with OP8 guidelines and objectives, being part of the larger Black Sea/Danube
remediation effort.
Replicability
Replicability is key to this initiative, aimed at showing new ways to enhance public environmental awareness on
transboundary water pollution.
Potential Global Environmental Benefits of Project
The project would contribute to the remediation of the tramsboundary pollution affecting the Black Sea Basin.
Sustainability
The project will be designed and implemented in close partnership with key government officials and ministries
in Hungary and Slovenia, and leading environmental NGOs. A project planning task force has already been
formed; it includes key government officials and NGOs from Hungary and Slovenia, who have already made
commitments toward the success of the project. Inclusive efforts will be complemented by substantial outreach
toward other NGOs and other stakeholders. REC's strong working relationships and collaborative programs
with environmental officials throughout the CEE region, and its region-wide local offices and contacts with
NGOs, will also help to ensure that the progress achieved through the pilot project is sustained over the long-
term.
Baseline Course of Action
Existing arrangements for public access to environmental information and public participation in environmental
decisionmaking, are inadequate and are insufficiently linked to reducing transboundary nutrient and toxics
pollution of the Danube.
Alternative Action Supported by project
By raising public awareness and disseminating information on nutrient/toxics reduction practices, the project
would contribute to the restoration of the Danube's transboundary waters.
Conformity with GEF Public Involvement Policy
Two local environmental NGOs, EMLA in Hungary and Labeco in Slovenia, are actively involved in planning
and will be contracted to do some project activities (although the description is not provided in the proposal; see
p. 10). This follows from the formation of regional networks, including the Danube Environment Forum (see p.
4) and the various networks that monitor implementation of the Aarhus Convention (p. 10). While several key
players from government and regional NGOs are identified, the delineation of tasks among them may be
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clarified, including possible inclusion of private sector participants. It may also be clarified how the project
budget will be shared among the co-executing agencies.The largest amount of funding of almost $0.24 million
will go to in-region training. Some areas for consideration include: (i) number of anticipated participants,
including key institutions and the private sector; (ii) content of these training programs, specifically measures
for ensuring public involvement at the coastal, marine site levels; and (iii) various roles of the co-executing
agencies in developing and carrying out these training programs.
Private Sector Involvement
See above.
3. Appropriateness of GEF Financing
Incremental Cost
The total cost of the alternative is lower than the total cost of the project ($1.37M vs $1.58M). What else is
being financed through the project?
Appropriateness of Financial Modality Proposed
Financial Sustainability of the GEF-Funded Activity
Absorptive Capability
Cost Effectiveness
4. Coordination with Other Institutions
Collaboration
Complementarity with Ongoing Activities
5. Responsiveness to Comments and Evaluations
Core Commitments
Linkages
The project supports the UNDP-GEF Danube Pollution Reduction Program, the anticipated GEF Regional
Danube project, and the GEF Black Sea Basin programmatic approach to reduction of transboundary pollution
in the Black Sea basin. Extensive consultations on project design were held with the UNDP-GEF Danube
project and the ICPDR Secretariat.
Consultation and Coordination
Consistency w/previous upstream consultations, project preparation work, and processing conditions
Monitoring & evaluation: Minumum GEF Standards, ME plan, proposed indicators, lessons from PIRs and
Project Lessons Study
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Indicators
Implementing Agencies' Comments
STAP Review
Council members' Comments
Technical Assurances
Convention Secretariat
Other Technical Comments
Further Processing
The program manager would recommend the proposal for CEO approval, subject to satisfactory revision of the
Incremental Cost assessment and clarifications on points raised in this review (public involvement section).
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