Support of Activities of the Regional Environmental Reconstruction Program for South Eastern Europe (REReP),REReP 1.1 Task Force Secretariat

Objectives
The long-term objectives of the project are to manage the Secretariat of the Task Force for the Regional Environmental Reconstruction Program (REReP) in the framework of the SEE Stability Pact and to encourage longterm public participation in the regional initiative.

The Secretariat operates in line with the REReP Terms of Reference, contributing to the regional strategic approach within the Stabilisation and Association Process to the EU (SAP). Special effort is made for maintaining SEE ownership of the REReP process and for providing services addressing priority problems of the countries. The transfer of best practices and lessons learned from the new EU member states and candidate countries to SEE region will also continue.

Background
As agreed at the ministerial meeting in Skopje, FYR Macedonia (March 15-16, 2000), the REC serves as Secretariat of the REReP Task Force. Its responsibilities include: ¤ Preparation and organisation of Task Force meetings; ¤ Implementation of Task Force decisions between meetings; ¤ Assistance to SEE countries in formulating projects (to the level of project concept) and fundraising; ¤ Acting as the 'implementing agency' for specific projects in its area of expertise and/or in absence of other organisations; ¤ Facilitating communications between all REReP stakeholders by providing information on progress of activities; ¤ Facilitating donor coordination to avoid duplication or omission of activities; ¤ Assisting the Task Force in continued assessment of REReP priorities.

Activities
Consolidation of the ongoing REReP initiative into a process that facilitates the achievements of the South Eastern European (SEE) Stability Pact; ¤ Encouraging stability in the SEE region through regional projects endorsed by countries in REReP, implemented through the Stability Pact Working Tables; ¤ Using regional cooperation in environmental policy planning as a mechanism for implementing the Stability Pact; ¤ Establishing a REReP Task Force within the framework of the Stability Pact; ¤ Preparing the REReP Action Plan and the relevant documents for the Ministerial Meeting of the SEE Environmental Ministers in March 2000; ¤ Assisting SEE countries in defining the REReP priorities for the Stability Pact Financial Conference; ¤ Maintaining and organising regular meetings of the REReP Task Force in 2000; ¤ Ensuring public participation in, and raising public awareness of, the REReP process; ¤ Helping NGOs enter into dialogue with officials on issues related to REReP within the framework of the SEE Stability Pact; ¤ Assisting ministries of environment in setting up priorities while revisiting the National Environmental Action Plans in the framework of REReP; ¤ Continuing regular meetings of high officials from SEE ministries of environment related to REReP; ¤ Maintaining coordination of donors for REReP implementation; ¤ Assisting national and local authorities in the formulation of projects and preparation of investment proposals for improved emergency environmental performance.

Country-specific results