After
the kick-off meetings in the target countries, the second
phase of the project has started, which includes workshops
and roundtables in the participating countries. The first
workshop was held in Kotor, Montenegro on May 3, 2004.
The program of the workshop:
Presentation on global policy forming processes, their
recent developments, their functioning, and possibilities
of public participation
Discussion on former experiences, participation in global
policy forming processes or national implementation
Presentation on Pan-European and EU processes
Discussion on former experiences with regards to European
policy forming processes
Brainstorming on possibilities for entering global and
European processes
During the workshops presentations were held by Michael Meyer,
Vice-President of CEEweb and Klara Hajdu, program coordinator.
The workshop in Montenegro was hosted by the NGO Eco
Centar "DELFIN", held in the beautiful seaside
town and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kotor.
During
the workshop the 10 participants representing NGOs and the
REC Country Office interesting issues were raised, such as
the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of Montenegro,
which is currently being developed. The discussion on this
topic clearly showed, that NGOs often lack the information
required for their effective participation, so education and
capacity-building is essential, so that NGOs are aware of
the role they can play in the preparation of the NBSAP. According
to the CBD, all stakeholders should be involved before the
process starts, and it is the task of the government to build
the capacity of the stakeholders.
The common opinion of the participants was that getting the
commitment of the economic sector is the most critical issue
in the process, but it seems that governments are not willing
to fulfil this obligation without being pressed.
During the workshop the first draft of a strategy was developed,
as a kind of road map for NGOs to contribute to the implementation
of the identified targets regarding biodiversity conservation.
The strategy will be further developed, and hopefully it will
be an effective tool for the NGOs of Montenegro to work towards
the realization of these goals with joint efforts.
After
the kick-off meetings in the target countries, the second
phase of the project has started, which includes workshops
and roundtables in the participating countries. The first
workshop was held in Kotor, Montenegro on May 3, 2004. 
During
the workshop the 10 participants representing NGOs and the
REC Country Office interesting issues were raised, such as
the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan of Montenegro,
which is currently being developed. The discussion on this
topic clearly showed, that NGOs often lack the information
required for their effective participation, so education and
capacity-building is essential, so that NGOs are aware of
the role they can play in the preparation of the NBSAP. According
to the CBD, all stakeholders should be involved before the
process starts, and it is the task of the government to build
the capacity of the stakeholders.
