New project on participation guidelines and legal aid –

New project on participation guidelines and legal aid

30. April 2012. a.

In period from March 2012 to March 2013, EELC will carry out a project “Information and counselling campaign “Know how to participate””. The project seeks to achieve better decision-making in environmental matters – one where citizens and NGOs will participate with relevant statements at an appropriate stage, enabling the environmental decision-makers to consider their interests. The aim is to reduce conflicts and litigation in environmental matters and to improve the quality of decisions.

In course of the project, EELC will focus on two important directions:

EELC lawyers will provide free legal aid – from May 2012 we will advise citizens and NGOs in the environmental decision-making processes. Legal aid includes explaining possibilities of participation, assisting in the formulation of opinions and positions and communication with authorities;

practical online/web-based guidelines with instructions on how to participate in spatial planning and environmental permits proceedings will be drawn up; these will be introduced to the public in autumn 2012.

The project is financed by Environmental Investment Centre; the budget is € 19 458.