The BECC works very closely with local, state, and federal officials to certify projects, ensuring community support in the process. After certification, projects are eligible for financing consideration by the NADB or alternative sources of funding. He emphasized the significance of the institution in addressing the environmental issues facing the border region. Among the projects certified by the BECC are a wastewater treatment project in Cd. One of the most innovative aspects of the BECC concerns its role in public participation.
Public participation is a very meaningful component in project certification.
The BECC is committed to an open and public process in certifying projects, requiring a comprehensive community participation plan for each project. In Mexico, where public participation is not common, the BECC is at the forefront of implementing public procedures for environmental infrastructure projects. It has been very successful in unifying efforts of government officials and community representatives to develop projects and providing a forum for open and public discussion of the projects. These efforts have resulted in the certification of a project in every major Mexican border city. The binational Board of Directors certifies projects during public meetings held quarterly in different locations throughout the border and have an average attendance of 100 to 200 people.