CELEX: 51997PC0003
Language: en
Date: 1997-01-17
Title: Re-examined proposal for a COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) ON ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES IN THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                           Brussels, 17.01.1997
                                           COM(97)3 final
                                           95/0161 (SYN)
                      Re-examined proposal for a
                   COUNCIL REGULATION (EC)
ON ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES IN THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN
          THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
      (presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 c (d)
                           of the EC Treaty)
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                             EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
The proposed Regulation establishes the objectives of and procedures for operations
financed from budget heading B7-6200 (ex B7-5040) "Environmental measures in the
developing countries in the context of sustainable development".
The original proposal for a Regulation was presented by the Commission on
27 June 1995 (OJ No C 20/1996).
The Council adopted a common position on 27 June of this year (OJ No C 264/1996),
and Parliament announced that it had been received on 19 July.
On the basis of a report by Mrs Taubira-Delannon, Parliament unanimously adopted 43
amendments at its second reading on 12 November 1996.
Under Article 189c(d) of the EC Treaty, therefore, the Commission should draw up a re-
examined proposal and express its opinion regarding the amendments.
Those amendments which are to be included in the re-examined proposal in their entirety
are mainly concerned with clarifying or widening the scope of the Regulation concerned
(nos 13, 15, 17, 18, 21 to 24, 26 and 39). Other amendments underline the importance of
environmental measures and sustainable development (nos 1 and 4). Lastly, a number of
amendments are intended to re-establish the Commission's original position on certain
general matters, e.g. no limit on the duration and a reference amount for the budget
heading allocation (nos 5, 34, 44).
The Commission has included the following amendments with some drafting changes:
  No 2       (Over-subscribed budget heading)
  No 8       (Pilot initiatives combining information campaigns with improvements to
             environmental management)
  Nos 9,
   10 & 12    (Drafting amendments concerning aid for local initiatives)
  No 11      (Addition of objectives dealing with land use planning and projects on transport
             and drinking water)
  No 14      (To avoid duplication)
  No 16      (Information campaigns on hazardous substances)
and the following amendments in part:
  No 7       (omission of the legal definition of "developing countries")
  No 19      (agreed as far as "operational instruments" is concerned)
  No 31      (Financing of studies not deleted)
  No 32      (Reference to local currency omitted)
  No 35      (No change to the ECU 2 million limit requiring consultation of the committee)
  No 40      (No change to the rules governing the advisory committee)
  No 41      (No deadline for presentation of the annual report and omission of the
             requirement to review all projects proposed)
  No 42      (Distribution of the financing guide by delegations instead of publication of the
             selection criteria in the Official Journal)
                                                                                             I
 ---pagebreak--- In the interests of clarity and for the sake of consistency in the Regulation, the
Commission has not included amendments 25, 30, 37 and 43 which are already covered
to a large extent either by the provisions of the common position or by other
amendments.
As regards problems of substance, the Commission is unable to adopt the following
amendments:
  No 3        (Increase in funding to ECU 50 million by 2000, as this is not included in the
              perspectives allowed by the budgetary authorities)
  No 20       (Deletion of the possibility of financing evaluation and impact studies)
  No 28       (Omission of cofinancing)
  No 29       (On additional reporting requirements. The "participation of indigenous
              peoples" aspect is already covered by amendment 24)
  No 38       (Setting-up of an "environmental monitoring unit").
The list of amendments that the Commission has not included is attached in the Annex.
 ---pagebreak---                               Re-examined proposal for a
                            COUNCIL REGULATION CRC)
    ON ENVIRONMENTAL MEASURES IN THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES IN
                   THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular
Articles 130s and 13 Ow thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission/1 )
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee,(2)
Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 189c of the Treaty/3 )
     OJ No C 20, 24.1.1996, p. 4.
     OJ No C 82, 19.3.1996, p. 18.
     Opinion of the European Parliament of 9 May 1996 (not yet published in the Official
     Journal), Council common position of ... (not yet published in the Official Journal) and
     Decision of the European Parliament of ... (not yet published in the Official Journal).
                                                                                          2
                        ÉriflMMÉH                                                            ^ '
 ---pagebreak--- (1)  Whereas it is necessary to implement sustainable development by contributing to
    the genuine integration of an environmental dimension into the development
    process;
(2) Whereas the creation of suitable instruments and the implementation of
    experimental schemes will be the cornerstones of that integration in all the fields
    concerned;
(3) Whereas the European Parliament adopted a resolution on 14 May 1992 on the
    environment and development cooperation;
(4) Whereas the Community and its Member States were signatories to the Rio
    Declaration and the Agenda 21 action programme;
(5) Whereas the Community and its Member States ratified the Conventions on
    Biological Diversity and on Climate Change, and have signed the Convention on
    Desertification; whereas they are thus committed to take into account the common
    but differing responsibilities of developed parties and developing parties on the
    subject;
(6) Whereas the resolution of the Council and the Representatives of the Governments
    of the Member States of 1 February 1993 is concerned with a Community policy
    and action programme on the environment and sustainable development;
(7) Whereas, since resources are limited, information campaigns and pilot projects
    conducted in close cooperation with local experts are likely to have the maximum
    multiplier effect;
(8) Whereas it is important to integrate the internal and external aspects of the
    European Community's environment policy in order to have a coherent answer to
    the problems set out by the United Nations Conference on Environment and
    Development     (UNCED), in particular as regards the effects            of global
    environmental changes on the state of the environment within the Community;
 ---pagebreak--- (9)  Whereas it is necessary, in the project management cycle, for any proposal for a
     development cooperation project to be evaluated for its environmental impact by
     specific, appropriate procedures;
(10) Whereas, in particular where climate change and the conservation of biological and
     genetic diversity and resources (including the seas, coasts and soils) are concerned,
     local effects have undeniable consequences for the whole earth and for future
     generations and consequently for the well-being, health and security of the citizens
     of the Community, notably as far as access to genetic resources is concerned;
(11) Whereas the financial instruments available to the Community for conservation and
     sustainable development should be usefully supplemented by an instrument dealing
     with environmental projects exclusively in the developing countries:
(12) Whereas the budget heading to finance projects under this Regulation is always
     heavily over-subscribed with requests for worthwhile and much needed actions in
     developing countries:
(13) Whereas, in view of the scale of environmental problems, the coordination of all
     EU financial instruments is necessary with a view to achieving sustainability:
(14) Whereas measures need to be taken to finance the activities covered by this
     Regulation;
(15) Whereas detailed rules for implementation, and in particular the form of action, the
     recipients of the aid and the decision-making procedures should be laid down,
 ---pagebreak--- HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
                                                Article}
1. The Community shall provide financial assistance and technical expertise in
developing countries for activities intended to help people in those countries to integrate
environmental protection and notions of sustainable development into their evervdav life.
2. The assistance provided pursuant to this Regulation shall complement and reinforce
assistance provided pursuant to other instruments of development cooperation with a
view to taking fully into account environmental considerations in Community
programmes.
3. For the purposes of this Regulation "sustainable development" means improving the
quality of human lives within the limits of the underlying ecosystem's capacity to sustain
such development.
                                           Article 2
1. The activities to be carried out pursuant to this Regulation shall centre on:
     assisting developing countries in designing and implementing national strategies for
     sustainable and equitable development, including global environmental issues and
     strategies arising from international conventions,
     improving policies and practices for management and conservation of ecosystems,
     sustainable use of renewable natural resources and for environmentally sensitive use
     of non-renewable natural resources,
      preserving biological diversity:
  •      by the promotion and the development of methods designed to ensure sustainable
        and equitable use of biodiversity resources,
  •      through the conservation of the ecosystems and habitats necessary for maintaining
         species diversity and for the survival of endangered species,
  •      by identifying and assessing biodiversity resources,
     preserving areas of high environmental impact and/or transregional ecosystems such
     as marine ecosystems and coastal areas, watersheds, river/lake basins, underground
 ---pagebreak---       water by preventing pollution and reducing sources of pollution and supporting
      initiatives for the sustainable management;
- improving practices for soil conservation, grazing management and pastoral farming
    in the areas of forest protection, improvement of livestock farming methods,
    optimization of rearing techniques for wild animals, arable farming, tourism and the
    fight against desertification;
- improving the environment and land use planning through town planning and the
    implementation of technologically appropriate plans and pilot projects for transport.
   waste, waste water, drinking water supplies and air pollution;
- applying and transferring technologies adapted to local environmental constraints and
   needs, particularly in the field of energy, especially renewable sources of energy.
   having regard to long-term environmental effects and suitability for the traditional life
   of the region concerned:
- measures aimed at avoiding emissions harmful to the climate, notably replacing
   particularly harmful energy sources with other less harmful ones;
- facilitating the adaptation of production processes in developing countries and making
   all economic operators and social players aware of the environmental constraints that
   may have an impact on trade with developing countries (e.g. standards, labels,
   certification);
- making local people aware, notably by promoting information campaigns, of the
   concept of sustainable development, in particular as regards problems associated with
   population growth, public health policies, non-viable production methods, use of
   hazardous chemical products and the dispersal of toxic waste in the environment:
- promoting initiatives for the protection of ecosystems and habitats and preserving
   biological diversity.
2. Projects eligible for financing include:
- pilot schemes in the field, including information exchange, likely to contribute to
   sustainable development, creation of environmental awareness, environmental
   education and sustainable management of natural resources,
 ---pagebreak--- - establishment of guidelines and operational instruments aimed at promoting
    sustainable development and environmental integration, particularly in the form of
   plans and integrated management programmes and economic instruments,
- environmental impact studies on sustainable development projects, programmes,
   strategies and policies, and assessment of their repercussions for social and economic
   development,
- the establishment of national green accounting systems.
- inventory and statistical work, in order to improve environmental data and indicators,
                                                           *
- the introduction of an environmental component in development cooperation projects
   in order to distinguish, identify and assess the sustainable dimension of such projects.
3. Particular attention will be given to:
- projects resulting from local initiatives and those geared to sustainable management
   by means of innovative and low-cost measures:
- schemes to build up the institutional and operational capacities of developing
   countries at national, regional and local level, with the support also of non-
   governmental organizations (NGOs);
- the provision of information in advance to local people, followed by their involvement
   in and support for identifying, planning and implementing projects; the special role
   and situation of women, in particular, will be taken into account;
- regional projects or projects which help to strengthen regional cooperation in the area
   of sustainable development.
 ---pagebreak---                                            Article 3
Aid recipients and cooperation partners shall include not only states and regions but also
decentralized departments, regional bodies, public agencies, traditional and local
communities, private operators and industries, including cooperatives and NGOs and
associations representing local people.
                                           Article 4
1. The instruments to be employed in the course of the activities referred to in Article 2
shall include studies, technical assistance, education, training and further training or other
services, supplies and works, as well as audits and evaluation and monitoring missions.
2. Community financing may cover both investment, with the exception of the purchase
of real estate, and, since the project must, if possible, aim at medium-term viability,
recurring expenditure (including administrative, maintenance and operating expenditure).
However, with the exception of training, education and research programmes, operating
costs may normally be covered only during the start-up phase and on a gradually
decreasing basis.
For projects aiming at the preservation of biological diversity or the conservation of
ecosystems, a contribution to expenditure on real estate shall be allowed.
3. A contribution from the partners defined in Article 3 shall be sought for each
cooperation operation. Their contribution shall be requested according to their means and
the nature of the operation concerned.
4. Opportunities may be sought for cofinancing with other donors, especially with
Member States and the international organizations concerned, such as the Global
Environmental Facility.
5. The necessary measures shall be taken to emphasize the Community character of the
aid provided pursuant to this Regulation.
 ---pagebreak--- 6. In order to attain the objectives of consistency and complementarity laid down in the
Treaty and with the aim of guaranteeing optimum efficiency for the totality of these
operations, the Commission may take all coordination measures necessary, including in
particular:
(a) the establishment of a system for the systematic exchange and analysis of
     information on operations financed or being considered for financing by the
     Community and the Member States;
(b) on-the-spot coordination of these operations by means of regular meetings and
     exchanges of information between the representatives of the Commission and
     Member States, the beneficiary countries and local partners (NGOs. grassroots
     community groups, associations).
7. In order to obtain the greatest possible impact globally and nationally, the
Commission, in liaison with the Member States, shall take any initiative necessary for
ensuring proper coordination and close collaboration with the beneficiary countries and
the providers of funds and other international agencies involved, in particular those
forming part of the United Nations system.
                                          Article 5
Financial support pursuant to this Regulation shall take the form of grants.
                                          Article 6
Deleted
 ---pagebreak---                                            Article 7
 1. Pursuant to Article 205 of the Treaty, the Commission shall be responsible for
appraising, deciding and administering operations covered by this Regulation according
to the budgetary and other procedures in force, and in particular those laid down in the
Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities.
2. Decisions relating to grants of more than ECU 2 million for individual operations
financed pursuant to this Regulation shall be adopted under the procedure laid down in
Article 8.
3. The Commission shall be authorized to approve, without seeking the opinion of the
Committee referred to in Article 8, any extra commitments needed for covering any
expected or real cost overruns in connection with the operations, provided that the
overrun or additional requirement is less than or equal to 20% of the initial commitment
fixed by the financing decision.
4. All financing agreements or contracts concluded pursuant to this Regulation shall
provide for the Commission and the Court of Auditors to conduct on-the-spot checks
according to the usual procedures laid down by the Commission under the rules in force,
in particular those of the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the
European Communities.
5. Where operations are the subject of financing agreements between the Community and
the recipient country, such agreements shall stipulate that the payment of taxes, duties or
any other charges is not to be covered by the Community.
6. Participation in invitations to tender and the award of contracts shall be open on equal
terms to all natural and legal persons of the Member States, the recipient countries or
other developing countries.
         qmmmmmmmÊmmmçmmm
 ---pagebreak--- 7. Supplies shall originate in the Member States, the recipient country or other
developing countries. In exceptional cases, where circumstances warrant, supplies may
originate elsewhere.
8. Particular attention will be given to:
- the pursuit of cost-effectiveness and sustainable impact in project design.
- the clear definition and monitoring of objectives and indicators of achievement for all
   projects,
- reducing inverse capital flows, especially in the services sector, bv improving the
   institutional and operational capacities of the developing countries-
                                           Article 8
1. The Commission shall be assisted by the geographically-determined Committee of an
advisory nature competent for development.
2. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the Committee a draft of the
measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time
limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter^if
necessary by taking a vote.
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes: in addition each Member State shall have
the right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.
The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the
Committee. It shall inform the Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been
taken into account.
                                                                                   11
 ---pagebreak---                                          Article 9
An exchange of views shall take place once a year on the basis of a presentation by the
representative of the Commission of the general guidelines for the operations to be
carried out in the year ahead, in the framework of a joint meeting of the Committee
referred to in Article 8(1).
                                         Article 10
1. After each budget year, the Commission shall submit an annual report to the European
Parliament and the Council giving a list of the partners in cofmanced operations and the
percentage of the cofinancing. a summary of the operations financed in the course of that
year and an evaluation, complete with figures, of the implementation of this Regulation
over that period.
The summary shall in particular provide information about the qualitative and
quantitative aspects of the projects funded, the results obtained from the projects and
those with whom contracts have been concluded. The report shall also include a
quantified summary of any independent evaluations conducted of specific operations.
2. The Commission shall regularly assess operations financed by the Community with a
view to establishing whether the objectives aimed at by those operations have been
achieved and to providing guidelines for improving the effectiveness of future operations.
The Commission shall submit to the Committee referred to in Article 8 a summary of the
assessments made which, if appropriate, may be examined by the Committee. The
assessment reports shall be available to any Member States requesting them.
3. The Commission shall inform the Member States, at the latest one month after its
decision, of the operations and projects that have been approved, stating their cost and
nature, the recipient country and partners.
                                                                                    12
 ---pagebreak--- 4. The financing guide indicating guidelines and criteria for project selection shall be
published and distributed among interested parties bv the Commission's offices,
including its delegations in the recipient countries.
                                          AttifikOl
This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following that of its publication in
the Official Journal of the European Communities.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member
States.
Done at Luxembourg,.
                                                                           For the Council
                                                                           The President
                                                                                      I3
                                     timtam
 ---pagebreak---            AMENDMENTS NOT INCLUDED BY THE COMMISSION
No Council common position                     Parliament's amendment
   Recital lib (new)
                                               (lib) Whereas the funds to be attributed
                                               to this budget heading are to be increased
                                               to ECU 50 million bv the year 2000:
20 Article 2(2), third indent
   - environmental impact studies on           Deleted
   sustainable development projects.
   programmes, strategies and policies, and
   assessment of their repercussions on
   social and economic development:
25 Article 2(3), second indent a (new).
                                               - measures relating to climate protection
                                               Objectives, Slich â§ promotion of
                                               renewable energy sources, increased
                                               energy efficiency and energy saving;
28 Article 2(3a) (new)
                                               3a. No support shall be given to projects
                                               containing measures to cushion the effect
                                               on the environment of EU or Member
                                               State projects funded from other
                                               programmes (including environmental
                                               impact assessments and evaluations^:
29 Article 2(3b) (new)
                                               3b. Pilot schemes in the field carried out
                                               under this Regulation shall be the subject
                                               of prior reports on their environmental,
                                               social, economic and cultural impact,
                                               indicating the specific aims and the
                                               qualitative and quantitative objectives. If
                                               necessaryr the local people shall be
                                                involved in the assessment of those
                                                schemes.
                                               Where these schemes have an impact on
                                               the traditional territories and ways of
                                                living of indigenous peoples their
                                                informed consent shall be essential.
30 Article 3
   Aid recipients and cooperation partners     Aid recipients and cooperation partners
   shall include not only states and regions   shall include decentralized departments,
   but also decentralized departments,         regional      bodies,     public   agencies,
   regional     bodies,    public    agencies, traditional and local communities, private
   traditional and local communities, private  operators and industries, cooperatives and
   operators and industries, including         non- governmental organizations and
   cooperatives and NGOs and associations      associations representing local people,
   representing local people.                  regions and states. These will be notified
                                               to the budgetary authority.
                                                                                            4q
 ---pagebreak--- 37 \ Article 7(7)
     7. Supplies shall originate in the Member 7. Supplies should originate in the
     States, the recipient country oi other    member states, the recipient country or
     developing countries. Irj exceptional     other developing countries in particular
     cases, where circumstances warrant,       othef countries in the region, Exceptions
     Supplies mav originate elsewhere.         may be made by arrangement with the
                                               responsible department, particularly in
                                               cases where the participants would
                                               otherwise incur higher costs or a
                                               disproportionate burden.
38   Article 7(7a) (new)
                                               7a The horizontal nature of the projects
                                               under this Regulation requires the
                                               establishment of an environmental
                                               monitoring unit which will be responsible
                                               for the coordination, linking and
                                               integration of the various aspects of
                                               development cooperation projects in order
                                               to maximize investigation and follow-up.
43   Article 10b (new)
                                               Article 10b
                                               This Regulation shall be implemented on a
                                               coherent basis, taking into account the
                                               general principles outlined in Regulation
                                               (EEC) 443/92 on financial and technical
                                               assistance to. and economic cooperation
                                               with, the developing countries in Asia and
                                               Latin     Américain        the    ACP-EEC
                                               Convention and the current agreements
                                               with     the     southern      Mediterranean
                                               countries, while also respecting the
                                               criteria common to all stages of projects
                                               from identification to assessment: these
                                               criteria shall be geared towards an
                                               exchange of information, harmonization
                                               of working methods and mutual
                                               cooperation at all stages of the project.
                                               OJ No L 52. 27.02.93. p.
                                                                                            4Ç
 ---pagebreak---                               FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Item: B7-6200 Environment in the developing countries
1.  Title of operation:
    Environment in the developing countries
2.  Budget heading involved:
    B7-6200
3.  Legal basis
    - Treaty on European Union, Articles 13Or and s (Environment) and 13 Ou and w
       (Development).
    - Proposal (June 1995) for a Council Regulation on environmental measures in
       developing countries.
4.  Description of operation
    4.1 General objective
        The appropriations in this budget heading are intended to finance schemes aimed
        at integrating an environmental dimension into the development process with a
        view to promoting sustainable economic and social development in developing
        countries, this to be accomplished through the initiation of new policies and the
        consequent generation of action programmes.
        The instruments employed and projects undertaken will focus on:
        -   Design and implementation of national sustainable development strategies
        -   Management of ecosystems/Sustainable use of renewable natural resources
        -   Preserving biological diversity
        -   Preserving areas of high environmental impact and/or transregional
            ecosystems
        -   Improving practices for soil conservation and the management of sustainable
            development-related areas
        -   Improving the urban environment
        -   Technology transfers
        -   Climate change
        -   Trade and the environment
        -   Raising awareness of the concept of sustainable development
                                                                                    %
                                                                                          Ah
 ---pagebreak---    4.2 Period covered and arrangements for renewal or extension
        The policy concerned is of an indefinite nature. Individual operations will be
        renewable annually until this Regulation is adopted.
5. Classification of expenditure
   Non-compulsory expenditure / Differentiated appropriations
6. Type of expenditure
   Subsidy covering up to 100% of costs. However:
   - a systematic effort will be made to obtain a contribution, particularly a financial
      one, from the project beneficiaries.
   - cofinancing arrangements with Member States and multilateral organizations
      (regional or other) will be investigated.
7. Financial impact
   7.1 Method of calculating total cost of operation
        The average amount of the EC contribution to each measure included in this
        operation will be in excess of ECU 500 000 based on the following costs:
        - Services provided (unit price)
        - Supply of equipment (cost price)
        - Operating expenditure (total price)
   7.2 Itemised breakdown of cost
        An equal distribution between eligible geographic regions is envisaged. This
        may vary according to demand and/or priorities.
                Breakdown            I          1996         1        1997
         Instruments                             4                     4
         Projects                                U                     U
                                                                                  * *
                                                                                         M
 ---pagebreak---    7.3 Breakdown by subject area in 1997
                              SUBJECT AREA                              1   %
        Design and implementation of national sustainable                   5
        development strategies
        Management of ecosystems/Sustainable use of renewable               15
        natural resources
        Preserving biological diversity                                     15
        Preserving areas of high environmental impact and/oi                15
        transregional ecosystems
        Improving practices for soil conservation and the                  15
        management of sustainable development-related areas
        Improving the urban environment                                     15
        Technology transfers                                                5
        Climate change                                                      5
        Trade and the environment                                           5
        Raising awareness of the concept of sustainable development         5
   7.4 Indicative schedule of commitment appropriations
                                                          (million ECU)
                              I            1996           I       DPB1997
              B7-6200         I             15            1           15
8. Fraud prevention measures
   Technical checks by Commission officials, assisted by independent experts.
   The Commission, prior to payment, verifies the subsidies and the receipt of services
   and preparatory studies, feasibility studies and evaluation reports requested, taking
   into account contractual obligations and applying recognized principles of
   economics and soundfinancial/generalmanagement.
   Fraud prevention measures (audits, submission of reports, etc.) are included in all
   agreements or contracts concluded between the Commission and payment recipients.
                                                                                   «»
                                                                                         > *
 ---pagebreak--- 9. Elements of cost-effectiveness analysis
   9.1 Specific and quantified objectives; target population
       (a) Support for governmental organizations and Community institutions in the
           decision-making process regarding integration of the environment into
           development cooperation policies and programmes. This support will
           involve the preparation of environmental impact studies, strategic policy
           positions and guidelines and the evaluation of policies and programmes as
           regards their suitability in the light of the sustainable development
           objectives.
       (b) Promotion of efficient and prudent management of natural resources as a
           means towards improving the social and economic living conditions of the
           local community in developing countries, In practice this involves support
           for projects implemented either directly by local people (local communities,
           indigenous groups, NGOs, etc.) or in the form of technical assistance. A
           financing guide was prepared in 1995 and distributed to potential partners;
           it explains the objectives sought and the procedures and criteria used.
           Since 1994, an inter-departmental technical committee has assisted in the
           pre-selection of projects.
       (c) Types of action financed which contribute to the general objectives of the
           budget heading:
           The design and implementation of national sustainable development
           strategies
           Activities:
           - Environmental training
           - Technical assistance to developing countries' civil services
           Sustainable management of ecosystems and/or sustainable use of natural
           resources
           Activities:
           - Information campaign and training
           - Development of pilot activities for the sustainable management of
               natural resources
                               mKBmmÊSÊsmmÊÊÈtmmsm»                                <*
                                                                                        A*±
 ---pagebreak--- Preserving biological diversity
Activities:
- Protection and/or sustainable use of fauna and flora
- Creation of decision-making tools, such as databases, action plans,
   research studies and seminars.
Preserving areas of high environmental impact and/or transregional
ecosystems
Activity:
- Design and implementation of watershed management plans
Improving practices for soil conservation and management in various areas
Activities :
- Measures to prevent desertification
- Improving practices for soil conservation and management including
   development of innovative and sustainable agricultural activities.
Improving the urban environment
Activities :
- Drawing up plans for the management of household, hospital and toxic
   waste and waste water
Technology transfers
Activity:
- Demonstration projects to promote clean technologies
Climate change
Activity:
- Demonstration projects to encourage the use of solar energy
Trade and the environment
Activity:
- Information campaign on Community legislation in the field of the
   environment
- Promotion of eco-labels
                                                                          J&Q
 ---pagebreak---         Raising awareness of the concept of sustainable development
        Activity :
        - Information campaigns, training workshops
9.2 Grounds for the operation
    (a) Need for Community financial aid
        Budget heading B7-6200 (ex B7-5040) was created in 1982 at the
        instigation of Parliament which, along with the Council, had stated
        frequently in resolutions the need to integrate the environment into
        development operations.
        This principle was incorporated in the declarations and conventions drawn
        up at the June 1992 Rio Conference (Agenda 21, Biodiversity Convention,
        Climate Change Convention) and adopted by the Community.
        The measures covered by heading B7-6200 are designed to facilitate the
        integration process through the creation of suitable instruments and the
        undertaking of pilot projects with a multiplier effect, compatible with
        larger-scale operations undertaken with ALA, MED or EDF financing.
        The budget heading aims at strengthening coherence and complementarity
        between operations financed by the Community and those financed by the
        Member States in the environment field.
        The results of pilot schemes facilitate large-scale operations in the areas
        concerned in the long term.
    (b) Choice of ways and means:
        by contract, by direct agreement (NGO) or
        by contract, following invitation to tender (services, equipment)
9.3 Monitoring and evaluation of the operation
        The logical framework exercise has been integrated into the preparation,
        monitoring and evaluation of projects.
        Monitoring and evaluation indicators are selected and applied in the case of
        each operation. Certain projects are subject to specific evaluation;
        Several progress reports are required throughout the course of the project. In
        many cases the Commission delegations carry out monitoring on the spot;
                                                                                       x<\
 ---pagebreak---                An overall evaluation of operations financed sine? 1990 from this budget
               heading is under way in collaboration with the Evaluation Unit
               (DG VIII/A/2) using the logical framework approach. The results of this
               evaluation will provide a means for confirming the indicators used in the
               evaluation and monitoring of projects.
    9.4 Coherence with financial programming
         9.4.1 Is the operation incorporated in the D C s financial programming for
                 the relevant years?
                 Yes
         9.4.2 To which broader objective defined in the D C s financial
                 programming does the objective of the proposed operation
                 correspond?
                 The objective of the operation falls within the development cooperation
                 policy set out in the Treaty on European Union (Article 130u).
10. Administrative expenditure
    The actual mobilization of the administrative resources required will depend on the
    annual Commission decision on the allocation of resources, taking into account any
    additional amounts or staff allowed by the budgetary authority.
    10.1. Impact on the number of posts
          The officials required can be assigned from existing resources within
          Directorates-General IB and VIII.
            Type of post            Staff to be assigned to the             of which             Duration/
                                    project                                                      year
                                    Permanent      Temporary    By using           By recourse
                                    posts          posts        existing staff in  to additional
                                                                the DG or          staff
                                                                service
                                                                concerned
            Officials or      A            2             I              3                         indefinite
            temporary         B           1/2            1            1 1/2              -
            officials         C           1/2                          1/2
            Other staff
            Total                          3             2              5                -
                                                                                                          XL
 ---pagebreak--- 10.2. Overallfinancialimpact of the additional staff
      Expenditure on the staff required for this operation will be covered by
      mobilizing existing resources: 3 officials + 2 temporary officials (grades Al,
      A2, A4, A5): ECU 500 000 per year.
10.3. Increase in other operational expenditure resulting from the operation
      The resources required for this operation will be obtained by recourse to
      existing resources. The total amount will be ECU 42 400 per year. (Article
    * A/130: Mission: ECU 12 000 per year per A official / temporary A official
      = ECU 36 000. Article A/250: Meetings: 2 meetings of 4 experts per year -
      cost per expert per meeting ECU 800 = ECU 6 400).
                                                                                     ^2»
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                                                   ISSN 0254-1475
                                                             COM(97) 3 final
                                              DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                  ll   14 01
                                    Catalogue number : CB-CO-97-003-EN-C
                                                             ISBN 92-78-14215-8
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities
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