19.08.2011 – Функционирование общественного экологического информационного центра;

1. Providing consultations
on public participation
in decision making
Martin Skalský / Arnika
Center for Citizens' Support
Minsk, 2011
Project „Scaling up Public Participation in Decision Making Concerning Environment and Implementation of SAICM in Belarus“
was financially supported by the European Union, Czech Development Agency, IPEN, Global Greengrants Fund, UNIDO,
WECF and some others

2. Center for Citizens' Support
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Established 1997
Since 2001 part of Arnika
Today:
 Headquarters in Prague
 4 regional branches / 10 consultants
 1 000+ consultations/year
 100+ cases/year

3. Consultations
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Free of charge
Phone, e-mail, appointment, field visit
Clients
 Individual citizens incl. property owners
 Civic association, NGOs
 Municipalities
 Journalists
 Experts
 Private companies

4. Type of consultations
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Basic: web links, contacts
Consumer: safe products, alternatives
Legal: including letters, court cases
Expert: expertise, expert judgment, EIA etc.
Media: PR, conferences
Negotiation: meetings, hearings, lobbing
Campaigs: planning, managing, fundraising
YES: public interest
NO: neighbors conflicts, business, labor

5. Some typical cases

6. Typical cases

8. Successful story
Basic consultations
Decision making procedures
Press releases
Systematic campaign
Support of the public
Regional or national case
Problem solution
Continuous work...
We teach people how to use their right and
solve local problems by themselves.

9. Managing consultations
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Regular education of the consultants
Statistics – electronic database
Annual report + press release
Approaching public:
 Website incl. document templates
 Flyers
 Brochures (right to know, EIA, etc.)
 Information booths
 Seminars

10. Stuff, fundraising
Consultants:
- experts of Arnika working on projects
- coordinator
Money:
- included in projects´ budgets
- some projects focused on consultancy only

11. STEP: national network of
environmental advisory centers
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Accreditation system (quality control)
Joint database of consultations
Education for consultants
Nationwide PR
Negotiations with MoE on financial scheme

12. Useful links
Environmental Advisory Center:
http://arnika.org/ekoporadna-2
 Cases:
http://arnika.org/ucast-verejnosti/kauzy
 Templates:
http://arnika.org/zakladni-podani
 Example / EIA:
http://arnika.org/prubeh-procesu-sea
 Flyers:
http://arnika.org/letaky-pro-obcany
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