Civil rights in environmental protection in Croatia

The Aarhus Convention for more civil rights in environmental protection offers a legal framework for Croatian NGOs from different regions and subject areas to be able to participate more actively in government decision-making processes in the future and to build up constructive cooperation with government institutions in order to integrate environmental protection ideas more strongly into government action. The advisory measure is intended to create a basis for breaking down the fronts that still often exist between the state and society (here in the form of associations) in the long term. Once the Convention has been transposed into Croatian law, the project aims to publicize the new rights and support their practical application by the public administration. Associations can now use and claim their rights to participate and take legal action. In order to be able to competently support the development of environmentally friendly waste management in Croatia, a workshop with German experts will also be held to teach the technical basics of waste management with a focus on plant technology. As part of the advisory measure, NGOs with different structures and fields of work are also to be brought together and supported in planning activities in the above-mentioned fields of work within the scope of their interests. Cooperation projects between Croatian NGOs will be sought and German-Croatian exchange of experience will be promoted. The aim of cooperation projects and cross-association workshops is not only to increase the effectiveness of an activity by pooling capacities and skills, but also to strengthen methodological knowledge in the associations.