Improving Access to Environmental Information in Croatia

Access to environmental information in Croatia is restricted to the extent that Croatia breaches its obligations under the Aarhus Convention. The specific reasons for the insufficient access to information in Croatia are, however, largely unknown. Zelena Akcija together with the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues (UfU from Berlin/ Germany) is presently implementing a project that aims at identifying and overcoming barriers to effective access to environmental information in Croatia.

The overall objective of the project is to grant more citizens access to environmental information. Thus the project will contribute to a better practical implementation of the access to environmental information right stipulated by the Environmental Protection Act in Croatia. For reaching that aim the barriers of access to environmental Information in Croatia will be examined in depth. Building on the conclusions of this examination a discourse to find viable solutions between public authorities, environmental activists, journalists and other stakeholders will be initiated.

The project is planned to take place over 6 months and is divided into four work packages (WP). The desk research of WP1 will identify the main challenges experienced in the access to environmental information in Croatia. During subsequent roundtable sessions in WP 2, participants from different spheres of society will discuss the challenges identified in WP1 to get a better understanding of the issues and to look for viable solutions. In WP3 a roadmap will be drafted defining a process and possible milestones for the improvement of access to justice. In order to ensure a smooth project process, the project coordination and documentation of WP4 will run during the whole duration of the project.

The Independent Institute for Environmental Issues (UfU e.V.) is both a scientific and officially recognized non-governmental organization in Germany. Zelena akcija/Friends of the Earth Croatia (ZA/FoE Croatia) is the leading non-governmental organization for environmental protection in Croatia.

This project is funded by the German Federal Environment Ministry’s Advisory Assistance Programme (AAP) for environmental protection in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia and other countries neighbouring the European Union. It is supervised by the German Environment Agency (UBA).

Duration
07/2018 – 01/2019

Cooperation partner
Zelena akcija/Friends of the Earth Croatia (ZA/FoE Croatia)

Funded by
the German Federal Environment Ministry’s Advisory Assistance Programme (AAP) for environmental protection in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia and other countries neighbouring the European Union

Logo Umweltbundesamt

Contact
Franziska Sperfeld (franziska.sperfeld@ufu.de) und Anna-Julia Saiger (anna-julia.saiger@ufu.de)