Download French Copy:     (not available)

A. Ongoing MIO-ECSDE Activities

• MIO-ECSDE proposal under the budget-line: “Promoting Non-Governmental Organisations Primarily Active in the Field of Environmental Protection” of DG ENV of the EC (Running Cost/Activity Grant 2000)

The MIO-ECSDE Secretariat, based on the Work Programme formulated during the 4^th AGM, prepared the 2000 Running Cost/Activity Grant proposal and submitted it before the deadline of January 17^th 2000, under the budget-line “Community Action Programme: Promoting NGOs Primarily Active in the Field of Environmental Protection.

The proposal was drafted by Ms. A. Roniotes, with the assistance of Mr. V. Constantianos in the financial part and the supervision of Prof. M. Scoullos. The proposal was based on the provisional Work Programme approved during the 4th MIO-ECSDE AGM (December 1999).

The contents of the proposed activity programme included MIO-ECSDE’s standard activities: (i) Networking, (ii) Collaboration with key international organisations and existing networks, (iii) NGO capacity building, (iv) Promotion of NGO positions, (v) Preparation of projects, (vi) Continuation of activities related to the MCSD, (vii) Participation in fora and Conferences, (viii) Executive Bureau meetings, (ix) AGM, etc.

The proposal was approved after suggestions by the EC to adjust the proposed programme and budget. However, the funds did not reach the Secretariat till late September 2000 (!). Nevertheless, the Secretariat had succeeded, despite the restrictions of a near zero cash flow to implement the proposed activities. Nearing the end of 2000, most of the commitments undertaken have been fulfilled and only a few items (e.g. publications) and activities are pending which, nevertheless, will be realised in due time and according to the contract.

• Mediterranean Action Day

The Mediterranean Action Day is a joint NGO activity aiming to reach with the support of national and local NGOs the individual Mediterranean and invite him/her to take action along with many others against a crucial issue (litter, water, biodiversity, etc.) in the Mediterranean. This year the event will focus on the artistic expression of the messages.

8 Member NGOs responded to MIO-ECSDE’s call for participation in the activity:

Albania: PPNEA
Algeria: TOUIZA
Greece: Mediterranean SOS
Malta: Eco-Malta
Morocco: CMEPE
Tunisia: Association des Amis du Belvedere
Turkey: Club of Rome-Turkey
Spain: Itaca

Each participating NGO submits a report describing their event accompanied by photos, newspaper clippings and videotapes. If the results are impressive enough, a small album with photos of the outputs could be produced.

Back to top 

B. MIO-ECSDE Contribution in the formulation and Promotion of Common NGO Policies at International Fora

• Contribution to the Revision of the Action Programme promoting European Environmental NGOs (Council Decision 97/872 of 16.12.97)

The MIO-ECSDE Secretariat contributed its input to the revision process of the Action Programme promoting European environmental NGOs, under Council Decision 97/872 of 16.12.97 expiring in 2001, which has acted as a very important tool for the promotion of NGO activities primarily involved in the field of environmental protection in Europe.

The document submitted suggests that:

a. The Commission should:

·        secure the consistency and transparency of the budget line under DG ENV
·        facilitate more simplified, still efficient, administrative procedures for the submission, running and reporting of the projects
·        accommodate the constant requests by the beneficiaries for reasonable financial improvement. More specifically, eligibility of matching funds, in-time transfer of funds and increase of the EU contribution.

b. The beneficiary NGOs should:

- secure conformity with the call’s provisions
- efficiently carry out the projects approved, succeeding in a cost-effective ratio
- secure independence, transparency and representativity.

• The upcoming Marseilles Environmental Civil Forum (NGO contribution to the Euro-Mediterranean Ministers of Foreign Affairs Conference) (10-12 November, 2000)

In November 2000 the French government in its role as EU president will host the Euro-Mediterranean Foreign Ministers Conference in Marseilles. As was the case in Stuttgart last year the NGO community aims to gather in a Civil Forum on the eve of the Ministerial to articulate its concerns and present proposals to the attending Ministers. The “Marseilles Process” is in fact similar to the “Stuttgart Process” in 1999, in that the aim is to have a wider Forum of the Civil Society on the eve of the ministerial meeting and have direct dialogue with ministers or their representatives the day after. This will allow the input of the Civil Society into the political process. In preparation for the Forum some roundtables have been held in the Mediterranean countries, and representatives from these roundtables will participate in the Marseilles civil forum.

In Stuttgart, there were a number of NGO fora all taking place at the same time but separately. This time however, the civil forum will be multisectoral and will bring together NGOs from different sectors of Civil Society (human rights, development, environment, culture and youth) in one forum to debate thematic and horizontal issues. The philosophy behind this event is to contribute Civil Society’s voice to the Marseilles Ministerial Conference, raise public awareness of the Barcelona process and to promote the long term participation of Civil Society in the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue.

MIO-ECSDE has offered its input (suggestions, comments, etc.) to the process upon invitation of the organising committee who are NGO networks members of the CdS, will attend the meeting and will actively participate and contribute.

Back to top

C. Mediterranean Conference of Water Stakeholders and Decision-Makers: Towards a Core Action Plan, Divani Acropolis Palace, 2-4- November 2000

The meeting is organised by MIO-ECSDE and MEDTAC and supported by: The Global Water Partnership, the DG ENV of the Commission of the European Union, the Athens Water Company (EYDAP), MAP/UNEP (while social events will be sponsored by Coca Cola – Hellas).

At the Second World Water Forum in the Hague (March 2000), a full day session was devoted to the Mediterranean region. The Mediterranean Technical Advisory Committee (MEDTAC) of the Global Water Partnership (GWP) was in charge of preparing the Mediterranean Vision and Framework for Action that were presented at this session, organised also by MEDTAC.

The decision to continue and strengthen the Mediterranean cooperation on the issue was reaffirmed at the joint GWP/MEDTAC meeting held in Athens (May, 2000). For this purpose, it was decided that the MEDTAC of GWP in collaboration with its member - Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO-ECSDE) organise a Mediterranean Conference of Water Stakeholders and Decision–Makers: Towards a Core Action Plan, in Athens, from 2 to 4 November 2000, focusing on promotion of actions in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).

The aims of this conference are : 

·        to share with a wide Mediterranean audience the findings of the MEDTAC Vision to action process and get feed back on it.
·        to bring together and contribute to the setting up of a dialogue of various partners and bodies acting in the Mediterranean on water issues about their initiatives. 
·        to discuss, amend and, if possible, adopt an operational Mediterranean Core Action Plan for Water deriving from all previous relevant proposals by various institutes and processes, including the MEDTAC Mediterranean Vision and Framework for Action (FFA).

MIO-ECSDE was responsible for the preparation of an important document “the Core Action Plan” which is methodologically and politically innovative and is expected to contribute substantially in promoting the water management in the region.

The audience will be made of a large number of stakeholders including experts and policy makers from governments, international organisations and NGO institutions, universities, research centres and from the private sector from all the Mediterranean countries.

Back to top