Stakeholders, trade unions, employers and non-governmental organizations can get involved in better management of European funds in the period 2021-2027, which is particularly important for environmental protection actions. Citizen involvement ensures more efficient investment of money in projects with real impact at the local level, easier access to allocations and helps prevent fraud and misuse of funds, says a Bankwatch report released to encourage stakeholders to actively participate in taking decisions with an impact on the environment.
The European Code of Conduct on Partnership (No 240/2014) obliges the Government to respect the principle of partnership and to include stakeholders in the decision-making process regarding the EU budget. Partners can be involved in all stages of the preparation of EU funds from programming (setting operational objectives and programs) to implementation, monitoring and evaluation. In addition, the right to consult partners is also guaranteed by Article 6 of the Regulation on common provisions 2018/0196, and for environmental projects there is a special convention, the Aarhus Convention transposed into Romanian legislation by law 86/2000, which guarantees citizens access to information, their participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters.
Romania will have at its disposal, according to the latest negotiations within the European Council, 24 billion euros of European money to fight climate change and protect the environment. This money will need to be invested effectively for the country to reach its 44% target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to contribute to the global effort to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C.
The involvement of citizens will be even more valuable in the counties with polluting industries – Gorj, Dolj, Hunedoara, Galați, Prahova, Mureș – which can benefit from significant additional funds if they plan a fair transition.
“It is important for citizens to know that they have the capacity to influence the decisions of the authorities regarding investments made from European funds. This is public money that must be directed to projects for their benefit. Too often, formal public consultations have been organized, without a real result, in which citizens’ opinions have not been taken into account. The authorities must respect the principles of participation and organize consultations and constructive debates, to ensure that the public is informed about them and that they can participate,” said Laura Nazare, Energy Transition Campaigner, Bankwatch Romania.
The guide “Climate finance through the European Green Pact” explains for each stage how individuals and associations can be involved, but also how European funds are managed. The national authorities managing the funds organize active working groups throughout the funding period to which citizens may take part. The operational programs in the next multiannual financial framework targeting environmental investments are: Sustainable Development Operational Program, Just Transition Operational Program, Transport Operational Program, Regional Operational Programs, and also Education and Employment Program.