L ocal A genda 21 and EU Funds Slovak experiences

1. Local Agenda 21 and EU Funds Slovak experiences Milan Chrenko UNDP/Capacity 2015 Bratislava United Nations Development Programme

2. Structure • Background on Slovakia • UNDP support to preparation of strategic development plans (LA21) • Case study - Pod Panskym dielom • Conclusions & Recommendations

3. Background • May 2004 - Slovak Republic member of European Union • Local governments influenced by • Political changes • Local governemnts, Decentralization • New challenges for local governments • Accession to European Union • Legislation & implementation • Civil society, public participation

4. Constraints Institutional Fragmented municipalities Lack of capacities & skills and experts Prevailing short term activities Financial Centralized support mechanisms Vertically distributed according to ministries Absent at local level Opportunities Formal institutional & legal background – NSSD, various policies Existing methodologies Increasing number of trained people Local & regional partnerships Various grant schemes Strategic planning at the local level

5. UNDP approach - Regions 21 Objectives • To build capacities for development of strategic plans (LA 21) • To strengthen cooperation among Slovak rural/disadvantaged municipalities and in particular their various stakeholders • To strengthen the municipal capacities to use EU Structural Funds for implementation of LA 21

6. Regions 21 - Components • Assessment of existing international and national frameworks supporting implementation of LA 21 • Support to 6 micro-regions to develop and start implementation of LA 21 ($ 9000 each + $ 1800 co-financing) • Awareness raising campaign for municipalities on principles of sustainable development, strategic planning and EU funds – series of conferences, workshops & trainings

7. Local Agenda 21 in Slovakia

8. Micro-region Pod Panskym dielom • Created in 2000, 7 rural municipalities, 8500 inhabitants, territory 112 km2 • Main activities aimed on • Support of civic associations, citizens and building informal partnership within the micro-region supported by micro-grant program • Strengthening municipal capacities to utilize EU Structural Funds via preparation of LA 21 supported by elaboration of Action Plan

9. Micro-grant program Support of voluntary activities of citizens in municipalities of the micro-region • To encourage local people to participate in the development of the LA 21 • To emphasize the link between planning and implementation phase to citizens • 30 projects proposed, 21 supported - total support approx. € 10 000 (50% co-financing from municipalities) • Supported activities - e.g. course of folk crafts, folk events, educational, cultural and sport events, re-construction of buildings, protection of the environment

10. Regions 21 - Results • Developed capacities for elaboration of strategic documents based on participatory approach • Support of activities of the micro-regions, implementation of small scale project supported by their own resources • Raised awareness on LA 21 - Methodology developed and used in other regions of Slovakia • Strengthened capacities for use of financial resources from the EU funds for implementation of strategic plans

11. UNDP role • Influencing the development towards sustainability with the help of EU funds • Trainings on participatory strategic planning, (stakeholders) • Project development and implementation • Support to local leaders - by methodologies, contacts and external experts/partners • Cross municipal cooperation • Link between planning and implementation (Micro-grant programs, EU funds)

12. Don’t forget… • To involve national governments, municipal associations • EU funds are the tool not the aim!

13. Thank you!