Strategic Moves - Regional Environmental Center for Central and ...

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C H A P T E R 7
F I N A N C I N G E N V I R O N M E N TA L I N F R A S T R U C T U R E I N V E S T M E N T S
S T R AT E G I C M O V E S
Donor coordination frameworks
Donor coordination can broadly be defined as joint support by donors to improve
aid effectiveness and to foster capacity building in the candidate and potential
candidate countries with a view to helping them to align to EU standards and
to prepare for future accession (EC, DG Enlargement). Donor coordination is key
to improving the effectiveness of aid. Maintaining well-organised coordination
helps to ensure adequate and targeted financial assistance and prevents the overlapping
of activities. This section provides an overview of existing donor coordination
efforts, both regional and in country systems.
Donor coordination conferences are organised by the European Commission,
DG Enlargement Regional Programmes Unit in order to increase the visibility of
donor coordination in SEE countries and Turkey. Two conferences on SEE and
Turkey have been organised to date, in 2008 and 2009.
A separate donor conference on Kosovo (as defined under UNSCR 1244) was
held in July 2008. It brought together representatives from 37 countries and 16 international
organisations. The meeting was called by the EC and the aim was to
support socio-economic development in Kosovo (as defined under UNSCR
1244). During the conference, participants pledged EUR 1.2 billion, of which the
EU contributed EUR 508 million. Several projects on the PEIP lists were presented
(DG Enlargement website; EC, 2008).
General observations
• Regional cooperation is important for a number of reasons, including peace
and stability. It is also a tool, and a prerequisite, for moving towards EU integration;
tackling transboundary environmental pollution and infrastructure
development; and creating a fruitful climate for investments in SEE.
• Regional cooperation provides an opportunity for the cross-border sharing of
knowledge and good practice.
• IFIs and donors often take a regional approach in programming, which expands
the investment market making it more interesting for investments.