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

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C H A P T E R 9
T H E WAY F O R WA R D
S T R AT E G I C M O V E S
Strategic planning and investment planning
Although significant progress has been made in SEE countries in terms of drafting
strategies and plans, in some countries approximation strategies, including investment
planning, national environmental investment strategies and sectoral
investment strategies are still missing, even though they are key to the absorption
of IPA funding. A strategic and priority-based approach is essential in a context of
limited available funding and competing priorities.
Way forward
• Creating a full strategic framework is of the utmost importance as it reflects
the vision of the government, its approach and its priorities.
• During the drafting of the framework it is essential to engage in wide stakeholder
dialogue to ensure that the views of the different stakeholders are taken
into consideration and balanced.
• Project identification capacities have improved significantly, partly due to programmes
and initiatives such as PEIP and DABLAS. Approaches to project
identification need to be defined for any given sector.
• Adopting lists of priority projects based on wide stakeholder consultation and
transparent prioritisation, and thus creating a pipeline of projects, should be an
integral part of planning, mainly because it limits opportunities for political
interference and gives financers a clear signal as to the country’s priorities, allowing
for optimal use of their funds.
• Planning should also include an overview of the status of existing infrastructure
and environmental investment needs; an overview of available and forecast
national spending, IPA spending, and bilateral donor and IFI spending;
an analysis of the institutional capacity for carrying out environmental investments;
and a list of improvement measures. All relevant stakeholders should be
involved in the process. The prioritisation of projects constitutes one part of
the process.
Coordination and communication
The Infrastructure Project Facility provides technical assistance to the preparation
of projects and directly supports municipal infrastructure investments
through the grants channelled by the Municipal Window of the IPF. The
DABLAS Task Force also provides support to project preparation and financing by
managing a pipeline of water projects.
Way forward
• Regional cooperation is essential for a successful reform process and developing
environmental infrastructure in the region. Transboundary issues need regional
responses.