Role of NGO in implementation of water management policy: experience in Lielupe river basin

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Role of NGO in implementation of water management
policy experience in Lielupe river basin

• Baltic Environmenal Forum

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About the project

• Involvement of NGOs in the new water management
  policy in Latvia
• Goal develop and strengthen participation and
  involvement of NGOs in water management policy
  based on the river basin approach
• Demonstrate in Lielupe transboundary river basin
  district

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Lielupe

• About 843 000 inhabitants live in the river basin
  district (355 000 in Latvia and 485 000 in
  Lithuania)
• Covers 17 633 km2 in Latvia and Lithuania

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Activity fields

• Development of strategy how NGOs can be involved
  (mechanisms, tools, measures)
• Networking of partners in the transboundary river
  basin (Latvian-Lithuanian cooperation)
• Dialogue between national authorities and NGOs on
  river basin plans

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Target group

• In Latvia there are more than 500 organisations
  according to the register
• We found about 60 interested in water issues,
  among them environmental NGOs, educational
  organisations, tourism, agriculture, anglers and
  women associations, sports clubs, inhabitant
  advisory boards, and more..
• Not so active industry associations, water
  suppliers associations

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Activities

• Meetings
• 19th January Latvian/Lithuanian river basin
  authorities
• 1st February Latvian municipalities
• 12th February Latvian NGOs
• 8th March Latvian NGOs authorities on Lielupe
  characterisation
• 19-20 April International workshop
• 3 and 30 June NGO meetings to develop strategy

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NGO catalogue

• Contacts for about 60 Latvian and Lithuanian
  organisations which are interested in water
  issues (incl. Environment, tourism, rural,
  angling, women, etc.)
• Available in home page (http//river.bef.lv)

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Brochure in Latvian and Lithuanian

• Focused on possibilities and necessity for NGOs
  to participate in water management policy

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Strategy (in Latvian)

• to facilitate systematic NGO involvement in the
  Lielupe river basin management planning and
  implementation
• reviewing current practices and providing
  mechanisms for effective participation
• coordination of NGO activities at different
  levels

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Project web-site http//river.bef.lv
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Thank you for your attention!

• http//river.bef.lv