Enforcing citizens’ rights and public participation in decision making on environmental issues – practical implementation of Aarhus Convention in Mangystau Project of non-governmental organizations financed by the European Union
Implementation period: 2014–2017 (36 months) Impact area: Mangystau Province, and also whole Kazakhstan Total budget: 396,540 EUR Implementing partners: Arnika – Citizens Support Centre (The Czech Republic), Eco Mangystau, EcoMuseum Karaganda, Centre for Introduction of the New Environmentally Safe Technologies (CINEST)
Division of roles
EcoMuseum: experience in waste issues, toxic and radioactive pollution
CINEST: introducing environmentally safe technologies
EcoMangystau: knowledge of the region, work with citizens
Arnika: international experience with Aarhus Convention enforcement & successful cases
Objectives and clusters of the project OVERALL OBJECTIVE: Improve implementation of Aarhus Convention (on access to the information, participation in decision making and right for justice) and empower civil society in order to contribute to local development in Mangystau
POLICY LEVEL: Establishment of the independent monitoring of Aarhus Convention implementation in Kazakhstan and its presentation on international forum INFORMATION LEVEL: Introduction of information instruments for practical use of Aarhus Convention Developing civil society on local level and its involvement in decision making Dissemination of information through independent platforms and mass-media LOCAL LEVEL: Supporting local citizens in dealing with local environmental issues Building and maintaining a network of civic initiatives and build their capacities Small Grants Programme for local civic initiatives
Target groups CIVIL SOCIETY (NGOs, civil society organizations)
AUTHORITIES (local, regional and national level)
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, intergovernmental bodies
MASS MEDIA and journalists
INDEPENDENT EXPERTS, academia, think tanks
Some of the key activities Hotspots: Mapping problems of the region
Saura Canyon (waste dumping)
Koshkar Ata (radioactive tailing pond)
Uranium mine No. 4 (radiation)
Akshukur (illegal waste dump)
Caspian Sea
Zhanaozen (oil fields – sludge, leaks) Uranium enrichment plant (radiation) Malaya Oymasha (toxic pollution)
Aktau (municipal landfill)
Zhetibay (oil fields – sludge, leaks)
Citizens: Public Consultation Centre phone hot line
e-mail address
publications in mass media
information flyers
advisory website
investigation at the spot
Information: Analyses of environmental issues round tables with authorities
cooperation with akimat
inviting independent experts
chemical analyses
examples of good practice
Some more planned activities POLICY LEVEL INFORMATION LEVEL LOCAL LEVEL Support local citizens in dealing with local environmental issues Establish and support network of civic initiatives (focused on public participation) Small Grants Programme for local civic initiatives
Launch and update the website on public participation in decision making Develop and increase the potential of civil society in Mangystau Establish the Public Consultation Centre Publish the book “Heroes of the Civil Society” on successful cases
Independent monitoring of the Aarhus Convention implementation in Kazakhstan Presentation of the situation on international level Policy analyses and recommendations Round tables for intersectoral dialogue on priority issues
More information:
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