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Danish Environmental Support Fund for Eastern Europe

2. DESF Strategy and Priorities

Overall objectives

The overall objectives of Danish environmental support to Central and Eastern Europe are:

  • to contribute as much as possible to the protection of the environment and nature in the CEEC (Central and Eastern European Countries) and to limit regional as well as global pollution, including cross-border pollution affecting Denmark,
  • to promote the transfer of knowledge of the environment and of environmental protection technology from Denmark to the CEEC,
  • to contribute towards political and economic development in an environmentally friendly manner; specifically to support democratic and market-based economic development in such a way that the environment is protected as much as possible.

DESF strategy

The Danish Government’s strategy with regard to environmental efforts in Central and Eastern Europe is based on two principles:

  • efforts should focus on geographic or technical areas allowing the greatest possible benefits in relation to environment and nature, and where, at the same time, it is possible to achieve visibility and quick implementation of interventions,
  • efforts should be concentrated primarily in sectors where Danish environmental knowledge and technology can provide competent assistance.

The strategy takes into consideration the international environmental strategies resulting from the Conferences of the European Ministers of Environment held in Dobris, Czechoslovakia in June 1991, in Lucerne, Switzerland in April 1993, and in Sofia, Bulgaria in October 1995.

Project types supported

Financial support is given to the transfer and development of environmental knowledge and technology in the form of general studies, pre-feasibility studies and project formulation, design, delivery of equipment as well as environmental investment projects. Education and training are normally integrated into the various project types. Activities are focused on investment projects.

Priority is given to demonstration projects, which confirm the effectiveness and economic advantages of a specific technology, and which can easily be replicated.

When the DESF facility was introduced, emphasis was given to technical assistance in the form of consultancy services, education and training. DESF emphasis has gradually shifted towards demonstration projects and environmental investment projects. The recipient countries’ own wishes are essential input to prioritization of DESF support. Projects must therefore be identified in close collaboration with the recipient countries.

DESF priority areas
DESF priority areas cover:

  • air pollution,
  • water pollution,
  • solid and hazardous waste,
  • cleaner technology,
  • biological diversity and sustainable forestry, and
  • institutional strengthening.

Table A below expresses the total Danish environmental assistance to Central and Eastern Europe divided into priority areas and project types during 1994 to 1996 in DKK million.

Table B shows the total Danish support to the individual Central and Eastern European countries divided into TA and IN projects during 1994 to 1996.

It should be noted that the period 1991 to 1993 is not included in the two tables below.

Table A Total Danish environmental grants to Central and
Eastern Europe divided into priority areas and project
types during 1994 to 1996 in DKK million.

 

  TA IN Total
  amount no. amount no. amount no.
Air 30,2 19 129,2 29 159,4 48
Water 88,4 56 300,1 64 388,5 120
Waste 22,3 13 33,2 8 55,5 21
Nature protection 17,4 14 25,7 8 43,1 22
Soil 6,0 4 9,1 2 15,1 6
Other 71,6 39 7,8 3 79,4 42
Total 235,9 145 505,1 114 741 259

 

Table B Total Danish environmental grants to Central and
Eastern Europe divided into individual countries and
project types during 1994 to 1996 in DKK million.

 

  TA IN Total
  amount no. amount no amount no.
Bulgaria 2,5 4 19,8 5 22,3 9
Estonia 6,1 9 40,3 7 46,4 16
Belarus 9,6 4 3,4 3 13,0 7
Latvia 31,5 17 28,4 6 59,9 23
Lithuania 41,5 24 84,5 22 126,0 46
Poland 21,5 15 132,0 31 153,5 46
Romania 14,8 8 24,1 3 38,9 11
Russia 22,4 10 87,0 16 109,4 26
Slovakia 7,2 4 31,7 7 38,9 11
Czech R. 14,1 11 12,0 4 26,1 15
Ukraine 17,3 11 27,7 5 45,0 16
Hungary 0,3 1 10,7 4 11,0 5
Other 47,1 27 3,5 1 50,6 28
Total 235,9 145 505,1 114 741 259

Approximation to EU environmental legislation

Approximation to EU environmental legislation is also supported by the DESF facility. Currently, Denmark assists six countries in the approximation process, i.e. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. Efforts are targeted at implementing environmental directives which require heavy investments and short term technical assistance.

Forest and nature management

Under the DESF facility, a strategy on support for sustainable nature and forest management in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and the Kaliningrad region of Russia has been prepared. The strategy identifies target areas for Danish support and sets out evaluation criteria for projects under this sub-programme to the DESF.

The Danish National Forest and Nature Agency holds the responsibility for the identification and evaluation of the technical aspects of this strategy.

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