Denmark's environmental assistance to Eastern Europe 1991 -1996

Preface

The Danish Environmental Support Fund for Eastern Europe (DESF) was initiated in 1991 by the Danish Parliament. It has gradually extended its scope and field of activities. In the period under review, 1991-1996, DESF supported activities in 13 countries for a total sum of 1.159 billion DKK (approximately 150 million ECU). DESF both offers technical assistance and supports direct investments in the recipient countries. DESF offers transfer of Danish technology and know-how and is hence a bilateral programme based on cooperation between Danish partners and partners in the recipient countries. DESF has been linked with sectoral environmental programmes managed by other Danish ministries [1], with an additional budget of 300 million. DKK for 1994-1996. The separate Environmental Investment Facility for Eastern Europe, which offers soft loans, had from 1995-96 a budget of 150 million DKK.

The purpose of the review of DESF's activities is:

a) to undertake an independent review of the operational and administrative procedures of DESF,

b) to draw a balance of the effects achieved through the activities of DESF,

c) to provide recommendations on the future activities of DESF and the strategy for the provision of assistance to Eastern Europe in the field of the environment.

The evaluation consists of three parts:

(1) A project-oriented evaluation in which a review of 496 projects has taken place. In addition 47 projects have been subject to in-depth review, including inspection by technical experts. This part of the evaluation was conducted by PLS Consult in association with technical experts from Rambøll and Risø.

(2) A country-oriented evaluation in which visits to 8 of the recipient countries were carried out. Interviews were conducted with the national authorities, with other donors and independent experts. In addition, a number of projects were visited. This part of the evaluation was conducted by KPMG in close cooperation with associate prof. Mikael Skou Andersen, the University of Aarhus.

(1) A summarising and strategic evaluation, based on (1) and (2), conducted by associate prof. Mikael Skou Andersen, the University of Aarhus - the present report.

1. Energy Agency, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Housing