This publication has been produced with the assistance of the European Union. The contents of this publication is the sole responcibility of Ramboll/PM/ACG and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union

Components

COMPONENT 1	Analysis and assessment of the administrative capacity to implement the environmental legislation for local authorities; Links with central and regional level
Specific Objectives	Strengthening the administrative capacity of the competent authorities and auxiliary bodies with the purpose to achieve effective and efficient environmental management with emphasis on investment planning process; Improvement of the co-ordination between different parties and stakeholders in the Environmental Management System (EMS ), including information and data exchange system, with the purpose to avoid duplication and redundancy of activities, over expenditures, and to achieve better performance by the EMS ;
Task 1 Legal Study	Study of the existing environmental legislation at local level. Analysis of the compliance of local regulations with the national environmental legislation in particular focusing on the compliance of the municipal environmental strategies and programs with the requirements of the national legislation and EU programming documents; based on legislative, strategic and programming documents produced by the municipalities.
Task 2 Administrative Study	Study of the existing administrative structure, responsibilities, hierarchy for environmental management at national, regional and local levels and their links. Analyse and assess the level of compliance of the structures in comparison with their obligations and responsibilities to implement the environmental legislation. Identify gaps and compare to practice and experience in EU member states.
Task 3 Information Flow Study	Study the information flow between national and local authorities and among the municipalities. Assess and identify the main gaps of the information flow. Develop an applicable Environmental Information System (EIS). Propose, provide and adopt appropriate software solution for making EMS operational, based on existing information system and compatible with the available products at the beneficiaries’ administration.
Task 4 Organizational Study	Study the capacity of the municipalities for implementation of the environmental legislative requirements. Carry out separate analyses and assessments of the existing internal municipal administrative organisations of the 3 pilot municipalities. Identify capacity gaps of the municipalities to implement the environmental legal requirements. Develop proposals for changes and amendments to optimize the structures covering all municipal environmental obligations. Describe an alternative structure for supporting environmental issues in smaller municipalities.
Task 5 Human Resources Study	Carry out detailed study of the number of people (staff), qualifications and experience of the municipal units dealing with environmental issues in the 3 pilot municipalities. Develop and distribute a questionnaire for the remaining municipalities. Collect and analyse questionnaires. Analyse the results of both the detailed study and the questionnaires. Identify the needs for additional staff and all types of training.
Task 6 Technical Infrastructure Assessment	Review the needs assessment prepared by the Beneficiaries for office equipment in the municipal environmental sector. Prepare a long list of equipment needed and a list of the most urgent needs.
Task 7 BAMEE Study	Analyse the place and role of BAMEE in the process of implementation of environmental legislation for strengthening its capacity as a partner of the MoEW in the implementation of the environmental legislation at local level. Review and assess the current status of BAMEE. Study the needs for office equipment of BAMEE.
Task 8 Reporting	Draft Administrative Capacity Report.

COMPONENT 1

Analysis and assessment of the administrative capacity to implement the environmental legislation for local authorities; Links with central and regional level

Specific Objectives

Strengthening the administrative capacity of the competent authorities and auxiliary bodies with the purpose to achieve effective and efficient environmental management with emphasis on investment planning process;
Improvement of the co-ordination between different parties and stakeholders in the Environmental Management System (EMS ), including information and data exchange system, with the purpose to avoid duplication and redundancy of activities, over expenditures, and to achieve better performance by the EMS ;

Task 1

Legal Study

Study of the existing environmental legislation at local level.

Analysis of the compliance of local regulations with the national environmental legislation in particular focusing on the compliance of the municipal environmental strategies and programs with the requirements of the national legislation and EU programming documents; based on legislative, strategic and programming documents produced by the municipalities.

Task 2

Administrative Study

Study of the existing administrative structure, responsibilities, hierarchy for environmental management at national, regional and local levels and their links.

Analyse and assess the level of compliance of the structures in comparison with their obligations and responsibilities to implement the environmental legislation.

Identify gaps and compare to practice and experience in EU member states.

Task 3

Information Flow Study

Study the information flow between national and local authorities and among the municipalities.

Assess and identify the main gaps of the information flow.

Develop an applicable Environmental Information System (EIS).

Propose, provide and adopt appropriate software solution for making EMS operational, based on existing information system and compatible with the available products at the beneficiaries’ administration.

Task 4

Organizational Study

Study the capacity of the municipalities for implementation of the environmental legislative requirements.

Carry out separate analyses and assessments of the existing internal municipal administrative organisations of the 3 pilot municipalities.

Identify capacity gaps of the municipalities to implement the environmental legal requirements.

Develop proposals for changes and amendments to optimize the structures covering all municipal environmental obligations.

Describe an alternative structure for supporting environmental issues in smaller municipalities.

Task 5

Human Resources Study

Carry out detailed study of the number of people (staff), qualifications and experience of the municipal units dealing with environmental issues in the 3 pilot municipalities.

Develop and distribute a questionnaire for the remaining municipalities.

Collect and analyse questionnaires.

Analyse the results of both the detailed study and the questionnaires.

Identify the needs for additional staff and all types of training.

Task 6

Technical Infrastructure Assessment

Review the needs assessment prepared by the Beneficiaries for office equipment in the municipal environmental sector.

Prepare a long list of equipment needed and a list of the most urgent needs.

Task 7

BAMEE Study

Analyse the place and role of BAMEE in the process of implementation of environmental legislation for strengthening its capacity as a partner of the MoEW in the implementation of the environmental legislation at local level.

Review and assess the current status of BAMEE.

Study the needs for office equipment of BAMEE.

Task 8

Reporting

Draft Administrative Capacity Report.

COMPONENT 2	Strategy and implementation programme for strengthening the administrative capacity to implement the environmental legislation for local authorities
Specific Objectives	Strengthening the administrative capacity of the competent authorities and auxiliary bodies with the purpose to achieve effective and efficient environmental management with emphasis on investment planning process. Strengthening and improvement of the existing system for training of environmental experts, including analysis of BAMEE capacity and identification of their role in EMS . Improvement of the co-ordination between different parties and stakeholders in the EMS , including information and data exchange system, with the purpose to avoid duplication and redundancy of activities, over expenditures, and to achieve better performance by the EMS .
Task 1 Legal Implementation Timetable	Prepare proposals for the improvement of local regulations, administrative orders, instructions and other legislative documents issued by the municipalities for achieving full compliance with national legislation and EU requirements. Identify bodies responsible for implementation. Prepare potential timetable for implementation. Prepare a proposal for the improvement of the process for strategy development and programming for development of realistic programs and investment plans for improvement, protection and management of the environment.
Task 2 Administrative Implementation Timetable	Identify responsible bodies and authorities and assess their necessary financial and human resources and identification of potential financial sources. Developing a timetable for the implementation of changes agreed with the interested parties of the administrative structure.
Task 3 Organisational Implementation Plan	Develop a Plan for the implementation of the agreed organisational changes. Describe a new structure/system to support the administration of small municipalities.
Task 4 Municipal Human Resources Plan	Assess the need for appointment of additional staff for the purposes of environmental management at local level. Identify the needs for ordinary and specific training for existing and new staff and development of for ordinary and specific training. Develop a potential timetable for the implementation of the training. Prepare a proposal for Staffing Standards for Personnel in Municipalities (SSPM) in the environment sector. Assess and identify potential financial sources for appointment and maintenance of the new staff and implementation of the training programs. Study the possibilities of using EU and other donor funds and outline the main donor’s funding requirements. Draft a Municipal Human Resource Development Plan.
Task 5 Technical Infrastructure Implementation Timetable	Analyse the proposed list of municipal needs for electronic equipment. Study and assess all potential financial sources for supply of equipment. Develop an implementation time table taking into account the prioritization and the funding possibilities.
Task 6 BAMEE Sustainable Development Plan	Study the possibilities to use donor funding as a co-finance source for establishment and functioning of BAMEE or similar structures. Draft a Sustainable Development Plan for BAMEE.
Task 7 EU Professional Organisations Study	Assess relevant EU professional organizations in the field of environmental protection. Prepare a list of relevant EU professional organizations in the field of environmental protection. Support the establishment and further development of relationship between BAMEE and selected organization. Organize a study tour in the country of the selected EU professional organization.

COMPONENT 2

Strategy and implementation programme for strengthening the administrative capacity to implement the environmental legislation for local authorities

Specific Objectives

Strengthening the administrative capacity of the competent authorities and auxiliary bodies with the purpose to achieve effective and efficient environmental management with emphasis on investment planning process.
Strengthening and improvement of the existing system for training of environmental experts, including analysis of BAMEE capacity and identification of their role in EMS .
Improvement of the co-ordination between different parties and stakeholders in the EMS , including information and data exchange system, with the purpose to avoid duplication and redundancy of activities, over expenditures, and to achieve better performance by the EMS .

Task 1

Legal Implementation Timetable

Prepare proposals for the improvement of local regulations, administrative orders, instructions and other legislative documents issued by the municipalities for achieving full compliance with national legislation and EU requirements.

Identify bodies responsible for implementation.

Prepare potential timetable for implementation.

Prepare a proposal for the improvement of the process for strategy development and programming for development of realistic programs and investment plans for improvement, protection and management of the environment.

Task 2

Administrative Implementation Timetable

Identify responsible bodies and authorities and assess their necessary financial and human resources and identification of potential financial sources.

Developing a timetable for the implementation of changes agreed with the interested parties of the administrative structure.

Task 3

Organisational Implementation Plan

Develop a Plan for the implementation of the agreed organisational changes.

Describe a new structure/system to support the administration of small municipalities.

Task 4

Municipal Human Resources Plan

Assess the need for appointment of additional staff for the purposes of environmental management at local level.

Identify the needs for ordinary and specific training for existing and new staff and development of for ordinary and specific training.

Develop a potential timetable for the implementation of the training.

Prepare a proposal for Staffing Standards for Personnel in Municipalities (SSPM) in the environment sector.

Assess and identify potential financial sources for appointment and maintenance of the new staff and implementation of the training programs.

Study the possibilities of using EU and other donor funds and outline the main donor’s funding requirements.

Draft a Municipal Human Resource Development Plan.

Task 5

Technical Infrastructure Implementation Timetable

Analyse the proposed list of municipal needs for electronic equipment.

Study and assess all potential financial sources for supply of equipment.

Develop an implementation time table taking into account the prioritization and the funding possibilities.

Task 6

BAMEE Sustainable Development Plan

Study the possibilities to use donor funding as a co-finance source for establishment and functioning of BAMEE or similar structures.

Draft a Sustainable Development Plan for BAMEE.

Task 7

EU Professional Organisations Study

Assess relevant EU professional organizations in the field of environmental protection.

Prepare a list of relevant EU professional organizations in the field of environmental protection.

Support the establishment and further development of relationship between BAMEE and selected organization.

Organize a study tour in the country of the selected EU professional organization.

COMPONENT 3.1	IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Programming Improvement Actions
Specific Objectives	Strengthening of the administrative capacity of the competent authorities and auxiliary bodies with the purpose to achieve effective and efficient environmental management with emphasis on investment planning process Contribute to the successful implementation of the National Strategy for enforcement of the negotiation process for accession.
Task 1 Municipal Programming & Planning Process	Assess the existing programming and planning process at municipal level of the selected pilot municipality. Assess one existing pilot municipal environmental program/strategy and corresponding investment plan. Identify gaps in the program development process at local level. Analyse the challenges which municipalities are facing in the planning process with the introduction of the fiscal decentralization in Bulgaria. Update the pilot environmental program.
Task 2 Methodology Guide	Develop a Methodology Guide for preparation, implementation and monitoring of Local/Regional environmental investment programs.

COMPONENT 3.1

IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES
Programming Improvement Actions

Specific Objectives

Strengthening of the administrative capacity of the competent authorities and auxiliary bodies with the purpose to achieve effective and efficient environmental management with emphasis on investment planning process
Contribute to the successful implementation of the National Strategy for enforcement of the negotiation process for accession.

Task 1

Municipal Programming & Planning Process

Assess the existing programming and planning process at municipal level of the selected pilot municipality.

Assess one existing pilot municipal environmental program/strategy and corresponding investment plan.

Identify gaps in the program development process at local level.

Analyse the challenges which municipalities are facing in the planning process with the introduction of the fiscal decentralization in Bulgaria.

Update the pilot environmental program.

Task 2

Methodology Guide

Develop a Methodology Guide for preparation, implementation and monitoring of Local/Regional environmental investment programs.

COMPONENT 3.2	IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Human Resource Development Actions
Specific Objectives	Strengthening of the administrative capacity of the competent authorities and auxiliary bodies with the purpose to achieve effective and efficient environmental management with emphasis on investment planning process. Strengthening and improvement of the existing system for training of environmental experts…
Task 1 Training Needs Assessment	Assess training needs for trainers and staff in municipalities focusing on: Structural and Cohesion Funds procedures; Sector EU Initiatives; and EU Funding of environmental programs. Prepare needs assessment report.
Task 2 HRD Plan	Prepare a Human Resources Development Plan for experts involved in implementing the environmental requirements, at local and regional level.

COMPONENT 3.2

IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES
Human Resource Development Actions

Specific Objectives

Strengthening of the administrative capacity of the competent authorities and auxiliary bodies with the purpose to achieve effective and efficient environmental management with emphasis on investment planning process.
Strengthening and improvement of the existing system for training of environmental experts…

Task 1

Training Needs Assessment

Assess training needs for trainers and staff in municipalities focusing on:

Structural and Cohesion Funds procedures;
Sector EU Initiatives; and
EU Funding of environmental programs.

Prepare needs assessment report.

Task 2

HRD Plan

Prepare a Human Resources Development Plan for experts involved in implementing the environmental requirements, at local and regional level.

COMPONENT 3.3	IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Establishment of Centre for Consultancy, Information and Specific Environmental Training, based on BAMEE
Specific Objectives	Strengthening and improvement of the existing system for training of environmental experts, including analysis of Bulgarian Association of Municipal Environmental Experts /BAMEE/ capacity and identification of their role in the Environmental Management System.
Task 1 Review Legal Options	Review and assess the legal options for establishing and registering the Centre. Review and assess the financial options for establishing and registering the Centre. Prepare separate report on potential financial sources and main donors requirements. Review and assess the different legal and financial options for establishing the Centre. Draft a proposal of the chosen option and assist with the preparation of the necessary legal documents for registration of the Centre. Propose changes or amendments of the structure of BAMEE.
Task 2 Centre Curricula	Identify the type of training most relevant to the Centre. Analyse the activities of the National Institute for Public Administration and EU Integration. Draft Centre Curricula.
Task 3 Training Plan Elaboration	Define the target groups for specific training focusing on investment planning, project preparation and implementation. Elaborate draft training programs focusing on programming and planning skills at local level. Coordinate the programs with relevant institutions and organizations. Prepare formal training programmes fiches for every training programme, taking into consideration relevant EU experience.
Task 4 Training of Trainers	Develop training for trainers programs on the basis of EU best practices. Develop expert selection criteria.
Task 5 Training Implementation	Organize and implement one training course for approximately 30 trainees from members of BAMEE and experts from MoEW and REI. Implement day to day training for the members of BAMEE. Performing an ex ante, on going and ex post evaluation of every training programme Issuing of Seminar Reports.
Task 6 Training Manual	Develop Training Materials and Manual
Task 7 Develop Training Materials	Organize and implement one training cource for approximately 30 Trainers from members of BAMEE and experts from MoEW and REI. Implement day to day training for the members of BAMEE

COMPONENT 3.3

IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES
Establishment of Centre for Consultancy, Information and Specific Environmental Training, based on BAMEE

Specific Objectives

Strengthening and improvement of the existing system for training of environmental experts, including analysis of Bulgarian Association of Municipal Environmental Experts /BAMEE/ capacity and identification of their role in the Environmental Management System.

Task 1

Review Legal Options

Review and assess the legal options for establishing and registering the Centre.

Review and assess the financial options for establishing and registering the Centre.

Prepare separate report on potential financial sources and main donors requirements.

Review and assess the different legal and financial options for establishing the Centre.

Draft a proposal of the chosen option and assist with the preparation of the necessary legal documents for registration of the Centre.

Propose changes or amendments of the structure of BAMEE.

Task 2

Centre Curricula

Identify the type of training most relevant to the Centre.

Analyse the activities of the National Institute for Public Administration and EU Integration.

Draft Centre Curricula.

Task 3

Training Plan Elaboration

Define the target groups for specific training focusing on investment planning, project preparation and implementation.

Elaborate draft training programs focusing on programming and planning skills at local level.

Coordinate the programs with relevant institutions and organizations.

Prepare formal training programmes fiches for every training programme, taking into consideration relevant EU experience.

Task 4

Training of Trainers

Develop training for trainers programs on the basis of EU best practices.

Develop expert selection criteria.

Task 5

Training Implementation

Organize and implement one training course for approximately 30 trainees from members of BAMEE and experts from MoEW and REI.

Implement day to day training for the members of BAMEE.

Performing an ex ante, on going and ex post evaluation of every training programme

Issuing of Seminar Reports.

Task 6

Training Manual

Develop Training Materials and Manual

Task 7

Develop Training Materials

Organize and implement one training cource for approximately 30 Trainers from members of BAMEE and experts from MoEW and REI.

Implement day to day training for the members of BAMEE

COMPONENT 3.4	IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES Pilot Information System Establishment and Technical Infrastructure Improvement
Specific Objectives	Improvement of the co-ordination between different parties and stakeholders in the EMS , including information and data exchange system, with the purpose to avoid duplication and redundancy of activities, over expenditures, and to achieve better performance by the EMS .
Task 1 Pilot Information System	If need be the Consultant will assist the Beneficiaries in the tendering process. Establish and test the information flow system covering the chosen 26 pilot municipalities, BAMEE and MoEW.

COMPONENT 3.4

IMPLEMENTATION MEASURES
Pilot Information System Establishment and Technical Infrastructure Improvement

Specific Objectives

Improvement of the co-ordination between different parties and stakeholders in the EMS , including information and data exchange system, with the purpose to avoid duplication and redundancy of activities, over expenditures, and to achieve better performance by the EMS .

Task 1

Pilot Information System

If need be the Consultant will assist the Beneficiaries in the tendering process.

Establish and test the information flow system covering the chosen 26 pilot municipalities, BAMEE and MoEW.

COMPONENT 4	Public Awareness
Specific Objectives	Contribute to the successful implementation of the National Strategy for enforcement of the negotiation process for accession, where the strengthening of the administrative capacity at national and local level for implementation of the environmental legislation is identified as a priority.
Task 1 Public Awareness Campaign	Design and implementation of Public Awareness Campaign. Produce chapter describing what environmental services municipalities are obliged to offer to the population. Issue and publish 1600 brochures in English and Bulgarian presenting the main results of the project. Distribute brochures among the interested parties (municipalities, state institution and their regional bodies, environmental NGOs, donors, etc).

COMPONENT 4

Public Awareness

Specific Objectives

Contribute to the successful implementation of the National Strategy for enforcement of the negotiation process for accession, where the strengthening of the administrative capacity at national and local level for implementation of the environmental legislation is identified as a priority.

Task 1

Public Awareness Campaign

Design and implementation of Public Awareness Campaign.

Produce chapter describing what environmental services municipalities are obliged to offer to the population.

Issue and publish 1600 brochures in English and Bulgarian presenting the main results of the project.

Distribute brochures among the interested parties (municipalities, state institution and their regional bodies, environmental NGOs, donors, etc).

COMPONENT 5	Dissemination of Results
Specific Objectives	Strengthening the administrative capacity of the competent authorities and auxiliary bodies with the purpose to achieve effective and efficient environmental management with emphasis on investment planning process. The project shall contribute to the successful implementation of the National Strategy for enforcement of the negotiation process for accession, where the strengthening of the administrative capacity at national and local level for implementation of the environmental legislation is identified as a priority.
Task 1 Dissemination	Publish and distribute to all parties concerned in Bulgarian the following documents produced by the Project: Training manual Staffing standards for municipal environmental experts Methodology for assessment of training needs for the environmental experts at local level Organise 6 one-day seminars for the all six regions to inform the interested parties about the main results achieved by the project.

COMPONENT 5

Dissemination of Results

Specific Objectives

Strengthening the administrative capacity of the competent authorities and auxiliary bodies with the purpose to achieve effective and efficient environmental management with emphasis on investment planning process.
The project shall contribute to the successful implementation of the National Strategy for enforcement of the negotiation process for accession, where the strengthening of the administrative capacity at national and local level for implementation of the environmental legislation is identified as a priority.

Task 1

Dissemination

Publish and distribute to all parties concerned in Bulgarian the following documents produced by the Project:

Training manual
Staffing standards for municipal environmental experts
Methodology for assessment of training needs for the environmental experts at local level

Organise 6 one-day seminars for the all six regions to inform the interested parties about the main results achieved by the project.

Last update: 2007-11-09