On 1 February 2016, the European Environment Agency (EEA) embarked upon the second phase of the EU-funded European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS) II EAST project together with the six Eastern Partnership countries;  Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. This project supports the environmental protection by strengthening environmental governance.

Project uses the EEA’s expertise on best national practices in EU Member States to develop the institutional capacities of environmental and statistical authorities in the Eastern Partnership countries. The project supports implementation of the principles and practices of the Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS) and strengthens the regular reporting process including production of environmental indicators and assessment reports in the fields of biodiversity, water, land, waste and air. The project develops institutional capacity in environmental assessment and accounting and communication by introducing tested methodologies and tools in order to increase reporting of relevant data flows, with simultaneous improvements in quality of reported data and use of data/information (indicators and assessments). In addition, it supports improving access to the reported data/information, by working on improving existing infrastructures.

Duration and Financing

The ENI SEIS II EAST runs from 2016-2020 and is financed by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) under the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI).

Objective

The main objective of the project is to support implementation of the principles and practices of the Shared Environmental Information System (SEIS) and to strengthen the regular reporting process including production of environmental indicators and assessment reports.

The project builds on previous cooperative activities in the six Eastern Partnership countries, carried out under the ENPI SEIS project (2010-2015).

Project Management

The project is managed and implemented by the EEA, because of its extensive experience in facilitating cooperation and developing expertise through the European Environmental Information System and Observation Network (Eionet).

The European Environment Agency (EEA) is a unique institution in its capacity to generate environmental information and knowledge. Through its activities, the EEA supports capacity building as an evidence-driven process, and the long-term transition to a sustainable society. It is increasingly active in these areas in the six Eastern Partnership countries of the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), for whom the EEA acts as a hub for the development of environmental and statistical institutions.

The expected results of the project are:

• Result 1: Improved implementation of regional/international commitments related to environmental reporting in line with EU/EEA best practices;

• Result 2: Improved capacities in the national administrations to manage and use environmental data, statistics and information to support decision-making in line with EU/EEA best practices;

• Result 3: Preparation of regular State of the Environment reports and indicator-based assessments in line with EU/EEA best practices.

Working methods

The project uses a variety of methods to build capacity and provide technical assistance to the beneficiaries; including facilitating dialogue between inter-institutional agencies, providing expert technical assistance in compiling monitoring data for the international conventions and national policy needs, arranging expert visits and study tours, providing guidance in accordance with Eionet best practices and giving workshops and hands-on training in the identified priority areas.