Green Agenda

VALUES

At the start of the work local stakeholders identify the values of their community. The main idea is to focus on things local people are proud of, instead of focusing on problems. Examples of values are local water resources (lake, river, drinking water supply) and cultural heritage (ruins from the Roman times, museums, local food and songs). Of course the values can be in bad shape, which could be remedied in the frame of further Green Agenda steps.

WIDE PARTICIPATION

The Green Agenda process is open for all those who are interested, whether they are recognized experts or not. We believe that everyone who is committed to their community can contribute to the success of the process and its outcome, and should be enabled to do so. This implies that we pay special attention to local capacity building with a view to providing the local population with the tools to effectively take part in the process and in the implementation of actions.

LOCAL OWNERSHIP

After the selection of 3-4 priority values, local Working Groups will be formed elaborating one of the values each. These groups analyze the status of the values as well as come up with ideas for actions and projects in the frame of an agreed strategy. All these steps are taken by the local people, and are based on their priorities, needs and wishes. Due to this, they are very motivated to really implement their plans as laid down in the Green Agenda document. Often new local groups are formed with the express aim of implementing and monitoring implementation of the plans.

BACKGROUND

The concept of Green Agenda was first developed in Romania, by Milieukontakt and its local partner Focus Eco Centre. The success of that effort has convinced Milieukontakt that this method is a powerful tool to really bring about positive and lasting change that makes the place we live in a better one. The idea of the implementation of the Green Agenda originates from the Local Agenda 21, introduced globally at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. However, as pointed out above, the Green Agenda starts out with local natural and cultural values, and focuses on identifying win-win scenarios for local sustainable development using the identified values. Quite naturally, economic and social factors are taken into account in these scenarios.

The Green Agenda Process

Select NGO and Municipality
Form local team
Start-up capacity building

Preparatory

STEP 1 – Understand the Community
STEP 2 – Form working groups

Scoping

STEP 3 – Analyse the Function of the Community Values
STEP 4 – Determine Trends and Develop Scearios

Assess

STEP 5 – Analyze Climate Impacts
STEP 6 – Analyze Adaptive Capacity
STEP 7 – Determine Climate Related Problems and Causes
STEP 8 – Set up Community Climate Change Vision

Synthesis & Design

STEP 9 – Identify Mitigation and Adaptation Measures
STEP 10 – Evaluate and select adaptation and Mitigation Measures
STEP 11 – Develop Community action and monitoring plan
STEP 12 – Adopt Comunity Climate Change Strategy

Implement & Follow-up

STEP 13- Implement Pilot Project
STEP 14 – Monitor, Evaluate and Adjust

1. Identification of pilot communities

We will identify three communities in each country where we will start a Green Agenda process.

2. Identification of pilot communities

A thorough analysis of the background is needed: what documents or obligations for documents or plans exist in the community? Who are the stakeholders and what can be expected from them?

3. Stakeholder meeting

The public start of the Green Agenda process is the first meeting for all stakeholders, in which the process is explained and interest in participation is identified among those present.

4. Local Working Groups

Local thematic Working Groups will be created in each community which will consist of approx. eight representatives of local authorities, businesses, NGOs and interested citizens. These froups will carry out the Green Agenda analysis.

5. Local Working Group activities

The Working Groups will develop ideas for small activities.

6. Training of Trainers

Trainings will be organized for trainers groups that will support the coordinating NGOs and the local Working Groups in their work. The trainers will be trained in the Green Agenda method, including best practices and examples from other countries.

7. Training on ICT and Information Management

We will organise a training on information management and IT tools. This can provide a good
start for sharing information and ideas among the participating communities effectively
later on in the programme.

8. Pilot projects

The Green Agenda document includes an analysis
as well as a strategic plan, an action plan
and a monitoring plan.
This document is adopted by the local authorities
and implemented by the local community.
One of the characteristics of
the Green Agenda method however is that
it focuses not only
on the creation of a document, but also
on the actual implementation
of the ideas laid down
in the document:
pilot projects – small projects implementing part
of the Green Agenda plans.