Environmental governance for the Western Balkan Green Agenda

About the Project

The Center for Legal Research and Analysis, together with the Macedonian Young Lawyers Association and Front 21/42, started the implementation of the project “Environmental Governance for the Western Balkans Green Agenda” which is result of the continuous support from the European Union for Republic of North Macedonia.

In North Macedonia, the implementation of legislation presents a major concern in all of the environmental sectors (air, waste, water, nature, industrial pollution, chemicals and noise) and the major concern are the implementation of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Environmental Responsibility and Environmental Crime Directives. In addition to this, there is a gradual increase of environmental crimes and in the number of charges filed and verdicts passed for environmental crimes (27 verdicts in 2019, 81 in 2020 and 126 in 2021). In spite of this, many crimes remain unsanctioned or the fines are insignificant. The new Criminal Code adopted in November 2022 has introduced heavier penalties and liability for legal persons, moving the national legislation closer to the Environmental Crime Directive. Still the key responsible institutions, such as the judiciary, public prosecution, the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the State Environmental Inspectorate (SEI), lack capacities to implement these novelties especially with regards to the environmental crimes, the method of determining damage and determining responsibility.

The overall objective of the action is to strengthen the environmental rule of law particularly combating environmental crimes and other serious offenses by effective administrative and criminal enforcement in line with the EU standards and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkan.

Specific Objectives

1. To improve enforcement of environmental legislation through regular legislative impact assessments.
2. To improve capacities for environmental law enforcement of the Ministry of Interior, Public Prosecution, Judiciary, and the State Environmental Inspectorate.
3. To enhance collaboration among CSOs, academia, media, state institutions and the private sector to influence environmental public policies and decision making.
4. To strengthen the capacities of local and grass roots CSOs to monitor environmental protection and react to competent institutions

Final Beneficiaries:

Citizens, Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP), State Environmental Inspectorate (Inspectors), Prosecutors, judges and employees from the Ministry of Interior, Members of the Parliament, Municipalities of protected areas (Ohrid, Struga, Mavrovo, Tetovo), Environmental CSOs, Media (journalists).