Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe
The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) is an independent international organisation that was established in 1990 by Hungary, the United States and the European Commission. Today, the organisation is legally based on a charter with over 30 signatories.
The initial concept for the center was put forward under U.S. President George H. Bush, building on a recommendation by his EPA Administrator William K. Reilly. [1]
The REC builds bridges between stakeholders and countries in addressing environmental issues. Its work is currently implemented through 12 topic areas: biodiversity; climate change and clean energy; educational tools; environmental financing; environmental management; green transport; health and environment; law development, enforcement and compliance; local governance; participatory governance; the Sustainable Development Academy; and water management. Active in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond, the REC has its head office in Szentendre, Hungary, and offices throughout the region with a staff of close to 180 from some 30 nationalities.
MISSION AND OBJECTIVES: The REC’s mission is to assist in addressing environmental issues by promoting cooperation among governments, non-governmental organisations, international organisations and institutions, businesses and other environmental stakeholders, and by promoting the free exchange of information and public participation in environmental decision making. The REC contributes to addressing priority environmental challenges through training programmes, pilot projects, environmental assessments, analytical studies, educational tools and grants. It provides a neutral platform for cooperation and multi-stakeholder dialogue and transfers best practices and experience at regional and global level.
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS: The REC implements around 200 projects annually. In recent years its work has been focused on governance for sustainability and green economy, through projects such as the Green Pack multimedia educational toolkit, which has now reached more than 4 million students and 45,000 teachers in 18 countries; capacity-building courses for senior officials through the Sustainable Development Academy; cross-border cooperation in the areas of environmental planning and investment; advancing sustainable urban transport in an enlarged Europe; capacity building for environmental inspectors; support to local initiatives; assistance in environmental law drafting; sustainable consumption and production; support to cooperation between the environment and health sectors by means of policy integration at international and national level; assistance in water management programmes; helping countries and communities on the path towards a low-carbon transition; and promoting climate change mitigation policies. The REC is also a partner in the Europe-China Clean Energy Centre.
MORE INFORMATION: Please visit www.rec.org!
References
- ↑ EPA Alumni Association: EPA Administrator William K. Reilly describes the origins of the idea for an environmental center in Budapest. Reflections on US Environmental Policy: An Interview with William K. Reilly Video, Transcript (see p5).
www.rec.org