The European Union will distribute a total of EUR 1.6 million to fund environmental sustainability improvements beyond its new Eastern Borders, through the Tacis Cities Award Scheme (TCAS). TCAS has been launched by EuropeAid for municipalities in the border regions of Belarus, Moldova, Russia, Ukraine and the whole territory of Georgia. Royal Haskoning and the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe will work to encourage participation in the TCAS grant programme, and to raise awareness of sustainable development and environmental protection at municipal level. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
TCAS aims to improve the environmental situation outside the border of the enlarged EU (which will include Romania and Bulgaria in 2007) . To achieve this, the scheme will support specific practical actions by the municipal authorities and will strengthen their co-operation with other governmental institutes and civil society.
According to the TCAS priorities, approved by EuropeAid, funding will be awarded to projects which are “practical and result in a measurable improvement in the quality of life for the inhabitants of the concerned municipality”. Projects under the programme should target a specific critical issue that has an adverse effect on the inhabitants of the municipality. The problems to be resolved with the help of TCAS will need to be part of the documented environmental priorities of municipal governments. TCAS will encourage co-operation with other municipalities and organisations within the awarded projects.
Actions proposed for funding under TCAS should be related to environmental management, nature protection or environmental sustainability. Solid waste management; water supply and water treatment, air pollution, energy efficiency in municipal buildings, green spaces and recreational areas, and access to information are some of the possible areas for TCAS proposals.
For more information and contacts, see
http://tcas.rec.org/index.html
