Background. It became obvious that the coordination and implementation of such a vision requires a lot of time and finances.

Transcription

1 7 th Pan-European Green Belt Conference, Berlin, Germany, 16 May 2013 Research- and Development- (R+D-) Project Advancing the European Green Belt Initiative Efficient coordination and long-term funding of the European Green Belt Initiative Gabriel Schwaderer EuroNatur Foundation Regional Coordinator Balkan

2 Research- and Development- (R+D-) Project Advancing the European Green Belt Initiative Background A wide range of NGOs, GOs and expert groups in the 24 countries along the Green Belt is involved in the realization of this pan-european vision. It became obvious that the coordination and implementation of such a vision requires a lot of time and finances.

3 Research- and Development- (R+D-) Project Advancing the European Green Belt Initiative September August 2014 Main aim: Development of new concepts for the sustainable over-all coordination of the European Green Belt Initiative Main topics: anisation and long-term maintenance of coordination activities (new over-all coordination structure, development of suitable financial support concepts) Development of a sustainable internal and external communication Exchange: Conferences, Working group meetings

4 Former structure of the European Green Belt Initiative Fennoscandian Green Belt Situation 2 years ago: No over-all coordination National Focal Points Central European Green Belt National Focal Points Balkan Green Belt National Focal Points

5 6th Pan-European Green Belt Conference, Mavrovo National Park

6 6th Pan-European Green Belt Conference, Mavrovo National Park Conclusions Mavrovo Conference: Four sections along the European Green Belt Regional Coordinators appointed by each section Coordination Group consisting of: Regional Coordinators, one selected NFP and one NGO parter per section, IUCN as consultant Coordination Group appointed EuroNatur as Chair

7 6th Pan-European Green Belt Conference, Mavrovo National Park Conclusions Mavrovo Conference: The political commitment needs to be strengthened countries along the European Green Belt to be asked to sign a MoU Initiative to take on a more formalised shape to explore options to establish an association and/ or a foundation Funding for long-term coordination needs to be secured

8 New structure of the European Green Belt Initiative

9 National focal point National focal point National NGOs National focal point National focal point National NGOs National focal point National focal point National NGOs European Green Belt Initiative Accepted Structure Regional Meetings Regional Coordinator Fennoscandia Regional Meetings Regional Coordinator Baltic Regional Meetings Regional Coordinator Central Europe June 2012 National Focal Point National NGO National Focal Point National NGO Coordination Group* Regional Coordinator Fennoscandia National Regional Focal Point Coordinator National Baltic NGO 5 Regional Coordinator Central Europe IUCN as consultant National focal point National focal point National NGOs Regional Meetings Regional Coordinator South Eastern Europe National Focal Point National NGO Regional Coordinator South Eastern Europe *One of the Coordination Group members elected as chair of the for a term of two years.

10 anisational models Current Activities: To develop various and appropriate organisational models To assess these models To develop statutes for the prefered organisational model

11 Conclusions of the Coordination Group Meeting in Riga Main goal of new legal entity: Purpose of the legal entity will be to establish an official body to coordinate and govern the European Green Belt Intitiative Body should be able to hold trademark rights and to apply for projects or grants Implementation of field-work and projects on the ground shall be covered by members of the initiative

12 Conclusions of the Coordination Group Meeting in Riga Main goal of new legal entity: : Legal entity shall allow for a participate approach Legal entity shall provide a mandate and ultimately financial resources for undertaking the coordination efforts The Coordination Group should be in the center of the coordination task

13 The Stiftung Stiftung Donor Endowment Director (CG) Governmental Supervision Board GO

14 The Stiftung Pros Cons full legal capacity (IP-rights) efficient management strong purpose orientation internal and external funding - difficult democratic participation - little flexibility governmental supervision -

15 The Verein Verein Board (CG) assets Sec. I Sec. II Sec. III Sec. IV GO GO GO GO

16 The Verein Pros Cons democratic participation within the section and in the whole organisation flexibility easy funding internal / external funding - prevention against spin-offs - no commercial activities - perhaps problems with distributions to the members no governmental supervision

17 Combination Model Verein Board (CG) Meeting Sec. I Directors Sec. II Stiftung Director GO GO Donor Endowment Sec. III Sec. IV GO GO

18 Combination Model Pros Cons democratic participation efficient management structures within both legal bodies flexibility reduces the danger of a spinoff flexible funding if a foundation with full legal capacity: - high funding costs governmental supervision

19 Conclusions of the Coordination Group Meeting in Riga Conclusions of the Coordination Group Broad democratic participation is important Efficiency and participation need to go hand in hand Governmental supervision is very positive New organisation should be established under German law Contribution to the initial funding is difficult A minimum of EUR per year would be needed for the overarching coordination

20 Conclusions of the Coordination Group Meeting in Riga Conclusions of the Coordination Group Payments: from members rather a symbolic fee can be expected Payments: no influence on the competences of members/ partners Commercial activities: should be possible The legal entity should be admitted as charitable

21 Conclusions of the Coordination Group Meeting in Riga Conclusions of the Coordination Group In case of a combination model two options: - Independent Foundation (Stiftung) - Fiduciary Foundation (Unselbständige Stiftung) To develop statutes for a legal entity based on these recommendations