SEA for COHESION POLICY
IN 2007-2013
(HANDBOOK and FACT SHEET )
Ausra Jurkeviciute, EA topic leader
AJurkeviciute@rec.org
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Outline of the Presentation
 Introduction to the Handbook
 Key concerns addressed
 Logical linkages between SEA and programming
process for EU SFs
 Recommended SEA steps
 SEA Fact-sheet
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Purpose of the Handbook
 To recommend simple and suitable approaches to
applying SEA Directive within the programming
of EU Structural Funds in 2007-2013.
 Based on existing guidance (EU, the UK, CR,
Spain), lessons from SEA practice in 2000-2006
and extensive consultations within GRDP
partnership
 Endorsed by DG Regio and DG Envi as advisory NOT an interpretative guidance for the
transposition of the SEA Directive.
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Key concerns
 SEA new tool – many consultants try to invent
very complicated schemes to meet the
requirements of the SEA directive
 EIA-based approaches generally do not work
 Some consultants focus on writing Env. Report
(audit/critique of the programming document) but
do not provide usable inputs into programming
process
 There is a danger of ‘mastering the procedure and
beating the purpose”
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Programming process, SEA and
ex-ante evaluation
 Similar logic
 Mutually reinforcing tools within one robust
planning system.
 Can be carried out as a joint or a parallel
process.
 The leading process is the programming process
and SEA and ex-ante evaluations fit into it.
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
SEA should be
 carried out in a very similar manner as the overall
ex-ante evaluation of the programme;
 an interactive process providing judgement and
recommendations by SEA experts during the
programme elaboration;
 an integral part of the programming process
even if, for reasons of transparency, its outcomes
are reported in the separate and consolidated env.
report.
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Recommended SEA steps (1)
Determination of the right focus of the SEA:
-> key environmental issues for the programming
document
-> relevant env. objectives
-> focused questions/indicators to guide the
assessment
-> gives basic assurance to the programming team
and env. authorities that SEA will focus on key
issues
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Recommended SEA steps (2)
Assessment of the environmental context
-> past trends for each guiding question/indicator;
-> future evolution of these trends if the
programming document is not implemented (i.e.
considering already approved PPPs and any
relevant future developments);
-> can be done within analysis of the development
context – examining future threats/constrains and
opportunities from env. perspective
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Recommended SEA steps (3)
Assessment of development objectives and
priorities of the programming document
-> key conflicts and synergies with relevant env.
issues and objectives
-> recommendations for adjustments of proposed
orientation of the programming document;
-> suggestions for development of eligible
measures/actions
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Recommended SEA steps (4)
Assessment of proposed measures/activities
-> positive and negative impacts of relevant env.
issues and objectives
-> nature of impacts explained (direct, indirect,
duration, reversibility, transboundary nature, etc.)
-> recommendations for adjustments of
measures/activities
-> suggestions of selection criteria or preliminary
ToRs for env. assessment of specific activities.
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Recommended SEA steps (5)
Assessment of cumulative impacts of the entire
programming document
-> cumulative impacts of all measures on specific
env. issue or objective
-> considers the expected future baseline trends in
each issue (see step 2)
-> concluding suggestions for mitigation and
enhancement measures
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Recommended SEA steps (6)
Assessment of proposed management system for
implementation
-> env. selection criteria
-> env. scoring sheets (preliminary or formal) for
activities that will seek funding
-> roles of env. authorities during implementation of
the programming document
-> very important especially in new MSs
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Recommended SEA steps (7)
Assessment of proposed monitoring system
-> whether it focuses on key env. issues, is realistic
and is easy to use
-> could use data from env. scoring sheets and/or
formal monitoring
-> env. monitoring not self-serving – should measure
the actual impact of the programming document
on the relevant env. issues and objectives
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Compilation of environmental
report
 Compiles individual assessments into one report
 Outlines key outstanding issues
 Consultations with relevant authorities and the
public – ideally through a single consultative
process for the programming, SEA and ex-ante
 Numerous informal consultations between SEA and
env. authorities (possibly public) suggested for
earlier steps
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Practical use
 Handbook translated into Portuguese, Polish,
Romanian and Lithuanian and widely disseminated
in Austria, the Czech Republic, Malta and Romania
Known use:
 Austria-CR cross-border programme for Interreg
 Czech Republic (NDP & OPs: Transport, Business
Competitiveness)
 Romania (all OPs)
 Italy (Lombardia Regional OP)
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
The handbook can be downloaded at:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/regional_policy/sources/
docoffic/working/doc/sea_handbook_final_foreword
.pdf
or
http://www.grdp.org
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
Fact Sheet on SEA
 Target audience:
 Decision makers at regional and national level
 Environmental stakeholders as well as administrators
 Information on how regional development
planning and SEA can be seen as mutually
reinforcing tools
 Answers questions:
 What is Strategic Environmental Assessment?
 How does SEA really benefit regional development
programmes?
 How can SEA be effectively carried out for regional
development programmes?
 Tips for carrying out an effective SEA
 Where can I find more about this?
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe
The handbook can be downloaded at:
http://www.grdp.org
as a part of the GRDP Toolkit:
THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER
for Central and Eastern Europe