Increasingly, we are facing the risks of climate change and witnessing the devastating effects of the climate crisis and the loss of biodiversity. The environment is our home and protecting it is the only way to secure our future. However, in order to achieve this we need the active participation of all of us.
With the project “Citizens for the environment: Education as a tool for effective public participation and decision-making”, we seek to strengthen the voice of citizens and their ability to participate in decision-making processes in environmental matters.
So, we develop a “toolkit” in close collaboration with the Open Technologies Alliance (GFOSS) addressed to all who are interested in participating in public matters. Virtual, as well as phsysical labs, simple and comprehensive educational material and a constant interaction with the society, constitute our “weapons” to shed light on the rights and the available public participation procedures, and to empower us in order to participate in an informed and more effective way.
But, we do not stop there. Through a pilot procedure of an open public consultation we will draft together with the civil society a game changer policy proposal. A proposal for the substantive improvement of the public participation processes. A proposal that, if endorsed by the public administration, would pave the way for a broader and more substantive participation by all of us in decisions and procedures that directly affect our lives.
In this website you will find all the tools you need to actively participate in everything that matters to you, to take part in public participation procedures in an informed and effective way, and to find out how you can exercise your rights for a healthy environment.
Together we can effectively advocate for our right to a healthy and sustainable planet!
THE PROJECT
The project āCitizens for the environment: Education as a tool for effective public participation and decision-makingā is being implemented under the Active citizens fund in Greece by WWF Greece and its partner Open Technologies Alliance (GFOSS).
The Active citizens fund in Greece is supported through a ā¬15 m grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The programme aims to develop the sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector in Greece, and to strengthen its role in promoting and safeguarding democratic procedures, active citizenship and human rights. The Fund Operator for the Active citizens fund in Greece is Bodossaki Foundation in consortium with SolidarityNow. More information: www.activecitizensfund.gr/en/Ā
ABOUT THE EEA GRANTS
Ī¤he EEA Grants are jointly financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The EEA Grants are available to the 13 EU member countries that joined the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) in 2004, 2007 and 2013 as well as Greece and Portugal. The decision-making body of the EEA Grants is the Financial Mechanism Committee, which is composed of representatives of the Foreign Ministries of Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
More information: www.eeagrants.org & www.eeagrants.gr
ABOUT BODOSSAKI
The Bodossaki Foundation is one of the most respected privately-owned public benefit organizations in Greece. The Foundation is the culminating point of its founderās brilliant course in life and remains the carrying vessel of the values and ideas that he faithfully served throughout his eventful life. The Foundation was established in 1972 by Prodromos ā Bodossakis Athanassiades who decided to donate his entire fortune to support health care, equal opportunities, quality in
education, scientific progress and environmental protection. The Foundation has a deep knowledge of social needs in Greece and has administered so far more than ā¬450m supporting its causes.
The Bodossaki Foundation also supports NGOs working with socially vulnerable groups and has lately set the strengthening of civil society as one of its primary objectives. Since 2013 it administers the regranting facilities of the EEA Grants for civil society in Greece.
More information: www.bodossaki.gr/en/
ABOUT SOLIDARITY NOW
SolidarityNow (SN) is a non-governmental organization established in 2013 to respond to the needs, and advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups, indiscriminately. SNās Headquarters are in Athens, with large operations in Thessaloniki and activities across the country. The organizationās vision is to improve peopleās lives and to
empower them to create a just and inclusive society. SNās actions fall under three main strategic priorities: a) Promoting safety and protection; b) Catalyzing livelihoods opportunities; c) Strengthening the independence of civil society and defending open society values. SN has supported 300,000 people to date, both through direct project implementation and through regranting programmes. Through its regranting initiatives, SN has supported 73 different programs and provided a total funding of ā¬ 14.4M to support Greek civil society organizations.
More information: www.solidaritynow.org/en