Project name: Strategic Environmental Assessment for Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion 2021-2027 and Integrated Territorial Program 2021-2027
Client: Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds
Period: 09/2021 – 12/2022
Location: Croatia
This project involved the development of a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion 2021-2027 and Integrated Territorial Program 2021-2027. The primary objective was to ensure sustainable development practices that align with environmental regulations and standards. SEA included the Ecological Network Appropriate Assessment.
The strategic Environmental Assessment includes the development of a Strategic Impact Assessment study including the following content:
- an outline of the contents and main objectives of Strategic Environmental Assessment for Operational Program Competitiveness and Cohesion 2021-2027 and Integrated Territorial Program 2021-2027 (programs)
- the relevant aspects of the current state of the environment and the likely evolution thereof without the implementation of the programs;
- the environmental characteristics of the areas and the existing environmental problems that are relevant to the programs;
- the environmental protection objectives, established upon the conclusion of international treaties and agreements that are relevant to the programs;
- the likely significant effects on the environment of the program’s goals;
- the environmental protection measures (mitigation measures);
- a description of the envisaged monitoring program.
The Strategic Study also included the Appropriate Assessment for the Ecological Network that contains:
- description of the ecological network that could be affected by the implementation of the programs and a cartographic representation of the ecological network area;
- description of the potential significant impacts of the implementation of the program on the ecological network;
- proposal of measures to mitigate the negative impacts of implementation on the ecological network;
- final assessment of the eligibility of the Strategy for the ecological network using the proposed mitigation measures.
The strategic assessment procedure includes amendments and improvements of the study recommended by the committee, evaluation of the study’s completeness and expertness by the committee, public participation and presentation and meetings with all relevant stakeholders.
