www.VALJEVO.org.yu 
Official presentation of Valjevo municipality

Back to the first page

Township committee

CONTACTS:

LEAP-
office in Valjevo

Milos Katic,
local LEAP coordinator

Valjevo,
44, Karadjordjeva st.
10. floor
Office 65

phone: 223 019
Fax: 223 019
е-mail:
mkatic@ptt.yu

As a part of a process of democratic transition, regional and local decentralization is very important goal. Local communities will take more and more functions including the responsibilities related to protection and improvement of the environment.
Solving of these problems demands systematic approach and very intensive cooperation and exchange of information between all interested parties in the local community (institutions, organizations, citizens and media). Environment protection problems are best understood by the local authorities and the citizens, because they see and feel the consequences of endangered environment, their living standard becomes lower, their health is threatened.
As the best solution to the complex problem of protection of environment, the methodology of solving the environmental problems in local communities through realization of Local Environmental Action Plans (LEAP), has been developed. Therefore the participation of all sectors of the local community in working out of the LEAP is essential.

What is LEAP?

LEAP is both the process and the document. As a process it is based on wide participation of the community in solving the problems related to the environment, with the special accent on informing and participation of the public in decision making. The concept of LEAP is based on bringing to accordance the priorities and ways of solving the problems.
The suggested priorities and the methods for solving them, as well as the activities which need to be done, make up the LEAP document. The LEAP document serves as the basis for future investing in protection and promotion of the environment.
Recommendations contained in the action plan are incorporated into other existing plans and programs, as well as into the future decisions of the local authorities and other institutions.

What is gained by LEAP

• The join efforts within the local community in solving of the environmental problems,
• Participation of all interested parties in the realization of the projects,
• Increasing of the level of public awareness,
• Enabling of the community for application of the standards in the field of environment,
• Interest among donors and investors,
• Accessibility to the information,
• Participation of the citizens in making decisions which are vital for the environment,
• Healthy environment

LEAP in Valjevo

Working out of the LEAP in Valjevo started in October 2003 when the township committee agreed to take part in the project “Strengthening of the Capacities for the Protection of Environment in Serbia 2003”, which is financed by the European Union through the European Agency for Reconstruction. This project is made up of three components: strengthening of the capacities of the Ministry of Science and Environment of the Republic Serbia, working out of the National Environmental Action Plan for Serbia (NEAP), and working out of the LEAP in Vrbas, Valjevo, Cacak, Bujanovac and the district of Bor.
The activities in Valjevo were started in February 2004, when the LEAP office was established and the local coordinator was elected.

CONTACTS:
LEAP office in Valjevo
Milos Katic, local LEAP coordinator
Valjevo, 44. Karadjordjeva st., 10. floor, office 65
phone223 019
fax: 223 019
е-mail: mkatic@ptt.yu