This project is a three-phase process. The first phase saw the initial awareness raising and information activities, followed by a second phase where a diagnosis of the region was completed and its requirements identified, culminating in the defining of the Strategic Environmental Action Plan. The final stage is the implementation and evaluation of this Plan.

In the first phase, the Coordination Group was established for the project. This Group, sponsored by the project, is an advisory body on the strategies of the project and authorizes project decisions, which are then implemented by the municipalities and financed from within their own budgets. The Group includes members from local and regional governments, stakeholders such as NGO and the business community, and related agencies from the national government.

Awareness-raising campaigns were undertaken throughout the region, with travelling exhibitions and workshops, leaflet and poster campaigns, thematic newsletters, a web portal (www.futurosustentavel.org) and a range of agreements with media organisations responsible for dissemination across the region.

In the second phase, a diagnosis, aimed at identifying local problems and promising opportunities, was elaborated. Several tools were used for the diagnosis, including bibliographic research, fieldwork and extensive public consultations. The consultation and participation of citizens enabled the municipalities to identify priority actions and to begin to define a coherent strategy. Based on the diagnosis, an Action Plan with guidelines and strategies was finalised in the first semester of 2006.

Municipalities are free to choose which recommendations are implemented and to what extent and scope. To date, the municipalities have been very committed to the project and active participants in the Coordination Group.

At this moment, the Action Plan awaits global approval from the Coordination Group to advance into the third phase. However several actions are already under implementation.

Taking a high visibility approach and securing the commitment of key stakeholders has energized citizens, with a positive effect upon community cohesion across the region. Internal meetings sometimes present problems, as sectors and stakeholders who are not familiar with partnerships are brought together. In addition, sometimes there is a gap between the daily management of these relationships and the planning processes. However, municipalities have to overcome such obstacles and implement their agendas efficiently.

The Action Plan focuses on delivery and effective implementation. Each initiative has an agenda with responsible entities, actions, funding and duration clearly identified. This will ease management of the initiatives and make the implementation process more transparent.

For more information, please consult www.futurosustentavel.org or the ICLEI’s Case Study n. 91 (March 2006, in English).