How to create a "Sunshine Story"
Public Works and Environmental Improvements,
Jonava, Lithuania
Best Practice UN-Habitat 2002

Lead Idea

In many cases, the missing link between environmental improvement and employment programmes is proper staff training. Jonava set out to establish a pilot project with the help of Denmark. The objective was to train experts who would then turn the nearby lake into a recreational area for the town's inhabitants. Various interest groups and other cities joined the programme which promises long-term improvement of the quality of life in the area.

The issue at stake

The lake of Jonava is situated in a well-balanced ecological environment approximately 100km north of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. It is an ideal recreational area for inhabitants of the nearby city. Yet for a long time it was heavily polluted and nobody seemed qualified enough to improve the quality of the water. At the same time, 21% of the population of employable age in Jonava were unemployed (compared to 12% for all of Lithuania).

Possible solutions, resources

The easiest way out was to train qualified workers and commission them to improve the lake, in other words, to offer them long-term employment. The Danish ministry for social affairs offered a training programme that was also to raise environmental awareness among civil servants. Those who were granted a training place had to be in a position to offer a secure job for six months and had to show a multidisciplinary approach towards improving the lake. The project was to become a pilot project and an example for others in the region.

Processes, effects

Many applicants were unable to guarantee permanent jobs and the process was delayed initially. Eventually, an agreement was found that half of the jobs were to be long-term ones, i.e. 6 out of 12 trainees were to be given permanent employment. Actual implementation proved less of a problem and the recreational area was officially opened in June 2002. However, the real objective is permanent care. Plans to the effect are under way.

Experiences, transferability

With many small partners involved in the project it was possible to establish variable and stable financing. The project itself is exemplary and has already been adopted by other cities in the region. Environmental experts from Jonava can offer their counterparts in other cities. As the network for the project improves, so does the environmental situation in the area.

Size of municipality: small town
Participation: municipality, applicant small enterprises
Financing: applicant small enterprises, Danish Ministry of Social Affairs