Local Agenda 21
Kaunas, Lithuania
Good Practice UN-Habitat 2000

Lead Idea

Historical heritage weighs heavily upon young administrations in the Baltic: serious environmental damages, lack of democracy in the past, as well as financial worries require the cooperation of many. Funding from Finland and the European Union was used to support a large-scale motivation campaign to establish, for the first time ever, Agenda 21 objectives in Kaunas, Lithuania.

The Issue at Stake

The environmental concept Kaunas, Lithuania was grappling with in 1998 was still desperately inadequate. To find a way out responsible decision makers met with colleagues from Tampere. In the end, it was possible to establish Agenda 21. Its implementation, however, required the concerted efforts of many participants.

Possible Solutions, Resources

Financial funding was provided by the EU PHARE Fund. Thus, it was possible to interest universities, schools, the media, NGOs and the public in contributing to the project. The objective was to draft a general concept starting with an educational programme. Several workshops were held among participants to prepare a rough strategy plan.

Process, Effects

University institutes were put in charge of research activities, schools organized theme-oriented events, the media were given the role of making public issues that would motivate people to actively participate in waste separation, energy and water saving measures, traffic planning and much more. Business enterprises were supported in introducing environmental technologies, civil servants employed at the city administration were encouraged to attend further training courses to be better able to coordinate programmes. To round off the project, a web site was installed offering relevant advice and information. The result of these concerted efforts was a step-by-step improvement of the quality of life in Kaunas, Lithuania.

Experiences, Transferability

The different working methods of the consulting agencies involved proved a major hurdle to begin with. Civil servants at the city administration were faced with the difficult task of coordinating the above which they achieved by introducing flexibility to the time frame. Baltic 21 worked in cooperation with Kaunas, the first city in Lithuania to become part of Agenda 21. Other cities have since shown a keen interest too

Participation: Top down
Participants: the municipality was looking for a solution for its growing environmental problems. It was supported in this endeavour by Tampere and also received EU funding. Civil servants as well as educational institutions, the media, NGOs, business enterprises and local residents participated in the planning and implementation of the project.
Structure: joint planning and support by external consultants
Financing: PHARE Funds of the European Union