Report on a Visit to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia Fact Finding Mission by the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe in October 1993 Budapest, January 1994 By Paul Kosterink, Alexander Juras, Olinka Gjigas, Phoebe Cochrane Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe Foreword From October 10 to October 16, 1993 the authors of this report visited the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. This report represents the results of this trip. The report does not claim to give a complete overview of the situation of the environment and the environmental movement in Macedonia. Nor is it based on extensive research or literature studies. The authors are aware of the sensitivities which are connected with the name of the country and they apologise for any misunderstandings. It is the position of the Regional Environmental Center to stay neutral in political discussions. At all places in the country the authors of this report were overwhelmed by the hospitality and kindness of people they met. They want to thank all persons which helped them during their stay, in particular the Local Coodinator of the REC for Macedonia, Katarina Dimitrovska. Budapest, November 1993 Phoebe Cochrane Olinka Gjigas Alexander Juras Paul Kosterink Contents This report presents the results of a fact finding mission of a team of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. It was the aim of the trip to collect information about the situation of the environment and and environmental movement in this country. Chapter 1 of the report decribes the situation of the environment in Macedonia, with a special emphasis on the pollution of Lakes Dojran, Ohrid and Prespa. In Chapter 2 the authors describe the situation of environmental administration, including its legislative aspects. Chapter 3 gives an overview of the environmental movement, describing some of the key environmental organisations. In Chapter 4 the actvities of THE REC in Macedonia (history, current grants, etc.) are described. Chapter 5 contains a record of the meetings which were held during the fact finding mission and chapter 6 presents the conclusions of the report, emphasizing the need for support of the environmental movement in Macedonia, but also the high level of organisation which can be found in some of the NGOs there. The annex presents an address list and copies of important materials which were collected during the stay and from other sources. Table of Contents 0. Introduction . . . . . . . 1 1. Basic Facts about Macedonia . . . . . 2 2. Environment and Nature . . . . . 3 2.1. Air Pollution . . . . . . . 3 2.2. Water Pollution. . . . . . . 3 2.2.1. Vardar River . . . . . . 3 2.2.2. Lake Dojran . . . . . . 3 2.2.3. Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid . . . 4 2.3. Nature Conservation . . . . . 4 3. Environmental Administration and Legislation . . 5 4. Environmental NGOs . . . . . . 6 5. Activities of the REC in Macedonia . . . . 7 6. Record of the Meetings . . . . . . 8 6.1. Kriva Palanka . . . . . . 8 6.2. Lake Dojran . . . . . . . 9 6.3. Prilep . . . . . . . . 10 6.4. Resen and Lake Prespa . . . . . 11 6.5. Lake Ohrid, Ohrid and Struga . . . . 12 6.6. Kicevo . . . . . . . . 14 6.7. Titov Veles . . . . . . . 14 6.8. Skopje . . . . . . . . 15 6.9. National Government . . . . . 17 7. Conclusions . . . . . . . . 19 7.1. Environment and Nature . . . . . 19 7.2. Constituents . . . . . . . 20 Annexes I. Map of Macedonia II. Meeting list of organisations and persons III. List of members and associate members of DEM IV. Awarded grants in REC Local Grants Program V. Article about Dojran Lake VI. Structure of Ministry of Urbanism, Physical Planning, Traffic and Ecology VII. Address of REC Local Coordinator in Macedonia and REC Budapest 0. Introduction As a result of a visit of a delegation of the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) to Macedonia in March 1993, and a decision of the Board of Directors of the REC, Macedonia became fully eligible for the REC services from April 1993. In order to extend the presence of the REC in Macedonia, a fact finding mission was conducted between October 10 and 16, 1993. Phoebe Cochrane, Olinka Gjigas, Paul Kosterink and Alexander Juras from the REC Budapest, and Katarina Dimitrovska, the Local Coordinator for Macedonia, participated in this trip. During the trip, representatives from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), Local Authorities, Governmental Institutions and Industry were visited throughout the whole country. Through these talks the authors achieved a good overview of the situation of the country, which will help the REC to better design its activities in the country. This report describes the results of the trip, complete with information from various publications.1 1. Basic Facts about Macedonia2 Macedonia is situated in the southern part of the Balkan Peninsula and covers an area of about 26,000 km2 (which is similar to The Netherlands). The population is about 2.3 million, of which half lives in urban areas. The capital Skopje has 600,000 inhabitants. Other important cities are: Bitola (85,000 inhabitants), Kumanovo (70,000), Prilep (70,000), Tetovo (51,000), Titov Veles (47,000), Ohrid (43,000) and Stip (42,000). Macedonia became an independent, sovereign state on November 17, 1991, after a majority of the population opted for this in a national referendum. The state is organised as a parliamentary democracy. Administratively Macedonia is devided into 34 municipalities, which are governed by municipal councils. Macedonia is a mountounous country, having more than 34 peaks exceeding 2,000 meters. There are 53 natural or artificial lakes, the largest being Lake Ohrid which, at an altitude of 693 meters, occupies an area of 349 square kilometer, of which 119 km2 belong to Albania. Lake Ohrid and the city of Ohrid are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage. Lake Prespa covers 274 km2 (50 km2 belongs to Albania, 48 km2 to Greece). The longest river in Macedonia is the Vardar river, which is 301 km long. 35% Of the country (900,000 ha) is covered with forests, 27 % of the surface is used for agricultural purposes. Macedonia has three national parks (Galicica, Mavrovo and Pelister). Energy is mainly produced by thermo electric power stations. The three main stations, belonging to the Bitola Mining and Power Combines produce 80% of Macedonian electric energy. 2. Environment and Nature Sections 2.1. and 2.2. summarise main pollution problems for air and water, respectively, and section 2.3. handles nature conservation. 2.1. Air Pollution The main industrial polluters of the air are the thermal power plants in Bitola (three units of each 210 MW) and Oslomej (120 MW), both of which use lignite fuel, and the chemical industry in Skopje (in particular the factory OHIS, see section 6.8.). The city of Titov Veles is a town heavily polluted by emissions from an oil factory, a fertiliser and the "Zletovo" zinc and lead smelter. The smelter was the second biggest industrial complex of its kind in the former Yugoslavia. As a result of the the war in Yugoslavia, and the economic recession, Macedonia is only able to buy low quality fuel with high contents of sulphur (up to 6 %). This leads, in particular during temperature inversions, to pollution problems. In January 1993 the concentration of SO2 in the air of Skopje was 10 times higher than allowed by the standards. Soot was even 14 times higher. The main source of this pollution was car traffic in the capital. Effects were an increased mortality among risk groups such as old people and people with respiratory illnesses. 2.2. Water Pollution Rivers and lakes in Macedonia are polluted by industrial and communal waste waters. No Macedonian town has adequate waste water cleaning facilities. The situation of the Vardar river, the largest Macedonian river, and of the lakes Dojran, Prespa and Ohrid are particularly alarming. 2.2.1. Vardar river3 The Vardar river has a length of 301 km. Its largest tributaries are the rivers Bregalnica (225 km), Crna Reka (207 km), Treska (138 km) and Pcinja (135 km). The Vardar basin covers 80% of the territory of Macedonia. Because of this, in particular during drought periods, the river is heavily polluted by household waste water, industrial waste water and by agriculture. On the other hand, the river is an important source of drinking water, because Macedonia lacks sufficient ground water. 2.2.2. Lake Dojran Lake Dojran is located in the south-east of Macedonia and is a relatively small lake (originally, 42.5 km2; average depth 6.8 meters). Two-thirds of the lake belong to Macedonia, one-third to Greece. The lake is vital to the local Macedonian community for fish production and tourism. In 1988 Greece, partly with the permission of the Yugoslav Government, subtracted a large quantity of water from the lake through the Gjolaia canal. This was the beginning of the end of Lake Dojran. Because of very dry years and extensive use of water for irrigation the level of Lake Dojran has fallen by 210 cm up to now, and many endemic species for which the lake was famous have already disappeared. 2.2.3. Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid Lake Prespa is the second biggest lake in Macedonia and covers 274 km2. It is 54 meters deep. The biggest lake, Lake Ohrid, covers 349 km2 and has a maximum depth of 286 meters. Madedonia shares Lake Prespa with Albania and Greece, and Lake Ohrid with Albania. Lake Ohrid is on the list of UNESCO World Natural Heritages. Both lakes are polluted by heavy metals and various chemicals, coming from industry and intensive agriculture around the lakes. Communal waste waters also flow into the lakes. A sewage system for communal waste water was built around a part of Lake Ohrid, but it is still not fully completed.4 2.3. Nature Conservation In Macedonia, there are three National Parks (IUCN category II): Pelister (10,400 ha), Mavrovo (73,088 ha) and Galicica (23,000 ha). There are also everal Natural Monuments (IUCN category III) and Nature Conservation Reserves (IUCN category IV). At present, 6.4% of the territory of Macedonia is protected. According to Macedonian's Physical Plan, this share is to increase to 18 % by the year 2000. The situation of the parks is critical, because of the economic situation: there is not enough money to maintain the parks in an adequate way. 3. Environmental Administration and Legislation On the national level the Ministry for Urbanism, Construction, Transport and Ecology is responsible for environmental protection. Inside the ministry there are only three persons responsible for environmental issues (under Deputy Minister Nikola Srbinoski; see also annex VI), none of them (yet) speaking adequate English. All issues concerning setting enivironmental standards are handled by the Ministry of Economy. An important role is also played by the Ministry of Science.5 On the local level, the municipalities are responsible for environmental protection. The minstry and the municipalities are assisted by specialised agencies (such has the Hydrobiological Institute in Ohrid). The work of the ministry and the municipalities is limited by financial means. Furthermore, there is a need for training of experts in environmental protection and policy. The parliamentary Commission for Environment is responsible for advising and for proposing environmental laws. Two members in this commission are members of the Ecologists' Movement of Macedonia: Dr. Mihail Tokarev and Prof. Dr. Ljubco Grupce. Up till now there has been no environmental legislation in Macedonia, though a new law is being prepared. The reason is that the environment is not a priority in politics. As a result of this, the work of local authorities is "frozen" because they do not have a legal base for their work.6 Environmental standards exist but often are not enforced. Fines for polluting activities are often so low that the industry prefers to pay the fine rather than to reduce pollution. 4. Environmental NGOs Most environmental NGOs were founded around 1990 when Macedonia was on its way to becoming a democratic, sovereign state. Most NGOs in Macedonia can be considered grassroot organisations. People organised themselves in the different towns and cities as a response to local environmental problems. The NGOs developed very rapidly during the past years. They organised themselves on a national level in the Ecologists' Movement of Macedonia (DEM). DEM represents 31 out of the approximately 37 environmental NGOs, and additionally has associate members7. The NGOs usually lack financial means and can use training in organisational skills. They are not supported by the government. 5. Activities of the REC in Macedonia From its start in 1990, the REC served the Socialist Federal Republics of Yugoslavia, including Macedonia. In practice, however, there were hardly any contacts with Macedonian environmentalists and organisations during the first years of the REC's existence (1990 till 1992). Macedonian NGOs were eligible to receive grants from the REC, but in practice the REC received only one project proposal in 1992 from this country. Macedonia became internationally isolated during the past years because of the war and tensions in former Yugoslavia and delays in the international recognition of Macedonia as a sovereign country8. Also for these reasons, Macedonian NGOs had only a few contacts at the international level. To improve cooperation with Macedonia the REC organised a mission to Macedonia in March 19939. On the basis of that mission the Board of Directors of the REC decided in April 1993 to formally extend activities in Macedonia. On July 1, 1993 a coordinator was hired to represent the REC in Macedonia and to coordinate the newly developed Local Grants Program. The response to this Local Grants Program in Macedonia was most positive. Nineteen project proposals from eleven different NGOs were evaluated in the first Local Advisory Board Meeting in September 1993. The eleven NGOs represent about one-third of all active NGOs in Macedonia, and geographically cover most of the country. The maximum amount of available money for 1993 (ECU 7000) was awarded to five projects from different NGOs10. For 1994, the total amount of money for the Local Grants Program in Macedonia will be ECU 30,000. This amount is 6 % of the total budget (i.e. ECU 500,000) for the Local Grants Program for the ten CEE countries the REC serves. This exemplifies the emphasis the REC puts on supporting the NGO movement in this relatively small country (2.3 million inhabitants). The assignment of a Local Coordinator for Macedonia certainly contributed to the succesful response to the Local Grants Program. Furthermore, the coordinator supported and advised the NGOs on writing project proposals, disseminated information about the REC to the environmental community, informed REC staff about environmental conditions and constituents' needs, and was active as a consultant on different topics. The REC plans to open a Local Office in Skopje in Summer of 1994. 6. Record of the Meetings This chapter describes the information obtained from the meetings with people from NGOs, local authorities, ministries and institutes who work on environmental issues, and is completed with background information from various sources. These sources are mentioned in the footnotes. The places which were visited describe a round-trip through Macedonia. Kriva Palanka in the north-east, Lake Dojran in the south-east, Prilep in the south, the two big border lakes Prespa and Ohrid in the south-west, Kicevo in the west, and Titov Veles and Skopje in the norther part of the country. See also the map of Macedonia in annex I. Exact data on people and organisations met are laid down in annex II. 6.1. Kriva Palanka The whole Eastern part of Macedonia can be characterised as rural. The population density is low in this part of the country, where the major activities consist of agriculture and ore mining. There are only three environmental NGOs active in the East. Kriva Palanka is situated in the North-east, half-way between Sofia and Skopje. There are about 15,000 inhabitants and another 11,000 in the surrounding areas. Environmental and Natural Conditions The zinc and lead mines supply the country with important minerals that also cause pollution. The ores are also purified near Kriva Palanka11 causing air pollution. Macedonia is surrounded by four countries: small Yugoslavia in the North, Bulgaria in the East, Greece in the South and Albania in the West. For different reasons (small Yugoslavia: international boycot, Greece: political tensions, Albania: economical problems), most international road transport now goes via Sofia - Skopje, through Kriva Palanka. This road is also used for transporting goods to Greece and Albania. The roads are clearly not suited for this traffic burden, and inhabitants suffer from air pollution, noise and unsafe roads. From 1970 till now there have been 15,000 hectares of trees planted (the whole rural area has a surface area of 72,000 ha.). The last few years have been very dry, affecting the natural areas in the form of forest fires and the disappearance of flora. Environmental Activities The only environmental NGO in Kriva Palanka is 'Flora'. Flora was established in 1990. Currently there are over 100 members from different backgrounds and ages, including engineers, mine workers, teachers and pupils from primary and secondary schools. They are in need of an office in order to work effectively12. So far, "the local authorities are immune for the environmental virus" as one of Flora's members stated. Nevertheless Flora has been able to put pressure on the authorities which took over some solutions proposed by the NGO. A ring road around Kriva Palanka to avoid heavy traffic burden is being seriously considered now. 6.2. Lake Dojran Lake Dojran is a small lake in the south-east of Macedonia, and borders Greece. Environmental and Natural Conditions The relatively small lake does not have much buffer capacity. This made it necessary to build waste water treatment facilities for the many hotels in 1986 in Dojran. The facilities worked well in the initial years of operation, but now face many technical problems because of lack of money. Over time, the lake will be unsuitable for tourism and fishing without adequate waste water treatment. The drop of water level (see below) gives the lake a 'sad' look; the tourism industry has already been decimated. An agreement between Greece and Yugoslavia was signed in 1988. It consisted of the draining of 30 million m3 water at once to fill water reservoirs in Greece for agricultural use. As a result the lake's water surface dropped about 40 cm. Since then, successive dry years and uncontrolled use of water for irrigation caused a further drop in the water level. 90% of the original water input from rivers comes from the Greek side. Most of that river water is now used for irrigation. Water from the contributory rivers on the Macedonian side is also used for irrigation. However, in Macedonia it is forbidden to use water from the lake for irrigation. Furthermore, the drought in recent years contributed to the low input of fresh water into the lake. Between 1988 and 1992, 55-60% of the initial amount of water disappeared from the lake at an average rate of 43 cm a year 13. The amount of water in the lake was 286 million m3 in 1988, and in 1993 was diminished to 90 million m3. Average depth is now 3 m, compared to 6-6.5 m in 1988. The shores are drawn back by some 100 to 150 m (see pictures). The lake will be dried up within a decade or so if no measures are taken. This would mean the end of Lake Dojran and thus of the 5,000 inhabitants' main livelihood. As Dine Ajcev, president of Dojransko ezero, puts it "Without a lake there's no life". The biggest problem the NGO and the community face is that only an international agreement between Greece and Macedonia, or actions on the Greek side, can save Lake Dojran. In the present relationship between the two countries, and the low public pressure in Greek society, this is difficult. Lake Dojran is the habitat of several endemic species. The impact of low water levels on nature is considerable. Fish can not lay spawn in the reed anymore since the reed is now on dry shores. There are changes in physical and chemical parameters, thus in the vulnerable ecological balance. In 1988 the lake produced 500 tons fish, which has now been decreased to some 250 tons, partly due to (illegal) over-fishing. Lake Dojran is well-known because of its historical and unique way of fishing. From wooden huts on stakes, situated in the water, the fishermen use trained birds to drive schools of fish into a trap. The huts are now on dry land (see picture), ending a unique culture. Environmental Activities The Ecological Association 'Dojransko ezero' was founded in 1988. In that year the NGO was asked by local authorities to support activities to diminish fishing in the lake. Now there is only one fishing enterprise left, but illegal fishing is increasing. The NGO has no own financial resources, and most activities are financed by this fishing enterprise. The Ecologist Movement of Macedonia (DEM), in cooperation with the NGO, organised a conference in 1990 on the protection of the lake. Participants from Macedonia as well as from Greece attended the conference. One of the results was an overview of the problems of Lake Dojran in the conference proceedings14. The Macedonian government tried via the United Nations (UNESCO) to have the lake protected as a world heritage, but Greece was not willing to sign an agreement. Greece wants action on the Vardar river, which flows through Greece, and is highly polluted by activities on the Macedonian side. Dojransko ezero is now building up pressure on the Macedonian government to make a 'deal' between Macedonia and Greece: cleaning the Vardar river versus protecting Lake Dojran. A visit by John Hontelez and Mara Silina of Friends of the Earth International in June 1993 resulted in some international pressure through questioning Greece in the European Community's parliament by an EC Member of Parliament. The NGO is producing a film in English which will show the pressing situation of the lake. It is now seeking international support to build up pressure on the governments of Macedonia and Greece15. 6.3. Prilep Prilep has 70,000 inhabitants and is situated in the south of Macedonia. Environmental and Natural Conditions In the past few decades there has been a continuous migration of (especially young) people from the surrounding villages and agricultural lands to the town Prilep. As a consequence, unemployment is high in Prilep, and social problems are increasing. The main reason for the migration is the lack of work and prospects for people, partly as a result of the drought. Villages are in some cases completely deserted, despite the fact that about 20,000 ha. of land is arable. For example, the village of Bela Vodica had about 1000 inhabitants in the 1980s; currently only 20 are left. The town Mariovo had 20,000 inhabitants in the 1980s, now 800 people are left. There is only one school for Mariovo and for the surrounding villages, now with four pupils. Air pollution (especially sulfur dioxide) comes from mining activities and processing industries around Prilep. There is suspicion of natural elevated background levels of radon as a cause of relatively higher cancer rates among the inhabitants of Prilep. Fires, caused by the recent droughts, destroyed much of the surrounding forests and vegetation of these arid soils. Environmental Activities The Ecological Association 'Prilep' 's main activity is to put life back in the villages surrounding Prilep. The association works closely with a local watermanagement enterprise. The first stage of a comprehensive plan is to bring back water to an area of 500 km2. Totally 10 water reservoirs will have to be built, which will be interconnected. These reservoirs will contain 80,000 - 150,000 m3 of water each and will provide the necessary water for irrigation, especially during dry periods. The first part of the plan is being implemented now in the village of Bela Vodica. A water reservoir has been built and provides water for ecologically friendly agriculture. A farm is run by the enterprise, which serves as an example to attract farmers to the deserted areas. The farm produces fruits as well as food for local cattle. 6.4. Resen and Lake Prespa Resen has about 30,000 inhabitants and is situated in the south-west of Macedonia, some kilometers north of Lake Prespa. Lake Prespa borders Greece, Albania and Macedonia. The lake covers 274 km3 and is 54 m deep. Environmental and Natural Conditions Tourism is an important economic activity around Lake Prespa, and causes ecological pressure on the beautiful nature area. The water quality of the lake is still very high, and suited for drinking without purification. The water quantity is dropping through an ever diminishing input. The level of the water surface dropped by around 5 m (maximum drop was 7 m) over the last 40 years. As a comparison, this is an amount of water equalling six to seven times Lake Dojran. Scientific research is underway to determine whether it is caused by natural fluctuations or human interference. Agro chemicals and nutrification threaten the water quality of the lake. The area around Resen is famous of its apple production. Uncontrolled use of chemicals in apple production causes pollution of soils and water. A primary forest near Resen is dying through uncontrolled cutting down of trees. The city of Resen faces problems with communal wastes. Environmental Activities The first environmental organisation in Macedonia was established in Resen in 1988, and evolved from the socialist youth organisation of Resen . On the basis of this organisation the Ecological Association 'Zdravec' was founded. Currently, there are two environmental NGOs active in Resen: Ecological Association 'Zdravec' and the Ecological Initiative 'Resen', established in 1992. The NGOs lack office space and financial support. among Local Authorities there is not much understanding for the environmental problems and the NGOs' suggestions, while environmental awareness among the citizens is low. Lake Prespa was proposed to have international protection by having it acknowledged as a UNESCO world heritage, like Lake Ohrid (see below). It was not approved yet, and is now on the nomination list of UNESCO. Pressure on the national government and international pressure are being sought now. This is especially important because the lake belongs to three countries, whose mutual relationships are far from optimal. 6.5. Lake Ohrid, Ohrid and Struga Lake Ohrid lies in the south-west of Macedonia, bordering Albania. The lake is only a few kilometers away from Lake Prespa, seperated by a hill range. In fact, water from Lake Prespa percolates through the soil into Lake Ohrid, because Lake Prespa lies 100 m higher then Lake Ohrid. the towns of Ohrid and Struga are the main towns on this Lake. Lake Ohrid as well as the town of Ohrid have been placed under the protection of UNESCO for their outstanding natural surroundings and unique architecture, respectively. The lake and the town are Macedonia's chief touristic attractions. Environmental and Natural Conditions Lake Ohrid is about 2 million years old and one of the oldest lakes in the world. 80 % Of all species in the lake are endemic species, such as sponges, shells, arthropodes and a famous endemic trout (Salmonidai-Salmo lenica). There is a sewage system built around the lake which collects most of the communal waste waters from all northern and eastern towns and settlements. The length of the sewage system covers only one-third of the Macedonion shores of the lake. The remaining two-thirds of the system are planned, but, because of lack of money, can not be finished. On the Albanian side of the lake there is no sewage system. Waste water from industries are not connected to the sewage system. The Grasnica river flows through the town of Ohrid into the lake. A factory processing heavy metals pollutes the river with its effluents. The river is not connected with any sewage treatment system, and thus pollutes Lake Ohrid as well. Other pollution sources are a galvanisation factory, communal waste, car painting industry and agro- chemicals. Environmental Activities An international symposium on the condition and perspectives for protection of Lake Ohrid was held in June 199116. In the summer of 1992, the Forum of Young Ecologists (FOMEK; see section 6.8.) organised an international eco-camp on the bank of Lake Ohrid. A video on the natural situation and problems of Lake Ohrid was produced. The symposium on Lake Ohrid in 1991 boosted the environmental activities in Ohrid. Two environmental NGOs are active in Ohrid: Ecological Association 'Grasnica' and Ecological Association 'Ohrid'. In Struga there is one environmental organisation active: the Ecological Association 'Enhalon'. All these NGOs are active not only on local problems, but also on Lake Ohrid and its surroundings. The main activities of the Ecological Association 'Grasnica' deal with the protection of the lake and to raise environmental awareness of the people. The group wants to involve more young people and is setting up youth sections within the NGO. Grasnica pressures authorities and the two factories in the town to protect the lake from industrial pollution through proper waste water treatment17 and pollution prevention. Experts already found fish from the lake with elevated levels of heavy metals in the tissues. A protest meeting for protecting the lake, organised by the NGO in the summer of 1993, was attended by some 300 citizens. Cooperation with Albanian counterparts to protect the lake has been established. The NGO also sent a letter of protest to the President of the Republic. If Local Authorities do not respond soon, UNESCO will be contacted to enforce proper protection of the lake. Furthermore, an action involving tourists is planned for August 1994. The Ecological Association 'Enhalon' of Struga focuses its activities on protecting the lake and has projects on environmental education. Actions to protect the lake are aimed at preventing pollution from rivers flowing into the lake (Sateska river between Ohrid and Struga, and Crni Drim river). The local authorities of Ohrid claim to be constrained by (lack of clear) legislation. Before the separation from SFR Yugoslavia, Macedonian county authorities had clear responsibilities concerning the environment. Representatives of the local authorities mentioned the current vacuum which exists in determining responsibilities on environment related issues among national and local authorities. This is caused by not passing new environmental legislation in the National Parliament, while the status of the old (Yugoslavian) laws is not clear. The local authorities of Ohrid have programs to prevent the pollution of Grasnica river, but lack the financial means to execute them. The Hydrobiological Institute in Ohrid was established in 1934. The institute examines the biological, physical and chemical characteristics of Lake Ohrid. Furthermore, it breeds the endemic trout to prevent them from becoming extinct. The institute reproduces 20 million fish per year to keep the population in the lake stable, since 300 tonnes of trout are fished annually. The institute plays an active role in the protection of the lake. The Sewage Treatment Plant in Vraniste, near Struga, purifies the communal waste waters of the northern and eastern shores of Lake Ohrid. 35 Km of the sewage system still have to be built; this will cost some 30 million German Mark. About the same amount of money has already been spent on the plant by the national government and the municipalities. The plant lacks the money to finalise the whole sewage system; national and local authorities see no possibilities of supporting the plant with additional finance. The communities of Ohrid and Struga pay for the operational costs. About 4000 tonnes of sewage sludge are produced per year. At the moment there is the problem of what to do with it. In principle the sludge is suitable as fertiliser in agriculture. A pilot project in cooperation with the Agriculture Department of the University in Skopje is carried out to let worms make compost of it.They estimate that 30% of the operational costs can be earned back by selling the compost. Money is lacking to implement the technique for the whole plant. 6.6. Kicevo Kicevo lies in western Macedonia. It is a town with mainly agricultural activities and some light industries. There are natural areas in its surroundings. Environmental and Natural Conditions Natural areas consist of forests with endemic species of flora and fauna. There are caves and a beautiful canyon in the vicinity of Kicevo. Nature conservation is problematic because there is no law to enforce protection. The Studencica river is completely dry because of draining for drinking water. Communal wastes go directly into the Treska river. Some factories have purification systems, but not many are operational. Environmental Activities The Ecological Association 'Studencica' is concerned with water supplies, communal waste, environmental education, nature conservation and pollution prevention. It has a commission of 21 respected, experienced people who advise the NGO and the local authorities on environmental issues. The commission also gathers funds for environmental activities and financially supports Studencica. Due to lack of (clear) environmental legislation the local authorities have no real means of enforcing environmentally sound policy. Therefore, the NGO and the commission play a vital role in protecting the environment and nature in and around Kicevo, through cooperation with the authorities, and with industry. A current project, financed by the REC (see also annex IV) consists of teaching pupils from different secondary schools to measure water pollution. Besides teaching pupils and making them enthusiastic about nature and the environment, the NGO is setting up a local monitoring network for the surface water. The NGO's recent efforts in water pollution prevention resulted in the treatment of effluents produced by an iron processing factory. In and around Kicevo there is a general lack of water. The Studencica river already ran dry because of draining for drinking water. The NGO wants to have part of the river water brought back, so that flora and fauna can recover. Water reservoirs (which could also be used for electrical power generation) will have to be built to ensure sufficient water supplies. Planned activities are to have an environmental radio programme on the local radio station, with an open telephone line to have the public more involved in environmental topics and problems. Setting up a speleological group to protect the caves around the town is also planned. 6.7. Titov Veles Titov Veles is situated in the middle of the country, close to Skopje. It has 47,000 inhabitants and is predominantly industrial. There is a smelter for lead and zinc, a porcelain factory, a fertiliser factory and leather and metal industries. Agriculture and viticulture (growing grapes for wine production) are other sources of income. Environmental and Natural Conditions The industrial activities in Titov Veles dominate the environmental agenda of people involved. Titov Veles is considered to be the most polluted town in Macedonia. The main polluter in Titov Veles is the Zletovo zinc and lead smelter. The smelter is situated in the outskirts of the city. It pollutes air, soil and water (e.g. Vardar river) with heavy metals over a wide area; elevated levels of lead in soil are found in places as far as 80 km away. Data from a comparitive study among people from Titov Veles and a clean town in Macedonia, carried out in 1991, showed clear elevations of heavy metals in the population, food, air, soil and water in Titov Veles. The technical processes used for smelting the metals are outdated; they are the same as when the factory opened in 1973. Filters were installed some years ago, but to diminish pollution to acceptable levels the smelter needs to renew its techniques and processes completely. The smelter claims to have no money for this or for following the steps of other smelting factories in the world via the ISP organisation. They are waiting for the government for new investments to improve environmental conditions. The smelter has an environmental department of six people, responsible for advising on environmental and working conditions. Their main activity is to monitor the chemical, physical and ergonomical conditions inside and outside the industrial premises. They take, for instance, measurements of cadmium, zinc and lead in the soil and around the industrial grounds. They also measure air pollution levels in three places in the city which are controlled by the Institute of Health Protection and the factory. Environmental Activities The Ecological Association 'Vila Zora' has about 500 members, of which 70 are active. The NGO has various actions related to the problems with the smeltery mentioned above. It informs the public about pollution and related health effects on citizens, and puts pressure on the smelter to prevent pollution. There are 1100 people working at the smelter in a city of 47,000 inhabitants, indicating the reserved attitude of the populace towards any actions against the smelter. Vila Zora focuses on the education of children. They organise, for instance, drawing and poem competitions and protests to protect children's health from the various pollutant sources. The NGO is currently establishing its own office. 18 6.8. Skopje Skopje is situated in the northern part of the country. It is the capital of Macedonia and houses about half a million people. The city was devestated by an earthquake in 1963. Therefore the city now has a modern, 'cold' outlook. Environmental and Natural Conditions Being the political and economic centre of the country, Skopje faces the 'regular' environmental problems of Central and Eastern European cities: air pollution from intensive traffic, industrial pollution, and a polluting public transport system (mainly consisting of old buses). Environmental Activities The environmental movement in Macedonia distinguishes itself from the movements in other Central and Eastern European countries by having a strong and broad umbrella organisation: the Ecologists Movement of Macedonia (DEM). 31 Environmental NGOs (of a total of about 37, nation- wide) from all over Macedonia are members of DEM. The Movement also has 31 associated members consisting mainly of governmental institutions. DEM supports and stands up for its member organisations, and expresses the common voice of the environmental movement towards, for example, national government19. DEM is a member of Friends of the Earth International. The Ecological Association 'Opstanok' ('Survival') Has existed for tive years now and is the biggest environmental organisation of Macedonia. It has several local groups and sections, and other organisations have become associate members of Opstanok (e.g. a speleological, a macrobiotical, and a mountaineering organisation). Opstanok is active not only on issues dealing with Skopje, but also on national ones. Opstanok receives no financial support from governmental sources; everything is financed by its members. Some of the activities of Opstanok are the following: - Air pollution problems in Skopje: Air pollution levels in the city are permanently elevated, with serious smog periods from time to time. In January 1993 Skopje had levels of air pollution (winter type smog) exceeding up to 10 times the allowable limits. Responsible organisations did not immediately react to the severe smog. Opstanok organised meetings for all important institutions, organised protest meetings and a strike. - Improved public transport system: Activities consist of pleading to make public transport better and cleaner, e.g. by building tram lines in Skopje. - Education: Projects at schools are carried out to educate pupils about smoking, healthy life, the environment and to organise school environmental clubs, quizes, exhibitions and art contests. - Water pollution: All around the country more and more filling stations are being planned and built. Opstanok is trying to have them removed from drinking water areas. - Vardar river: Opstanok opposes to the main polluters of this river: the organic chemical factory 'OHIS' in Skopje and the smelter 'Zletovo' in Titov Veles. In January 1993 massive death of fish occurred in Vardar river. Opstanok prosecuted OHIS, which most likely caused this 'incident'. More mass fish deaths have been reported before and after this incident. So far (as of November 1993), Opstanok has not heard anything from the judiciary, nor from the governmental side which was asked to investigate the incidents. - (Re)forestation: Activitities are held nation-wide to reforest burnt forests and green the cities. - Political pressure: Ministries, political parties and parliament are put under pressure to come to environmentally sound policies. Opstanok managed to get the different ministries together to make decisions on environment. 'FOMEK' (Forum of Young Ecologists of Macedonia) is an NGO of young active people from Skopje. They are currently trying to set up similar organisations in other major towns of Macedonia. The Youth Council of Macedonia (see below) supports FOMEK financially and with office space. Presently FOMEK is running a project to organise its yearly summercamp with international participation. Furthermore, FOMEK is joining an initiative called 'I like nature - I like life', involving environmental education and tree planting actions for pupils from primary and secundary schools. Another project is to issue a publication on environmental articles to make the topic accessable to young people20. The essays in the publication are written by young people and young journalists. Furthermore, it contains a summary of interviews on environment and nature among youngsters. An exhibition is being held from a competition of cartoons, drawings and arts among pupils. The organisation Young Researchers of Macedonia focuses on nature studies for young people. Young Researchers of Macedonia measured the levels of pollutants in the water from the Vardar river upstream and downstream from known polluting factories. On these issues the organisation works with other NGOs, such as FOMEK and Opstanok. Now their most important aim is to establish a research station in Katlanovo (between the cities of Skopje and Titov Veles) for ecological observation. They are supported by the Ecology Department of the University of Natural Sciences and some well-known professors. The Youth Council of Macedonia is an organisation funded by the government (e.g. via the state lottery). The Council's main task is to distribute money to some eleven youth organisations. Money is thus also donated to organisations dealing with nature and environment, such as FOMEK, and scouting groups which are for instance involved in tree planting actions. The Council also offers FOMEK an office space. The Youth Council is member of the European Youth Council. The Assembly of the City of Skopje (environmental department) estimates it needs one million German Mark to start cleaning up the environment in Skopje. Money is still spent on other issues instead of environment, as they mentioned. It considers air pollution to be the biggest problem in Skopje, referring to January 1993's severe smog period. It measures air pollution levels in Skopje in three places with old equipment. 6.9. National government The Parliamentary Commission for Environment consists of eleven members; seven from parliament (MPs from different parties) and four outside experts. Two of these experts are also active members of environmental NGOs. The Commission's task is to advise parliament and government on environmental issues; it facilitates decision making on environmental issues, and has the task of promoting protection of the environment in all aspects of the national policy. Commission members mentioned that every decision made by the Commission so far was made by consensus and that political party background is not important. The Ministry of Science does not have many tools for environmentally friendly policy. Nevertheless, it is considered by many people to be the most active ministry in Macedonia with respect to protection of the environment. The Ministry is also active in making international contacts (e.g. with IAEA Vienna, UNDP Nairobi). The Minister of Science attends many international meetings, and the minister is now signing various international treaties. Current projects which have an international dimension are the problems with the three border lakes and the Vardar river. Cooperation with Albanian counterparts consists of studying possibilities to protect the Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid. Contacts with Greek counterparts are still sought. The Ministry plans to found an environmental department inside the ministry. The Ministry of Urbanism, Physical Planning, Traffic and Ecology has a small environmental section (see annex VI for structure of the Ministry). The Ministry drafts environmental laws for the government, with input from scientists and NGOs. Laws from other countries are used as a basis to draft these laws. Parliament did not pass the environmental law yet. The Ministry seeks contacts with Albania and Greece to solve the problems with the three border lakes. So far no contacts have been found. 7. Conclusions Conclusions presented in this chapter are based on the results of the trip, as described in the previous chapters, and therefore do not claim to give a complete and objective picture. 7.1. Environment and Nature Macedonia is a beautiful country where natural and (agri)cultural areas are connected. It does not have as bad an environmental situation as do other Central and Eastern European countries such as Poland and Czech Republic. Former SFR Yugoslavia in general took better care of pollution and was wealthier then any of the other Central and Eastern European countries. Nevertheless, there is a lot to do in the environmental and nature protection field. We summarise the main points of attention on a national scale: The Lakes In the south, bordering Greece and/or Albania, are three lakes: Dojran, Prespa and Ohrid. The former one is dying because of water frained for irrigation, mainly on the Greek side (less then half of the original amount of water is left). Lake Prespa also shows a drop in the water level, though probably caused by the severe draughts in recent years. Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid are threatened by pollution from agriculture, communal waste and small industries. Each of the three lakes is unique because of its richness in endemic species. Solutions for the problems can only be found in cooperation with the bordering countries of Greece and Albania. Since mutual relationships and the economic situation are quite bad, improvements are very difficult. International pressure has to build upon the governments from all three nations involved to restore and protect the lakes. Vardar River The Vardar river is the biggest river in Macedonia. It has its source in the north-west of Macedonia and flows to the south-east into Greece. Before flowing into Greece the river is highly polluted by communal and industrial waste. Cleaning up the river needs big investments especially in sewage systems and industrial pollution prevention. Nature More then one-third of Macedonia is covered with forests. There are three national parks covering just over 100,000 ha. of the surface (approximately 4%). Legal and illegal tree cutting endanger some forests. Fires, caused by the drought of past six years, destroyed many forests in 1993. Reforestation requires extra efforts because of the arid soils, which recover only slowly. Protection of the natural areas requires clear legislation and nature policy from the governmental side. 7.2. Constituents Macedonia is quite poor in international contacts and financial means. This also holds true for the environmental scene: governmental agencies and ministries, scientific and academic institutions, and the environmental movement are just starting to build up strong international contacts and have to compete for scarce financial sources. Environmental Movement Most environmental organisations were founded three years ago. Despite this short history and - additionally - the lack of international and financial support, we met a very lively and constructive environmental movement in Macedonia. On a national scale, the environmental NGOs cooperate well together, mainly (but not exclusively) through the umbrella organisation DEM. We can and should not generalise the NGOs much: their effectiveness and possibilities differ from town to town. Some cooperate well with their local authorities or with local 'polluters', others meet high walls to achieve even a dialogue. What they often have in common is that results depend on personal contacts. We had the impression that when key persons in governmental or industrial places are open to environmentally sound choices and NGOs anticipate well, then much could be achieved. The support of numbers (i.e. many NGO members or broad public support) or of money was usually not a necessary key to success, let alone available. Macedonian NGOs need broad support to expand environmental education, to raise the low environmental awareness of the people, and to put pressure on the government to have nature and environment as a high priority in day-to-day policy. The international community needs to support the Macedonian movement more actively with information, training and finance. Especially regarding the problems with the three border lakes, the NGOs need international back-up to have Macedonia, Albania and Greece take the situation seriously. Local Authorities Local authorities we met always mentioned the lack of (clear) environmental legislation. Therefore they lack tools to implement environmental policy. We often heard the complaint from NGOs we met that local authorities are not open to environmental topics at all. In one case we met an NGO and local authorities who worked well together and achieved clear results to improve the local environmental conditions. National Government The Government and Parliament need to pass environmental legislation to give environmental policy a backbone. The environment is not a big issue on the political agenda. The Parliamentary Commission for Environment, with a broad representation of the different constituents and with an ambitious agenda, might make the environment more important on the political agenda. The Ministry of Urbanism, Physical Planning, Traffic and Ecology needs more support (politically and financially) and employees to take ecology seriously. The good-will seems to be present in Ministries. Annexes I. Map of Macedonia II. Meeting list of organisations and persons III. List of members and associate members of DEM IV. Awarded grants in REC Local Grants Program V. Article about Dojran Lake VI. Structure of Ministry of Urbanism, Physical Planning, Traffic and Ecology VII Address of REC Local Coordinator in Macedonia and REC Budapest I. Map of Macedonia II. Meeting list of organisations and persons The organisations and persons which were visited during the Fact Finding Mission of the Regional Environmental Center are listed below. SUNDAY, October 10, 1993 EkoloTauko druTautvo "Flora" Kriva Palanka Ecological Association "Flora" Ulica MarTaual Tito 96 91330 Kriva Palanka tel. +389 91 75 447 dr. -or-i Kerovski, president of NGO Ljupflorino Stojnev, vice president Ljupflorino Petkovski, local authority Jovanflorine Maflorinovski, member Slobodanka Taseva, member Stevan DImitrijevski, member MONDAY, October 11, 1993 EkoloTauko druTautvo "Dojransko ezero", Star Dojran Ecological Association "Dojransko ezero" Mesna zaednica 91487 Star Dojran tel. +389 93 83 690 Dine Ajcev, president of NGO EkoloTauko druTautvo "Prilep", Prilep Ecological Association "Prilep" tavica bb 97500 Prilep tel. +389 98 21104 dr. Ilija BaTaueski TUESDAY, October 12, 1993 EkoloTauko druTautvo "Zdravec" WEDNESDAY, October 20, Ecological Assocation 1993 "Zdravec" City of Ohrid - Local EkoloTauka inicijativa Authorities "Resen" D. Vlahov 57 Ecological Initiative 96000 Ohrid "Resen" tel. +389 96 21 406 Mladinski Sovet fax. +389 96 32 454 97310 Resen, tel. 389 96 42 803 Nikodin Naumoski, secretary Aron Prculovski Goce Stavrevski Goce Grozdanovski Hydrobiological Institute, Kiro -akov Ohrid LeTauka Baranova 96000 Ohrid prof. Nikola Naumovski tel. +389 96 23 638 Ofelija Bogoevska Pavel ljahov Zdravko Krstanovski, director EkoloTauko druTautvo "GraTaunica", Ohrid Javno pretprijatie za Ecological Association zaTautita na Ohridskoto "GraTaunica" ezero, Struga Ulica ar Planina 59 Sewage system, Struga 96000 Ohrid 96355 Struga tel. +389 96 34 121 tel. +389 96 71 061 Svetozar Kostovski, ing. Stojan Damjanovski president Stojan Stojanovski Nikola Ivanovski EkoloTauko druTautvo Josif Stojkovski "Enhalon", Struga Boris Stojanovski Ecological Association Vanflorino Stojanovski "Enhalon" Ulica Vojdan .25ernodrinski 24 96355 Struga tel. +389 96 71 308, 72 059 Mate Gogoski, president EkoloTauko druTautvo "Studenflorinica", Kiflorinevo Ecological Association "Studenflorinica" Ulica Partizanski odredi 124 96250 Kiflorinevo tel. +389 95 36 200 Koce Naumovski, president Blagoje Zoran Krstevski Stojmir Elena Booinovska aivko Arsovski Secretary of the Local Council THURSDAY, October 14, 1993 Ministry of Urbanism, Civil Engineering, Traffic and Ecology Dame Gruev 14 91000 Skopje tel. +389 91 231 307 fax. +389 91 221 918 Nikola Srbinoski, Deputy Minister "Zletovo" - Smelter, Titov Veles 93000 Titov Veles tel. +389 93 22 165 fax. +389 93 21 249 Panflorine Pljakov, Director of Development Department Goran Arsov, Environmental Officer - Ecolog Sla-ana Nikova, Environmnetal Officer - Ecolog EkoloTauko druTautvo "Vila Zora", Titov Veles Ecological Association "Vila Zora" Ulica Pajak Planina 13 91400 Titov Veles tel. +389 93 24 830 Pandorka NikuTaueva EkoloTauko druTautvo "Opstanok", Skopje Ecological Association "Opstanok" Bulevar Ilinden bb, p. fah 558 91000 Skopje tel. +389 91 220 518 fax. +389 91 231 777 Sveto Stefanoski, president Vasilka Cvetkovska Pero Stojflorinevski FRIDAY, October 15, 1993 Dvioenje na ekologistite na Makedonija Ecologist Movement of Macedonia Bulevar Ilinden bb, p. fah 558 91000 Skopje tel. +389 91 220 518 Prof. dr. Mihail Tokarev Melita Ivanova Forum na mladi ekologisti Forum of Young Ecologist of Macedonia Bulevar Ilinden blok 12 91000 Skopje tel. +389 91 234 373 fax. +389 91 116 545 Marjan Madoovski Milica Sinokapflorineva Toni Popovski Mladi istraoivaflorini na Makedonija Young Researchers of Macedonia Ivan Malenkov Mladinski Sovet na Makedonija Youth Council of Macedonia Darko Serafimovski Organsko kemijska industrija "Naum Naumovski - Borflorine", Skopje Organic Chemical Industry (OHIS) Prvomajska ulica bb, p.p. 330 91000 Skopje tel. +389 91 236 660 fax. +389 91 231 654 Ms. Georgijevska, Advisor for Ecology Miodrag Stefanoski, Ass. Gen. Manager Vojo Karafiloski Assembly of the City of Skopje tel. +389 91 234 455 fax. +389 91 111 402 Ektim Takovski, member of the Executive Board Gligor Smokvarski, vice- president of the Executive Board Beba Doekova, Committee for Urbanism Komisija na zaTautita na florinovekovata okolina pri Sobranieto na Republika Makedonija Parliamentary Commission for Environm. Sobranie na Mekedonia 91000 Skopje ETauref Baliov, (MP) president Aleksandar Babamov, (MP) secretary TaTauko Kirov, (MP) Boris Gjorflorineski, (MP) Ljupflorine Grupflorine, NGO Mihail Tokarev, NGO Ministarstvo znanosti Ministry of Science Bihaaka 8 91000 Skopje tel. +389 91 238 610 fax. +389 91 235 573 dr. Aslan Selmani, minister III. List of members and associate members of DEM Listed below are the members and associate members of The Ecologists' Movement of Macedonia, DEM. Source: The Ecologists' Movement of Macedonia, Autumn 1993. IV. Awarded grants in REC Local Grants Program Listed below are all awarded grants in the Local Grants Program for Macedonia in 1993. Available money in this Grants Program for Macedonia from September till December 1993 was 7000 ECU. V. Article about Dojran Lake Article written by the NGO "Dojransko ezero" about the situation in Dojran Lake; for the REC Information Bulletin, issue of Autumn 1993. VI. Structure of Ministry of Urbanism, Physical Planning, Traffic and Ecology Structure of the Ministry of Urbanism, Physical Planning, Traffic and Ecology: Responsibilities of environment related areas in other Ministries: - forest and water are dealt with in the Ministry for Forest and Water Management; - agriculture is dealt with in the Ministry for Agriculture; - standards are set by the Ministry of Economy. VII. Address of REC Local Coordinator Macedonia and of REC Budapest Regional Environmental Center's Local Coordinator in Macedonia: Ms. Katarina Dimitrovska Bul. Partizanski Odredi 119-1-5 91000 Skopje Macedonia tel / fax.: (389 91) 253 870 Regional Environmental Center's Headquarters in Budapest: Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe Miklos ter 1 H-1035 Budapest Hungary tel.: (36 1) 250 3401 fax: (36 1) 250 3403 _______________________________ 1 Chapters 2 and 3 are partly based on: Alexander Juras, Dunja Marusic, Report on a Visit to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, March 22 - 25, 1993, REC. 2 The information in this chapter is taken from Risto Lazarov, This is the Republic of Macedonia, Skopje 1993: The Ministry of Information of the Republic of Macdonia, pp. 3 - 19. 3 This chapter is based on a paper which was provided by the Forum of Young Economists of Macedonia: "Water Economy and Agriculture" (1993, without author) 4 For further information see also section 6.5. and: DEM- The Ecologist Movement of Macedonia, The Condition and the Perspective for Protection of the Ohrid Lake and its Surroundings, Skopje 1992 (in Macedonian with some summaries in English). 5 More information in section 6.9. 6 Formally the old Yugoslav legislation is still in force. 7 More about DEM in section 6.8.; full list of DEM's members and associate members in annex III. 8 Macedonia declared itself independent in November 1991, and was admitted as member of the United Nations Organisation in April 1993. 9 See: Alexander Juras and Dunja Marusic, Report on a Visit to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, March 22 to 25, 1993, REC 10 Summary of the awarded grants in annex IV. 11 The ores are also processed in the "Zletovo" zinc and lead smelter in Titov Veles; see section 6.7. 12 Through the REC's Local Grants Program, Flora was awarded a grant for equipment and office space; see annex IV. 13 "The information for the condition of the Dojran Lake - December 1992". Paper dated 26 December, 1992, by The Ecological Movement of Macedonia - DEM. 14 "The conditions and perspectives for the protection of Dojran lake", proceedings of the symposium. Dr. Milivoj Gasevski (ed.). The Ecologists Movement of Macedonia, 1991. (mostly in Macedonian) 15 see annex V for the article written by Dojranski ezero, published in the REC Information Bulletin, autumn 1993. 16 See footnote 4. 17 Waste water treatment facilities do exist at the factories' sites, but are not operational, because of 'economic reasons'. 18 The REC supported "Vila Zora" for operational expenses for their activities through its Local Grants Program. See also annex IV. 19 DEM was awarded a grant in REC's Local Grants Program for its evaluation of past activities and effectiveness; see annex IV. 20 This project has been awarded with a grant from REC's Local Grants Program; see annex IV. .