Effective Public Participation in Environmental Decision- Making in the EU and Eastern Partnership
On September 25 we had the honor of hosting the launch of the project “”Effective Public Participation in Environmental Decision- Making in the EU and Eastern Partnership” funded by the Swedish Institute, bringing together key stakeholders and environmental advocates from Armenia, Georgia, and Sweden.
The event kicked off with welcome remarks from Klas Waldenström, Deputy Head of Mission at the Swedish Embassy, and Hanna Johnsson, Country Director at the Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI). Their words set the stage for a powerful discussion on the importance of public participation in environmental matters across our regions.
During the project presentation, Arthur Grigoryan (Eco Right NGO), Kety Gujaraidze (Green Alternative NGO), and Claudia Ituarte-Lima (RWI) outlined the project’s goals: addressing systemic gaps in public participation in mining and industrial projects, particularly in Armenia, Georgia, and Sweden. These insights sparked meaningful dialogue about legal reforms and methodologies for ensuring that rights-holders have a say in environmental decisions.
The event culminated in an engaging discussion, where participants shared feedback and explored potential synergies with other ongoing initiatives. The lively exchange highlighted a shared commitment to making environmental decision-making more inclusive, transparent, and effective.
