WYG International led this project to develop capacity for the wider application of “cleaner production” approaches in the three countries. The project partners were REC Moldova, Central Asia Regional Environmental Centre (CAREC), and REC Caucasus. The project established high level Advisory Boards in each country in which the Ministries of Environment, Economy and Industry as well as a wide range of other stakeholders (including NGOs) participated. These Advisory Boards provided guidance to the project and ‘platforms’ in each country interfaced with the project at the operational level. Policy advice provided by the project was channelled to ministries via the Advisory Boards.

An essential feature of the project was capacity building in environmental assessment of industrial enterprises for managers, environmental specialists and Cleaner Production Centre (CPC) staff. Eight pilot demonstration projects were implemented in Moldova, Kazakhstan and Georgia, with financial support for equipment procurement provided by the project. At each pilot site, environmental assessments were made prior to the implementation of the demonstration activity to establish the baseline conditions. Further assessments were made at the end of the project in order to establish the gains achieved through the demonstration activities. The results from the pilot projects were widely disseminated within the three countries and through REC Moldova, REC Caucasus and CAREC.

The management of the project in three countries widely separated geographically was challenging. The project’s main office was set up in Kishinev with satellite offices in Almaty and Tbilisi. The project Team Leader was based in Kishinev but regularly visited the other two countries. To ensure continuity full time Deputy Team Leaders were appointed in each country and played important roles in the management team.

A dedicated web site was set up to describe in more details the aims and achievements of this project. Follow this link to access the site.