The objectives of the course were to introduce basic principles of environmental compliance and enforcement; make environmental compliance programs enforceable; achieve more efficient cooperation and implementation among ministries, different levels of government, public and private sectors; introduce a broad range of tools and authorities for enforcement response; and introduce negotiation techniques to resolve violations. The training is intended for anyone involved in program development or implementation, including government officials, nongovernment officials, industry and academic leaders, and private citizens.

  Through the different methods of interactive training, including work in small groups and role-play in negotiation sessions to resolve a specific enforcement case, the participants were able to develop their own management approach to an environmental problem, as well as to draft enforceable environmental requirements and to design an appropriate compliance strategy and enforcement program.

  The course was sponsored by the Open Society Foundation and was carried out by the Bulgarian EMTC. It was the third time the training had been delivered. The first two times the course delivery was supported by the U.S. EPA and its trainers. For the current delivery, the Bulgarian EMTC used the same training materials and its own trainers.

Ñ Dirk Amtsberg