"Knowledge once gained casts a light beyond its own immediate boundaries." John Tyndall A number of state-of-the-art, information technology tools have been adopted by governments to enhance citizens' access to environmental information. These efforts were made to fulfil international legal obligations and reporting requirements, and to foster democracy and improve civil society. The Development of National Environmental Information Systems project was initiated to help countries and territories in South Eastern Europe to develop their own environmental information systems. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands funded this project to encourage the wider use of information technology in processing and disseminating environmental information to the public. The project encouraged an exchange of environmental information and experience in building information systems particular to the region. The project's activities took place in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia (the project's lead country), FYR Macedonia and Romania. The project also involves Serbia and Montenegro, which includes Kosovo (Territory Currently under UN Interim Administration).   Rationale The political and economic changes witnessed in these countries during the past 13 years have had a significant impact on the environment. Citizens and governments alike need full access to environmental information to cope with this impact. Such access can also improve a government's image in the eyes of its citizens and contribute to greater political transparency and accountability. This will encourage greater public participation in decision making and reinforce a sense of common responsibility for the environment. Reliable and current information is necessary for an in-depth environmental decision-making process to take place that involves the public from start to finish. Such information also improves environmental awareness. The Internet has increased the volume of environmental information that can be collected, processed, stored and disseminated to the general public. Access to modern technology enables people to obtain information online whenever necessary. It has also made it possible to format information to fulfil the particular needs of each individual user. This project helped to harness this technology for the benefit of the South Eastern European region, its citizens and its environment.

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