Chapter 6: Country Reports
Slovenia
Introduction
Although the first significant Slovene environmental NGOs emerged in the early seventies, concerns over nature and the environment extend far back into Slovenian history, when traditional organizations were not numerous but had large memberships. But the real bloom of NGOs started after 1990, when their numbers increased ten-fold in only a few years. Presently, there are three NGO types in Slovenia: traditional societies and alliances that are mainly oriented toward the correction of environmental policy; recent societies and institutes that specialize in different environmental fields and that endeavor to influence the environmental decisionmaking process; and new foundations and support groups that guide and provide assistance for other NGOs.
Slovenian NGOs are diverse, differences exist in organizational patterns, working goals and methodologies, and several are mixtures of the types listed above. Currently over 120 environmental NGOs are registered in Slovenia. Most believe that integration of NGO efforts cannot be achieved by centralizing their efforts under an umbrella organization or through parliamentary-designed cooperation, but rather through networking and lobbying with the government, public and media.
Most Slovenian environmental NGOs are trying to work together on the most important common issues, issues that are crucial if NGOs are to effectively participate in environmental policy development and the environmental decisionmaking process. These issues include promoting NGO activities, drafting legislation on access to information and public participation, lobbying, institutionalizing relations with the government, training in the legal aspects of environmental protection, communicating with the government, the public and the media, delegating NGO representatives, solving conflicts, organizing joint NGO programs for Environment Day, and building an environmental NGO network, among others. In the last three years, great progress in the NGO movement has been made, and this trend will improve in the future.
Organizational Characteristics
Slovene NGOs are typically young organizations, registered after 1990. They do not have large memberships and most don't have any paid staff. Most NGOs are located in or around the capital city of Ljubljana, and in several regions there are no NGOs at all.
Activities
Most Slovene environmental NGOs specialize in just one environmental field. The most common activities include education and training, environmental fieldwork, and disseminating environmental information. Many NGOs are also active in the public participation process, regularly commenting on environmental regulations and the National Environmental Protection Program.
Financial Status
Like most NGOs in CEE, Slovene groups lack financial resources. Most NGOs are in an unstable, poor or very poor financial state. Nearly half (44 percent) operate on annual budgets of less than USD 5,000. Slovene NGOs generate little income themselves, and therefore depend on external sources of funding to conduct projects. Unfortunately, few foundations or organizations support NGOs financially, and most of the international organizations that support the work of environmental NGOs in other countries do not currently have active granting programs in Slovenia.
Needs and Problems
Among Slovene NGOs, the major problem is not only insufficient funding but also a lack of skills to plan and manage projects, and to present their activities to the public. Most NGOs have weak organizational structures, a characteristic that marks both individual NGOs and the entire environmental movement as a whole. Legal problems and a lack of volunteer support are also frequently mentioned as problems.
Cooperation
NGO cooperation is good at the national level but undeveloped at the international level, and what cooperation does take place is based largely on exchanging information and conducting joint projects. Cooperation between NGOs and the national government is not fully developed, but there have been some successful cases. Despite the relative immaturity of cooperation in Slovenia, most NGOs are aware that cooperation is crucial to solving environmental problems.
Experience with the Regional Environmental Center
The REC is the most common support organization in Slovenia. About one-third of Slovene NGOs (31 percent) perceive themselves as traditional partners of the REC, while half have occasional contact with the REC Local Office and have participated in REC programs. NGOs see the REC as a significant provider of grants and information, and as a trainer, facilitator and promoter of cooperation.
There are about a dozen national and international organizations that support the work of environmental NGOs in Slovenia; however, only a few have regular grant-giving programs, and the REC has a significant leading role among them. NGOs graded the REC as very useful far more often than any other national or international support organization in the categories of information dissemination, technical assistance, grant giving, networking, training and environmental campaigning. Other support organizations mentioned frequently include the Slovenian Ministry of Environment, PHARE, SOROS, GreenPeace, WWF, Umanotera and Eco Counseling Europe.
Conclusion
The REC will continue to assist with the formation and registration of NGOs in geographical areas where they do not currently exist, and will also continue to support the most important environmental projects performed by existing NGOs. In order to better promote financial sustainability, the REC should continue to provide financial support, train and educate NGO members about fund raising, and inform NGOs about national and international sources of funding. The REC should also offer training courses on planning and conducting projects, public relations, and organizing and managing offices. Because of its unique position in CEE, the REC should encourage NGOs to cooperate with each other on both the national and international levels, foster cooperation between NGOs and the government, and implement different support programs through the local office. The REC should also continue to play a significant role among international NGO support organizations.
REC * PUBLICATIONS * PROBLEMS, PROGRESS AND POSSIBILITIES * COUNTRY REPORTS
