Structural and Cohesion Funds
Structural and Cohesion Funds (SF/CF) are the second biggest part of the EU's budget. From the first day of accession the new member-states - having received pre-accession aid in the last few years - will receive an increasing share of the SF/CF. These funds constitute a substantial financial assistance and will shape the economical, social and environmental development of the new member states.

The Coalition
Therefore Friends of the Earth Europe, CEE Bankwatch Network, World Widelife Fund, BirdLife International, Milieukontakt Oost-Europa and European Environmental Bureau - in co-operation with other national NGOs in the EU-25 - set up an NGO platform aiming to influence the new SF/CF guidelines and to make sure that the SF/CF benefits the environment and people. The first activity of the platform was the "Today and Tomorrow of EU funds" NGO seminar held in Brussels at the end of February 2004.

The NGO experience with the pre-accession funds has shown that this support is essential; but if not used sustainably it may actually have a negative rather than positive effect on the environment. Additionally, if it is not a subject for public consultation and decision-making, and subject to public scrutiny, it may end up supporting short-term political interests and even be subject to fraud. Efficient and environmentally sustainable use of EU aid is therefore of significant interest both to people in the new member states and also to current European taxpayers.

The Future
The next 3 years will pose an increasing challenge to NGOs both in the new and existing member states. Firstly through the implementation of Structural and Cohesion Funds in CEE (2004-2006), and secondly the preparation for the next funding period 2007-2013. In the next few years decisions will be taken on what the new Structural and Cohesion Funds will look like, what will be financed and what provisions on sustainable development, protection of the environment and public participation will be put into the regulation.