Section 7.0: Project Concepts

7.1 The following project concepts are presented as component parts of the strategic approach outlined above. They are intended to illustrate the principles of the new approach and to serve as building blocks for an integrated medium term programme to address the continuing consequences of the Chernobyl accident. The projects will need to be developed further as partners are identified. They should be implemented in a manner which, as far as possible, integrates the ecological, economic, health, social and psychological dimensions of the problem within a framework set by the overall objective of sustainable human development.

7.2 If they are to play an important part in improving the condition of the communities concerned, this new generation of programmes and projects must both engage with and influence the people on the ground and the national governments of the three countries. The responsibilities of the public authorities are ongoing and their commitment, both in terms of the scale of resources and the range of activities is vastly greater than any effort mobilised through donor activities. The influence of the projects and programmes will be greatly magnified if they also lever changes in the approach being pursued by the national and local authorities.

7.3 The Mission held discussions with a large number of individuals and groups in the affected communities. It has sought to forge ideas and concepts developed in the affected areas and in other parts of the world into a new approach appropriate to human development needs of these communities. The public authorities and most local stakeholders were generally enthusiastic about exploring new methods and objectives. Their expectations, however, still largely focus on a responsive approach based on humanitarian assistance rather than on proactive initiatives designed to build local capacity and promote self-sufficiency. Developing a sense of local ownership will be crucial to the success of the new approach. This will require not only advocacy but also a determined effort to involve the public authorities and local partners in all stages of the development, as well as the implementation, of the following projects and programmes.

Programmes and Project Proposals

Programme A: Strategy and Management

A.1 Project to strengthen policy and regulatory framework and enhance the effectiveness of local and national legislation

A.2 Workshops to promote a new phase of response of the Chernobyl accident to cover the 10 year period from 2001 to 2011.

A.3 Establishing a management office for the programme

A.4 Creation of an International Chernobyl Foundation