People often want to react when they see pollution, illegal construction, or irresponsible actions by institutions, but they frequently don’t know whom to contact or how to get involved. This creates the feeling that nothing can be changed — but it can! The right to information and a healthy environment are our fundamental rights, guaranteed by law. That is why we launched the project Together – Our voices and actions for the environment.
The project is funded by the European Union through the Impact4Values 2.0 programme under the EU Citizens, equality, rights and values (CERV) programme.
The change we seek is the continued transformation of citizens from passive observers into active participants in environmental protection, while also strengthening the responsibility and effectiveness of institutions that make decisions on environmental matters. We aim to reinforce the implementation of the Aarhus Convention and all its pillars: Access to Information, Participation, and Access to Justice.
Public participation in environmental matters
Through the “Green Phone” (GP), citizens can report their environmental problem to us and receive clear, simple, and practical advice. We help them understand what a particular intervention or project means for their community and involve them in environmental impact assessment procedures. Our goal is for citizens not to be merely passive observers but active participants capable of protecting their environment.
In Croatia, insufficient enforcement of environmental laws and slow institutional responses remain major issues. Therefore, we monitor the adoption and implementation of laws and advocate for more responsible work from the competent authorities.
Through cooperation with a law office, we further strengthen our legal team so we can better handle complex environmental cases and support citizens, initiatives, and local communities. Our aim is a system in which citizens’ voices are heard and laws are applied in practice.
Programme objectives
General objective
To protect, promote, and raise awareness among citizens and the general public of the right to a healthy environment as a fundamental human right, and to strengthen active citizen engagement in environmental protection.
Specific objectives:
- Strengthen participation in environmental procedures and legal support for citizens and civic initiatives.
- Effectively monitor the implementation and influence the creation and amendment of legislative and planning documents.
- Improve and strengthen Sunce’s capacities and networking for participation in environmental procedures.
Project activities:
- Operation of the Green Phone Work, thematic communication campaigns based on Green Phone data.
- Participation in administrative environmental procedures (EIA/SEA/appropriate assessments).
- Legal support and conducting strategic litigation.
- Advocacy activities toward institutions, contribution to strategic reports at the national and European level, participation in the adoption and amendments of legal and sub-legal acts, and an accompanying campaign for public participation in these processes.
- Education and support for law students through practical training and mentorship.
Target groups include citizens, local initiatives, civil society organizations, activists, youth, law and sociology students, the media, and decision-makers. Final beneficiaries are local communities, public institutions, and natural resources.
Expected project results:
- Increased level of citizen involvement in environmental protection through systematic use of the Green Phone and available legal mechanisms.
- Improved regulatory framework and implementation of environmental regulations through participation and institutional cooperation among civil society, citizens, and competent authorities at the local and national levels.
- Individual environmental cases used for strategic legal interventions that influence legal practice and/or political decisions.
- Increased awareness and knowledge among youth and citizens about environmental rights and tools for their protection through education and campaigns.
Project holder: Association for nature, environment and sustainable development Sunce
Total project budget: EUR 56,981.96
Funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Project duration: 24 months, from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2027
Project Manager: Maja Jurić, Dipl. Journalist
E-mail: [email protected]
