What is EPMA?
In 2002, the agency for the implementation of ISPA programme was established under the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania. It has secured the rational use of ISPA funds and the effective implementation of the programme. The projects of environmental protection in Lithuania has been started to be funded through the EU ISPA programmes. In 2004, the agency was renamed to Environmental Projects Management Agency (EPMA).
The Cohesion Fund
The EU started financing the first projects of environmental protection in Lithuania in 2000 through ISPA programme. After Lithuania has joined the EU the ISPA projects, which have already started to be implemented, were considered to be the projects of the Cohesion Fund.
The financial support is allocated to investment projects with the least value of EUR 10 million, which are pre-agreed with the European Commission and which meet the long-term goals of Lithuania and the EU policy guidelines in the field of environmental protection. Pursuing that Lithuania employed the funds of the Cohesion Fund effectively and efficiently, the strategy of the Cohesion Fund for 2004-2006 was prepared.
In conformity with this strategy the projects funded from the Cohesion Fund are aimed at:
• improving wastewater treatment and drinking water quality, solving the problems of the water supply industry;
• ensuring effective management of household and hazardous wastes, and establishing the regional centres for household waste management;
• reducing air pollution.
In 2000-2006, 40 projects in the field of water supply management and regional waste management were implemented using the funds of ISPA/the Cohesion Fund.
LTL 772 million have been allocated since 2000 for the implementation of the projects of ISPA programme. The EU funds amounted to LTL 469 million, whereas the state funds – LTL 303 million. The financial support of the Cohesion Fund in 2004-2006 amounted to LTL 1.174 milliard. The EU funds amounted to LTL 953 million, whereas the state funds – LTL 221 million.
The projects financed and implemented from the EU and Lithuanian funds must help to maintain a clean and healthy environment, preserve the biological and landscape diversity as well as create conditions for sustainable use of natural resources. The improving quality of the environment should meet the environmental protection requirements of the EU and Lithuania.
It is planned that in the period of 2007-2013 the funding from the EU Cohesion Fund and structural funds in Lithuania will be managed jointly and financial support of about LTL 3.13 milliard is intended for projects in the field of environment.
The function of Intermediate Body in the field environment protection is performed by Ministry of the Environment (MoEn). The function of Implementing Agency for environmental projects is performed by Environmental Projects Management Agency (EPMA) of the Ministry of Environment.
Since May 1, 2004, when Lithuania joined the European Union (EU), EPMA manages the environmental protection projects funded from the EU Cohesion Fund and Structural funds, and also supervises the implementation of the projects funded by ISPA fund.
EMPA specialists, performing their everyday work, are managing EU funded projects, supervising the employment of funds and their accounting as well as ensuring a proper use of the received financial support.
Agency regulations: http://www.apva.lt/repository/Nuostatai%20APVA%202005-05-10.doc
Activities
The Structural Funds
Financial support of the EU structural funds in 2004-2006 was provided to Lithuania in accordance with the Single Programming Document (SPD) for Lithuania in 2004-2006. Projects of smaller scope were funded from the structural funds as well as the possibility to get financial support was provided to the municipalities, the projects of which have not been funded from the Cohesion Fund.
EPMA manages the projects of environmental protection financed under Measure 1.3 of the SPD. The main objectives of Measure 1.3 of the SPD are as follows:
• To reduce the pollution of water, air and soil as well as its danger to the regions of Lithuania;
• To ensure the public‘s right to safe and clean environment;
• To avoid and reduce the negative impact of economic and other activities on the environment by keeping the use of natural resources sustainable;
• To establish a responsible public attitude towards the natural environment.
The key (horizontal) objective of SPD – the harmonious development of the country – is pursued by implementing the projects hereof.
In 2004-2006, 101 projects received funding from the structural funds.
LTL 113.32 million have been allocated for the implementation of the projects. The funds of the EU structural funds amounted LTL 84.99 millions, whereas the state funds – LTL 28.33 million. The funds were allocated for water supply and wastewater treatment in small settlements, water purification of streams and lakes, informing the public, protection of protected areas from human activities, maintenance of the Baltic Sea coast.
Financial support of the EU structural funds in 2004-2006 was provided to Lithuania in accordance with the Single Programming Document (SPD) for Lithuania in 2004-2006. Projects of smaller scope were funded from the structural funds as well as the possibility to get financial support was provided to the municipalities, the projects of which have not been funded from the Cohesion Fund.
EPMA manages the projects of environmental protection financed under Measure 1.3 of the SPD. The main objectives of Measure 1.3 of the SPD are as follows:
• To reduce the pollution of water, air and soil as well as its danger to the regions of Lithuania;
• To ensure the public‘s right to safe and clean environment;
• To avoid and reduce the negative impact of economic and other activities on the environment by keeping the use of natural resources sustainable;
• To establish a responsible public attitude towards the natural environment.
The key (horizontal) objective of SPD – the harmonious development of the country – is pursued by implementing the projects hereof.
In 2004-2006, 101 projects received funding from the structural funds.
LTL 113.32 million have been allocated for the implementation of the projects. The funds of the EU structural funds amounted LTL 84.99 millions, whereas the state funds – LTL 28.33 million. The funds were allocated for water supply and wastewater treatment in small settlements, water purification of streams and lakes, informing the public, protection of protected areas from human activities, maintenance of the Baltic Sea coast.
The Cohesion Fund
The EU started financing the first projects of environmental protection in Lithuania in 2000 through ISPA programme. After Lithuania has joined the EU the ISPA projects, which have already started to be implemented, were considered to be the projects of the Cohesion Fund.
The financial support is allocated to investment projects with the least value of EUR 10 million, which are pre-agreed with the European Commission and which meet the long-term goals of Lithuania and the EU policy guidelines in the field of environmental protection. Pursuing that Lithuania employed the funds of the Cohesion Fund effectively and efficiently, the strategy of the Cohesion Fund for 2004-2006 was prepared.
In conformity with this strategy the projects funded from the Cohesion Fund are aimed at:
• improving wastewater treatment and drinking water quality, solving the problems of the water supply industry;
• ensuring effective management of household and hazardous wastes, and establishing the regional centres for household waste management;
• reducing air pollution.
In 2000-2006, 40 projects in the field of water supply management and regional waste management were implemented using the funds of ISPA/the Cohesion Fund.
LTL 772 million have been allocated since 2000 for the implementation of the projects of ISPA programme. The EU funds amounted to LTL 469 million, whereas the state funds – LTL 303 million. The financial support of the Cohesion Fund in 2004-2006 amounted to LTL 1.174 milliard. The EU funds amounted to LTL 953 million, whereas the state funds – LTL 221 million.
The projects financed and implemented from the EU and Lithuanian funds must help to maintain a clean and healthy environment, preserve the biological and landscape diversity as well as create conditions for sustainable use of natural resources. The improving quality of the environment should meet the environmental protection requirements of the EU and Lithuania.
It is planned that in the period of 2007-2013 the funding from the EU Cohesion Fund and structural funds in Lithuania will be managed jointly and financial support of about LTL 3.13 milliard is intended for projects in the field of environment.
The function of Intermediate Body in the field environment protection is performed by Ministry of the Environment (MoEn). The function of Implementing Agency for environmental projects is performed by Environmental Projects Management Agency (EPMA) of the Ministry of Environment.
