Further up the Learning Curve: NGOs from Transition to Brussels

The obligation of accession countries of Central and Eastern Europe to approximate and implement European Union environmental directives has forced the environment on the agenda where it might otherwise be eclipsed by other issues. The result might be improvements over time in the media and subject areas in which the EU has spoken if small, inexperienced and under-funded environmental ministries can manage the tremendous costs and institutional skills that these directives impose. EU accession might diminish NGOs' power in some respects and enhance it in others. The environmental agenda is likely to be set in Brussels, not in response to domestic ‘consumer-driven’ demand in the foreseeable future. NGOs will have less flexibility to introduce environmental initiatives that are inconsistent with EU demands. But EU membership creates opportunities to police governments' progress implementing the directives. Creative NGOs can monitor and advocate, forcing their governments, in effect, to make good on promises and embarrass them when they do not..