In the morning session (10:00 - 11:30), speakers from EU institutions and legal experts from member states will share experiences from engaging in public consultations during COVID-19. The aim is to discuss how the member states and EU institutions managed to conduct public consultations in environmental procedures (e.g. SEA, EIA, AA) during a challenging period where a number of restrictions were introduced.

Morning session – Draft agenda

10:00 – 10:45 Panel discussion

Introduction, Željka Leljak Gracin, Chairwoman, Justice and Environment

Welcome message, Jeremy Wates, Secretary General, European Environmental Bureau

Presentation of public participation at EU level during COVID-19, Francesca Carlsson, Legal Officer, European Environmental Bureau

Presentation of J&E survey on EIA, Ágnes Gajdics, Lawyer in EMLA, Justice and Environment

Brief overview of the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee's advice on public participation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Zsuzsanna Belenyessy, Legal Officer, DG ENV, European Commission

10:45 - 11:30 Open discussion

The second session (13:00 - 14:30) will focus more specifically on “appropriate assessments” (AA) where speakers and participants are invited to share their opinions and experiences on how they are carried out.

Afternoon session – Draft agenda

13:00 - 13:45 Panel discussion will include

Presentation of comparative study on Appropriate Assessment prepared by J&E, Sándor Fülöp, Lawyer and President of EMLA, Justice and Environment

Presentation on Appropriate Assessment procedure from different roles, Dunja Delić, Project officer Freshwater programme, WWF Adria

Presentation of strategic cases on Appropriate Assessment, NGO representative TBC

13:45 - 14:30 Open Discussion

Registrations are closed

How did COVID-19 affect public consultations?