During the 5th Pan-European Ministerial Conference 'Environment for Europe' (Kyiv, 21–23 May 2003), Margaret Becket, the State Secretary for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, announced the launching of the Environment for Europe Fund. The Fund was established by the UK Government to support initiatives in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development in the states of Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Middle Asia.

In 2004, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) initiated the Small Еnvironmental Projects Scheme (SEPS II) in Ukraine. The Scheme was funded by the Environment for Europe Fund and managed by the British Council Ukraine.

The Scheme funded small scale environmental projects in Ukraine which focused on:

• improvement and sustainability of the environmental policy and practice of Ukraine
• promoting the consideration of environmental issues in wider non-environmental projects and policy
• strengthening the environmental NGO network within Ukraine.

The Scheme supports UK international environmental objectives, and targets the following priority themes:

• sustainable development
• public participation in environmentally sound decision-making
• sustainable consumption and production
• conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

The participants and partners in the Scheme are Ukrainian organisations, partnerships of Ukrainian organisations, partnerships of Ukrainian and Eastern European organisations or partnerships of Ukrainian and  UK organisations.

Participants represented in the Scheme:

• central, regional and local authorities, government agencies and public bodies
• charities, non-commercial and non-profit environmental organisations
• academic institutions and research centres
• educational institutions.

During 2004–2007 32 small projects were implemented. The project results contributed to the development of civil society in Ukraine and the strengthening environmental partnerships aimed at the implementation of the principles of sustainable development.

This page contains an information about the projects implemented and the results achieved, which will be useful for all those striving for a cleaner environment and a sustainable future.