The Foundation for Partnership and Civil Society Development

Civic Observers for Health and Environment: Initiative for Responsibility and Sustainability (COHEIRS)

Location: France, Italy, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Malta, Slovenia, Albania, Spain, Slovakia, Hungary.
Project value: 418.655,00 Eur
Role: Co-applicant
Donors: European Commission /EACEA Agency / Europe for citizens/ Action 1
Mesure 2.1
Duration: 15/04/2013 – 15/04/2014

Objectives and results of the action: The aim of COHEIRS is to support active participation of citizens in the EU democratic life and more specifically in the implementation of the precautionary principles, as detailed in Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (EU), through the establishment of citizens panels focused on health and environment. These groups of “civic observers”, duly supported and guided, will monitor the condition of the environment by paying special attention to those violations and misconducts directly or collaterally threatening the public health. At the same time, they will be progressively inscribed and involved in an international network, which will support their efforts, advocate on their behalf at the EU level and coordinate the drafting of recommendations to be addressed to the relevant local, national and European decision makers. COHEIRS aims to achieve the following objectives: Empowering citizens to play a full part in their communities’ life; Fostering citizens’ participation through volunteering; Fostering citizens’ sense of ownership of the EU; Tackling environmental and health related issues both at local and European level; Encouraging environment friendly policies; Promoting intercultural dialogue; Contributing to an inclusive society.