Japan Special Fund

The Japan Special Fund (JSF), established in 1993, is a mechanism through which the Government of Japan supports the REC in its efforts to provide assistance in solving the environmental problems of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) region. The JSF supports projects that extend beyond CEE, for example to Russia and Ukraine. The JSF is a flexible mechanism, that is, a needs-driven process through which any type of project may be implemented in any region, as long as it genuinely contributes to the safeguarding of the environment.

The financial support provided by the Japanese Government was first granted to the region immediately following the transition process in 1991, and was institutionalised
into a fund two years later. During the early years, the JSF portfolio was dominated by large-scale projects in the form of technical assistance focusing on specific problems
in specific place. The initial projects were connected to the environmental assessment of two
rivers. These were followed by a soil rehabilitation project, then others related to waste management.

This first period of technical assistance projects was followed by numerous smaller-scale
projects. In addition to support to individual countries, help was given to regions in which several countries were working together to solve common environmental problems. The number of countries receiving support increased, although the great majority of assistance was targeted to CEE. However, by the beginning of the millennium the focus had shifted to South Eastern Europe. The range of problems tackled also expanded to include environmental law, sustainable transport, waste and water management, environmental capacity building, energy efficiency, and public awareness raising campaigns and workshops.

The JSF tackles urgent environmental problems throughout the CEE region with impressive results. Since its establishment, the contribution from the Government of Japan through the JSF has exceeded USD 12 million. While the fund continues to expand its geographical scope beyond the countries in the REC’s beneficiary area, the topics addressed by the JSF have gradually shifted to the building of capacities in CEE countries to develop climate policy and to support the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, focusing on flexible mechanisms. 
All projects are implemented in collaboration with the REC and the respective REC country

In recent years, JSF activities have focused on the issue of climate change, reflecting Japan’s global commitments. Japan has contributed significantly to building capacities in the CEE region on climate change issues; to increasing awareness; and to involving different stakeholders in the climate process. Capacity-building projects have been implemented in relation to the flexible mechanisms to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and to facilitate adaptation to the impacts of climate change. The JSF has also financed projects to support the shaping of the post-2012 climate regime, thereby facilitating discussion on future GHG reduction commitments.

The JSF tackles urgent environmental problems throughout the CEE region with impressive results. Since its establishment, the contribution from the Government of Japan through the JSF has exceeded USD 12 million.

All projects are implemented in collaboration with the REC and the respective REC country offices.

Key JSF projects between 1993 and 2009

• Contamination Assessment and Determination of Prevention Measures for the Sajo Valley, Hungary
• Master Plan for the Restoration of Water Quality in the Utrata River, Poland
• Support to the Environmental Rehabilitation of the Ziar Valley, Slovakia
• Municipal Water Supply and Wastewater Management in Fier, Albania
• Integrated Wastewater Treatment and Monitoring System for the MHK Zletovo Zinc Smelter in Veles, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
• Establishment of a Hazardous Waste Management System in Siauliai, Lithuania
• Capacity Building Training Programme in Bulgaria
• Training for Young Environmental Leaders
• Development of Environmental Law and Policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Environmental Media Service
• Strengthening Cooperation between Bulgarian and Macedonian Industries on the Implementation of Environmental Management Systems
• Public Awareness Campaign in Fier, Albania
• Environmental Headline Indicators for Economies in Transition, Case Study on the Baltic States
• Improving Energy Saving and Energy Efficiency in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
• Support to NGOs in Achieving Compliance with the Requirements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
• Sofia Initiative: Workshop on Strategic Environmental Assessment
• Training Seminar for the Implementation of Waste Management Practices
• Seminar on Environmentally Sound Technologies for Energy-Efficient Production and Consumption
• Support to the Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol: Development of a Registry System for Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Improving Energy Efficiency Practices in Romania
• Training Seminars for the Implementation of Waste Management in Bulgaria, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Romania and Yugoslavia
• Environmental Information, Education and Public Awareness
• Support to the Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol, Lithuania
• Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) Secretariat for CEE
• Support to the Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol in CEE Countries: Promotion of the Kyoto Mechanisms
• Assistance to Bulgarian Waste Management Policy
• Support to the Establishment of the Green Investment Scheme in Romania
• On the Road to Montreal 2005: Intergovernmental Meeting under the UNFCCC (COP 11) and the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP 1)
• Assistance for the Implementation of New Waste Management Legislation and National Waste Management Programmes in Bulgaria
• Promotion of the Flexible Mechanisms and the Green Investment Scheme   
• Capacity Building for the Implementation of the UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol in Balkan Stability Pact Countries
• Workshop on the Development of the Green Investment Scheme Concept in Ukraine
• Facilitation of Climate Policy in Economies in Transition for the post-Kyoto Period
• Promotion of the Green Investment Scheme in New EU Member States, Russia and Ukraine
• Implementation of Green Investment Schemes in Economies in Transition
• Support to the Shaping of the post-Kyoto Climate Regime