Lignite Power Technical Assistance Project

Today a contract has been signed between LPTAP Project Office and  Mr. Vigan Behluli of Prism Research with aim to assist the LPTAP Project in collection of accurate and up to date primary social and economic information about communities in the Sibovc mine/plant development area in order to evaluate the present and future impacts.Some baseline information and data have already been collected from government, donor and NGO reports.  However, much of it is general to Kosovo or out of date and predominantly quantative. Information from the household will be used to supplement the secondary data and to provide qualitative information on people’s attitudes, perceptions and concerns about current and future mine and plant development.

The Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) will be an important component of the tender documents that will be sent to potential foreign investors to develop the Sibovc mine development area and construct Kosovo C power plant. The first Draft SESA report has already been presented to the affected communities in a public hearing that took place on December 12, 2007.

The baseline information on mine development area communities and the evaluation of potential social and environmental impacts on these communities are crucial elements of the SESA. The SESA and the baseline will be important tools for decisions made about the future of not only the Sibovc mine development but also for the development of Kosovo’s energy sector.

For more information on Prism Research visit: www.prismresearch.ba

Community Consultation, Sibovc village

This four month assignment is designed to assist the project in implementing the consultation guidelines and to co-ordinate the project’s consultation with affected communities, NGOs, trade unions and other civil society organizations, to document the findings and content of the consultation process, and to assist in the development and implementation of a grievance mechanism of the project.

Specific tasks and activities include establishment of community development forums and facilitation of forums ensuring inclusion of women, young people, Roma and other minority communities in the consultation process. The assignment will provide additional support to the ongoing Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment of the project.

During this occasion Dr. Haxhiu emphasized the importance of supporting communities to increase awareness around the project by providing an informed opportunity for a two-way consultation process to all people living in and around the area of future development of Kosovo’s energy sector.

For more information on CDF visit: www.kcdf.org  

The LPTAP Project Office with the support of the Environmental and Social Safeguard Adviser presented the 1st Draft Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) in Kastriot/Obilic municipality.  Among present were representatives of affected communities, representatives of local NGOs and representatives of central and local government. Total number of participants was 44, excluding the organizers of event.

Presentation covered following areas:

1. Examining the different alternatives associated with lignite development scenarios
2. SESA legislative and regulatory framework review
3. Describing existing environmental situation (environmental baseline)
4. Describing existing social situation (social baseline)
5. Identifying key strategic issues associated with lignite development to be further investigated in the frame of the proposed Sibovc Development Plan (SDP)

The PSC received presentations from the Transaction Adviser, the Legal Adviser and the Environmental and Social Safeguard Adviser.

The Transaction Adviser presented its Phase 1 Report, which included recommendations in respect of the structure of the Project and steps for taking the Project to the next stage. Their Report included a Draft Working Framework Document ("WFD") intended to be issued as the basis for further consultation with the Stakeholders and Bidders. Following this further consultation, and through the further work of the PSC with its team of Advisers, a detailed Request for Proposals for the Project can be developed.

The Legal Advisors presented its legal diagnostic findings in key areas: electricity, environment, resettlement and mining. They have also presented overall progress on legislative framework.   

The Environmental and Social Safeguard Adviser presented its 1st Draft Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) as well as progress in development of Sibovc Development Plan (SDP). The SESA report included baseline environmental and social data collected up to date and proposed development scenarios to be assessed under SESA.  

The PSC discussed the main points covered in the presentation and will now further review and comment on the reports that were submitted.

The Meeting ended with a brief presentation to the assembled representatives of the local media.