International Co-operation
In the past thirteen years the DCMR has worked on different fields of international co-operation. The co-operation exists of participation in networks, innovation projects and assistance in projects in CEE countries.
Network
The DCMR works in international networks to improve its own expertise and to develop and maintain contact with related organisations. The DCMR is one of the founding organisations of the NEAR network, a network for environmental agencies in Europe. On behalf of the city of Rotterdam the DCMR is involved in the EUROCITIES network that combines experiences of bigger cities in Europe. The DCMR has close contacts with the Dutch representation, the Holland House, in Brussels. Through this network the DCMR stays up to date on the developments in EU policy concerning environmental protection.
Focus
Innovation projects are mostly externally funded projects that promote the development of new methodologies, new instruments or new techniques that can be used to improve environmental protection. The main objectives of the DCMR international project activities are institutional strengthening of foreign local and regional authorities, and improving the environmental performance of authorities and companies. The projects are presently focused on accession of Central and Eastern European countries to the EU for new member states and (future) candidate EU members. The DCMR also focuses on countries that would like to approximate to EU environmental directives. The DCMR works with funds of the European Commission to execute Twinning projects in Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania which are related to the implementation of EU directives. Bilateral projects in amongst others Russia, support societal transformation.