At its sixth meeting (April 2006), the Working Group of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention agreed to hold a workshop on public participation in strategic decision-making (PPSD). The two-day workshop was held on Monday and Tuesday, 3 and 4 December 2007 in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The workshop discussed existing practices for public participation in plans, programmes and policies as well as in the preparation of laws and regulations that may have a significant effect on the environment (Articles 7 and 8 of the Aarhus Convention). There was a strong focus on presenting concrete good practice examples of how the public can be effectively involved in certain types of strategic decisions. The workshop was intended to provide an opportunity for a broad exchange of different views amongst experts of the Aarhus and Espoo Conventions and the Protocol on Strategic Environmental Assessment (Espoo/SEA Protocol) and interested NGOs.

The workshop programme was developed between Austria, Bulgaria and the Aarhus Convention Bureau in consultation with the Espoo Convention Bureau. Significant funding for the workshop was provided by the Government of Austria. The workshop was hosted by the Government of Bulgaria.

Workshop documentation

The agenda and list of participants for the workshop can be found below, together with the compendium of case studies that was the main background document for the workshop. The powerpoint presentations of the speakers are also available below.