Introduction to eEnviPer (Machi Symeonidou, eEnviPer Project Coordinator)

1. Dr. Machi Simeonidou
Project Manager of DRAXIS Environnemental S.A.
www.draxis.gr

2. From the idea to the materialization
The Need
Within the framework of National and European legislation
(Aarhus Convention) regarding public participation and open
access to environmental data is established that sustainable
development can be achieved only through the involvement of
all stakeholders. This has led to a clear need for public
participation and consultation during the environmental
permitting procedures.

3. From the idea to the materialization
The envisaged solution
eEnviPer proposes a Service-oriented architecture platform and
a service provision concept that enables stakeholders involved
in Environmental Permitting to increase their performance and
utility, while ensuring the fulfillment of two crucial
requirements, user acceptance and affordability.

4. From the idea to the materialization
The Platform
The platform provides a bouquet of flexible and personalized
services configured around the needs and preferences of an
entire value chain of stakeholders such as citizens, public
authorities, enterprises, environmental engineers.

5. The implementation
The objectives

Automating permitting process by implementing an innovative
environmental permitting e-application management system

Improving environmental permitting process with more transparent
and high quality procedures

Simplifying environmental permitting process by shortening the
required time for evaluation and approval and by reducing
bureaucracy

Creating a public participatory, integrated platform that reinforces
the principle of Access to Information, Public Participation in
Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters

6. The implementation
The operating modules
The eEnviper platform integrates existing technologies such as:

Geographic Information System (GIS)

Knowledge Management System (KMS)

Workflow Management System

Participation System and public databases
This allows eEnviPer to integrate relevant processes and services for
public authorities and agencies into a single, layered, modular
architecture.

7. The implementation - The users
Investors

Enterprises - applicants who may apply for a given permit

Environmental Consulting services providers - companies or
individuals who are in possession of an environmentally-based permit
which enables them to operate in a given field
Benefits

Faster procedures for the installation and operating permits

Easy access to and use of information and services

Access to new services

Minimal need for movements (saving time, money)

Personalized an online information for obligations arising from environmental
legislation

Reduced risk of non-compliance and fines

8. The implementation - The users
Authorities
Permitting and monitoring authorities - Different levels of Government
Services. This includes both the national Government and Local
Councils.
Benefits

Possibility of handling a large number of end-users & cases with higher
efficiency and productivity

Increased transparency

Support for strategic decision-making on environmental policy at regional
level and improved effectiveness of planned interventions

Optimization of working procedures with the adoption and/or increased use
of ICT

9. The implementation - The users
Civil Society
Civil Society - the general public that is interested not only in obtaining
online up-to-date information about permits and permitted activities,
but also to participate in the social dialogue regarding environmental
policy in the spirit of Aarhus Convention.
Benefits

Increased opportunities for direct participation in decision making regarding
environmental planning at local and regional level

Improved administrative and financial climate

Improved services to protect the natural environment and public health

Immediate response, both individually and collectively, to potential
environmental violations

Open access to spatial and environmental information

10. The platform presentation

11. The pilots
The eEnviPer Platform was
deployed in five real life pilot
cases, in order to test and
evaluate the performance, the
sustainability and the ease of
use of the platform. The five
eEnviPer pilots have been
chosen in order to cover a
variety of institutional settings
and e-Government approaches
across EU Members and preaccession
countries
with
special permitting procedures
and different administrative
levels.

12. The future impact

Reduce complicated bureaucratic procedures and delays

Increase transparency

Share environmental information

Facilitate permitting and auditing procedures

Exploit the available environmental information

Adapt to any other licensing procedure

Increase productivity