Page 32 - Waste-to-Energy in the Danube Strategy Region. Challenges and Prospects

and Slovakia (European Parliament - Directorate General for Internal Policies 2011, iDnes.cz 2016,

Klimant 2014, Pavlic 2016). These efforts are often organized by local or subdivisions of
5
international NGOs.
There are several ways to deal with potential social challenges to WtE projects. Firstly,

participation in national level discussions on WtE, wherein authorities should clearly explain why

the change is needed within the given timeframe, is essential to gaining acceptance. Secondly,

community engagement and education play an important role. To gain approval, for example, it
is helpful to involve the community in the planning process and to emphasize benefits to the local

community, such as job creation and skills training. Additional community outreach can take the

form of dissemination of proper information about the given technology and project or
organizing of workshops, seminars or discussions with experts. Thirdly, a dialogue between

communities and authorities (or other involved parties) should be maintained, facilitating

compromises such as additional environmental controls, establishment of a supervising authority,

or financial compensation to local communities for imposed risks (Achillas et al. 2011, Davison
2012).

Social acceptance/rejection of WtE technologies is the rational outcome of psychological,

social and economic factors. These can be addressed through careful management within all

phases of a project. Every project is more or less endangered by all three dimensions of social
rejection, but the key issue for authorities is to learn how to work with social aspects in favour of

the given project.

5 In the area of Danube region, those are for example HuMuSz (Hungary), Zelena Akcija (Croatia), Ecologists without borders
(Slovenia) or Za Zemiata – Friends of the Earth Bulgaria or subdivisions of Greenpeace.
Project co-funded by the European Union
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