29Aug 2017
CEP leading workshop on the implications of global megatrends in the Western Balkans

Photo credit: ‘Belgrade bridges’ by mcveja on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

CEP leading workshop in exploring the implications of global megatrends in the Western Balkans

CEP is leading a workshop on the “Implications of global megatrends in the Western Balkans region: Assessment of risks and opportunities, policy links and gaps” which will be held on 7-8 September 2017 in Belgrade, Serbia. This workshop is the second of two regional workshops held as part of the project Water Use in the Western Balkans: regional outlooks and global megatrends which is being delivered by CEP in collaboration with the European Topic Centre on Inland, Coastal and Marine Waters for the European Environment Agency.

The workshop will bring together regional experts to discuss risks and opportunities for the region and Western Balkans countries arising from global megatrend implications identified through the project scoping workshop held in April 2017.

This workshop will generate the following outcomes:

  • A list of potential risks and opportunities each global megatrend implication presents for the region.
  • An initial assessment of the likelihood of potential risks and opportunities, their extent and time-frames.
  • Identifying existing policies or strategies that relate to the risks or opportunities, and any new policies or changes needed for managing risks and maximising opportunities.

For further information contact CEP’s Project Manager Owen White.

Team CEP
23Aug 2017
CEP delivering ex-post evaluation seminar at Defra

CEP delivering ex-post evaluation seminar at Defra

CEP’s Dr Clare Twigger-Ross and CEP associate Teresa Bennett are delivering a ‘Simply Evidence’ seminar on the ex-post evaluation of flood strategy plans and schemes for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). 

The seminar, to take place in Defra on Wednesday 20 August, aims to increase awareness on what ‘ex-post evaluation’ is and how evaluation practice can be improved within existing institutional arrangements. Clare and Teresa will also be sharing insights on how ex-post evaluation can benefit the Government’s Smarter Guidance agenda, and how lessons arising from current and past evaluations can be taken forward.

This seminar emerges from the suggestions of a project previously undertaken by CEP for Defra on Enhancing Ex-Post Evaluation of Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management Strategies and Schemes (FCERM). Findings from the project suggested that there is space within the current FCERM processes for ex-post evaluation to be developed but for it to be implemented there needs to be institutional support and clear ownership of the process. The project report is available here.

Team CEP
22Aug 2017
CEP’s evaluation of low cost resilience to flooding project published by Defra

Photo credit: michael kooiman on Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

CEP’s evaluation of a small-scale project trialing low cost resilience to flooding was published by Defra

CEP carried out an independent evaluation of a small-scale demonstration project designed to test an innovative approach to flood repairable systems in a flood-prone area. The demonstration was carried out in Tewkesbury as part of the project ‘Supporting the uptake of low cost resilience for properties at risk of flooding’. The project, led by by the University of the West of England,  involved a number of partners and worked with the local Property Support Network – builders, retailers, loss adjusters, local authorities, and insurers – to support take-up of these approaches.  

The project identifies barriers and proposes solutions to promote low cost approaches that would make properties at risk of flooding more resilient to damage from flood waters. The project’s final report, technical annex and CEP’s evaluation report (appendix to the final report) are available here.

Team CEP
15Aug 2017
CEP commissioned to undertake Clyde marine public dialogue

Photo credit: ‘Ardrossan Harbour Sunset’ by Oliver Clarke on Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

CEP commissioned to undertake public dialogue to support the development of the Clyde Regional Marine Plan

CEP, working with SAMS Research Services Limited (SRSL), has been commissioned by the Clyde Marine Planning Partnership (CMPP) to design and deliver a public dialogue to support the development of the Clyde Regional Marine Plan (CRMP).

The dialogue will engage with around 30 members of the public from two locations in the CRMP area to: discuss how people engage with, use and benefit from the marine environment; consider key marine planning and management issues; and deliberate on potential policy options and measures for consideration in the emerging draft CRMP. 

The project builds on successful public dialogue work undertaken by CEP for Marine Scotland on the social impacts of offshore renewables and other, land-based participatory planning work undertaken by CEP for Scottish Natural Heritage in the Pentland Hills Regional Park.

For more information please contact Paula Orr (Project Director) or  Dr Peter Phillips (Project Manager).

Team CEP