Baltinfohaz progress report july2014 final by Baltic Environmental Forum

” Baltic info campaign on hazardous substances (BaltInfoHaz)” LIFE+ Project Number: LIFE10 INF/EE/108 PROGRESS REPORT

LIFE Project Number

LIFE10 INF/EE/108 Progress Report Covering the project activities from 01/05/2013 to 30/04/2014 Reporting Date

20/07/2014 LIFE+ PROJECT NAME or Acronym

Baltic info campaign on hazardous substances (BaltInfoHaz) Data Project Project location

Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

Project start date:

01/10/2011

Project end date:

31/03/2015 Extension date: 30/09/2015

Total budget

1 683 396 €

EC contribution:

834 573 €

(%) of eligible costs

50%

Data Beneficiary Name Beneficiary

MTÜ Balti Keskkonnafoorum

Contact person

Ms Kai Klein

Postal address

Liimi 1, 10621 Tallinn, Estonia

Telephone

+372 6597 027

Fax:

+372 6597 027

E-mail

Kai.Klein@bef.ee

Project Website

www.thinkbefore.eu

Progress report LIFE+

1. Table of contents 1. 2. 3.

Table of contents ........................................................................................................................................... 2 List of abbreviations ...................................................................................................................................... 3 Executive summary........................................................................................................................................ 3 3.1. General project progress and results .......................................................................................................... 3 3.2. Assessment as to whether the project objectives and work plan are still viable........................................ 5 3.3. Problems encountered ................................................................................................................................ 5 4. Administrative part ............................................................................................................................................. 6 4.1. Description of project management ........................................................................................................... 6 4.2. Organogram of the project team and the project management structure ................................................. 7 4.3. Changes to the management structure ...................................................................................................... 7 4.4. Reporting of the project .............................................................................................................................. 7 5. Technical part ...................................................................................................................................................... 8 5.1. Actions ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 5.1.1. Action A: Project management and monitoring of the progress ........................................................ 8 5.1.1.1. Action A1: Project management and administration .................................................................. 8 5.1.1.2. Action A2: Monitoring of project progress .................................................................................. 9 5.1.1.3. Action A3: External audit ............................................................................................................. 9 5.1.1.4. Action A4: After-LIFE Communication plan ................................................................................. 9 5.1.1.5. Action A5: Networking with similar (LIFE+) projects and actors in the region ............................ 9 5.1.2. Action B: Preparatory actions ............................................................................................................ 10 5.1.3. Action C: Awareness raising campaigns ............................................................................................ 10 5.1.3.1. Action C1: Encouraging hazardous substance-free living environment .................................... 10 5.1.3.2. Action C2: Many small enterprises have recognizable emissions of hazardous substances – Awareness campaign at car repair shops and hairdressers .................................................................... 11 5.1.3.3. Action C3: Reducing the impacts of hazardous substances from construction materials – awareness campaign at retail shops ....................................................................................................... 12 5.1.3.4. Action C4: Get the youth aware and motivated for action to change consumption patterns .. 12 5.1.3.5. Action C5: Lobbying the integration of hazardous substance reduction measures into policy making .................................................................................................................................................... 13 5.1.3.6. Action C6: Regular media work.................................................................................................. 14 5.1.3.7. Action C7: One-off action: test your environment and body! ................................................... 14 5.1.3.8. Action C8: Making the “invisible” visible: video clips ................................................................ 15 5.1.4. Action D: Training activities ............................................................................................................... 15 5.1.4.1. Action D1: Training of shop assistants ....................................................................................... 15 5.1.4.1. Action D2: Training of Baltic NGOs for international lobbying on the HS topic ......................... 15 5.1.5. Action E: Monitoring of the project impact on the main target audience and on the environmental problem targeted ........................................................................................................................................ 16 5.1.5.1. Action E1: Assessment of impacts on stakeholders, target audience and the environmental problem .................................................................................................................................................. 16 5.1.6. Action F: Communication and dissemination of the project and its results...................................... 17 5.1.5.1. Action F1: Project website ......................................................................................................... 17 5.1.5.2. Action F2: LIFE+ information boards .......................................................................................... 17 5.1.6.3. Action F3: Layman's Report ....................................................................................................... 17 5.1.6.3. Action F4: Final Project Presentation ........................................................................................ 17 5.2. Envisaged progress until next report ........................................................................................................ 18 5.3. Impact........................................................................................................................................................ 20 5.4. Outside LIFE ............................................................................................................................................... 20 6. Financial part ..................................................................................................................................................... 20 6.1. Putting in place of the accounting system ................................................................................................ 20 6.2. Continued availability of co financing ....................................................................................................... 21 6.3 Costs incurred (summary by cost category and relevant comments) ........................................................ 21 6.3.1. Assessment of costs incurred: total costs by budget position .......................................................... 21 6.3.2. Assessment of costs by partner ......................................................................................................... 22 6.3.3. Financial review by actions ................................................................................................................ 23 7. Annexes ............................................................................................................................................................. 24 7.1. Technical action reports ............................................................................................................................ 24 7.2. Deliverables ............................................................................................................................................... 25 7.3. Dissemination materials ............................................................................................................................ 25

Progress report LIFE+

2. List of abbreviations AB BEF CB EC EU HS NGO SDS VAT VFS WECF IR MR PR

Associated beneficiary Baltic Environmental Forum Coordinating beneficiary European Commission European Union Hazardous substance Non-governmental organisation Safety data sheet Value added tax Vides Filmu Studija Stichting Women in Europe for a Common Future Inception Report Mid-term Report Progress Report

3. Executive summary 3.1. General project progress and results The overall goal of the project is to initiate a stronger demand at the society in the three Baltic States for products free of hazardous substances. The project wants to impact the society’s behaviour to assist changing it from environmentally passive to active participation in environment. The project wants to improve the health protection from hazardous substances by changing consumption patterns at pilot stakeholder groups. The project also wants to communicate these demands to policy makers at national and international level. The list of key deliverables as defined in the grant contract, are indicated below. Fulfilment of the deliverables is considered till reporting date 30.04.2014. Code of the associated action B1

30.06.2012

Completed

IR, Annex 5.2.1

31.07.2012

Completed

30.11.2012

Completed

30.11.2012

Completed

1 , 2 and 3 progress report by action leaders

30.04.2013

Completed

“Teaching-kit” Guidance for hairdressers and car repair shops with inventory

C4 C2

31.05.2013 30.06.2013

Project information boards

31.12.2013

Completed Hairdressers completed, car repair in final editing Completed

MR, Annex 7.2.1 MR, Annex 7.2.2 MR, Annex 7.2.3 PR Annex 7.2.2 MR, Annexes 7.1.1.17.1.1.3 (A); 7.1.2.17.1.2.2 (B); 7.1.3.17.1.3.8 (C); 7.1.4.17.1.4.2 (D); 7.1.5.1 (E), 7.1.6.1-7.1.6.2 (F) PR Annex 7.2.3 PR Annex 7.2.1

Name of the Deliverable Assessment report on quantities of the target priority substances in the described target product groups on the Baltic market 6 guidebooks on various topics in Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and Russian Information brochures with different topics for clients at retailer shops Leaflets for mailings to households with information on substances st

Progress report LIFE+

Deadline

Fulfilment

Submitted

MR, Annex 7.1.6.2

The set of video clips th th 4 and 5 progress report by action leaders

C8 A1

31.12.2013 30.04.2014

Completed Completed

Leaflets targeted for clients of hair dressers and car repair shops Information leaflets target at policy makers in content and style th 6 progress report by action leaders

31.07.2014

Ongoing

PR Annex 7.2.6 PR Annex 7.2.5 PR Annexes 7.1.1.17.1.1.3 (A), 7.1.2.17.1.2.8 (C), 7.1.3.1 (D), 7.1.4.1 (E), 7.1.5.17.1.5.2 (D) -

31.07.2014

Ongoing

PR Annex 7.2.4

30.10.2014

Assessment report on estimation of impacts of the project activities on the target group and on the environmental problem targeted by the project Layman’s report

30.01.2015

Not started yet Ongoing

30.01.2015

After-LIFE communication plan

31.03.2015

Audit report

15.06.2015

Not started yet Not started yet Not started yet

Summary of Project Framework The project is successfully led by the coordinating beneficiary, Baltic Environmental Forum Estonia and implemented in cooperation with 7 motivated associated beneficiaries from Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and one international organisation WECF. The project consortium that has started BaltInfoHaz has been proceeding well since its beginning until the Progress report. The action implementation successfully went out of the inception phase to full speed of project implementation, the planned results and achievements look promising. We do see a need for prolongation of the project for half a year to achieve even better results and reach more of the very scattered target audiences all over the three Baltic States. Due to our desire to produce high quality deliverables that can be used also after project end the production (and revision) of these deliverables is time and resource intensive – it takes more time than originally planned. Some of publications, therefore, were with slight delays placed at the project website (teacher’s handbook and information materials for hairdressers and car repair shops). The materials are intensively discussed with the target group to give them extra value and guarantee the usability and in our opinion this leads to excellent quality, better than a more speedy production had led. Summary of project progress until 30.04.2014 Action number A. Project management and monitoring of project

B. Preparatory actions

Progress report LIFE+

Progress summary Project management was set up by end of 2011. With all associated beneficiaries contracts were signed, partners’ kick-off meeting held together with training about LIFE+ project management and reporting, second and third partners meeting held, financial management set up (A1). Monitoring of project progress started after finalisation of preparatory actions (B) (A2). External audit (A3) started by contracting the audit company and with the first visits by auditor to the coordinating beneficiary in the beginning of 2013 and 2014. After-LIFE Communication plan (A4) has not yet started – according to project schedule. Networking with similar (LIFE+) projects and actors in the region is ongoing regularly (A5). In-depth assessment of reduction potential of priority hazardous substances in certain products by public information campaigns (B1) and concept for Info materials and campaigning instruments were implemented according to project schedule (B2).

C. Awareness raising campaigns

D. Training activities

E. Monitoring of the project impact on the main target audience and on the environmental problem targeted F. Communication and dissemination of the project and its results

Actions started with concept development. “Encouraging hazardous substance-free living environment” has been implemented as planned with preparation of targeted information materials (C1). “Many small enterprises have recognizable emissions of hazardous substances – awareness campaign at car repair shops and hairdressers” started with mapping and initial contacts with the target group. During the period target group was more intensively contacted and alternative ways for contacting (car repair) were identified (C2). “Reducing the impacts of hazardous substances from construction materials – awareness campaign at retail shops” has been implemented as planned - inventory of products has been done, meetings with K-rauta team have taken place, the campaign “Safer choice” in retail shops is ongoing (C3). “Get the youth aware and motivated for action to change consumption patterns” has finalised the teaching kit as well the student have made several round in schools (C4). “Lobbying the integration of hazardous substance reduction measures into policy making” has published first information materials as well carried out first roundtables to the politicians in Baltic States (C5). Regular media work has got remarkable echo during current reporting period (C6). One-off action: “test your environment and body” has been finalised for time being with good results and feedback from the stakeholders (C7), but needs to be taken u again (see below). “Making the “invisible” visible: video clips” were developed: 20 short clips (cartoons) and 3 long clips (stories) (C8). Training of shop assistants (D1) has been carried out once, a second round will be held in autumn 2014 and we would like to propose a third round for 2015 to react on the needs of the companies. Training of Baltic NGOs for international lobbying on the HS has been implemented as planned (D2). Assessment of impacts on stakeholders, target audience and the environmental problem has started as planned (E1). List of potential indicators have been identified and data collection has started all over project study areas and target groups. Project website (F1) is online, LIFE+ information boards have been elaborated as well printed, additionally also street campaign was carried out in all target countries (F2). Layman's Report (F3) and Final Project Presentation (F4) have not yet started – according to project schedule.

3.2. Assessment as to whether the project objectives and work plan are still viable The project objectives are very viable for the Baltic States, especially as in recent times goods (amongst others our target consumer goods) with environmental labels, goods which claim to be “natural” and goods without specific labels are placed in shops beside each other and the consumer, similarly to 15 years ago in e.g. Germany or Scandinavia, has the difficulty of understanding what means “environmental friendly” or “hazardous substance free” in reality. New brands of eco-labelled products are appearing on the market, also at our target retail shops and our campaign seems to be well in time for backstopping it with information and add up on motivating the consumer to take an informed choice. Besides a few changes in the action schedule as proposed below (some actions need to prolonged to take up results from other actions as well take into account actual developments on the market) the work plan is accepted by the consortium and will be implanted accordingly. 3.3. Problems encountered The project has been implemented according to the agreed schedule as planned. There are no obvious signs that the objectives cannot be reached. One unforeseen obstacle has been the unwillingness of car repair shops to tackle the issue of hazardous substances. The project team has intensively searched for solutions and the objectives of the project will be reached with little bit different angle as described under action implementation description (C2).

Progress report LIFE+

In the implementation of the activities the project team has found good contact with different stakeholders and a way to draw public attention to one priority problem: testing of products, which is new on Baltic markets and gained high attention of public, media but also enforcement authorities. Therefore we see a need to reopen the C1 action “test your environment” to generate more visibility but also more proof of evidence to the problem and thus enable competent authorities with whom we work hand in hand to better justify restrictive policy. We would also like to implement more training/education to students (future school teachers) as well as to shop assistants. Therefore we would like to prolong the implementation of project until 30 September 2015 (6 months). The issues described do not influence the objectives of the project and the prolongation is actually not a reaction on problems encountered but rather on new developments and attention to hazardous substance containing consumer goods on the market in our countries and will give important specification, more evidence and credibility and, thus, additional value and assures the viability of the results.

4. Administrative part 4.1. Description of project management Project coordinating beneficiary is Baltic Environmental Forum Estonia, responsible for actions A1-A5 (Project management and monitoring). Responsible project manager is Ms Kai Klein who is in charge of the operational project management, partner communication and contracting, reporting to the European Commission and supervising the implementation of actions. For co-leadership and support Ms. Heidrun Fammler has been temporarily employed at BEF EE (part time) as project supervisor and senior financial advisor to advise the project manager, set up financial and accounting schemes at partners, provide training on LIFE+ project reporting, chair partners meetings and international seminars. As to the question raised in your answer to the mid-term report regarding recruitment of Ms Fammler we would like to confirm that she has been employed in accordance with Estonian labour legislation. One of the reasons for employing her instead of our earlier practice to contract her as individual expert was to guarantee her involvement in the project, as she has been the author of it and in that way we avoided tendering on the market (which would not have been a fair competition as she as author as an advantage). Additionally, we would like to note that she is not “employed” in BEF Germany (acting there on honorary basis with part time project contracts similarly to her involvement at BEF Latvia); her daily rate is based on the rate of a German expert of her level of experience and on her rate in all BEF projects since many years and as currently ongoing – due to the employment situation, her tax level is higher than as an individual expert, therefore the rate is 19€ higher per day. Baltic Environmental Forum Estonia was also responsible on leading actions B2 (Concept for info materials and campaigning instruments), and is responsible for leading actions C4 (Get the youth aware and motivated for action to change consumption patterns), C5 (Lobbying the integration of hazardous substance reduction measures into policy making), and F1-F4 (Communication and dissemination of the project and its results). Baltic Environmental Forum Estonia is also acting as country coordinator for all project actions. Associated beneficiary 2, Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia, was responsible on leading action B1 (Indepth assessment of reduction potential of priority hazardous substances in certain products by public information campaigns), and is responsible for leading actions C2 (Many small enterprises have recognizable emissions of hazardous substances – Awareness campaign at car repair shops and hairdressers), C3 (Reducing the impacts of hazardous substances from construction materials – awareness campaign at retail shops), C6 (Regular media work), D1 (Training of shop assistants) and E1 (Assessment of impacts on stakeholders, target audience and the environmental problem). Baltic Environmental Forum Latvia is also acting as country coordinator for project implementation in Latvia. Associated beneficiary 3, Baltic Environmental Forum Lithuania, is responsible on leading actions C1 (Encouraging hazardous substance-free living environment) and C7 (One-off action: test your environment and body!).

Progress report LIFE+

Associated beneficiary 4, Stichting Women in Europe for a Common Future (WEFC), was responsible on leading action D2 (Training of Baltic NGOs for international lobbying on the HS topic). Associated beneficiary 5, Vides Filmu Studija (VFS), is responsible on leading action C8 (Making the “invisible” visible: video clips). Associated beneficiaries 8, AS RAUTAKESKO (Latvia), and 9, Rautakesko AS (Estonia), are belonging to the Kesko Group of which one branch is building and home improvement trade called Rautakesko. The company has businesses in Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia and Belarus. Krauta is Rautakesko’s international concept which operates in Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Russia. Therefore associated beneficiaries 8 and 9 of this project are called K-rauta and are operating on conceptual management level as one company, however, on country implementation level acting as two legal entities with two bookkeepers, expert staff and accounts/legal address in each country as foreseen in the application. Each partner has nominated a coordinator from their organisation, who is in charge of personnel management for the project. Coordinators of partners have participated in project partners meeting and are the main contact persons for reporting and communication with project manager. 4.2. Organogram of the project team and the project management structure The organisation of action implementation is taking place in “cross-country setting” with one action leader from one of the countries and relevant counter parts for action implementation in the other countries. The action leader is responsible for action reporting to the project manager on quarterly basis. Furthermore the action leaders are participating and reporting at monitoring meetings and other working group meetings and is each month communicating with project manager about the activities. The project team from the CB BEF EE, AB2 BEF LV, AB3 BEF LT BEF, AB5 VFS and AB4 WECF are meeting frequently to communicate on project activities, progress and undertake joint project planning. The project management organogram is illustrating the partner structure as stated in the project application and it has not changed since the project start:

4.3. Changes to the management structure There haven´t been changes to the management structure. 4.4. Reporting of the project The first project report was the inception report (30.06.2012); then was the mid-term report (31.07.2013). This report is project progress report (20.07.2014) and the final project report will be submitted on 30.06.2015 (in case of prolongation respectively 31.12.2015). The inception and mid-term report received positive feedback from the European Commission. To implement additional activities and to guarantee achievement of all objectives we see a need to prolong the project by 6 months until September 2015.

Progress report LIFE+

5. Technical part The list of project milestones as defined in the grant contract, are indicated below. Fulfilment of the milestones is considered till reporting date 30.04.2014.

Name of the Milestone Project management structure established Project website established Assessment on reduction potential of priority hazardous substances in certain products by public information campaigns prepared Labs for the substances sampling are contracted and people have agreed with the testing Campaign scenarios including detailed time planning and harmonised concept of project information materials completed Inventory of products of concern and implementation plan developed how to deal with those products All courses held for the shop assistants Teaching kit developed Information boards produced and installed to raise public awareness about the project and hazardous substances Video clips are completed Hazardous substances have been discussed at least three times with input from the project NGOs Awareness campaign at retail shops completed All information materials product as take-away are distributed by end of the campaign action Awareness campaign at car repair shops and hairdressers completed Enterprises for voluntary agreements found and agreement signed Education of young teachers and implementation campaign at schools implemented twice Round tables held with the policy makers and results of the discussions evaluated positive Articles produced and published Evaluation of impacts of project activities on target group and environmental problem Contacts established between the team of BaltInfoHaz and international NGOs

Code of associated action A1 F1 B1

31.12.2011 31.03.2012 30.06.2012

Completed Completed Completed

30.09.2012

Completed

30.10.2012

Completed

30.10.2012

Completed

D1 C4 F2

30.10.2012 31.05.2013 31.12.2013

Completed Completed Completed

C8 D2

31.12.2013 30.06.2014

Completed Ongoing

C3 C3

30.09.2014 30.09.2014

Ongoing Ongoing

31.12.2014

Ongoing

31.12.2014

Ongoing

31.12.2014

Ongoing

31.12.2014

Ongoing

C1 E1

31.12.2014 31.12.2014

Ongoing Ongoing

31.12.2014

Ongoing

Deadline

Fulfilment

5.1. Actions Below are described the highlights of project actions undertaken during the implementation period May 2013 – April 2014. 5.1.1. Action A: Project management and monitoring of the progress 5.1.1.1. Action A1: Project management and administration The implementation of the actions is taking place in “a cross-country setting” with action leader for each project action either in Estonia, Lithuania or Latvia. Relevant counter parts are supporting the overall action implementation. The action leader is responsible for action reporting to the beneficiary on quarterly basis.

Progress report LIFE+

During the reporting period fifth partners meeting was held on 21.10.2013 in Munich, Germany. The aim of the meeting was to get overview and feedback on the campaign activities. Special attention was paid to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Awareness campaign at car repair shops and hairdressers (C2)â&#x20AC;? and the strategies how to contact car repair enterprises. Second emphasis of the meeting was to receive feedback from university representatives regarding usage of teachers handbook and collect improvements needs. Report from the meeting is attached in Annex 7.1.1.1. The sixth partners meeting will be held in 25.-26.05.2014 in Tallinn. Financial management is described in chapter 6. Content coordination is continuously taking place at the partners, at different team meetings and inbetween by mails and phone calls. Supervision of content implementation is done via communication. Project reporting - the first project inception report has been submitted (30.06.2012), second report was the mid-term report (30.04.2013), this is progress report and the final project report in June 2015 (or in December 2015 in case of prolongation) will still follow. 4th and 5th progress reports by action leaders have been submitted to project manager by 30.04.2014 and they have been joined into one action report covering whole project period until 30.04.2014. The action progress reports are working documents for the project team and therefore are not envisaged to be made publicly available in the project website. Information from the reports will be available through the progress report as the essential from there is taken to the main report file. Action implementation reports can be found in PR, Annexes 7.1.1.1- 7.1.1.3 for A actions; 7.1.2.1-7.1.2.8 for C actions; 7.1.3.1 for D actions; 7.1.4.1 for E action and 7.1.5.1-7.1.5.2 for F actions. Detailed action report is attached in PR, Annex 7.1.1.1. 5.1.1.2. Action A2: Monitoring of project progress The project monitoring activity is meant for guaranteeing smooth project implementation. The 3rd monitoring meeting was held 19th-20th September 2013 in Riga, 4th monitoring meeting was held in 17th-18th December 2013 in Riga. During the meeting overall project progress versus planned activities in the application was discussed as well planning of next activities was done. Report from monitoring meeting is attached in PR, Annex 7.1.1.2. In response to the mid-term report it was asked to clarify why there is incoherence between technical implementation and the actual duration of the action. The incoherence in costs is because the costs of partners meetings (seminar services and travel) have been budgeted into A2 action instead of A1. Detailed action report is attached in PR, Annex 7.1.1.2. 5.1.1.3. Action A3: External audit The auditorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s data was provided with the Mid-term Report. The auditor has made the 2nd review of the partner expenditure reporting in March 2014. The auditor was satisfied with the general report though had some small suggestions for improvements. The auditor shall each year follow the expenditure reporting to avoid at the end of the project questions on costs incurred many years before and to keep on track of good financial management of the project. Auditor, financial manager and project manager work in close and fruitful cooperation. At this stage there is no specific annex to be submitted as audit report will be issued only at project end. 5.1.1.4. Action A4: After-LIFE Communication plan The action is scheduled for 2015. 5.1.1.5. Action A5: Networking with similar (LIFE+) projects and actors in the region The aim of this activity is to activate local NGOs from the three Baltic States and international ones, bring them together to discuss achievements in policy development.

Progress report LIFE+

In the response to the mid-term report and notes regarding usage of LIFE logo on posters we assure that in future we will ensure the visibility of LIFE in produced materials. During the reporting period the project was represented in The XV Baltic Sea Day in St. Petersburg, Russia on 19th -21st March 2014 under the motto: If you want to change the world – start with yourself. The project BaltInfoHaz presented the relevant information via the Center for Transboundary Cooperation - St. Petersburg Baltic Environmental Forum Russia and the resources were used efficiently. The International workshop in “Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Other Hazardous Substances in Consumer Goods and Their Impacts to Human Health” was held in Vilnius on 25th -26th March 2014. The goal of the meeting was to provide knowledge on endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) and other hazardous substances in different products such as toys, baby care products, cosmetics and how they impact human health. In total 83 persons attended the seminar. The report from the seminar together with presentations can be also downloaded from the project website but it is also attached to the PR as Annex 7.1.1.3. Although the action was foreseen until March 2014 we would like to keep it opened until the end of the project (also including a potential prolongation) as the cooperation with other projects and actors shall be continued until the very last day (eg. Green Week in Brussels etc). Detailed action report is attached in PR, Annex 7.1.1.3. 5.1.2. Action B: Preparatory actions Preparatory actions were foreseen in the project to help to set joint baseline for all project campaigning activities. Both preparatory actions “In-depth assessment of reduction potential of priority hazardous substances in certain products by public information campaigns (B1)” and “Preparatory works for the campaigns and their tools (B2)” were completed by mid-term report and no activities were carried out in the reporting period. 5.1.3. Action C: Awareness raising campaigns Awareness raising campaigns are the main activities in the project. Actions C1 – C5 are targeted at specific target groups of the project with the aim to inform them about the hazardousness of certain substances in different products and to initiate a change in their consumption patterns. Actions C6, C7 and C8 are supporting activities which help to implement the five core campaigns in the Baltic States. 5.1.3.1. Action C1: Encouraging hazardous substance-free living environment The main achievement of the period is the implementation of the info-days (11 info-days in Lithuania, 15 Info days in Latvia, 7 info days in Estonia) as well publishing articles in specialized press and internet portals. From the project beginning until the end of reporting period more than 50 events with approximately 1000 participants have been carried out. During the period the published pocket guides were actively distributed as well. According to the project application one progress indicator is that the website having counted 3 000 visitors per country. This indicator has been reached already by the end of this reporting period. The project website has had in Estonia more than 10 500 visitors, in Latvia more than 5 000 visitors and in Lithuania more than 18 000 visitors. We will, of course, continue to count and promote the project web site until project end, it seems to be a very highly appreciated communication tool. Additionally to the planned activities in the Baltic States, a pocket guide on clothing was published in Germany (electronic version is as Annex 7.1.2.1). The partner WECF has introduced its new pocket guide on „clothing” (Kinder schützen, Schadstoffe vermeiden) to the BEF team and for that purpose it has been translated from German into English. Currently the BEF team checks the local market if the alternatives recommended there can be found on Baltic markets or if the consumer at the moment will not really benefit from indicated alterative choices, which for us is the most crucial question before publishing advice: can alternatives be obtained for the „normal” Baltic consumer. The pocket guide will be given the people from the project network capable to read English and then it will be discussed if to translate it also to the national languages and distribute widely or rather to keep it on the website as advanced English publication for interested parties only.

Progress report LIFE+

The action will proceed with implementing of more info-days. Furthermore, the communication in web forums for parents, which so far has not been showing great results or attraction, will be given one more try or changed by another equal internet tool to reach as much people as it is possible. However, it seems that our project web site is the best tool and we will most probably launch more information on it at social media and link to it rather than trying to place information at other internet fora. Detailed action report is attached in PR, Annex 7.1.2.1. 5.1.3.2. Action C2: Many small enterprises have recognizable emissions of hazardous substances – Awareness campaign at car repair shops and hairdressers Activities can be split into two main groups – ones dealing with hairdressers and the ones dealing with car repair shops. Activities concerning hairdressers have been implemented as initially planned, with slight adjustments to better fit the needs of the target group and to reach the maximum audience. It was decided to start the info days at professional schools where young hairdressers are getting their education. A good cooperation has been established with Riga Professional Style and Design High School, where 85% of Latvia’s young hairdressers are studying. In Latvia a comprehensive info-day in this school was held in spring 2014 (Annex 7.1.2.2). Over 150 students attended the info day and it received very positive feedback, both, from students as well from the faculty personnel. The communication with schools in Estonia has also started, but here the situation is different with several smaller schools (approximately 10) for hairdressers to be approached separately. Nevertheless, similar approach as in Latvia will be applied also in Estonia. Additionally to the schools 95 active hairdressers have been interviewed in Latvia by students of sociology to receive more information both for elaborating info-days as well analysing the impact. Approximately 35% of the hairdressers are interested to have further information and form bases for voluntary agreements to be made by the end of the project. As requested by response to the mid-term report the list of contacted and interviewed hairdressers is attached in Annex 7.1.2.2. A handbook for students and already working hairdressers has been elaborated. The content has been agreed with teachers and working professionals; it is mainly focusing on practical aspects of choice for different cosmetics and other professional goods, as well as labelling elements and information that can be found on the packaging. It also features a list of ingredients to be avoided in each group of professional cosmetics, based on inventory carried out in one of major whole sellers of professional hair care and beauty goods in the Baltic States. Handbook in English is attached in Annex 7.2.1. The next step is to finalise the national language versions of the handbook to ease the future use of the material. The national language versions of the handbook will be ready by autumn 2014. Car repair shops have turned out to be a much more difficult target group than initially thought – as they do not require any kind of environmental permit (therefore no inspections from responsible authorities) and the professional products rarely come into contact with the customer (unlike the case for hairdressers), car repair shop owners and employees are absolutely uninterested in changing their existing products for sake of environmental or health benefits and not interested to receive such information at all for that matter. Thus, it was decided to focus on stakeholders that are larger by size (and therefore could have corporate strategies that could match project goals) and also have larger impact on the environment (such as car washing facilities). Contacts with these enterprises have been established, starting with Riga municipal public transportation company which operates a car park of over a thousand vehicles and two largest taxi cab companies, also operating several hundreds of vehicles. All three of these companies indicated that in car repairing and maintenance, most important factor is price of chemical goods, then their capability of provide desired technical results and potential negative effects on occupational safety. Environmental conditions are not considered. Therefore also these stakeholders are very difficult to reach due to lack of motivation from their side to even obtain such information. The next step done is addressing the largest car dealerships and car washing chains with an informational letter and an offer for cooperation in frame of which they could get a free-ofcharge consultation on contents of products currently used and perspective alternatives if hazardous substances are to be found in any of them.

Progress report LIFE+

Regardless from obstacles faced the project team is confident that the foreseen materials will be elaborated and made available on project website as well distributed in meetings and info-days and that with this action new thinking can be stimulated. Although initially this activity was not foreseen to be carried out in Lithuania our Lithuanian team is very interested in the guidance materials for hairdressers. Project team is confident that this would give additional value to the project and would like to introduce the hairdressers handbook also in Lithuania and make several info-days as well. For this purpose man days shall be shifted to the C2 action at BEF LT. The shift is from BEF Estonia to BEF Lithuania from the personnel to personnel. The transfer of funds from BEF Estonia does not hinder the implementation in Estonia and activities will be carried out as planned. Detailed action report is attached in PR, Annex 7.1.2.2. 5.1.3.3. Action C3: Reducing the impacts of hazardous substances from construction materials – awareness campaign at retail shops The main outcome of the reporting period was the official start of the campaign “Safer Choice” in Krauta stores all-over Latvia and Estonia. The campaign started with client days in K-rauta shops in Latvia. The activity “mailing to households” was successfully continued during the reporting period with the 3rd (October 2013) and 4th (April 2014) mailing to households (Annex 7.2.2). Both, the 3rd and the 4th mailing, were sent out in printed and electronic versions to approximately 400.000 clients in Latvia and Estonia each. The continuation of information activities is very important because raising awareness and changing behavior of people is a long-term process and must be continued – during possible prolongation we therefore also want to continue with the mailing actions, if approved. Repeated assortment inventory was started during the reporting period. After the list of new assortment of products was received from Partner AB8 and AB9 both product lists were compared and new products selected by Partner CB and AB2 to which, potentially, the “Safer Choice” label would be given. We recognized a few products with environmental label in the shelves, especially new products by local producers. Material safety data sheets were requested and selected from the producers. The process of checking the safety data sheets according agreed criteria has started. It would be of utmost important to prolong the project and continue this campaign as the market is slowly reacting and a bit more time and catch the summer season (construction activities rise during spring-summer) 2015 for monitoring of change of assortment and consumer requests. We would also like to state that we are constantly working together with AB8 and AB9 to improve the quality of the campaign in K-rauta stores and thus we will discuss also with them how to improve the campaign and how to make it sustainable. The campaign has been listed in the Rautakesko corporate responsibility report of 2013 as one of the environmental and customer wellbeing activities (Annex 7.1.2.3, http://corporateresponsibility2013.kesko.fi/responsibility-themes/wellbeing-forcustomers/case-rautakesko-environmental-products-in-estonia-and-latvia ). We also would like to state that the campaign has been recognized positively by suppliers to the shops, by the local producers of paints and varnishes: CB has received a letter from Estonian Chemical Industry Association requesting additional information about the campaign and cooperation has started. Detailed action report is attached in PR, Annex 7.1.2.3. 5.1.3.4. Action C4: Get the youth aware and motivated for action to change consumption patterns During the reporting period the development of teaching materials “Teachers Handbook” was finalized. Trainings for future teachers in Tallinn (TLU) and Liepaja Universities (LIEPU) continued and students tested the handbook materials and gave the special lessons in schools about the hazardous substances and their occurrence in everyday products. LIEPU students had the practice lessons in primary school (grades 1-3) and TLU students in secondary school (grades 4-6 and 7-9) and gymnasium (grades 10-12). Authors and editorial team finalized the content writing of Teacher’s Handbook shortly after the midterm report. The title of the handbook is: “Think before you buy. Choose products with less hazardous

Progress report LIFE+

substances”. This is a teacher’s handbook about chemicals around us and hazardous substances in products. Already now the handbook has got a huge interest and teachers are waiting for the book and are interested to use it in the coming school season. The Estonian and Latvian editions of Teacher’s Handbook are attached to the report (Annex 7.2.3). The project team would like to add one more deliverable to the project – the teacher’s handbook in English. We see the additional value for publishing the handbook together with methodological materials in English as well. At present only general part of the handbook is available in English and the methodological parts and teaching materials are in Estonian or Latvian languages. This would give a good opportunity for our Lithuanian and German (WECF) team to use the handbook in future also in these countries as well potentially also in other EU countries and we have noted interest from Finnish and Swedish partners of our network as well – the replication potential would increase substantially. The English handbook would be published electronically but the funds are needed for translation as well for design. The requested participant list (21.03.2014) that was not presented in Mid-term report is attached in Annex 7.1.2.4. Detailed action report is attached in PR, Annex 7.1.2.4. 5.1.3.5. Action C5: Lobbying the integration of hazardous substance reduction measures into policy making During the reporting period active dialogue with policy makers in order to address and introduce the results from Action C7 campaign has been initiated, the first round table seminar with facilitated discussion for policy makers, decision makers or parliamentarians has been held and the first information leaflets produced and distributed. The target groups of this activity are not only politicians in parliament, but also specialists in ministries and other competent authorities (management and support level) who are dealing with the issues related to hazardous substances. The first round table „Endocrine disrupting chemicals in consumer products and their impact on human health" was held 24.04.2014 in Estonia. 19 participants took part in the roundtable, among them were politicians, specialists from different ministries and agencies involved in chemicals policy and legal acts developments in the field of chemical safety, representatives from state supervision institutions, representatives of environmental and consumer protection NGOs and volunteers from blood testing. Report from round table with signature sheet, presentation and invitation are included in Annex 7.1.2.5. The round tables with the same concept and aims are to be held 21.05.2014 in Latvia and 16.05.2014 in Lithuania. Lithuanian round table will cover also introduction of consumers right to know (REACH article 33) about substances of very high concern present in articles (among them some EDC) in order to introduce the experiment, when AB3 has sent 52 inquiries for retailers about substances of very high concern in articles and got practically no answers or not satisfying answers. Our team is in communication with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on the issue of concern. The first information leaflets produced within this action were „Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) the action is needed now“. These leaflets were issued in the project specially for the first round tables about the EDCs and distributed to participants during the events. The printed versions of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian leaflets were issued. The printed EE, LV and LT editions and ENG pdf template leaflet are attached to the report (Annex 7.2.4). Project team wants to investigate the responsibility problem regarding consumers right to know (REACH article 33) about substances of very high concern present in articles. The introduction of REACH article 33 is needed, not only to consumers, but also to retailers. As AB3 (BEF LT) already has an experience on it where they sent inquiries for retailers about substances of very high concern in articles, we want to implement this activity also in Estonia and in Latvia. A special campaign will be launched in autumn 2014 to be followed up then with the ECHA colleagues. Detailed action report is attached in PR, Annex 7.1.2.5.

Progress report LIFE+

5.1.3.6. Action C6: Regular media work During the reporting period intensive media work has been implemented by BEF Estonia, BEF Latvia and BEF Lithuania. Each partner used different types of media communication in accordance to media situation in the country and available co-operation possibilities, i.e. by elaborating and offering ready-topublish articles on different topics; disseminating press releases; reacting to media requests; organizing media events; initiating themes for the articles etc. During the reporting period BEF Estonia, BEF Latvia and BEF Lithuania have elaborated and disseminated in total 37 press releases, ready-to-publish articles and other information materials for media (List of information materials for media in Annex 7.1.2.6. As a result of such a comprehensive media work within one year publicity in media increased substantially reaching more than 180 articles/reportages (list of recorded articles in Annex 7.1.2.6 and ensuring that more people learn about hazardous substances in every day products and safer choice principle. Due to the fruitful media work the following numbers of articles/radio or TV reportages have been initiated:  19 TV reportages mostly in news programs of leading national television stations;  18 radio reportages mostly in national radio stations;  28 articles in print press mostly in specialized magazines for women or parents;  118 articles on different internet media like news portal “Delfi” (operates in all three countries), specialized (environmental or parents’) web portals, webpages and blogs. The issue that gained most of the media interest was blood, product and air testing results. More than 50 out of 183 articles were dedicated to testing results showing that media is very interested in information that demonstrates the problem of hazardous substances in every day products and their impact on people’s health and the environment. Additionally to the written materials four special media events were organized in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by the project team. Three of them were organized to present to media the results of testing blood, products and indoor air (Annex 7.1.2.6). 46 people attended those events and the publicity gained afterwards by disseminating press release was noticeable. The fourth event was organized using untraditional approach and attaching it to the hairdresser training that took place in Riga Professional Style and Design high school. During the training five journalists, including two leading Latvian beauty editors, joined to the training and were informed about the project and its website. Although intensive media work in Latvia and Estonia was started later than it was planned the results have been achieved and an increase of publicity in media during the reporting period is very satisfying. There are no major obstacles for continuation of media work if needs and specifics of different media are taken into account. As to your note to make an effort to ensure that the LIFE programme is mentioned by project staff we ensure that we have done it; but in case it is not an online reportage we cannot guarantee that it is included also when it is broadcasted. Nevertheless we do all in our power to keep the LIFE programme noticeable. Detailed action report is attached in PR, Annex 7.1.2.6. 5.1.3.7. Action C7: One-off action: test your environment and body! During the reporting period the test results of the blood, products and indoor air were received and introduced to the public. In total 20 blood samples, indoor air from 15 nurseries, 27 wooden products and 52 different plastic products were tested. During the researchers (labs) have been looking in blood for 3 widespread hazardous chemical groups – phthalates, which are commonly used in soft plastic products and also can be put in perfumes and building materials, polybrominated flame retardants, that had been used in electronic devices, furniture and textile products and perfluorinated compounds which are characterized by the features such as resistance to high temperature, water and grease thus used in grease resistant food packaging paper,

Progress report LIFE+

carpets or impregnated clothing, cookware (e.g., Teflon pans). In total, 28 different substances have been analyzed and 15 of them have been detected in the articles. In 25 (almost 40%) of 67 products selected for the testing phthalates (substances commonly associated with fertility disorders and cancer) were found and in 16 of them the higher (when there are more than 0.1% of phthalates in a product) concentrations were detected. The cocktail of hazardous chemicals was found in household dust samples also. As a result of the product testing the products that exceeded the limits remarkably were taken from the market in Lithuania as well in Estonia. As in our countries there is definitely lack of evidence for hazardous substances in products project team sees a need to reopen the action and to do some more test to prove that the products contain hazardous substances. In Lithuania project team together with active society sees the problem in testing of hygiene productions of women and children (sanitary pads and diapers). For the moment as there is no testing precedent and due to the limited resources inspectorate is not making tests for such hazardous substances as phthalates and formaldehyde of mentioned products on the daily basis. On our market we see at the moment big advertisement campaigns of producers and retailers which states that hygiene products are made environment friendly and healthy, but they are not eco labelled or do not provide qualified testing data proving that products are free of mentioned hazardous substances. There are already done some testing activities of such products in the world, however not in Baltic region. As there is still left resources for testing activity, we see reasonable to start such testing and check the problem. The results would help general public to choose safer products which can have huge impact on women and children health. Also it would be precedent for control institutions in all three countries to foresee testing of such products more frequently in next yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. Additionally to tests in Lithuania we also see a need to continue with testing in Latvia (construction materials) and add also Estonia (toys). Detailed action report and the report on results are attached in PR, Annex 7.1.2.7. 5.1.3.8. Action C8: Making the â&#x20AC;&#x153;invisibleâ&#x20AC;? visible: video clips This activity aims to widen the recognisability of the project through visualising the issue of hazardous substances in the products. The 20 short animated clips were finalised in Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, English and Russian and are published on our web site. The scripts for the 3 informative short films were agreed among project partners and the production was started (Annex 7.1.2.8). The short animated clips have been used during press conferences as well other possibilities. The clips will be together with informative short films put on DVDs and specifically be distributed to universities to teachers who can use them to illustrate the lessons, besides, of course, their publication online. Detailed action report is attached in PR Annex 7.1.2.8. 5.1.4. Action D: Training activities 5.1.4.1. Action D1: Training of shop assistants During the reporting period preparation for next set of trainings took place. There have been discussions with K-rauta management how in a best way to organise the trainings. The training courses are scheduled for the autumn 2014. As we would like to prolong the project we would also like to prolong this action as it is essential to keep the possibility to make one more round of trainings in spring 2015 as the shop assistance are one of the essential target groups and they are many, but not all of them can be trained at one time due to working shifts. 5.1.4.1. Action D2: Training of Baltic NGOs for international lobbying on the HS topic The major activities foreseen in the project have been completed and these activities have been implemented according to foreseen timeline. A remaining study visit to Germany took place in October 2013 back-to-back with the 5th partners meeting and was organised by WECF. The study visit included excursions to a retailer store, an ecological retailer, a cosmetic store and a workshop with an ecological hairdresser and a visit to the Landesgewerbeanstalt, which is an official testing and control agency of the Federal State of Bavaria.

Progress report LIFE+

This excursion was part of the NGO training with the aim to gain more experience in practicalities of avoiding HS in daily life products by choosing safer products, demanding information on HS from suppliers and developing a strategic approach. The gained knowledge will be the base for the policy work of the participating NGOs in linking the practical view with political needs. The action is successfully completed and all planned trainings (in total 3) and the study visit to Germany (4th training) were implemented as foreseen in the project application. Detailed action report is attached in PR Annex 7.1.3.1. 5.1.5. Action E: Monitoring of the project impact on the main target audience and on the environmental problem targeted 5.1.5.1. Action E1: Assessment of impacts on stakeholders, target audience and the environmental problem With assistance from the contracted experts, assessment of impacts on different stakeholder groups is being carried out at a continuous pace, as the actual activities in each of C actions are implemented. In the end of the reporting period questionnaires for the hairdressers (action C2) as well for the K-rauta shoppers (action C3) were elaborated and data is being gathered by the local project team and by students. Next step is to analyse the received information as soon as it will be available (autumn 2014). Additionally to the questionnaires to shoppers sales data on paints and varnishes with and without the project price tag has been collected for the first year of project activities in shops both for Latvia and Estonia. Although more deeper investigations have to be carried out, very first indications show a slight increase in purchases of products with the project price tags – however, it is too early for an evaluation. Questionnaires for young teachers (action C4) both from Latvia and Estonia have been developed and distributed to determine the effectiveness and applicability of materials that were prepared in frame of the project. In addition to what was initially foreseen, a questionnaire was developed for teachers of chemistry in Latvia, as BEF LV expert was invited as a speaker in the annual conference of chemistry teachers of Latvia. General feedback on topic was asked along with questions on current information level on the subject. The teachers’ handbook, developed in frame of the project, saw a great interest amongst participants of the conference and almost 100% of respondents expressed a wish to obtain it. As to your question to the mid-term report regarding BEF Germany as subcontractor we would like once more explain how the procedure of selection took place. A first inquiry was conducted when the project application was developed as we misunderstood the options given by the application guidelines (possibility to indicated that a sub-contractor has been already selected) and wanted to have a subcontractor clear already for contributing to application writing and developing with us the impact assessment actions as we felt too weak in empirical social inquiries. In that time direct inquiries were sent to several environmental consulting companies and also offers were received. We also checked sociological consulting companies for potential of cooperation, but did not find them appropriate to fulfil the task (they only can perform data gathering and processing, but not setting it into the environmental impact context). Based on these offers a selection implemented and the application was written jointly and we indicated in the proposal (F forms, description of supplier). During the negotiation on the proposal it was stated that a tender cannot be done before the grant agreement and therefore a second tender was made according to Estonian requirements, possible to publish just on internet. Unfortunately we did not receive offers from the same companies as before. Most probably the reason was that the they lost interest as they did not win the competition in first time (reason was their high price) and did not see a reason to make a “pro forma” offer when it was known that BEF Germany would be cheaper. We would like to confirm that, although Ms Fammler has been employed for this project at BEF Estonia for a few tasks her duties do and did not include advising on tenders and on selection as this is depending on Estonian national rules and procedures (in Estonian language which she is not competent in), she was not involved in that process – it was decision of the board of BEF Estonia. With the final report the requested document table showing a detailed breakdown of BEF Germany's costs together with supporting documents will be submitted. Detailed action report is attached in PR Annex 7.1.4.1.

Progress report LIFE+

5.1.6. Action F: Communication and dissemination of the project and its results 5.1.5.1. Action F1: Project website The main goal of the action is to prepare and maintain the web site as a tool for information distribution from the project to a wide audience in the three Baltic States. The fully functional project website was launched in January 2013, although many sections have been operational already earlier. The website is available in five languages – Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, English and Russian with differences in the local languages according to different activities, policies and target groups. The main activity now is to fill, update and maintain the national language versions because the target group of the campaign is the society of each country. The English language version provides a general overview of project activities, info about partners and it highlights some specific issues which are of interest for the international audience. The aim of the Russian language version is to provide information about hazardous substances, their use in different products and the possible adverse health and environmental effects related to the hazardous chemicals to the native Russian speaking inhabitants in the Baltic States which often lack sufficient knowledge in Estonian, Latvian or Lithuanian language to understand that hazardous substance issues, but are a large group of consumers and therefore target audience of the project. In the beginning of 2014 the BaltInfoHaz project in cooperation with its “daughter” project “BelHazCampaign” (EuropeAid-financed) in Belarus extended the web platform also for Belarussian target audience. Therefore an additional web domain address was installed with a website that is referring to the Belarusian legal basis (non-EU) and gives the information in a way that is not referring to European Union legal system. Detailed action report is attached in PR Annex 7.1.5.1. 5.1.5.2. Action F2: LIFE+ information boards The aim of the action is to produce information boards which provide information about hazardous substances in products and help to support the implementation of different campaigns. Information boards produced within BaltInfoHaz Campaign project can be divided into four groups:  Information boards targeted at consumers to support the C3 Campaign at retailers (AB8 Rautakesko LV and AB9 Rautakesko EE)  Information boards targeted at youth to support the C4 Campaign at the universities (AB6 TLU and AB7 LiepU)  Information boards targeted at the general public to support the C1 Campaign in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  Information boards/promotion banners to support the overall visibility of project. A lot of different information boards (firmly installed boards, posters, roll-ups, and info graphics) have been produced within the project (Annex 7.2.6). The content of the materials is unique in the Baltic States since such topic has not been addressed in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, our campaign is the first of its kind. To choose the right location and the type of info boards therefore is a bit of experiment for our team. So far we have received very positive feedback to the street campaign which was organised in all three Baltic States. The company who sells and rents commercial space in bus stations and street platforms is the same in all three Baltic States (JCDecaux) and they were very cooperative with the project team. Detailed action report is attached in PR Annex 7.1.5.2. 5.1.6.3. Action F3: Layman's Report The action is scheduled for 2014/2015. 5.1.6.3. Action F4: Final Project Presentation The action is scheduled for 2014/2015.

Progress report LIFE+

5.2. Envisaged progress until next report Until next progress reporting (March 2015 or in case of prolongation September 2015) the actions are planned to be continued according project implementation plan: B1, B2, D2 and F2 actions have been completed. Action A Project management and monitoring of progress: project management actions will continue as before: 6th and 7th partners meeting will be held, financial reporting will be submitted to coordinating beneficiary by all partners, actions will interlinked continuously (A1); monitoring of project progress will go on with monitoring meetings (A2); third and final review of expenses by auditor will be received (A3); networking with similar projects and actors will actively go on (A5). Action C Awareness rising campaigns: 6 guidebooks are being distributed continuously and actively in different meetings and occasions. The project team is participating in Internet and social networking communications, information days in EE; LV, LT (C1); interviews with selected SMEs, guidance for hairdressers and car repair shops with inventory, information days for target group (C2); campaign in retail shops will be continued and feedback on results received, information materials published and distributed, potentially additional mailings in client newsletters (C3); teaching kit published, further rounds of information seminar for students and training of the future teachers will be held. (C4); information materials for politician published will be and round tables held (C5); elaboration of media articles, journalist round-tables, dissemination of project results through media (C6); additional product tests shall be implemented and results published, analysed and used for different campaigns (C7); active dissemination of video clips and short informative films will be continued through F actions (C8). Action E Monitoring of the project impact on the main target audience and on the environmental problem targeted: more information from the main target audiences will be collected e.g. on consumption patterns and readiness to change or on market developments and by end of the project evaluated to assess impact of project activities on the target audience and on the environmental problem (E1). Action F Communication and dissemination of the project and its results: Project website (F1) will be continuously filed and updated with information and published publications; notice boards will be set up at different locations accessible for the target group (F2). Implementation of proposed and planned actions is illustrated in the Gantt chart: O ď Ź = Start / End date Action

2011

2012

Number/name of IV I II III action Overall Proposed O project Actual schedule A actions: Project management and monitoring A1. Project Managem ent A2. Project Monitorin g Board A3. Independe nt Audit A4. AfterLIFE Communic ation Plan A5. Networkin g with similar

2013 IV

III

2015 IV

I O

Proposed Actual Proposed Actual

Proposed Actual Proposed Actual Proposed Actual

Progress report LIFE+

III

2014

III

projects and actors in region B actions: Preparatory Actions B1. InProposed depth assessmen Actual t of red. pot.l of priority HS in certain products by public inf campaigns B2. Dev. Proposed of concept Actual for campaigns and their instrumen ts C actions: Communication actions/awareness campaigns C1. Encouragi ng HS free living environme nt C2. Awareness campaign at car repair shops and hairdresse rs C3. Awareness campaign at retail shops C4. Youth Campaign

Proposed

C5. Policy campaign

Proposed

Actual

Proposed Actual

Actual

C6. Proposed Regular Actual media work C7. Testing Proposed blood, Actual products and env. C8. Proposed Video clips Actual D actions: Training activities at selected target groups D1. Proposed Training of Actual shop assistants D2.

Progress report LIFE+

Training of Actual Baltic NGO’s E actions: Monitoring of project impact on the main target audience and on the environmental problem targeted E1. Proposed Assessme Actual nt of impacts on target audience and env. problem F actions: Communication and dissemination of the project and its results F1. Project website F2. LIFE+ informatio n boards F3. Layman’s report F4. Final project presentati on

Proposed Actual Proposed Actual Proposed Actual Proposed Actual

5.3. Impact As described in action E1 above, the “before and after” scenarios are ongoing, data is being collected and do not indicate yet any major finding – it is far too early to talk about an environmental impact and not easy to measure it. We can definitely state a high impact of the project on availability of public information due to the uniqueness of the campaign in the region and we are getting a lot of positive feedback on the project visibility – web site and info materials, so we can conclude already now that the project will achieve high impact on education of the society in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. If we will manage to steer this to a change in consumption pattern, we cannot say yet. We think that our campaign comes right in time to influence this growing sensitivity and environmental consciousness and will have an impact on the hazardous substance segment of the consumer good purchases. We also observe how slowly the opinion is up-taken and how slowly the market reacts – for example at our partner Rautakesko LV and EE – and we consider therefore the project prolongation to invest in a few more communication and education activities and reach more of the target group. 5.4. Outside LIFE BaltInfoHaz project has become a mother project for a similar project which is being implemented in Belarus – “Campaign on Hazardous Substances in Belarussia (BelHazCampaign)”. The project is lead by Baltic Environmental Forum Estonia and it has been developed to replicate and modify the activities done within BaltInfoHaz project to Belarus. Belarussian project partners are participating on BaltInfoHaz meetings to gain knowledge and experience how to implement BelHazCampaign activities in Belarus.

6. Financial part 6.1. Putting in place of the accounting system The accounting system has been set up from project beginning. All partners submit the financial reports to the coordinating beneficiary. Although the system is in place sometimes the submission of supporting documents takes time and in some cases employment contracts were submitted only after several requests. This is especially in case of WECF because in Netherlands employment contracts are considered to be confidential and the partners’ bookkeeper resisted in sending it to us. This is the reason why compared to the mid-term expenditure report some changes will be in the financial report

Progress report LIFE+

regarding personnel costs from WECF. From the finally received documentation of employment procedures (after the submission of mid-term report) it became obvious that part of the personnel costs of WECF are actually belonging to external assistance as the Dutch and German organisations have separate juridical status (as you also pointed out in your response to the mid-term report) and the German office should be sub-contracted to the Dutch one for implementation of some tasks. Internally at WECF they treat themselves as one entity and act like one although cash flows from NL to DE office for task implementation. This is now the reason why we would like to request to shift from personnel 20 000 EUR to external assistance for the work undertaken by the German office for the project (training and study visit lectures). We are confident that this is the correct approach between the two offices and not the timesheet based personnel cost reporting – the contracted sum is below tendering threshold and can be directly contracted. We can state that the explanation of LIFE regulation and common provision by CB is continuously taking place and improvements in the reporting are done as needed. As requested by your in your response to the mid-term report the VAT certificate for AB7 LiepU is attached in Annex 7.4.1 and timesheets for Johanna Hausmann AB5 WECF for period January 2012March 2014 is attached in Annex 7.4.2. 6.2. Continued availability of co financing Co-financing to the project implementation is provided at the moment by 2 institutions – Latvian Environmental Protection Fund and Ministry on Environment of Lithuania - as stated already in midterm report. CB BEF Estonia has received the positive response to its co-financing request from Ministry of Social Affairs for the sum of 21 300 EUR. The contracting will still take time because of the Government change in Estonia in the beginning of the year. 6.3 Costs incurred (summary by cost category and relevant comments) 6.3.1. Assessment of costs incurred: total costs by budget position So far 1 015 499 € costs have incurred (60% of total costs in 74% (31 months of 42) of project duration) – slightly less expenditure than project duration. However, quite some invoices for costs for the campaigns in retail shops, the teaching kit and costs for producing short video clips and movies were to come in May and June shortly after the financial reporting period and therefore the comparison between duration and spending is a bit misleading at date of reporting. Details of incurred costs (Spent time: 31 of 42 months (01.10.2011 - 30.04.2014) or 74%:

Budget breakdown categories

Total cost in €

1. Personnel

948 045

Costs incurred from the start date to 30.04.2014 in € 545 248

% of total costs

2. Travel and subsistence

134 995

49 254

3. External assistance

393 620

289 863

28 500

21 695

6. Consumables

20 250

7 942

7. Other Costs

48 790

41 874

4. Durable goods Infrastructure Equipment Prototype 5. Land purchase / long-term lease

Progress report LIFE+

8. Overheads TOTAL

109196

59 623

1 683 396

1 015 499

Comment on the budget posts and proposals for amendments or agreements: 

The position “other costs” is spent more in relation to project duration due to the high bank guarantee costs at CB with initial payment at project start. The bank guarantee was at the end 20 000€ higher than expected and we would like to shift from CB external assistance 10 640 EUR to other costs as well 10 000 EUR from personnel to other costs. The new budget for other cost would be 69 430 EUR which is an increase of 42.3%.



We would like to shift as stated above 20 000 EUR from personnel costs to external assistance due to the change of personnel in AB5 WECF (increase of ca. 5%). Additionally to that we would also like to shift 35 480 EUR from personnel and 3970 EUR from travel to external assistance. These shifts are due to the decision of having animated cartoons and short educational movies a different group of producers/actors needed to be involved and was contracted from small companies in Latvia and not, as originally planned as freelancers (individual experts under personnel) in AB4 VFS. The new budget for external assistance would be 474597 EUR taking into account changes applied in inception and mid-term report.

We are taking into account Common Provisions article 15.2 and confirm that the sum of all external assistance expenditures as well for the other costs will increase by more than 10% in total and the official request for contract change is expressed herewith. 6.3.2. Assessment of costs by partner Spending of the budgets by each partner according to project life time is different, depending mainly on management obstacles and to the nature of the tasks performed. However, looking at project activities by the whole consortium expressed by budget spending we can state, that no partner gives a reason for major worries. The lower costs in comparison to duration at CB and AB2 BEF LV are due to a multitude of personnel fluctuation (maternity leaves and other leaves) and related re-organisation of human resources; at AB8 and AB9 it is related to a) pending invoices after reporting date and b) re-organisation of the administration of the project due to re-organisation of the two companies and related less travel and participation in project meetings by less persons. Details of incurred costs by partner: partner CB BEF EE

costs foreseen 515 595

costs incurred by 30.04.2014

% of partner budget

279 552

AB2 BEF LV

313 576

AB3 BEF LT

179 364 136 319

192 741

AB4 WECF

142 857

100 430

AB5 VFS

187 418

130 492

49 406

35 766

36 559

25 445

AB8 K-rauta LV

123 569

61 364

AB9 K-rauta EE

121 675

66 767

1 683 396

1 015 499

AB6 TLU AB7 LiepU

Total

Progress report LIFE+

6.3.3. Financial review by actions The action costs were indicated in the financial forms in worksheet FB of the proposal. By reporting date 4 actions were finished and 3 actions did not yet note any costs as starting later. Nr

Short name of action

Project management and administration Project monitoring board meetings External audit AfterLIFE communication plan Networking among projects Background investigation Preparation of info campaign concept Young Mothers campaign Hairdressers & car repair shop campaigns Retailers & construction material campaign Youth campaign

C5 C6

Policy makers - campaign Media work

C7 C8 D1 D2 E1

Blood tests Video clips Training of shop assistants Training NGOs Monitoring of impacts

F1 F2 F3 F4

Project website Project boards Layman's report Final presentation TOTAL

A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 C1 C2 C3

Progress report LIFE+

Foreseen costs

Spent so far

% of budget

Remaining budget

250332

199240

51092

95004

65557

29447

14000 0 43652 29655 90570

5817 0 38453 12079 43778

42 0 88 41 48

8183 0 5199 17576 46792

119590 52960

63478 19652

53 37

56112 33308

178230

109071

69159

91395

44567

46828

28010 24267

10270 23152

37 95

17740 1115

66220 163713 78780 71895 75217

67745 97843 25896 48036 29914

102 60 33 67 40

-1525 65870 52884 23859 45303

40704 45733 4362 9911 1574200

24064 15027 0 0 943640

59 33 0 0 60

16640 30706 4362 9911 630560

7. Annexes 7.1. Technical action reports Description of Annex A. Project management and monitoring of project progress Action A1: Project management and administration  A1: Detailed action report th  A1: Report from project 5 partners meeting Action A2: Monitoring of project progress  A2: Detailed action report rd  A2: Report from 3 project monitoring board meeting th  A2: Report from 4 project monitoring board meeting Action A5: Networking with similar (LIFE+) projects and actors in the region  A5: Detailed action report  A5: Report and presentations from International Seminar “Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals and Other Hazardous Substances in Consumer Goods and Their Impacts to Human Health (25.-26.03.2014 in Vilnius) C. Awareness raising campaigns Action C1: Encouraging hazardous substance-free living environment  C1: Detailed action report  C1: Information Days in Lithuania  C1: Information days in Estonia  C1: Information days in Latvia  C1: Textile guidebook in German (electronic only)  C1: Media articles Action C2: Many small enterprises have recognizable emissions of hazardous substances – Awareness campaign at car repair shops and hairdressers  C2: Detailed action report  C2: Handbook for hairdressers in English  C2: Infoday for hairdressers students in Riga  C2: List of contacted and interviewed hairdressers and car repair facilities Action C3: Reducing the impacts of hazardous substances from construction materials – awareness campaign at retail shops  C3: Detailed action report  C3: Clients day in K-rauta stores in Riga  C3: Catalogue and newsletters with project info in  C3: Part of K-rauta corporate responsibility report Action C4: Get the youth aware and motivated for action to change consumption patterns  C4: Detailed action report  C4: Teachers handbook content discussion meeting  C4: “Teachers Handbook” in Estonian and Latvian nd  C4: 2 information seminar for students in Tallinn  C4: Information seminar for biology teachers in Tallinn and for chemistry teachers in Riga Action C5: Lobbying the integration of hazardous substance reduction measures into policy making  C5: Detailed action report  C5: Information leaflet on EDC in Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and English st  C5: 1 round table for policy makers in Tallinn Action C6: Regular media work  C6: Detailed action report  C6: List of information materials for media and the materials  C6: List of recorded articles and the articles  C6: Info-graphics and facts sheets  C6: Media event reports from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania Action C7: One-off action: test your environment and body!  C7: Detailed action report

Progress report LIFE+

Annex nr 7.1.1 7.1.1.1

7.1.1.2

7.1.1.3

7.1.2 7.1.2.1

7.1.2.2

7.2.1

7.1.2.3

7.2.2 7.1.2.4

7.2.3

7.1.2.5

7.2.4 7.1.2.6

7.1.2.7

 C7: Report on results of the test your environment and body Action C8: Making the “invisible” visible: video clips  C8: Detailed action report  C8: Scripts of the short films  C8: Set of video clips in Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Russian and English (electronically only) D. Training activities Action D2: Training of Baltic NGOs for international lobbying on the HS topic th  D2. Detailed action report of the 4 NGO training – study visit E. Monitoring of the project impact on the main target audience and on the environmental problem targeted Action E1: Assessment of impacts on stakeholders, target audience and the environmental problem  E1: Detailed action report F. Communication and dissemination of the project and its results Action F1: Project website  F1: Detailed action report Action F2: LIFE+ information boards  F2: Detailed action report  F2: Different roll-ups and information boards  F2: Street campaign posters and photos from the street campaign

7.1.2.8

7.2.5 7.1.3 7.1.3.1 7.1.4 7.1.4.1

7.1.5 7.1.5.1 7.1.5.2 7.2.6

7.2. Deliverables Deliverable name A1: Detailed action reports A-F (summary)

C2: Guidance for hairdressers in English C3: Leaflets for mailings to household with various information C4: Teachers handbook in Estonian and in Latvian C5: Information leaflet targeted at policy makers in Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and English (only electronic) C7: The set of video clips in Estonian, Latvian, Lithuanian and English (electronically only) F2: Photos of various info-boards

Annex nr Annexes 7.1.1.1- 7.1.1.3 for A actions; 7.1.2.17.1.2.8 for C actions; 7.1.3.1-7.1.3.2 for D actions; 7.1.4.1 for E action and 7.1.5.17.1.5.2 for F actions. 7.2.1 7.2.2 7.2.3 7.2.4

7.2.5 7.2.6

7.3. Dissemination materials 7.3.1. Photos from different events (electronically only)

(All other publicity materials are compiled under Action C6 “Regular Media work“ and can be found in Annex 7.1.2.6 - articles, radio and TV broadcasts, outtakes from web media, etc). 7.4. Financial annexes 7.4.1 VAT certificate for AB7 LiepU 7.4.2 Timesheets, payment documents and contract for Johanna Hausmann AB5 WECF for period January 2012-March 2014

Progress report LIFE+