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case studies are from different socio-economic and political landscapes to the study area, the<br />
study attempts to adapt their best practices for improved service delivery purposes.<br />
3.6.1 International local and regional environmental action plans (LEAP)<br />
Kolin, a local municipality in the Czech Republic, was chosen as a model town from a<br />
selection <strong>of</strong> five municipalities (Kolin, Decin, Liberec, Vsetaty and Vratislavice).<br />
Justification for its selection was that it was a medium-sized municipality <strong>of</strong>district size, with<br />
an average pollution level (www.leap.com. 2007). As the former KwaZulu-Natal provincial<br />
seat <strong>of</strong> government, this study chooses Ulundi out <strong>of</strong>the five local municipalities within the<br />
<strong>Zululand</strong> District Municipality (ZDM) as a point <strong>of</strong> reference in this study (Refer to Figure<br />
1.1 on page 3).<br />
3.6.1.1 Arrangement <strong>of</strong>LEAP<br />
The initiator <strong>of</strong> the Kolin LEAP project was the Institute for Environmental Policy (IEP) in<br />
Prague, inspired by similar projects implemented in other countries in transition to a market<br />
economy. Cooperation with the town <strong>of</strong> Kolin and insitutions has been based on mutual trust.<br />
At the end <strong>of</strong> 1994, coalition parties forming the City Council decided to design an action<br />
programme for municipal environmental problems. This decision was based on political<br />
parties' election programmes, which included a sound and favourable environment as one <strong>of</strong><br />
the top priorities. The subject was discussed and approved by the advisory body <strong>of</strong> the<br />
municipality, the Committee for Environmental Protection, and eventually by the City<br />
Council, which allocated US$5000 from the municipal budget for the project development<br />
[www.leap.com. (2007)].<br />
3.6.1.2 Project phases<br />
The Kolin Local and Regional Environmental Action Plans (LEAP) were developed in five<br />
phases; begun in 1995 after a certain period <strong>of</strong>preparatory work and negotiations with town<br />
authorities. The project's outcome was submitted to the council by the end <strong>of</strong> 1996. A<br />
system <strong>of</strong> cooperation between the town' s government and its citizens was tested and<br />
necessary changes made during 1997. Implementation <strong>of</strong>action plans for some priorities was<br />
executed for the period 1997-1998.<br />
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