The thematic priorities of actions and partnership of the Network are in line with the international agenda and specifically with the multi-year programme of work of the CSD. Concretely, Nrg4SD's thematic priorities for 2005-2008 are the following: energy for sustainable development; industrial development; air pollution and atmosphere; and climate change.

Nrg4SD:
1. Promotes sustainable development at the regional government level throughout the world.
2. Exchanges experiences and good practices amongst its members
3. Hels side-events and actively participates at the UNFCCC and CSD meetings of the United Natios.
4. Promotes cooperation agreements and partnerships between members: A series of partnerships and cooperation projects of bilateral character have been also agreed among members of nrg4SD. In addition, a Protocol of Intentions between nrg4SDand the Regional Office for Latin America and the caribbean of the United Nations Environment Programme (PNUMA) was signed in Recife, Brasil, in August 2004 for the establishment of a framework programme of multilateral co-operation to favour sustainable development at regional level for latin america and the caribbean.
5. Sets up internal geographical focal points in each of the Regions of the U.N. and thematic working groups. The following nrg4SD policy papers have been adopted: on Water, Sustainable Development Strategies, Sustainable Tourism, Sustainable Energy and Renewables, Sustainable Forest Managements, Fair-Trade, Developing the added value of Regional Action for International Co-operation and Minority Languages.
6. Holds regular Summits and Conferences to facilitate the exchange of information, to promote discussion and facilitate the creation of partnerships. The Network has also identified the need to increase participation, particularly in developing countries.
7. Leads reconstruction projects in the context of post-disaster settlements. The Network has constituted a Tsunami Task Force to support the North Sumatra government in technical and advisory terms.

Since its creation in Johannesburg, nrg4SD has discussed key sustainable development issues, agreed how it will work, exchanged best practice and drafted policy papers committing members to action. Several bilateral agreements have been agreed between members of the Network and more are being discussed and developed.

Nrg4SD holds regular international conferences, seminars and meetings to facilitate the exchange of information, promote discussion and facilitate the creation of partnerships. Concretelly:
- Nrg4SD has held five international conferences: in San Sebastian, the Basque Country, Spain, in March 2003; in Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia, in September 2003; in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, in March 2004; in Medan and Lake Toba, North Sumatera, Indonesia, in March 2005; and the last nrg4SD General Assembly convened on 4th April 2006 in Brussels, Flanders.
- Besides, two Latin America and Caribbean nrg4SD continental conferences have been held: the first one in Toluca, Mexico State, Mexico, in October 2003, and the second one in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, in August 2004.
- In addition, in November 2004 nrg4SD held a Seminar on common regional Sustainable Development Indicators in Bilbao, the Basque Country.

In the framework of the United Nations Conferences, nrg4SD has participated and made presentations of its activities at all UN Sessions of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), as well as at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) CoP events since 2003. Specifically, with regard to the participation of nrg4SD at the CSD:
nrg4SD made the first presentation of its activities at the United Nations in May 2003 during CSD-11; in April 2004 nrg4SD also presented its work in the field of partnerships on water at a side-event within CSD-12; nrg4SD was also represented at the CSD-13 Session held in NY in April 2005 on water, sanitation and human settlements; and most recently, nrg4SD has actively participated at the Partnerships Fair of CSD-14 on energy and climate change in May 2006, with a presentation session on May 5th and an information desk on May 8th. With regard to the participation of nrg4SD at UNFCCC CoP events: nrg4SD presented its activities at the UNFCCC CoP9 event in Milan in December 2003;furthermore, at the UNFCCC CoP10 in Buenos Aires (December 2004) nrg4SD held a side-event on the Contribution of Regional Governments in tackling climate change and presented the report â??Regional Sustainable Development addressing Climate Changeâ??; at the UNFCCC CoP11-MoP1 in Montreal (December 2005) nrg4SD held another side-event â??Regional Governments moving against Climate Change â?? Trans-Regional Allianceâ?? and the updated version of the â??Regional Sustainable Development addressing Climate Changeâ?? report; and most recently, in 2006, nrg4SD has organized a side-event at the CoP12-MoP2 of the UNFCCC held in Nairobi in November 2006, focusing on the topic â??Climate Change and Adaptation: Policies, Projects and Challenges for Regionsâ??.

Nrg4SD is also is represented by the Regional Government of North-Rhine Westphalia at the Steering Committee of the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21), the global policy network â??www.ren21.netâ?? aimed at providing a forum for international leadership on renewable energy.

Nrg4SD has obtained the observer status before the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, in November 2005 and is at present on the process of obtaining the Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, ECOSOC.

The Network is guided by a Steering Committee of regional governments and associations of regional governments from all over the world. The Steering Committee has two co-chairs and two vice-chairs, 5 focal points in each of the Regions of the U.N., a Treasury and a Secretariat.

The partnership is implemented by a number of means.
One of the main mechanisms is through the exchange of information by case studies on the individual themes which are produced by the regions. These case studies are examples of good practice which are used in the workshops and discussion sessions and as the basis for forging partnerships between individual members.
The internet site is also very important for the dissemination of information.
The Steering Committee overseas the day to day running of the Network and formulates the work programme.
The statutes and protocols of the Network have been agreed and the meetings correspond to the adopted guidelines.
Nrg4SD is currently concentrating on the themes specified earlier in this form and, in parallel, it is gathering data from the regions in order to identify each of the members' priorities and expertise.
At the conferences, the themes are not only discussed with an exchange of best practice and knowledge, but policy proposals and declarations of the Network are adopted which commit the regions to action. The conferences themselves are arranged in different geographical locations in order to maximise the diversity of attendance.

Amount in US$: 160.095

Source(s): Government - IGO
From its foundation, nrg4SD Network has been funded by contributions from Regional Governments. Since 2004, the Network has moved to a membership fee structure. All members of nrg4SD -regional governments, associations of regional governments and Associate Members- contribute fees to fund the work program of the Network.
The Network has also agreed to establish a Financial Assistance Fund to enable regions from poorer countries to participate in the work of the Network.

Type(s): Computers - Office space - Staff

Source(s): Government - IGO - Other
The members of the nrg4SD Network

Required Amount in US$: 0

Source(s) already approached: None

Requirement(s): None

Source(s) approached and details:
None