Catalyst of Change
Supporting a vibrant civil society in Europe
PIC – Legal Center for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment
pic.siPIC is the leading environmental organisation in Slovenia. As a non-profit NGO, PIC has extensive experience in legal protection of the environment. It focuses on advocacy, public participation in environmental decisions, educating and empowering other NGOs, supporting civil initiatives, and pursuing strategic litigation cases. Its mission is to help individuals and vulnerable groups to effectively protect their fundamental rights. PIC is committed to promoting more advanced, democratic and humane solutions by strengthening civil dialogue and NGOs to ultimately involve the public in decision-making processes.
About the Project
Civil Society for Just Renewables
PIC’s project was motivated by the fact that Slovenia has not met its renewable energy targets. The organisation noted that local communities often oppose new wind and solar projects because investors bypass proper procedures, political pressure influences decisions, and public awareness of renewables remains low. The project aimed to enforce the rule of law and empower citizens, NGOs, and CSOs to protect the environment and participate in planning and legal procedures for renewable energy installations. As part of this project, PIC produced a legal analysis, developed a virtual tool, trained 80 NGOs, held three meetings with decision makers and published a strategic advocacy plan with the goal of spreading awareness and including citizens into the process of environmental transition.
Communication Outputs
Media Coverage
PIC’s project and especially their newly developed online tool received a lot of coverage in the national and local media:
Online Guide to Wind and Solar Energy Available – Our Contact
Bad practices deepen mistrust: ‘The politics of certain facts is getting us nowhere’
NGOs on the installation of windmills: There is also good practice
STA: Significantly greater citizen involvement for a successful green transition
“Fair to solar and wind energy” – Economic and business news – Si21 – the first Slovenian portal
Za uspešen zeleni prehod bistveno večje vključevanje državljanov – Megafon
Significantly greater involvement of citizens for a successful green transition Ljubljana
Project Communications
This section presents PIC’s own communications as part of the Catalyst project. PIC published a legal analysis, a strategic advocacy plan and created an informational tool. Throughout the project, they also held several presentations and workshops.
Published Legal Analysis on Placement of Wind and Solar Powerplants
Funded by the European Union
name
Catalyst of Change: Protecting the Union values by supporting a resilient, engaged and vocal civil society for the promotion of women’s rights, environmental justice and anti-corruption
partner
European Center for Not-for-Profit Law Stichting (ECNL)
duration
1 January 2023- 31 December 2026
budget
3,411.982 EUR
