ABSTRACT
This chapter presents two team-based Local Environmental Action Plans (LEAP) case studies in the Bulgarian cities of Kurdzhali and Stara Zagora. Similar models are successfully in place in urban centres in Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Bulgaria. The chapter argues the relevant for many of the other local LEAP initiatives in Central and Eastern Europe's (CEE) and elsewhere. It focuses on the LEAP team functions that help improve environmental management in urban centres in CEE and the civil society agenda that the team-based LEAP approach promotes. The end of the Cold War has brought to the world a novel redistribution of power among states, markets and civil society. Government is increasingly sharing power with business and citizen or non-governmental organisations. The Regional Environmental and Health Offices had professional interests and competencies to participate in drafting local environmental action plans.
