EIA was considered by many as a means of adding the environmental dimension to decision-making. It mainly consists in capturing beforehand the main impacts which are likely to occur due to the project envisaged, and consequently developing mitigation measures. After Rio (1992), many African countries developed national management plans, with legislation on environmental issues, EIA appearing as a tool to help achieving sustainable development, and as a management tool throughout the project life cycle. It is then of first importance for the various interested parties of a project to be able to exploit the opportunity offered by EIA integration in projects in African countries.

This group is set up to serve and assist the implementation of a learning trajectory that is to strengthen NGOs (and communities) and active National Associations of SEEAC capacities in understanding EIA practice and procedures.