The network was established in November 2010 and received financial support from the Finnish Government in 2010 and 2011. Activities covered in the work programmes of 2012 to 2014 and 2014 to 2017 are generously funded by the Austrian Development Cooperation. Network operation
The network operates according to the principle of ownership by the beneficiairies. Its main guiding bodies are the Steeri
ng Committee, which functions as a general assembly of the participating countries; the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC), as secretariat; and the donor countries. Secretariat
The REC, as secretariat, promotes the participation of key global players in the network's activities, including the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement, Interpol and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. The OFPs are ministry staff (two per beneficiary), whose task is to represent their institutions at Steering Committee meetings and to coordinate network efforts at national level. They provide permanent input and recommendations to the Secretariat.
