The project aims to phase-out about 167 metric tonnes of methyl bromide (MB) used each year for soil fumigation, stored products and structures in the participating countries - Bulgaria, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The main project objectives and outputs are as follows: (1) The leveraging of existing infrastructure and local expertise for the development and implementation of cost-effective, national phase out co-ordination structures and mechanisms to carry out the work of the project; (2) Rapid transfer of alternative technologies to methyl bromide users, including installation of relevant equipment and participatory training at local level, focusing on a rapid replacement for the 2005 growing season to permit country compliance with the Montreal Protocol (based on alternative fumigants to the extent necessary); (3) Enhanced awareness and confidence of MB users and stakeholders in the phase-out process, providing easy-to-use technical information materials for the MB users, and increasing users’ ability to manage their pest control problems and find their own solutions, monitoring the technical efficacy and economic performance of alternatives, improving alternatives where necessary to achieve phase-out; (4) Building capacity and carrying out pilots for the longer-term development of more sustainable alternatives based on non-chemical or IPM methods, reducing dependency on potentially hazardous chemical alternatives to ensure sustainability in the long term. This also has interlinkages with chemical management and enhanced health security. UNEP, the lead agency for the project, is working in collaboration with UNDP in order to assist the countries in achieving the goals of the project. The FAO is participating as a cooperating agency. UNDP’s components of the project are being executed by the organisation’s Regional Centre in Bratislava.