This paper provides a brief introduction to environmental education for schools, environmental awareness for civil society, and functional literacy for targeted groups-a specific educational methodology that is useful in sustaining environmental projects. Recent empirical studies in developing countries have show that an environmentally literate population has a major impact on reducing pollution. Five environmental projects supported by the World Bank in Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, the Philippines, and Trinidad and Tobago are discussed, showing how civil society, when it is empowered, can monitor the environment and enhance the project effectiveness and sustainability. In another section of the report, valuable lessons from the case studies are drawn in these areas: improving community awareness, gathering baseline information, strengthening institutions, innovative financing, disbursements, procurement, local institutions, and monitoring and evaluation.
