The recommendations are based on existing good practice and are intended as a practical tool to provide helpful guidance and to improve the implementation of the provisions of the Aarhus Convention in decision-making to: a) to assist Parties when designing their legal framework on public participation in environmental decision-making; b) to assist public officials on a day-to-day basis when designing and carrying out public participation procedures on environmental decision-making under the Convention, and c) to provide an invaluable tool through which to share expertise and good practice so as to promote early, timely and effective opportunities for such participation. They may also be of value to members of the public, including NGOs and the private sector.