Cooperative Environmental Assistance Bureau

The Partnership

Phase One

Phase Two

Memorandum of Understanding

Wisconsin-Bavaria Regulatory Reform Working Partnership

This partnership begins a new chapter in the story told by Frederic C. Howe in: "Wisconsin: An Experiment in Democracy" in which he said: "Wisconsin is doing for America what Germany is doing for the world" by creating an educated commonwealth dedicated to experimentation and progress. The innovations became known as "The Wisconsin Idea" whose success was attributed, in part, to the civic ideals of German immigrants to Wisconsin.

Implementation Approach

State governments will coordinate, report progress and convene cross-activity events. The agreement also requires contacts with federal governments and European Parliament. An "environmental performance gathering" will be held at the German Embassy in Washington. Updates will come at conferences sponsored by the Quandt (BMW) Foundation and Council of State Governments.

Bavarian and Wisconsin partners will share views and test practical ideas that:

  1. Achieve greater environmental protection
  2. Enhance business efficiency and profitability
  3. Produce innovative public policies
  4. Build people-to-people relationships

The partnership's goal is to "reach a sustaining economic and environmental system" through levels of "self responsibility" and cooperation not possible in the existing regulatory system.

October, 2004 Delegation to Bavaria

The Wisconsin Bavaria 2004 Delegation’s Mission is to:

  • Explore and understand Bavaria’s policies and practices that take the long view in cooperatively promoting environmental excellence, economic growth and healthy communities;
  • Apply the lessons in areas of interest to the Delegation using the Green Tier law, which is modeled after the Bavaria Pact, and other innovative approaches;
  • Support Phase Two of the Bavaria-Wisconsin Partnership, share the lessons we learned and develop the relationships we began for our mutual benefit.

For more information on Phase Two, check out the following:

Or contact:

Jeff Smoller
e-mail: Jeffrey.Smoller@wisconsin.gov
Phone: 608.266.2747


Last Revised: Tuesday April 08 2008