"This article focuses on the possibilities of citizens establishing a better life for themselves in the 21st century, taking as our locale the countries of Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania and Turkey. We look in particular at the issues of sustainable development, and the national strategies which have been developed to achieve this, as well as quality of life. In the former case, we examine the institutions which have been developed to contribute to chemicals and waste management strategies; in the latter, we explore issues such as subjective well-being, the local environment and the economic situation, all of which have a bearing on how individuals experience and report their quality of life. All our countries are below the European average in terms of economic development, although they have to some extent improved in the environmental dimensions of sustainable development; nevertheless, there are significant differences between them, and with the EU average, in terms of quality of life. In both cases, these highlight the gaps that remain to be overcome."

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