SDG Summit 2023, UN HQ, New York
In the period back to back to the UN General Assembly in New York, the Summit on Sustainable Development Goals was held on September 18 and 19, 2023. Before the Summit, during the weekend of September 16 and 17, the SDG “Action Weekend” was held, as an opportunity for various interested stakeholders, representatives of the UN and member states to meet at the headquarters of the United Nations and present specific commitments and contributions to initiate the transformation of the Sustainable Development Goals from now until 2030.
The activities were divided into two days: “Mobilization Day” on September 16 and Acceleration Day on September 17. During the Mobilization Day, stakeholders from different sectors had the opportunity to gather at the United Nations headquarters and mobilize for the ambitious Sustainable Development Goals Summit and the UN General Assembly’s High-Level Week. “Acceleration Day” focused on high-impact UN initiatives.
Civil society, the private sector, youth, scientists, local and regional governments, feminists and other actors have a key role in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Their participation, contributions and catalytic mobilization are recognized as essential during the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The President of the Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development Aleksandra Mladenović, attended the SDG Action Weekend and SDG Summit as a representative of an organization that has ECOSOC consultative status and as one of the representatives of the Women’s Main Group at the UN.
The focus of the Sustainable Development Goals Summit was on the fulfillment of the Goals. According to official data, at the global level, only 15% of the goals have been met so far, and we are halfway to the set deadline (2015-2030). It is obvious that, despite the frequent rhetorical glorification of the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals, there is no strong political will to fulfill the Goals, especially of the major world powers, which “hide” behind the success of smaller countries, who care, because the Goals are directly related on their progress, such as reducing poverty, ending hunger, accessing clean water and addressing climate change. The need to change the global “financial architecture” is increasingly being heard, bearing in mind that developing countries are increasingly stagnating, affected by large debts, which often amount to more than investments in key areas, such as education or health in those countries. Young people also raised their voices, because they are beginning to understand that adults are putting a “hot potato” in their hands, under the pretext that their future is already ruined by the present. The youth made it clear that without defined financial means for the Sustainable Development Goals individually, little or nothing will be able to be done in terms of their fulfillment. More at the link: https://www.un.org/en/conferences/SDGSummit2023/SDG-Action-Weekend
As part of the activities of the interested parties, there was also a two-day session of the “Global People Assembly”, where activists from 145 countries gathered and sent a Declaration demanding urgent action from decision-makers in the field of economic and financial justice, climate change, and the environment. social justice and gender equality, protection of civil society, and human rights. More at the link: https://www.peoplesassembly.global/en/
And last but not least, the Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals was held, and a political Declaration was adopted, covering the different and complementary functions of both sessions of the forum under the auspices of the General Assembly – the Summit and the forum under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC ). It seems that this Declaration, as well as the Summit itself, have become only a satisfactory form and “first companion” to the main event in the United Nations, which is the General Assembly. More about the Sustainable Development Goals Summit: https://www.un.org/en/conferences/SDGSummit2023/political-declaration
The second online webinar “ADVOCATING FOR SOLAR ENERGY FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE WESTERN BALKANS “
The second online webinar “ADVOCATING FOR SOLAR ENERGY FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE WESTERN BALKANS “ will be organized on June 16 2023, from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m., in the frame of the project “Solar energy for citizens in Western Balkan” financed by WBF.
The overall objective of the project is to promote and advocate the best practices of self-producers of solar energy, to facilitate the exchange of information and knowledge among stakeholders, and to raise awareness of the initiatives and innovative solutions on clean energy that must be adopted by policy and decision-makers, aiming to build partnership and common actions in WB for unlocking the great potential of solar energy and advancing the regional agenda of sustainable development.
This webinar will gather representatives of NGOs, universities, and business communities from several WB countries to be informed and discuss the policies, legislations, and regulations of the solar energy sector in North Macedonia and Serbia.
The agenda of the event: Agenda webinar June 16 2023 BWN
The invitation letter: invitation letter
Date and time: 16 June from 10-12 a.m (CET)
You may join us at the Webinar link:
Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89830383350?pwd=UWtHenhyc1hYZ1NoRkpLeE1INmJLQT09
Unstoppable conference in Tirana – Women overcoming barriers to success
- Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development participated in the Unstoppable conference dedicated to Women and Leadership
The multi-structured and empowering conference dedicated to Women and Leadership is organized in Tirana, from February 20th to 23rd, 2023. Organizer is the Western Balkan Fund (WBF), with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Visegrad Fund. Every February and March, the WBF with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan hosts an advocacy event by bringing in national, regional & international experts and creating a space of inspiration, connection, and rejuvenation. The purpose of #Unstoppable conference is to foster equal access to leadership in business, government, and non-profit organizations within the Western Balkans, Visegrad regions, and beyond. This event also promotes support and expands initiatives that promote equal access for women and men in development processes.
The conference includes a multitude of topics across the human rights spectrum, enhancing knowledge and strengthening the network of professionals coming from WB6 and V4 regions also unites diverse stakeholders, researchers, stories, and case studies from all over the region in parallel sessions while offering many networking opportunities.
The goal of the Unstoppable is to foster equal access to leadership in business, government, and non-profit organizations within the Western Balkan and V4 regions and beyond. WBF in close cooperation with V4 partners plans to gather around 120 participant’s men and women around both regions and beyond in Tirana since we believe that gender equality should be addressed by both sides, men and women.
Solar energy for citizens in Western Balkans
The project Solar energy for citizens in Western Balkans started in January 2023, supported by Western Balkan Fund and co-financed by EU, with the aim to promote the best practices regarding the possibility to use solar energy by citizens, informing, engaging and mobilizing citizens to be active participants in neutrality transition. During the project implementation, the WB-Solar Net web platform will be established in order to help CSOs in raising awareness on the great potential of solar energy for advancing the regional agenda for a green and sustainable economy, using innovative solutions on clean energy, and following EU Directives.
Nine partners from Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia will work together to enhance the capacities of CSOs in WB in addressing the poverty energy of marginalized groups, and to advocate for improving the legislation, simplifying and shortening the administrative procedures for delivering permissions to the citizens of WB to install photovoltaic panels. It is also expected that the capacities of CSOs will be improved, in order to strengthen the cross-border dialogue for environmental protection. In addition, through the project, CSOs will gather knowledge and improve their skills in raising the awareness for quick actions for the alignment of WBC policies with the recent European directives and initiatives.
At the end of the project, a network of CSOs and other stakeholders named “Western Balkans Solar Net/Solar4WB” will be established and become functional, to serve as a hub for best practices of self-consumers of solar energy. This will help citizens to be better informed about opportunities and possibilities, and to address the needs of marginalized groups of energy poverty. The network will provide initial recommendations on how to improve legislation, policies, and administrative procedures for potential solar energy users. The activities will be organized to update and consult the National Plans of Energy and Climate of Western Balkan countries.
The online website platform will be developed to become a future hub for CSOs, where will be presented different examples regarding the situation in the field of solar energy. Two webinars will be organized to present the situation of the solar sector, the opportunities, and the barriers. Advocacy efforts will be meetings with representatives of public institutions, TV discussions, articles in the newspapers, posts on social media, etc. The Western Balkans Solar Net, (Solar4WB) as a functional platform with data of members and stakeholders, legislation, procedures, and information on related subjects will be established and presented during the Final Conference at the end of the project.
The second online webinar “ADVOCATING FOR SOLAR ENERGY FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE WESTERN BALKANS “
Study visit to Grenoble – the Green Capital of Europe
Within the project “Pulse of Europe – EU media visits“, funded by the European Union in Serbia, the President of the Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, Aleksandra Mladenović, had the opportunity to participate in a study visit with a group of journalists from Serbia. They had opportunity to find why Grenoble is the Green Capital of Europe in 2022.
The Green Capital of Europe Award has been given since 2008 to cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants committed to sustainable urban development. Awarded cities provide an example to other cities to encourage them to use resources on sustainable way, and to preserve the environment for all. So far, 13 cities have received the award, including, from region, Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, which was awarded in 2016.
During the visit to the mayor of Grenoble, special emphasis was placed on sustainable development – the city administration is committed to sustainable development, equally observing and respecting all three pillars: the environment, economic opportunities and social conditions. They provide great support to companies that base their development on the sustainable use of resources, but assistance is also given to residents who decide to become more energy efficient, or switch to using one of the available types of renewable energy sources.
Grenoble has several “Eco-districts”, which is a national label for parts of the city that are developing on the principles of sustainable development. Thus, in the “Cambridge Eco-district” there are two ABC (“autonomous” and self-sustainable) buildings with 42 apartments that receive energy from their solar and high voltage panels. Water is recycled from rainwater, residents make compost, they have an artificial lake available for relaxation and entertainment, but also a red light in the shower as a warning if they use it for too long. This “Eco-district” is being developed in harmony with the mountainous environment of Grenoble, using geothermal energy for the irrigation system. Both older and young people who are living in ABC buildings say they are very happy and satisfied to be volunteers who will live in these buildings for five years, as in some kind of experiment. At the end of this experimental period, the degree of sustainability of this way of life and use of resources will be evaluated.
“Eco-District Flaubert”, for example, has three hectares of parks, which are a trademark of the city, and buildings are built of natural materials (woods, for example). Residents have opportunity to participate in planning the look of buildings (this is the case with future schools, for which students and teachers were interviewed and who gave suggestions on what kind of school they would like to get). Such buildings have gardens on the roofs, which are taken care of by the residents, who grow a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Grenoble also has companies dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable use of resources. Thus, the building in which Schneider Electric operates is a “net zero energy building” – they produce energy as much as they need, by solar panels and wind farms. Also, the Local Energy and Climate Agency in the city of Saint-Martin-d’Heres, located near Grenoble (both cities, together with 47 other “cities” make up the Grenoble-Alps region) helps citizens to participate in the insulation of buildings in which they live, allowing them to pay smaller heating bills.
Through the “Wall-Wall” program, the insulation of 202 residential buildings (almost 10,000 apartments) has been done since 2010. Homeowners are offered favorable loans for up to 20 years of repayment. Citizens of Grenoble can also get involved in initiatives that support the production of energy from renewable sources, such as Énerg’Y Citoyennes. This company enables the production of electricity from solar panels in 10 municipalities in the Grenoble area, and among 364 interested parties, the largest number are citizens.
EASD more focused to activities against plastic pollution
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (EASD) started in 2020 with more focused engagement and activities in the thematic issue of plastic pollution. We found important UNEP initiative to beat plastic pollution , as well as designing out plastic pollution .
EASD started with analysis, participation in global studies and relevant national/local surveys and initiatives related plastic in products and in waste.
EASD activities include activities in : Science and Research (for better Governance and regulation) – A circular economy for plastic, Education and learning against plastic pollution, Promotion of sustainable travel against plastic pollution, Promotion of clean beach against plastic pollution, as well as Processes towards global plastic treaty and EU accession, participation and monitoring.
Further, EASD is following development of an international legally binding agreement . See resolution at the resumed fifth session of the 2022 United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5.2) in Nairobi to end plastic pollution and forge an international legally binding agreement by 2024. EASD special attention is to harmonize global process against plastic pollution with EU accession process at national and regional level. To note that Serbia is candidate country for EU membership and Cluster 4 was opened for negotiation in December 2021. See also EASD work in theme EU accession and enlargement. In this period, EC priority is European Green Deal with action on plastics to tackle plastic pollution and marine litter, and to accelerate the transition to a circular plastics economy . For Western Balkan, Action Plan for the Implementation of the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans 2021-2030 (GAWB) is approved.
In advance of UNEA 5.2: EASD participated in the International Consultation for Major Groups & Stakeholders
International Consultation for Major Groups & Stakeholders, in advance of UNEA 5.2, Stockholm+50 and UNEP@50 was held from September 7th to 9th online. The objective of the consultation is to advance the development of strategies around specific initiatives such as resolutions, declarations, decisions tabled for UNEA 5.2, to further develop core messages and positions, and to prepare input from the Major Groups to the 155th meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and the 8th Annual Subcommittee meeting of the CPR.
Each Major Group had the opportunity to make a short statement, so reflections are presented under Agenda item related to Preparations for the resumed session of UNEA-5, in the form of the summary statement from this international consultation. Also, under Agenda item regarding Preparations for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the creation of UNEP, the UNEP@50 task force presented a statement.
The consultation is expected to advance the development of MGS’ statements and positions, in particular around the thematic clusters and task forces set up to prepare for UNEA 5.2. The participants had opportunity to contribute in particular on the following topics:
1.The UNEP We Want / UNEP @50
2. Environmental governance / Resolution 73/333 including Escazu Agreement, environmental defenders, Stockholm+49
3.Marine litter and plastics treaty
4.Stockholm+50
5.Nature for Climate
6.Nature for Poverty Eradication, Jobs and Economic Prosperity
7.Food systems
8.Chemicals, Waste, Mercury
9.Nature for Health
During the second day following documents started to be prepared under the parallel sessions, and all participants had possibility to contribute in oven capacities:
Draft Joint Statement The UNEP We Want
Draft Joint Statement of Support Draft Resolution Plastics Treaty
Draft Position Nature for Health Cluster
Joint Statement Environmental Governance Cluster
Draft recommendations Chemicals, Waste & Mercury
Input for the CPR and Annual Subcommittee Meeting
The overall impression is that Major Groups & Stakeholders had enough knowledge and experience, as well as willingness, to cooperate in the best way, in order to demonstrate importance of joint actions towards climate change and to contribute to the protection of the environment at the global level.
Training for trainers on water safety and sanitation
Within the project “ Water and Sanitation Safety Planning in the Balkan Region: Albania, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia (WatSanPlan), FKZ 16EXI4004A, Förderprogramm „Exportinitiative grüner und nachhaltiger (Umwelt-) Infrastruktur“ BMU, the first training for teachers of the Eco-school was held in Aleksandrovac. During the two-day training, teachers from primary schools, secondary school and educators from pre-school were introduced to the possibilities provided by the development of a plan for water safety and sanitation, with special reference to the situation in rural communities. In addition to the theoretical work presented by Bistra Mihajlova, a project coordinator on behalf of project leading organization “Women engage for a common future” (WECF) from Germany, participants had the opportunity to exchange their own experiences related to water safety and sanitation in rural areas, where there are many field-departments of Aleksandrovac schools. The topic of menstrual hygiene and how girls and young women are educated in the current conditions was also raised, with general comments that this topic is still taboo in our area and that little attention is generally paid to this topic, through regular curricular and extracurricular activities.
Representatives of one of the partners in the project from North Macedonia, “Journalists for Human Rights”, Nataša Dokovska and Aleksandra, were guest lecturers, who shared their experiences in many years of struggle related to water safety, sanitation, menstrual hygiene and menstrual health. According to research that has been conducted in North Macedonia, Nataša Dokovska pointed out that almost 30% of women in this country cannot afford menstrual products. In North Macedonia, as it is situation in Serbia, they face insufficient education on this topic and an unwillingness to accept it as something that is biologically normal and impossible to pretend not to exist. Among other things, their association advocates that menstrual hygiene be spoken in a gender-neutral language, instead of “products for female hygiene “to be named as “menstrual products”. It is a problem in general that almost 80% of girls know about the menstrual cycle in communication with friends or older sisters in the family, and less often from their mothers or through the education system. The biggest problem in schools is practically that there are no basic sanitary conditions to help girls and women during the menstrual period, so, according to research „Journalist for Human Rights“ realized, in rural areas girls are forced to stay at home during menstruation and to miss classes.
Discussion among teachers from the Eco-schools in Aleksandrovac, there are no such bad experiences in this municipality. However, the positive sign is that through the biology curriculum for the 6th grade, the topic of the menstrual cycle is dealt with, in which boys and girls participate equally.
So far, no more detailed research on menstrual health and menstrual hygiene has been done in Serbia, except sporadic articles in the media and initiatives from the University that can be found. Under this WatSanPlan project, the initial research related to menstrual hygiene and menstrual health will be realized through the Eco-schools program during the school year 2021/2022. The results will show a general observation of water safety, sanitation and menstrual hygiene, which will enable further research and launch advocacy campaigns towards decision makers, primarily related to the availability of menstrual products for free in selected Eco-schools.
The next activity on the project will be training for Eco-schools students on water safety and sanitation in rural communities.
The project “Water and Sanitation Safety Planning in the Balkan Region: Albania, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia (WatSanPlan)” is supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety and the European Union. The project is managed by the international organization “Women Engage for a Common Future”. In addition to the Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development from Serbia, the project also includes civil society organizations from North Macedonia, Albania and Romania.
EASD publication on circular economy acknowledged by European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform
European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform , a joint initiative by the European Commission and the European Economic and Social Committee, in “Knowledge Hub” – Knowledge, acknowledged EASD publication on circular economy, as study/report/presentation/position paper….. submitted by stakeholders.
As noted, publication “Circular economy in Serbia – process started” sets out the state of play of the circular economy concept in Serbia and identifies the main obstacles that may hamper the shift to the circular economy paradigm. It also includes circular economy initiatives in Serbia and an analysis of linkages between the circular economy concept and the Sustainable Development Goals. Addressing the circular economy only through waste management shows that the circular economy concept is still in its infancy in Serbia. According to the conclusions, the circular economy goes beyond.
Key words: waste management, SDG12 and the environmental sector.
#CEstakeholderEU
Circular economy as part of the concept of sustainable development of society
The project was created with the aim of informing the public about the values of the concept of circular economy and presenting previous experiences and examples of application of circular economy in educational institutions in Serbia. In this regard, in the period July-November 2019, consultations with prominent representatives in the sectors of economy, science, state and local government and the non-governmental sector were organized. Key stakeholders involved in the development of the concept of circular economy in Serbia were mapped, especially in relation to entrepreneurial initiatives of educational institutions, women and youth, as well as other institutions and organizations who showed experience and achievements in the application of the concept of circular economy in Serbia. Achievements in the circular economy were presented to the general public, through publications and public presentations, with involvement of Eco-schools coordinators as the main force in knowledge based advocacy activities.
Project is supported by Ministry of Environmental Protection.
June 5,2020 – EnE20 Conference “Citizen science: Focus on Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals”
Professional association “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development ” and Serbian Chamber of Commerce , on June 5th 2020, organize the 16th Environment to Europe – EnE20 Conference. Traditionally, it is an official event that marks the UN World Environment Day (WED) in the Republic of Serbia and region.
In accordance with the current circumstances around Covid19, the EnE20 conference “Citizen Science: focus on Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals” is realized online, presenting the results so far achieved in the development of citizen science concept in Serbia. Bearing in mind that the concept of “citizen science” in Serbia is still developing, but supported through various joint actions and initiatives of scientists and formal / informal civic activists and organizations, the focus is to youth participation, especially through educational institutions involved in international Eco-schools program in Serbia.
This year, the co-organizers of EnE20 are the UN in Serbia , the Global Listening Center , the Center for the Promotion of Science , NALED , the French Institute in Serbia and PE Ada Ciganlija .
Plenary lectures of experts from the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, the Global Listening Center, the Center for the Promotion of Science, NALED and the Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, can be found at the link HERE. Invited speakers include dr Tanja Adnadjević, dr Marjana Brkić, mr Dušan Stokić, Slobodan Krstović, Sanja Knežević Mitrović, Đurdjija Petrović, and Prof dr Andjelka Mihajlov.
As part of the celebration of World Environment Day and as a special part of the EnE20 conference, a national debate is held for 20 students aged 11 to 18, who were nominated in the essay part of the competition organized by the international organization The Trust for Sustainable Living . The aim of the debate is to find solutions for a sustainable future by referring to SDG 17, My vision: Partnerships for a sustainable future. The emphasis of the speakers will be on the issues related to the environment, climate change and sustainable use of resources. By listening the young people and their visions, we can harmonize further economic and social development with the possibilities and potentials of the environment and nature.
The debate is taking place on Ada Ciganlija, a beach that has been awarded for 9 years by Blue Flag certificate, including the 2020 season, as a symbol of commitment to environmental protection and care for the health and safety of visitors during the summer bathing season. By meeting the criteria for obtaining the Blue Flag for Ada Ciganlija beach, the local community and the managers of the beach contribute to efforts to combat against climate change and raise citizen awareness on sustainable use of resources and the need to protect the environment.
Agenda and presentations, as well as detailed agenda of National Youth Debate
Minutes from Debate:
EU info center on debate and conference
Radio Television Serbia Portal about the Conference
The EnE20 conference is part of a campaign related to climate change, within the project: “ENV.net factoring the environmental portfolio for WB and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda” (reference number 2017/394-372)
All information regarding the EnE20 conference can be obtained via Email: eneconference@feeserbia.com.
Country factsheets on resource efficiency and circular economy in Europe: EASD activities mentioned
In July 2019, EEA issued TC/WMGE Reports 4/2019: Country factsheets on resource efficiency and circular economy in Europe – a set of 32 country factsheets that summarise policies and initiatives on the area of resource efficiency and circular economy.
, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (EASD) are mentioned two times, within sub-chapters Non-formal Education and Awareness Raising and Networking and Conferences, pages 17 and 18. By this, EASD work in those areas acknowledged.
Global Meeting & Forum on Chemicals and Waste, 2020
EASD participated at IPEN Global Meeting and Forum on Chemicals and Waste, among 93 environmental and health leaders; international health and science experts; and government and UN agency representatives from 51 countries.
EASD Honorable President presented ” Initiatives towards MIA – Minamata Initial Assessment implementation: in coal combustion, application, use and disposal of dental amalgam fillings and management of waste with mercury”. Objectives of the Meeting & Forum is to:
• Strengthen the Toxics-Free Future Global Movement
• Learn from Each Other and Share Skills
• Promote Organizational Capacity-Building & Development
• Celebrate Achievements
• Reflect on the Evolving Global and National Policy Landscapes
• Strategize around IPEN’s 2030 Goals & Program
• Elevate the Profile of Chemicals & Waste Issues
Meeting was held @ Kuriftu Resort, Lake Bishoftu@ Ethiopia – The Land of Origins (coffee is great!), a symbol of African freedom, with more than 100 million people and 86+ languages.
Establishment of the South East European Platform to Beat Pollution – SEEPP
Sub-Regional Consultation Meeting on the Establishment of the South East European Platform to Beat Pollution – SEEPP was held on June 24-25, 2019, at the premises of Vienna International Center. The meeting was organised by UN Environment – Vienna Programme Office in the framework of the project “Regional Cooperation in South Eastern Europe to Beat Pollution”, funded by the Directorate for Sustainable Development, Environmental Damage, European Union and International Affairs of the Italian Ministry of Environment, Land and Sea. This meeting is continuation of the process started in December 2019, during the Ministerial conference held in Belgrade, and side event, organized in margins of UNEA4, in March 2019, at the premises of UN Headquarter in Nairobi.
The countries of South East Europe and specifically countries from the Western Balkans, should stronger address crucial reforms and complete political, economic and social transformation, in order to fulfill requirements on their respective European paths. This is strong connected with complying with the EU Environmental acquis, what means opening of negotiations on Chapter 27 on Environment and Climate Change, which has not realized yet for some countries. At the global level, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is going to shape national development plans over the next more than 10 years. Progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals targets can be obtained by tackling pollution through existing agreements and synergies with different international initiatives.
Taking into account need for urgent action to beat pollution at all levels, supported by all sectors and involving all relevant stakeholders, South East European Platform to Beat Pollution – SEEPP should be established, with participation not only respective SEE countries, but also with all other actors having interest in this region.
During the Sub-Regional Consultation Meeting, civil society role in the future Platform was discussed among representatives of governments, CSOs and UN bodies. Possible roles of CSOs might be following:
Civil society contribution to the thematic clusters
Preparation of an assessment of possible civil society partners
Platform membership (including Taskforces when relevant)
Using CSOs Networks to communicate the work of the platform and to reach out to citizens
Regarding the last mentioned, Env.net network was presented as good and stable regional network, that can have high impact in future Platform. Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, together with Env.net partners from EEB and Co-plan, presented current state of the progress during seven years of existing of the Env.net. The main discussion, which is still opened, is regarding the self-designation of civil society organisations and a role within the Taskforce of the Platform. In the next period, it is expected that this and other crucial issues will be clarified, with active participation and contribution of CSOs representatives from the SEE region.
Advancing environmental sustainability action- Financial Support to Third Parties for Monitoring and Evidence-Based Advocacy under the ENV.Net Project –
“Advancing environmental sustainability action” is a new theme in the frame of the project: “ENV.Net Factoring the Environmental Portfolio for WB and Turkey in The EU Policy Agenda” (IPA 2017/ 394-372), connected to financial support to third party for monitoring and evidence-based advocacy. Awarded organizations and projects are following:
1. “Education Development Centre “Planet” from Sombor, project “The Hive- circular economy as a model of entrepreneurship for the youth”
2. Association of citizens „Zlatiborski krug“ from Čajetina, project „Model of circular economy in the service of environmental protection in the municipality of Cajetina“
3. Non-smoking Educational Center„EKO-Nec“ from Kragujevac, project „The contribution to media reporting on Chapter 27 and a circular economy”“.
During 2019 and partly in 2020, organizations will work to promote the concept of circular economy through entrepreneurial activities of young people at the local level, with customized trainings for different target groups, from children of school age, teachers, parents, representatives of local government, to reporting on the undertaken activities and results achieved, aimed to improve the state of the environment in terms of local sustainable development.
The projects will start with implementation on February 1, 2019 and will include over 200 participants from participating local communities and organizations of sub-grantees. We expect the first results in April and we believe that the concept of “circular economy” will not remain as a good idea that is being talked about, but will become an integral part of future entrepreneurial initiatives, from youth and educational level to business and economic, in order to improve initiatives and raise awareness on need to protect the environment and to safe resources as much as possible.
ENV.net 3 : ENV-net factoring the environmental portfolio for Western Balkans and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda
We are happy to announce the beginning of the third phase of ENV-net.
After 5 years of activity, the ENV-net today, counts for a member in each Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance country, this includes two newly joined organisations from Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina which co-operate with the network since 2016. The network is supported by partners in Italy – punto.sud and Belgium – European Environmental Bureau – EEB, both bringing to the network experience and best practices from two EU member states, as well as the possibility to align with similar ongoing initiatives within the EU.
Why ENV-net factoring the environmental portfolio for Western Balkans and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda?
Recent natural occurrences such as repeated massive floods, and the EU accession obligations the Western Balkans and Turkey region must fulfil, highlight the immediacy of action required in the field of climate change and environmental protection.
For it to be effective, such action requires a solid pan-regional commitment in monitoring, advocating and awareness raising in home countries and engagement in policy- discussions at EU level. It also requires well-established and qualified civil society and media actors to generate positive pressure on the relevant institutions, and keep the citizens informed in a way that is accessible and actionable.
Studies show that, despite efforts made in this regard, the Western Balkan and Turkey region faces a number of challenges impeding progress, such as: limited local buy-in of the reforms, conflicting legislation, lack of a critical mass that can monitor developments and exert pressure on policy-makers, weak dialogue with institutions, poor understanding and coverage of climate change and environmental news, and very sparse resonance with current EU environment-related discussions such as circular economy aspects.
In response to these needs, ENV-net, as a proven regional network and advocacy actor, in the forthcoming three years will work on improving evidence-based policy-making and policy-influencing on climate change and environmental legislation in each of the ENV.net partner countries.
The network focus will be to generate region-representative evidence-supported input to contribute to EU discussions on matters of climate change and environment, and to explore and introduce to the region new inter-related aspects such as circular economy.
In the process, the network foresees to also technically and financially support civil society organisations and media in each of the network partner countries, to better understand and work on these issues.
The action is supported by the European Commission through the programme for Consolidating Regional Thematic Networks of Civil Society Organisations
ENV.net team is inviting you to follow and join efforts. Stay tuned!
EASD become the Member of the Western Balkans Youth Cooperation Platform!
EASD become the Member of the Western Balkans Youth Cooperation Platform! (WB YCP)
The platform is an initiative of Cooperation and Development Institute and is supported by Hanns Seidel Foundation. The main aim of the platform is to offer organisations – youth organizations, CSO-s, informal movements, groups, or young individuals – targeting youngsters, initially from Albania and Serbia and then from all the Western Balkans, a resource center where to find partners for joint activities, exchange initiatives, youth projects, discuss cooperation ideas, build up joint activities, get advice, and implement those projects together.
WB YCP also offers a wide array of existing initiatives, national, regional and EU-supported that aim youth and cover the Western Balkans.
The platform will initially provide the functions of:
- Youth Organizations Repository: Youth organizations, movements, informal groups, young researchers, etc. can register their profile and promote their activities;
- Partner Search: all beneficiaries of the platform that need to find contacts in one of the countries for their next project, can use the filters to search the appropriate partner for their idea.
- Information resource centre regarding the RYCO upcoming activities.
EASD and ECOSOC signals: Achieving sustainable development through infrastructure
Infrastructure is a pre-requisite for advances across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including for reducing poverty, promoting economic growth, addressing inequality and ensuring environmental sustainability. Infrastructure is addressed directly through SDG 9, which commits the international community to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. Moreover, “investments in sustainable infrastructure are recognized as a major cross-cutting driver that can contribute to achieving all the SDGs”, as stated by Under-Secretary-General for UN DESA, Wu Hongbo, at the 2015 Global Forum on Development. Resilient infrastructure is essential for ensuring sustainable development for all. “If we are to achieve our goals, and leave no one behind, we must address large infrastructure gaps in developing countries,” said Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the inaugural Global Infrastructure Forum in April 2016.
“Developing countries, particularly the most vulnerable, need international support to bridge existing infrastructure gaps,” emphasized Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during the Global Infrastructure Forum. Infrastructure gaps pose major challenges to the implementation of the SDGs. The financing gap for infrastructure in developing countries, for example, is estimated to be 1 to 1.5 trillion dollars annually. Through the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA), the international community has committed to support resilient, sustainable infrastructure and to provide a comprehensive framework for mobilising the means to finance it.
Infrastructure that enables countries to adapt to and mitigate climate change is needed to support the Paris Climate Change Agreement. New and resilient infrastructure is also needed to support sustainable urbanization, as the number of people living in cities in emerging economies is expected to double by 2030. Resilient infrastructure is needed, moreover, to cope with the increasing incidence and magnitude of natural disasters.
In recent years there have been several new global, regional and national initiatives aimed at increasing investment in infrastructure. In Africa, for example, infrastructure is a priority element for realizing the vision of Africa’s Agenda 2063. At the global level, the international community committed to support the realisation of resilient, sustainable infrastructure through the AAAA, and created a new Global Infrastructure Forum—which held its inaugural meeting in April—to facilitate access to financing and technical expertise.
The global discussion on infrastructure will continue on 21 July 2016 at UN Headquarters as part of ECOSOC’s 2016 thematic discussion on “Infrastructure for sustainable development for all”. The thematic discussion, part of ECOSOC’s High-level Segment, will engage a broad range of voices in a global dialogue on infrastructure for sustainable development that is inclusive and leaves no one behind. It will offer policy recommendations and inform the Inter-agency Task Force report on Financing for Development, as well as the 2017 Global Infrastructure Forum. For more information: UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
EASD already is addressing the issue of environmental infrastructure as the condition for sustainable development ( 1 , 2 , 3….), as well as by research and promotion ( A, B, C , …)
InWASTEgate
UNESCO GREEN CITIZENS is highlighting 25 amazing game changers in the area of sustainable development as they share their stories. These stories come from around the world .
Among the various initiatives on education for sustainable development throughout the world, our (EASD) activity on Collect, investigate and find solutions for waste management in schools is given as the good example.
InWASTEgate is previously published in FEE publication Blue Flag Program: Environmental Education Activities Handbook 2013.
Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (at that time) President (Prof Andjelka Mihajlov) develop this course as the part of her lecture at the Youth Encounter on Sustainability (YES) held in Braunwald, Switzerland and Bratislava, Slovakia.
Chapter 27: CSOs participation
As a part of the ENV.net project, “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” organized the training session: “CSO Participation in Accession Process”. The course was attended by over 20 participants. On the subject of strengthening the role of CSOs invited speakers were: Andjelka Mihajlov, representative of the Negotiating Team 27, Jelena Pajovic van Reenen, representative of the Office for Cooperation with Civil Society, Natasa Djereg, CEKOR, National Convention on the EU, Mirko Popovic, Belgrade Open School: Coalition 27, and Hristina Stevanovic-Carapina, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development. The main conclusions of the meeting were that the environment is not a priority for the Republic of Serbia and therefore the environmental civil society organizations face a problem of providing funds for their activities, and that stronger civil society can be achieved through more intense sharing of opinions and initiatives ( for example, initiatives related Post-screening document implementation).
EASD participated at the First High Level Ministerial Panel on Responding to Climate and Environmental Challenges in South East Europe
01.04.2016: Climate change and environment – Crucial issues for SEE
Sarajevo/Podgorica – The First High Level Ministerial Panel on Responding to Climate and Environmental Challenges in South East Europe (SEE) took place today in Podgorica. The meeting was opened by the Montenegrin Minister of Sustainable Development and Tourism Branimir Gvozdenovic; the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), Goran Svilanovic; the Executive Director of the Regional Environmental Center (REC), Marta Bonifert; United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Regional Director, Jan Dusik and the German Ambassador to Montenegro, Gudrun Elisabeth Steinacker.
Speaking for the RCC, Secretary General Goran Svilanovic warned that SEE is vulnerable to climate change and that its water, energy, food and security of critical infrastructure is threatened by an increase in extreme events such as the catastrophic floods in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia in 2014. Svilanovic said that “the RCC is focused on providing a concerted regional approach towards climate resilient growth that ensures greater security and economic gains, than isolated unilateral interventions at the national level”. He emphasized that “one of the most important global events last year was the Paris Climate Conference and our task in the region is to make sure we implement the decisions from Paris and the RCC is fully committed to that goal.
The ministers, together with other international partners and representatives of the civil society organisations (with EASD representative participated at event) discussed the state of climate and environment in SEE and reviewed the state of ongoing regional cooperation in this field. The focus was on the advantages and shortcomings of the current initiatives. In a joint declaration titled “The Podgorica Initiative”, adopted at the meeting, the ministers supported a regional approach to environmental and climate change issues and commended the cooperation with the RCC which has supported the establishment of the Regional Working Group on Environment. The chairing of the Working group was passed on from Montenegro to Serbia today. The Ministers also asked the host country of this meeting to convey the declaration to the Paris Western Balkans Summit in the summer of this year.
Post Rio+20 busy July 2015
29 June 2015, UN Headquarters, New York, HLPF Stakeholder Consultation: This event present the results of an international stakeholder consultation on the mandate and means of stakeholder engagement in the HLPF.The High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) is proposed as the institutional “home” for follow-up and review of the post-2015 development agenda; and therefore presents a critical entry-point to ensure delivery of the post-2015 agenda and sustainable development more broadly.
26 June – 8 July 2015, UN Headquarters, New York, High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (The 2015 meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)): The theme of the meeting is “Strengthening integration, implementation and review – the HLPF after 2015.” The first part of the meeting consist of moderated dialogues on a variety of issues, including how to move from vision to transformative action, the role of the private sector in implementation, how the HLPF can support national action, involvement of scientific communities in implementation, regional support for national implementation, small island developing states (SIDS) and investment in sustainable development. The second part of the meeting comprise a ministerial segment, which is expected to include dialogues on developing a transformative integrated agenda, emerging issues for the future, communicating and implementing a universal agenda, shaping the HLPF for the next 15 years, reviewing and monitoring progress, realizing the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and transitioning from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the SDGs.
EASD is pleased to share with you document: Towards an Integrated and Inclusive Follow-up and Review of Natural Resources. Two recommendations aim to ensure that the effective follow-up and review of natural resources in the post-2015 development agenda is aligned with the principles of integration, participation and inclusion: 1) Thematic reviews of natural resources as a crosscutting issue, from tenure to their use, should be carried out under the HLPF; 2) National multi-stakeholder and rights-holder initiatives for follow-up and review, within the context of a renewed global partnership for development, should be established or strengthened.
20-22 July 2015, Economic and Social Council Meeting: Will consider and take action on the Committee’s recommendation at its Coordination and Management Meeting. The Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations at its 2015 Resumed Session, held from 26 May to 3 June 2015, decided to recommend Special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council to our organization EASD – Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development.
We participate!
- -The highly anticipated Zero draft of the outcome document for the UN Summit to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda is available for Stakeholder feedback . EASD teams carefully read document. The programme for the sixth session of the intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, to be held from 22-25 June, has been posted online .
- – In preparing the MTS 2018-21 and Programme of Work (PoW) for 2018-19, UNEP wishes to consult with Major Groups and Stakeholders to solicit views and ideas on what is expected from UNEP in the future, where UNEP should direct its efforts to serve best interests of all stakeholders and the environment, and which challenges UNEP should be well prepared to meet. EASD is preparing respond.
- – EASD acknowledge Initiatives by Non-State Actors to Curb Emissions Can Help Win the Fight against Climate Change – New UN Report The full report may be downloaded here.
- – The 2015 Resumed Session of the Committee on NGOs took place from 26 May to 3 June (and will adopt its report on 12 June), reviewing a total of 388 applications (including 176 applications that had been deferred from previous sessions), 7 reclassifications and 215 quadrennial reports. A total of 160 applications were recommended for consultative status with ECOSOC. The Committee closed, without prejudice, the consideration of 27 applications. Pending receipt of answers to questions posed by the members, the Committee deferred a total of 200 applications to its next session. EASD is looking forward to the decision related our application – expected to be taken up by ECOSOC at its next Coordination and Management Meeting, between 20-22 July 2015.
First European-wide Sustainable Development Week
The ESDW is a European-wide initiative aiming at stimulating and increasing the visibility of activities, projects and events that promote sustainable development.
The European Sustainable Development Week ensures that European citizens can take an active part in shaping the concept of sustainability in a bottom up approach. I am delighted that so many projects can be regarded as Best-Practice models and contribute to our common, sustainable future.’
The ESDW builds upon existing national sustainable development weeks and acts as an umbrella for new European wide projects. Public authorities, individual citizens, businesses, educational institutions, museums, foundations, civil society organizations, etc. can register their projects. All the activities and events will be displayed on the ESDW website (www.esdw.eu), in order to give organizers of innovative activities the opportunity to promote their initiatives.
Currently, more than 1500 initiatives in 18 countries have been registered as part of the ESDW (THE ELEVENTH REGIONAL CONFERENCE ENVIRONMENT TO EUROPE – ENE15 – ENV.NET is one of the registered events).
EASD will be in Brussels for ESDW events!
BLUE FLAG
The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained. National operator in Serbia is EASD.
EASD Activity circles represent the scope of our activities. EASD was approved as the FEE FULL MEMBER ORGANISATION at FEE GA in June 2014.
Related documents for application , as well as activities, are posted in Serbian , and on separate FEE Serbia web page.
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Blue Flag NOM 2018 in Greece: EASD participate
EASD participate at 2017 Blue Flag National Operator Meeting
Serbia: Blue Flag 2017 Ceremony at beach on “Belgrade Sea”
2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
November 2016: Serbian Visions 2016 : Blue Flag and Green Key programs presented by FEE SERBIA (EASD)
October 2016: Blue Flag NOM 2016: EASD participate
June 2016: Blue Flag for Ada Ciganlija beach
January 2016: National jury and Committee for FEE programs in Serbia
October 2015 EASD at 2015 Blue Flag NOM
October 2015 SDGs as the relevant part of the context within which FEE operates
Blue Flag 2015 National Jury Meeting, January 2015
Blue Flag 2014 National Jury Meeting , February 2014
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National FEE Committee Meeting, September 6, 2013
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In 2013 Ada Ciganlija-Sava Lake Beach in Belgrade deserved the second time this important international certification.
Activity on Blue Flag Beach in Serbia among the five continental winners of the 3rd IOC Sport and Environment Awards. This is recognition for outstanding initiatives in the field of environment and sustainable sport, in particular cleaning the bottom of the lake. See also FEE site.
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In the publication ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES HANDBOOK 2013, 3 pages are examples from Serbia: Serbia, p.18, Serbia, p.28 and Serbia, p.71
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2013 Blue Flag National Jury meeting held in February 2013.
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In 2012 only Ada Ciganlija-Sava Lake Beach in Belgrade deserved this important international certification. Nominated by National Jury to be awarded with Blue Flag in 2013 (noted in media )
