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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 “

WatSanPlan

WatSanPlan (Water and Sanitation Safety Planning in the Balkan Region: Albania, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia ). In cooperation with WECF, EASD is promoting  WSSP in Serbia, through extension and revision of the WSSP compendium, WSSP educational materials & concepts,  improve qualification of teachers and students in a Serbian community, conduct media campaign to motivate citizens to measure nitrate levels in water on their own, conduct relevant analysis and publication of results. The actions include public actions by students and teachers on the selected UN World Days, presentation of the project at the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development of the UNECE (Economic Commission for Europe) in Geneva (Switzerland, March 2022), and  in Berlin for BMU and other interested parties. All partners should get to know each other, tasks and responsibilities will be discussed in detail and assigned to individual persons. Milieukontakt Albania (MA) and Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (EASD) will be officially included in the Balkan WASH network.
Project is supported by funds from the Germen Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). EASD signed contract with Women Engage for a Common Future – WECF e.V., Germany. The timeframe of the project is from 01 September 2020 to 31 August 2022.

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EASD  is at World Water Week ( Stockholm 2022)

UNEP@50 and World Environment Day

Joining the World menstrual hygiene day 2022; Reflection

BE CONNECTED WITH THE REGIONAL UNECE FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Link for Survey :  SVETSKI DAN TOALETA 2021. GODINE – Učestvujte u istraživanju koliko su održivi načini tretmana otpadnih voda iz (Eko)škola u Srbiji –

TRAINING FOR STUDENTS – ALEKSANDROVAC, OCTOBER 22, 2021

Satellite-like activity in Serbia (and region): Serious of “Seminars for Climate and Environment Ambassadors”

Training for trainers on water safety and sanitation

WED 2021 Training

(Razvoj plana za bezbednost vodosnabdevanja i sanitacije u ruralnoj zajednici )

Information paper on Climate Change and Floods

Promotion by media (in Serbian, Da li smo spremni za sve češće poplave? )

Promotion in schools (in Serbian, Kako smanjiti i sprečiti širenje infektivnih bolesti u školama )

ENV.net

ENV.net project consists of ENV.net 1/2 (2012-2016)  and ENV.net 3 (2017-2020) projects. EC supported

ENV.net 1/2: ENV.net – Development of ENV.net in West Balkan and Turkey: giving citizens a voice to influence the environmental process reforms for closer EU integration, EuropeAid/132438/C/
ACT/Multi – 2012/306-642 and  2014/351-610; Partners for project implementation are: Puntosud , EASD , Co-PLAN , EEB – European Environmental Bureau, ATRC and TEMA . The project builds on the experience of an EU-funded project, namely the Environment Forum, implemented in the period 2009-2012, aiming at developing capacities of environmental NGOs to establish a constructive dialogue with national authorities. The present project strategy has been designed to achieve a greater commitment and capacity of a group of CSOs coming from Environment Forum experience and which have agreed on the creation of a new network, the ENV.net, to support the civil activism, give citizens a voice and influence the public reform processes in the approximation to the environment acquis. With the view to further enhance their capacities to work with CSOs and to share experience with other European countries, EEB has accepted to participate and to share its experience. Project objective – Greater commitment and capacity of the ENV.net to give citizens a voice and influence public sector reform processes in the environment sector through analysis, monitoring and advocacy. As one of the outcome National ENV.net networks (to complement Regional ENV.net network) were established; established  ENV.net Network in Serbia have 54 organizations (multistakeholders).

ENV.net3: “ENV-net factoring the environmental portfolio for Western Balkans and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda”EuropeAid/154870/ACT/Multi ; EASD (Serbia) partners for project implementation are: 4X4X4 Balkan Bridges from North Macedonia, European Environmental Bureau from Belgium, Advocacy Training and Resource Center, from Kosovo*, Green Home, from Montenegro, Lir Evolution, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, TEMA – the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and Protection of Natural Habitats, from Turkey and Foundation Punto,Sud, from Italy. The project contributes to the improvement of environmental policy-making and implementation in compliance with the EU standards. To this end, the network foresees to contribute to both improved and intensified inter-action among actors (including environmental CSOs, media and policy-makers) and an overall more enabling technical and financial environment where these actors operate. The action sets out to strengthen the profile of ENV.net as the leading network and bridging actor in environmental policy-influencing in the WB and Turkey region (vis-à-vis EU). Further, it foresees introducing and initiating a discussion on the Circular Economy concept in the region, as well as intensifying climate change actions. The action also foresees a number of value-adding, cross-cutting elements such as inter-partner learning/exchange, networking, and thematic organisational support to third parties (i.e. local grass-root organisations, media).

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Paper published: Andjelka Mihajlov, Aleksandra Mladenovic & Filip Jovanovic, Contribution to Environmental Communication: comparative analysis of two qualitative methods as the performance to European Union accession, in “Adapt to Survive. The role of social media, sharing and communication to ameliorate this world “, Conference Proceedings Book Edited by Margarita Kefalaki, Communication Institute of Greece (COMinG),Athens, p.57-66 , 2021 ( ISSN: ISBN: 978-618-85622-3-3 ), Available at https://coming.gr/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1_1_2021_Adapt-to-survive_Book_conf-proceedings_COMinG.pdf

Selected activities:

March 2021:

Information paper on Climate Change and Energy

Information paper on Climate Change and Floods

 

August 2021:  Environmental Communication: Media Archive Reports as a Participant Science Tool

Promotion by media (Da li smo spremni za sve češće poplave?)

December 31, 2020: ENV.net3 project final steps – infographics with documents developed by EASD

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Report on monitoring the progress of national environmental legislation (Chapter 27) in 2018, 2019, and half-year 2020, with projections through end-2020 / Izveštaj o monitoringu napredovanja nacionalnog zakonodavstva o životnoj sredini (Poglavlje 27) u 2018., 2019. i prvoj polovini 2020. godine, sa projekcijom do kraja 2020.godine (Extended abstract in English, Full text in Serbian)

Position Paper on COVID 19 and waste management

Circular Economy goes beyond Waste Management  presented at EurAsia Waste Management Symposium 2020

Information paper on meaning of Cluster “Green agenda and sustainable connectivity” for Serbia

Reflection paper on air quality data for Serbia

2020 Spotlight Report on Circular Economy in Serbia

EASD publication on circular economy acknowledged by European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform

Virtual tour on the experience from Italian practices in circular economy

November 2020: Joint civil society statement for Sofia Summit

EASD research presented at EurAsia Waste Management Symposium

October 2020, New Momentum for the Environmental Agenda in the Western Balkans and Turkey?

June 5,2020 – EnE20 Conference “Citizen science: Focus on Agenda 2030 and Sustainable Development Goals”

Establishment of the South East European Platform to Beat Pollution – SEEPP

Recap the moments from  EnE19/ENV.net Conference

Round table AIR QUALITY IN SERBIA AND REGION, YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW – CLEAN AIR – HEALTHY FUTURE: draft agenda available

March 2019: UN Environment : 4th Assembly (and pre- and side-events) , ENV.net related event

February 2019: Advancing environmental sustainability action- Financial Support to Third Parties for Monitoring and Evidence-Based Advocacy under the ENV.Net Project –

November 2018:   To report: The first Regional Conference on Circular Economy was success   ; The first regional conference on circular economy, Belgrade, November 2018: Agenda

Call for sub-grants (6.novembar 2018:  Otvoren poziv za dodelu sub-grantova u okviru ENV.net projekta)

YRE competition: apply before February 1, 2019.; Theme: Energy Efficiency

  ENV.net Initiative: to update National Strategy on Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Goods, by applying Circular Economy concept ; ENV.net Initiative and Knowledge based advocacy: to update National Strategy of Sustainable Use of Natural Resources

Circular economy knowledge based advocacy in Eco-schools network in Serbia

Env.Net_Newsletter_June_2018

Newsletter_May_Final_2018

Newsletter_Env_NET_2018_April

May 2018. Guest lectures made at two Universities in Serbia:  “Circular economy is concept and process, and still not full circle”  ; Participation at the Green Parliamentary Group meeting

Newsletter Env NET 2018 March

Newsletter_Env_NET_2018_Feb

Follow project at : facebook.com/envnetsite/ and  www.env-net.org

February 2018 – ENV.net 3 Kick-off Meeting in Tirana

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In December 2017. we started with ENV.net 3 :    ENV-net factoring the environmental portfolio for Western Balkans and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda  (reference number 2017/394-372)

ENV.net 3 – Serbia team include: Aleksandra Mladenovic –National Coordinator and Manager. In addition, Thematic experts/consultants, on demand, are Prof dr Andjelka Mihajlov and Filip Jovanovic, and Media communication expert, on demend, is Milica Momcilovic.

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Development of ENV.net in West Balkan and Turkey: giving citizens a voice to influence the environmental process reforms for closer EU integration – EuropeAid/132438/C/ACT/Multi – 2012/306-642 and  2014/351-610 (2012-2016)

The project builds on the experience of an EU-funded project, namely the Environment Forum , implemented in the period 2009-2012, aiming at developing capacities of environmental NGOs to establish a constructive dialogue with national authorities. The present project strategy has been designed to achieve a greater commitment and capacity of a group of CSOs coming from Environment Forum experience and which have agreed on the creation of a new network, the ENV.net, to support the civil activism, give citizens a voice and influence the public reform processes in the approximation to the environment acquis. With the view to further enhance their capacities to work with CSOs and to share experience with other European countries, EEB has accepted to participate and to share its experience.  Project objective – Greater commitment and capacity of the ENV.net to give citizens a voice and influence public sector reform processes in the environment sector through analysis, monitoring and advocacy.

Partners for project implementation are:  Puntosud ,  EASD   Co-PLAN , EEB – European Environmental Bureau  , ATRC   and  TEMA . EASD Activity circles  represent the scope of our activities. 

Project launched site for presentation of activities in all participating countries, as well as facebook  page and ENV.net Newsletters.

ENV.net 1/2– Serbia team include: Dr Nataša Žugić Drakulić –National Coordinator and   Filip Jovanović – project manager , chosen in transparent process by „ Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development“, partner organisation in this project. In addition, National consultant for European integration is Prof dr Andjelka Mihajlov , dr Hristina Stevanović Čarapina is leading expert .

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ENV.net Serbia network is functioning : Some of activities could be followed only in Serbian, like calls to participate, and other actions targeted to citizens in Serbia.

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Highlights: ENV.net publications

October 2016:Regional conference  “The environmental challenges, EU enlargement and public participation – the role of media on advocating environmental issues! 

June 2016: Agenda,  WED Messages from Serbia: 12th Regional Conference “Environment to Europe” , REPORT FROM EnE16-ENV.net, BELGRADE, SERBIA

April 2016 – ENV.net Course: CSO Participation in Accession Process , Chapter 27: CSOs participation

March 2016 – New internet portal: Greenweb

January 2016 – Save the date for EnE16-ENV.net Conference ; We participate: Regional Conference: „Sustainability of the FPAs” , Brussels . Water-food-energy-ecosystems nexus assessment in the Sava River Basin – Lessons learned and further steps

October – December 2015 – Ministry support to ENV.net , Event

October – Partnership for Climate Change issue : Serbia’s climate talks – on the way to Paris

June 11 – European Commission Vice-President Mr Maroš Šefčovič had meeting with CSOs in Belgrade. EASD participate!

June 7 – Bicycling-ENV.net promotion  in town Gornji Milanovac , Green day in Gornji Milanovac

June 5 – Regional Conference ”Environment to Europe” EnE15 – ENV.net EU Environmental Horizontal Legislation: Methods, Standards and Tools  , Invitation , AGENDA , Proc. of papers

May 26, 2015 – Promotional activity

April 21, 2015 – Participation in Public Hearing on Climate Change related challenges in Republic of Serbia

April – THE ELEVENTH REGIONAL CONFERENCE ENVIRONMENT TO EUROPE – ENE15 – ENV.NET acknowledged as the European Sustainable Development Week event

March 22 – Celebrating the World Water Day in Serbia: field visit to Ada Ciganlija

February 2, 2015: Invitation for EnE15-ENV.net Conference launched

January 29, 2015: A Guideline of EU Accession Monitoring Tools for CSOs in candidate and potential candidate countries (ENV.net region): Chapter 27 , document finalized

January , 2015: Promotion of Publication

December 31: Thematic Publication “Environment to Europe”, 2014 ( Tematski zbornik radova “Životna sredina ka Evropi”)

December 12: ENV.net Serbia Seminar: Environmental Education in Schools

November 24-25, ENV.net on the margins of ECF Annual Meeting in Brussels with European Commision

November 4-5 , Regional training on the process of designation of potential Natura 2000 sites

October 30 – Conference “EU accession in the field of environmental protection and the role of local authorities” 

October 28 – Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection is co-funded ENV.net project , contract signed

October 22-23, Belgrade: ENV.net training: “EU project design process and Implementation of environmental policy”, Invitation , Agenda , Training

October 2014 – ENV.net brochure published and presented

October 14 – ENV.net related:  Participation on Conference “Eco-standards and Education”

October 8 – “Little progress has been made in the areas of environment and climate change”

September 29 – ENV.net Round-table Dialogue for Green Future (ENV.net okrugli sto sa niškim srednjoškolcima “Dijalogom ka zelenijoj budućnosti“) (sub-grant)

September 23-25,  Brussels: ENV.net preparatory partnership meeting and Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) Closing Event for Phase I 

September 19-24 , We are following Explanatory Screening for the Chapter 27

September 9 – Peer Review mission on the state of play of the implementation of selected EU environmental Directives in Serbia : meeting related nature protection, participation

August 29 – ENV.net  (sub-granting) publication published  PUBLICATION : “Species of plants and animals of special conservation concern in EU” , in Serbian

July 27 – Partnership with media – Radio Beograd 2

June 19 – Eco-package initiative as the example environmental education for the future EU citizens

June 5 – CONFERENCE , ENV.net multi-stakeholder Conference on Chapter 27: about 200 participants

 

 

 

 

 

June 4 – Meeting with media , Moments from the Conference for Media

May 29, 2014 – ENV.net Serbia Conference organisation on the good trackAgenda for EnE14/ENV.net Conference “Environment to Europe”, June 5, 2014 in SCC – opening at 10:00

May 22-24, 2014 – 4th Partners Meeting in Milan

May 13, 2014 – European Solar Days – participation in promotion of EU environmental values

 

 

 

 

 

May 10, 2014 – ENV.net Let us clean up Europe! event: Ada Ciganlija Beograd ;  ENV.net Serbia with children, parents and teachers “cleaning up Serbia” , Event in pictures

May 22-24, 2014 – 4th  ENV.net Partners Meeting in Milan

May 7-8, 2014 – Some of ENV.net Partners meet in the corridors of ECRAN ECF Meeting

April 25, 2014 – UNEP acknowledged EnE14-ENV.net 2014 Conference as the World Environmental Day Event

April 5, 2014 – Education for future citizens of EU: guest lecturing at the Law Faculty

April 4, 2014 – EU Delegation to Serbia: Consultative Meeting with CSOs on progress towards EU in 2014

Aprl 4, 2014 – We participated to the meeting related to EU-Serbia Civil Society Joint Consultative Committee – JCC

April 2, 2014 – ECRAN NGOs Environment and Climate Change Forum – Evaluation Outcome – Congratulation to ENV.net partners!!!!

April 1, 2014 – Protego and Protecta sign subcontracting contracts

Marc 20-9, 2014 – EASD written contribution to the 2014 Progress Report

March 25,  2014 – Participation on UNECE consultation related to the 3rd EPR for Serbia

March 23, 2014 – ENV.net sub-grants winners announced , ENV.net

March 20, 2014 – We participate on Panel at Faculty of Organisation Sciences – University of Belgrade : Knowledge about Environment

March 9, 2014 – Technical (formal requests) evaluation of sub-grants application finished: 45 projects eligible for further evaluation 

March 6, 2014 – Promotion of global activity EARTH HOUR (Marh 29, 20:30-21:30)  and call for participation

March 4-6, 2014 – We participate in Zagreb on Workshop on Water-Food-Energy-Ecosystems Nexus Assessment in the Sava River Basin

From February 2014 – EU negotiation process: we are following explanatory screenings

February 26, 2014 – In accordance with procedure, QUESTIONS by potential applicants with our ANSWERS are posted on web site on February 26, at 07:00 , taking in account questions received by February 25 at 23:59

February 20-21, 2014 – EASD-ENV.net Serbia participated in defining the first strategic framework for CSOs development

February 18,2014- Knowledge based advocacy: Environment should be within priorities in the negotiations with EU

February 13, 2014 – Environment in youth policy in Serbia

February 12, 2014 – Meeting with ENVAP2 Project representatives

February 7, 2014 – Participation on Training related the Sector Planning Documents – SPDs

February 1, 2014 – Call of proposals for ENV.net sub-granting in Serbia  “EU: we watch and learn to be ready!”

January 30, 2014 – Participation on public hearing by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) Study Group

January 30,2014 – Thematic meeting of the SECO mechanism on IPA II programming

January 30, 2014 – Participate in the Mapping of CSOs and other stakeholders in in the process of EU accession negotiations

January 19, 2014 – EASD / ENV.net Team reading of European Parliament Resolution, January 2014

January 07, 2014 –  Starting preparation for ENV.net 2014 Round-table / Conference

January 2, 2014 – Attention to ENVIRONMENT in EUROPA DAIRY

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December 23, 2013 – Workshop on environmental values for kindergarten children from Sombor (Minutes) ,  Participation on meetings in Nature Protection Institute and Agency for Environmental Protection

Decembar 20, 2013 – In media : Promotion of knowledge based information

December 20, 2013 – Environmental Education for future EU citizens , Minutes 

December 17, 2013 – ENV.net region news: European Affairs ministers give green light to Serbia’s EU negotiations

December 16, 2013: Workshop for strategic planning of further work SECO mechanism

December 3, 2013 – ENV.net presented to the master students of Faculty of Security Studies

December 2, 2013 – Eye on EU integration process: Parliament of Serbia , Eye on SEE regional cooperation

November 28, 2013 – Meeting  FPA project grantees with DG Enlargement representative

November 25, 2013 – Partnership with Media : Partnership agreement with Journalist’ Association of Serbia

Environmental Education of future EU citizens: Activity on November 19,2013

  Acknowledging the outreach of ENV.net Survey and ENV.net 2013 Roudtable recomendations, EASD – ENV.net Serbia recognized importance of  children/youth education  for active EU citizenship , through promotion of EU environmental values. We would like to share moments from kindergarten “Pčelice”, from village Šetonje, as promotion event for environmental values in education.  With children and teachers, as well as EASD Team, there were Prof dr Ivica Radovic and mr Ljubiša Antonijević, assistant ministers for education and science.

Partnership with municipality – On November 18., 2013, ENV.net project presented on the Round table in Municipality Vračar (within City of Belgrade).

Cooperation with TACSO Serbia – On November 15. 2013, in Belgrade, TACSO Advisory Committee (LAG) organized a consultative meeting with representatives of civil society organizations and networks and Serbian civil society expert community.  At the meeting a draft of a document on the assessment needs of civil society in Serbia was discussed.

EASD prepared Opinion and contribution to the Draft Strategy Paper for the Republic of Serbia 2014-2020. Through SECO mechanism opinion is sent to Governmental Office for European Integration. Opinion is based on  Serbia 2013 Progress Report and Strategy – Reading by ENV.net Serbia Team .

Organisation capacity building process: EASD acknowledged becoming IPEN network Participating Organization

CSOs at the First constituting meeting of European Union-Serbia Stabilization and Association Parliamentary Committee

Eye on environmental laws changes: monitoring compliance with EU directives

November 2013. – The third ENV.net partnership meeting in Milan

28. October – Meeting with European Parliamentarians

ENV.net Serbia Team prepared document: Reading of 2013 Progress Report for Serbia and Strategy by ENV.net Serbia Team ( Serbia 2013 Progress Report and Strategy – Reading by ENV.net Serbia Team ).

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22. and 23 October – Education on sustainable management of lead/chemicals

October 18 – EC Delegation in Serbia, present to relevant CSOs, on October 18, 2013 , Serbia Progress Report 2013, in which the Commission services present their assessment of what Serbia as the candidate country has achieved over the last year.

October 2013 : Participated on different events organized to raise awareness to EU approximation environmental challenges.

Promotion of ENV.net facebook page!

October 2, 2013 –  ENV.net  team participated at the First SEE Regional Science Promotion Conference (SCIPROM), opened  in Belgrade, with the aim to bring together science promotion professionals, practitioners and enthusiasts to share experience and network in order to strengthen the link between science and society in our Region.  In the current competitive global environment it is an imperative to enhance economic and social capacities by improving the educational structure of society, inspiring innovation and technological advancement and creating a milieu for appreciation of the value and benefits of knowledge. In the opening address, Minister for Education, Science and Technology development of Serbia underlined, among others the importance of knowledge based actions, as well as the importance of drinking water for development. Conference bring international experts and representatives of international organizations, research and educational institutions, science camps, science communicators, NGOs, private sector and media on board.

This conference justify the path of ENV.net Serbia implementation and development,  linking European Integration, Knowledge based activities and sectors : Education, Science and Environment/Natural Resources.

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Waste management and water management are considered as two important segments of environmental acquis and studies in this area represent an important aspect of ENV.net project. Environmental accession status of Serbia ( waste , water  and EIA thematic issues) was presented by EASD team at International Conferences in Vienna (Austria) and Zadar (Croatia), as well as on chemicals at SAICM Regional Meeting (Skopje, Macedonia FYR).

In addition, possible ENV.net partnerships are discussed with other participants and interested CSOs.

In Skopje, EASD representative met Macedonian 4x4x4 BB representative on September 26, 2013, to discuss possible enlargement of ENV.net project to Macedonia.

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Promotion of ENV.net site in place  Join us!

Added value for ENV.net Serbia is EASD activities within the development of Post-Rio+20 Agenda.

Office for Cooperation with Civil Society organized on September 6, 2013 Conference devoted to negotiating Chapter 27 (Environment). Presentation (in Serbian) from the Conference includes: Poglavlje 27 pregovoriIskustvo R SlovenijeNatura 2000 MinistarstvoUloga civilnog drustva u monitoringuNatura 2000 NGO )

September 2013: ENV.net project presented in the Ministry of Education, Science and Development of Serbia (Meeting of the National Committee for Environmental Education Programs)

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August 2013. – Snapshot analysis : While waiting for EC 2013 Progress Report

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July 2013 – By invitation, Prof dr Hristina Stevanovic Carapina, had plenary lecture: RELIABILITY OF DATA ON WASTE GENERATION IN THE APPLICATION OF LCA AS A  PREREQUISITE IN DECISION-MAKING PROCESS ABOUT THE INTRODUCTION OF RECYCLING IN MUNICIPALITY OF BOR , at the eight Symposium “Recycling Technologies and Sustainable Development”

Eco-Paket (Eco-Package) in Eco-Schools

Eco-package is a project implemented in Serbia since 2013/2014 school year, exclusively run in the framework of the International Eco-schools Programme.
Until 2019 the number of Eco-Schools participating in the project increased continuously. This project supported Eco-schools network in their activities performed to be linked to the education for sustainable development through realization of UN Sustainable Development Goals, primarily Goal 4 (Quality education), Goal11 (Sustainable cities and communities) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
The project consisted of three activities:
• creative art work competition: based on different theme, every year the students are collecting used beverage cartons (UBC)
• collection of used beverage cartons (UBC) and
• educational workshops for school children including the demonstration how UBC can be turned into paper (these workshops are being conducted by EASD since 2015/2016 school year).
The main goal was to raise awareness among pre-school children, school children and students of Eco-schools, their families and wider community about the need for sustainable use of resources on the example of correct methods of separation, disposal and recycling of used beverage cartons
Specific goals were:
– Educate pre-school children, school children and students about correct methods of separation and disposal of used beverage cartons.
– Encourage wider community to participate in the process of collection and recycling of used beverage cartons in order to raise their environmental awareness.
– Introduce sustainable forest management principle through FSC model, including sustainable production and consumption of used cartons.
– Present and promote companies and businesses that have incorporated the principles of sustainable development and social responsibility towards the environment and natural resources into their operation.
Main target groups were children in kinder gardens (pre-school institutions), pupils in primary and secondary schools and university students, as well as teaching and non-teaching school staff
Other target groups were parents/families/neighbours, local communities (including local companies, institutions, organizations) and media.

Outreach include Eco-schools Serbia network management, workshops organization, preparation of educational material, knowledge based advocacy, raising awareness among educational institutions and local communities on circular economy issue, establishing good cooperation with local communities where Eco-schools exist

From 2019/20 project is not active at national level

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More about Eco-Schools Program in Serbia.  

Also, detailed instructions are posted in Serbian, as well as most news and announcements.

In addition, there is separated dedicated web sites (in Serbian) for this  Eko-paket (Eco-Package) project, supported by Tetra Pak in Serbia.

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October 2018: Circular economy knowledge based advocacy in Eco-schools network in Serbia

October 2017: Eko-paket – Eco-Schools annual conference for the school year 2017/2018

May 2017: Eko-paket 2017 outcome

September 2016: Education for Sustainability

September 2016:  FEE General Assembly 2016 and International Conference on Education for Sustainable Development, Ahmedabad, India

June 2016: WED Messages from Serbia: 12th Regional Conference “Environment to Europe”

May 2016: EASD Knowledge Partner with CEE for ESD for transforming education for children and youth

November 2015: Eco-Schools 2015 NOM in Northern Ireland

October 2015 –  SDGs as the relevant part of the context within which FEE operates

January 2015 – Eco-schools Serbia in the International Eco-schools news

December 2014, status: ECO-SCHOOLS FAMILY IN SERBIA IS GROWING, CATALYZED BY ECO-PACKAGE ACTIVITY, On December 12, 2014 in Belgrade, two different activities, merged in one great and successful event, happened: Green Flags Award ceremony and Annual meeting of Eco-Schools Coordinators. Over 50 participants were present from all levels of education institutions.  The main topics discussed include different ideas and methods on how environmental education in schools could be enhanced and better represented in school curriculum. Positive experiences are shared, in particular related motivation through ECO-PACKAGE activity, supported in Serbia by Tetra-Pak Production Company (Tetra Pak Production d.o.o Beograd in 2013/14 and 2013/14 supports Eco-Schools Program in Serbia, as a socially responsible company). From 3 Eco-schools in 2012/13, 15 in 2013/14, in Serbia there are in the moment 24 schools in different stages of Eco-School Program implementation 2014/15 (2 higher education institutions level, 1 secondary school level, 18 elementary schools and 3 pre-schools). Behind this growing success is NO Team in Serbia (from organization Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development): National FEE Mentor for FEE Programs Prof.dr. Andjelka Mihajlov, National Eco-School Coordinator (until October 2014 Milica Petrovic, from October to December 2014 Dragana Grujicic, and in 2015 expecting new dedicated person on the board), National FEE Council (with representatives of supporting ministries, other relevant institutions and experts), Prof. dr. Natasa Zugic-Drakulic – Executive Director, assistance of Milena Tabasevic and Marina Marjanovic, as well as Coordinators and dedicated teachers, professors and principals in Eco-Schools (participants of 2014 Seminar): Andrijanić ZoranAngeleski AlmaBabović Dragana Božilović DragicaBursać Slađana,Davidović Stevan,Despotović Slavica, Đurović Ljiljana, Gligorovski Tatjana, Grahovac Prole Milijana, Ivanović    Vesna, Janković Danijela,  Jeličić Biljana, Joksimović Ana, Jovanović Dragana, Kocić     Vesna, Luković      Verica, Luković Brankica, Maksić Marina, Mandić Miroslav, Miloradović Dragana, Milosavljević Zorica, Momčilović Verica, Nikitović Dragana, Nikolić Perčević Đulica, Pantović Zoran, Perić Snežana, Sekulić Dragojle,  Simendić Siniša, Stoiljković Slavica, Strugar Aleksandra, Vasiljević Milka, Večei Funda Valerija, Vidojević Mirjana, Vranić Darko, Grujičić   Marina, Malinić Uglik Sanja, Planić Vasilie, Marković Jasmina, Radić Marija, Stanojlović Dragana and Ceranić  ĐuroMoments from the Event are available at: http://ambassadors-env.com/gallery/eko-skole-12-12-2014/ and http://ambassadors-env.com/gallery/eko-skole12-12-2014-deo-2/

December 2014 – Eco-schools National Operators Meeting 2014 ; National Meeting of Eco-Schools Coordinators

May 2014 – With children, parents and teachers “cleaning up Serbia”

January 2014. : There are 18 schools in the Program, 3 of them already awarded with Green Flag

Meeting with Eco-Schools Coordinators, December 2013

Tetra Pak Production d.o.o Beograd in 2013/14 start to support Eco-Schools Program in SerbiaTetra Pak, as a social responsible company takes part in this Program in order to raise awareness of children and local communities on the importance of responsible behaviour towards environment. 

The first GREEN FLAG ceremonies : September 19 and 12, 2013 , November 19 2013

National FEE Committee Meeting, September 6, 2013 : 3 schools awarded

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3 schools applied and started process in 2012-13 .

June 2013: International Mentor visited school “Drinka Pavlović” in Belgrade.

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Program activities include summer schools, summer camps, etc.

Related activities: Education for Sustainable Development

Aarhus Center Novi Beograd – how to get involved?

In November 2015, Young Researchers of Serbia established the Aarhus center Novi Beograd, the fifth Aarhus Centre in Serbia, as an encouragement for the implementation of the Aarhus Convention and the greater involvement of citizens in environmental protection issues. On 13 April 2016, at the Media Center in Belgrade, Aarhus Centre Novi Beograd, with the support of OSCE Mission to Serbia, organized a roundtable “How to get involved?” about the cooperation between different actors in the environmental protection in Belgrade. At the roundtable, about 30 representatives of institutions and organizations discussed what can be done to improve environmental protection in Belgrade. For more information, please visit website link or facebook link.

 

 

Chapter 27: Environment and climate change in the media

Activities of the project include: 
The round table / seminar on 28 October at 12 am in the Media Center: Chapter 27, environment and climate change in the media ,
for journalists,  includes Chapter 27, case reporting practices on this issue in our country (compared with reporting in other countries) …. (presentation of the project activities at the fair ECOFAIR 2015, with a public invitation to interested parties to apply for the seminar
– preparing and making available information on-line brochure for the Press 

Activities contribute to the objective of the project to influence the improvement of journalistic skills and knowledge for specialized reporting in the field of environmental protection and climate change, which would contribute to the improvement of ways, the quality and scope of media coverage and better information of the citizens. The project is support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, which in 2015 co-financed ENV.net project

EASD in the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint: 2013 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action

EASD, as the CSO National SAICM focal point, active participated in the 2013 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action, October 20-26, 2013 (Color pencils with and without lead).

On October 22, at 11:00, EASD/ENV.net Serbia Team participated in the central event in Serbia in, the Institute of the Public Health of Serbia – Agenda of the event : program skupa

On October 23. from 9:45 in Eco-School  OŠ “Drinka Pavlović” ,Beograd , EASD team, in partnership with the   APOS , gave a public lecture on “The sources of lead in the environment” , related lead in environment and lead poisoning (by different pencils and paint products). Our hosts and audience were biology professor Tatiana Tursijan, chemistry professor Dragana Ilic, and 7. and 8. grade students.

EASD presentation on lead from environmental angle : AOR Olovo 22.10.2013.

Events have media attention, for example.

 

Lead is well-known toxic chemical with ability to harm human health and cause wide range of health disorders including neurological disorders, anaemia, tiredness and muscle weakness, paralysis, kidney and liver damage and stomach upsets.  According to WHO assessments lead exposure is estimated to account for 0.6% of the global burden of disease, with the highest burden in developing regions.

In children, the potential for adverse effects of exposure to lead is increased because of their physiological, metabolic and behavioural specificity. Lead can pose the risk to unborn child due to its possibility moves through placenta. Childhood lead exposure causes cognitive functions disorder resulted in about 600,000 new cases of children with intellectual disabilities every year.  Latest scientific findings confirmed that there is no safe threshold for lead and that lead poisoning is entirely preventable.

The  phasing  out  of  lead  from  petrol,  first  in  western  Europe  and  later  in central and eastern Europe, has resulted in a significant fall in blood lead levels in children over the last two decades. Nevertheless there are still a lot of sources of lead releases into environment such as industrial processes, paint, solder in canned foods and water pipes.  It is still necessary to further reduce  the  levels  of  lead  in  the  blood  because  there  is  no  known  safe  level  in children and pregnant women.

To facilitate action aim preventing of  lead poisonings globally and especially exposure to lead from paint WHO together with UNEP created Global Alliance to Eliminated Lead from Paint (GAELP) that includes United States Centres for Diseases Control, US EPA and International Paediatric Association as well as Who and UNEP. The GAELP aims to elimination of lead from paint till 2020 in the majority of countries.

To raise awareness about lead poisoning, highlight countries and partners’ efforts to prevent childhood lead poisoning  and urge further action to eliminate lead paint WHO through the GAELP will facilitate an international campaign on lead poisoning prevention (with a focus on lead paint), to take place 20-26 October 2013. This will be a campaign involving voluntary country-led activities, and we are now at the stage where countries (and NGOs) can volunteer to take part.

In WHO European Region four public health institutions and poison centres  in Albania, Georgia, Republic of Moldova, and Serbia and a number of non-governmental organizations located in Armenia, France, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Republic of Moldova and Serbia  registered events that they will organize during Lead Poisoning Prevention Week.  The diversity of events that are planned reflect countries priorities in elimination of lead poisonings that for WHO/ Europe Member States includes awareness raising workshops with decision-makers, legislators, industry representatives, TV events and mass media publications, distribution of booklets, national conferences are planned in the participating countries.  Interesting events such as exhibition on lead poisonings and screening of the preventive movie will take place in France. Clinical toxicologists will inform from CHRU Lilly (France) Poison Control Centre will send mail to approximately 1500 City halls and to Paediatricians and Child Professionals.

Action to eliminate leaded paints should take place in all countries.

Eye on EU approximation environmental challenges

Different events organised to raise awareness to EU approximation environmental challenges.

International Fair Eko-Svet  was held from 2.6. october 2013. in Novi Sad where different innovations and new technologies were presented.  Also, numerous interesting presentations on environmental issues were organized as an important part of this Fair.

10th International  Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Fair – ECOFAIR is held from 9-12. October 2013. in Belgrade.  Aside from participation of major national and international companies and institutions which are active in the field of environmental protection, there is also very rich professional and scientific program.  For example, Regional Conference on Environmental Reporting – precondition for investment and sustainable business was held in the organization of Camber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.

ENV.net Team awareness on climate change have media attention.

 

Minister for Education and Science underlined the importance of drinking water for development

The First SEE Regional Science Promotion Conference (SCIPROM), is opened on October 2, 2013 in Belgrade, with the aim to bring together science promotion professionals, practitioners and enthusiasts to share experience and network in order to strengthen the link between science and society in our Region.  In the current competitive global environment it is an imperative to enhance economic and social capacities by improving the educational structure of society, inspiring innovation and technological advancement and creating a milieu for appreciation of the value and benefits of knowledge.

In the opening address, Minister for Education, Science and Technology development of Serbia Tomislav Jovanovic underlined, among others the importance of knowledge based actions, as well as the importance of drinking water for development.

Conference bring international experts and representatives of international organizations, research and educational institutions, science camps, science communicators, NGOs, private sector and media on board. ENV.net team participated.

This conference justify the path of ENV.net Serbia development linking European Integration, Knowledge based activities and sectors : Education, Science and Environment/Natural Resources.

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 

Blue Flag (and Green Key) for beaches and marinas among EEA TOUERM (Tourism and Environment Reporting Mechanism) Indicators

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 

InWASTEgate

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  )

Feasibility Study BF Serbia – 2011

EASD approved as the member of UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform

Since the first UN Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 – the Earth Summit – it was recognized that sustainable development could not be achieved by governments alone. This notion is reflected emphatically in the landmark outcome document of that Summit, “Agenda 21”. Section 3 underscores the criticality of harnessing expertise and capacity from all sectors of society and all types of people: consumers, workers, business owners, farmers, students, teachers, researchers, activists, indigenous peoples, and other communities of interest.

Sustainable development goes together with allowing people to broadly engage in development policy making.  UN Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform serves to provide wide access to information and knowledge for sustainable development, through its online and social media. EASD involvement in process is approved by UN.  It also helps build the capacity, knowledge and skills base of Major Groups. It supports, facilitates and monitors voluntary Partnerships for Sustainable Development and monitors the more than 750 voluntary commitments registered at Rio+20. It also promotes online and face-to-face knowledge and skills acquisition by stakeholders through its SD-Learning programme.

FEE Serbia International Mentor in Monitoring visit to Serbia, June 2013

Mr Riza Epikmen, member of the FEE Board of Directors , as the International Mentor for  FEE Serbia (Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development), visited Serbia from June 14-16, 2013. The FEE Board responsibilities include ensuring compliance with the organisation’s objectives/values, recommending policies/plans, approving membership applications and monitoring performance in relation to plans, budgets, etc. In 2011 and 2012 International Mentor for FEE Serbia was Michael Ierides.

On June 14th he visited FEE Serbia office, where he had the first meeting with EASD core team, including National FEE Mentor Andjelka Mihajlov, National Blue Flag Program Coordinator Sandra Radunovic and Assistant to National Eco-Schools Coordinator Dragana Grujicic.

In order to be informed of Eco-Schools Program implementation, he visited school “Drinka Pavlovic”  , applied for “Eco-School” award and waiting for Jury decision. Dedicated teachers  and director presented how the school is implementing program.

On meeting in the premises of Tourist of Organization of Serbia, members of FEE National Council and ministries competent for environment and tourism representatives have constructive discussion with Mr Epikmen, focused on his advice related to Green Key Program implementation and plan of FEE Serbia to become FEE full member in 2014.

On June 15th, he has site visit to 2013 Blue Flag Beach (Ada Ciganlija-Sava lake) and participated in ceremony for Blue Flag 2013 season opening.

Minutes from Monitoring visit are in the Gallery.

In Media: 1 2  M1 M2 M4 M5

Some pictures from TV-video coverage:

WED: “Do not waste the food – avoid unresponsive consumption”

On June 5th, Association of Consumers (APOS) and Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development (EASD), in Media Center, Organize Conference  dedicated to UNEP WED message: “Think. Eat. Save”. Presentation by: Andjelka Mihajlov, Lela Tasic, Jovanka Nikolic, Nina Milos, Igor Damjanic.

Main messages includes:

1. Quantity and the type of food consumed by each of us, is indicator of responsible use of natural resources

2. Environmental sector, as well as consumers protection, should be within national priorities

Minutes from the Conference available in Gallery of photos.

Western Balkan Civil Society Forum

 The 4th Western Balkan Civil Society Forum was organized from 26-27 November 2012, in Zagreb, Croatia.

The Western Balkan Civil Society Forum is a part of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) activities in the Western Balkans.

The main topics of the Forum were:

  • The relations between the European Union (EU) and the countries of the region;
  • How to improve media freedom and freedom of expression in the region?
  • How to involve civil society organizations in the process of accession to the EU?
  • What is the role for civil society organizations in rural development and employment issues?
  • Possibilities for future cooperation.

This Forum is organized every two years since 2006, with the main goal to provide an opportunity to exchange views on the current situation of civil society in the region, its needs and its future development.  This year the Forum brought together about 150 participants from Western Balkan countries, the EESC members, EU institutions representatives, NGOs, and diplomats.

On behalf of the Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, our representative was Natasa Zugic-Drakulic.

Western Balkan Civil Society Forum

The 4th Western Balkan Civil Society Forum was organized from 26-27 November 2012, in Zagreb, Croatia, as the event promoting regional cooperation.

The Western Balkan Civil Society Forum is a part of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) activities in the Western Balkans.

The main topics of the Forum were:

  • The relations between the European Union (EU) and the countries of the region;
  • How to improve media freedom and freedom of expression in the region?
  • How to involve civil society organizations in the process of accession to the EU?
  • What is the role for civil society organizations in rural development and employment issues?
  • Possibilities for future cooperation.

This Forum is organized every two years since 2006, with the main goal to provide an opportunity to exchange views on the current situation of civil society in the region, its needs and its future development.  This year the Forum brought together about 150 participants from Western Balkan countries, the EESC members, EU institutions representatives, NGOs, and diplomats.

Our representative was Natasa Zugic-Drakulic.