Schools go green and digital – and Erasmus+ supports teaching excellence!
A European Conference on the Challenges of Schools in the Face of climate change and digitalization was held in Bonn from May 3 to 5, 2023. With more than 200 participants in EU and WB countries, it was a really great opportunity to exchange best practices on how teachers are finding balance in the on and off-line world, how to learn to grow by protecting the environment and humans or to present possibilities of Teacher Academy to going green and digital.
Exhibition of best practices and exchange of experience, presentations of best practices in parallel groups, open space, partner finding, and parallel group discussions provided very well-organized opportunities to present results of different Erasmus + projects around Europe. Participants also received information about the Erasmus+ Programme and funding opportunities. Photo: ©PAD/Marcus Gloger
Most of the present teachers searched and found partners for future projects. In the end, the chances of eTwinning for future teachers were presented, and how to build resilience to disinformation in a digital media age.
Environmental Ambassadors had the opportunity to present the main results of the ongoing Erasmus + project “Forest-our long-life teacher” (ForLife), which is led by Association Doves from Slovenia, in partnership with Environmental Ambassadors from Serbia and Jump Association from Italy. This project focuses on the fight against climate change, covering inclusion and diversity of all fields of education and supporting teachers in gathering knowledge and green skills development. So far, three trainings under the projects are organized in Slovenia, Serbia and Italy, one online international conference and a lot of materials for teachers and students are produced. The project will be ended in August 2023.
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.
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.
Environmental Communication: Media Archive Reports as a Participant Science Tool
EASD presented on August 3, 2021, research paper Environmental Communication: Media Archive Reports as a Participant Science Tool (Authors are A.Mihajlov, A.Mladenovic, F.Jovanovic) at 6th International Conference on Communication and Management (ICCM2021), hosted and organized by Communication Institute of Greece.
By sharing experience, this paper justifies environmental communication through the media archive reports as participant science tool, considering that journalists/media are representing citizens (with common interests). In the case of Serbia, illustrative justification that media archive reports could be used as participative tool to supplement official observation and monitoring, is presented, showing that the same trends of citizens/journalist’s attention to environment and environmental performance and progress (in the European Union accession process) in Serbia. In timeline, when sector environment has better performance, it is bigger interest of citizens/journalists/media to environmental issues.
This article benefited from the European Union funded project “ENV.Net Factoring the Environmental Portfolio for WB and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda” (2017/394-372). The views expressed in this paper do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Commission. Also, authors would like to express gratitude to Media archive Ebart, Belgrade, Serbia for contribution in data collecting. Data used in this paper were gathered through the research on nexus media-environmental issues in Serbia, which was based on initial idea jointly developed by respective journalist Velimir Ćurgus Kazimir (1948-2018), Media Archive Ebart founder and this paper co-author Andjelka Mihajlov, co-founder of Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development.
By this presentation Prof Mihajlov, as paper presenter, also informed and inspired climate actions in contribution to the European Climate Pact , empowering citizens to shape a greener Europe…..participants of this Conference was great ‘communication network” for this. To note that in July 2021 Prof Andjelka Mihajlov, Environmental Ambassador for Sustainable Development, was acknowledged by European Commission DG Clima as European Climate Pact Ambassador , among others for Green skills .
Ref.: Environmental Communication: Media Archive Reports as a Participant Science Tool (Authors: A.Mihajlov, A.Mladenovic, F.Jovanovic) , Abstract Book “Communicating in a ‘Modern’ Word” , 6th International Conference on Communication and Management – ICCM 2021, page 30, Edited by Communication Institute of Greece (COMinG), ISBN: 978-618-81861-9-4 (2021)
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
Training for trainers on water safety and sanitation
(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?
Establishment of the South East European Platform to Beat Pollution – SEEPP
Recap the moments from EnE19/ENV.net Conference
March 2019: UN Environment : 4th Assembly (and pre- and side-events) , ENV.net related event
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
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
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
- A Guideline of EU Accession Monitoring Tools for CSOs in candidate and potential candidate countries: Chapter 27, (Authors and contributors: Andjelka Mihajlov, Natasa Zugic-Drakulic, Filip Jovanovic, Federico Bastia, Simona Pogliani, Mara Silina, Teida Shehi and Dusko Hristov), Published by Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development with the financial assistance of the EU – ENV.net project document, Belgrade January 2015
- How to influence environmental policy through effective advocacy (Authors: Margherita Tolotto and Mara Silina), ENV.net Advocacy Toolkit, European Environmental Bureau, Brussels, January 2015
- Climate change and challenges of the enlargement (Authors: Anja Kolmuss, Dragana Mileusnic, Zanna Vanrenterghem and Richard Filcak), ENV.net Advocacy Toolkit, European Environmental Bureau, Brussels,September 2016
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
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 track –Agenda 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
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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
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 pregovori, Iskustvo R Slovenije, Natura 2000 Ministarstvo, Uloga civilnog drustva u monitoringu, Natura 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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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 Zoran, Angeleski Alma, Babović Dragana , Božilović Dragica, Bursać 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 Đuro. Moments 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 Serbia. Tetra 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
Recap the moments— EnE19
EnE19 Conference / Round table AIR QUALITY IN SERBIA AND REGION, YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW – CLEAN AIR – HEALTHY FUTURE, was held in Belgrade on June 4th, 2019. It was platform for interesting and fruitful statements and discussion.
On the World Environment Day in the European sustainable development week, traditionally, this event is organized by “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” and Serbian Chamber of Commerce – “Environment towards Europe – EnE19″.
Presentations will be posted soon …
Goran Trivan , Minister, Ministry of Environmental Protection of Republic of Serbia / ministar zaštite životne sredine Republike Srbije
□ Stanojla Mandić, Deputy Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection of the Republic of Serbia / zamenik Poverenika za informacije od javnog značaja i zaštitu podataka o ličnosti Republike Srbije
□ Aleksandar Peric, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia , Co-organizer of the EnE19 Conference/ Privredna komora Srbije, koorganizator Konferencije
□ Aleksandra Mladenovic, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development , Co-organizer of the EnE19 Conference/predsednik Ambasadora održivog razvoja I životne sredine, koorganizator Konferencije
Dragan Ðurica, Pomoćnik pokrajinskog sekretara za urbanizam i zaštitu životne sredine – Sektor za monitoring i informacioni sistem životne sredine: Kvalitet vaduha – dela pre reči
dr Elizabet Paunović , bivsa šefica Evropskog centra za životnu sredinu i zdravlje Svetske zdravstvene organizacije (SZO) / former head of WHO European Centre for Environment and Health. Nacionalna implementacija Agende 2030 kao odlicna prilika za smanjivanje negativnog uticaja zagadjenog vazduha na ljudsko zdravlje
dr sci Uroš Rakić, Institut za javno zdravlje Srbije “dr Milan Jovanović Batut” : Aerozagađenje kao faktor rizika po zdravlje
Andrej Šoštarić, Gradski zavod za javno zdravlje Beograd: Monitoring kvaliteta vazduha u Beogradu
Prof dr Svetlana Stanišić, Univerzitet Singidunum: Veza između kvaliteta vazduha u Beogradu i smrtnosti
Marko Kazimirović, Univerzitet u Beogradu, Šumarski fakultet: Uticaj rasta šuma na kvalitet vazduha
Milenko Jovanović, Načelnik Odeljenja za kontrolu kvaliteta vazduha, Agencija za zaštitu životne sredine, Ministarstvo zaštite životne sredine, Republika Srbija: Analiza stanja kvaliteta vazduha u Srbiji u 2018. godini
Dunja Đenić , član gradskog veća zadužen za zaštitu životne sredine i energetsku efikasnost grada Uzica gradska uprava: Aerozagađenje u Užicu
Zoran Živkovic, zamenik gradonačelnika Valjeva: Aerozagadjenje u Valjevu
Ivana Krstić, Sekretar Sekretarijata za zaštitu životne sredine Grada Niša : Aerozagađenje u Nišu
Mirjana Mitrović, Agencija za zaštitu životne sredine, Ministarstvo zaštite životne sredine, Republika Srbija: Polen u Srbiji
#BeatAirPollution: SOS za insekte/oprašivače, Eko-škola “Drinka Pavlović”, Beograd
Aleksandra Mladenović, predsednik, AOR, Refleksija na odluke i dogadjaje u okviru UNEA4, koje su usmerene na zastitu vazduha od zagadjenja: fokus na uzroke
Prof dr Marija Jevtić, Medicinski Fakultet Univerzitet Novi Sad / Institut Za Javno Zdravlje Vojvodine
“Citizens science” – u izazovima kvaliteta vazduha
Aleksandar Macura, suosnivač, direktor programa RES fondacija, Trošenje javnih sredstava za mere smanjenja zagađenja vazduha: Kriterijumi i način sprovođenja
Srđan Kukolj, Health and Environment Alliance: Kvaliteta vazduha i uticaj na zdravlje čovjeka
Dragan Jeremić, Državni sekretar i Predsednik radne grupe za donošenje mera za smanjenje aerozagađenja, Ministarstvo zaštite životne sredine,
Some moments from the event at: https://www.facebook.com/EASD.AOR/
In media:
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 Initiative: to update National Strategy on Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Goods, by applying Circular Economy concept
EASD and CEKOR organised on October 12, 2018 Meeting of National Convention on the European Union (NCEU) Working Group for Chapter 27.
ENV.net Thematic Advisor Prof dr Andjelka Mihajlov presented ENV.net research related Circular Economy (Complexity).
ENV.net Serbia National Coordinator Aleksandra Mladenovic presented ENV.net Initiative to update National Strategy on Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Goods by applying Circular Economy concept. The Initiative is acknowledged , and will be send to Ministry competent for Environment.
In media:
In EU a ban on the use of mercury in the dental fillings of children and pregnant women comes into effect on July 1, 2018
In 2017 EASD become the part of Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union.
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ENV.net3 – kick off meeting in Tirana
Project “ENV.net factoring the environmental portfolio for WB and Turkey in the EU Policy Agenda” (reference number 2017/394-372) represents a new round of projects ENV.net1 and ENV.net2, successfully implemented from 2012 to 2016. New project ENV.net3 started in December 2017.
Kick-off meeting with all project partners was held in Tirana, Albania, at the premises of leading partner CO-plan Institute for Habitat Development. In very positive and fruitful atmosphere, nine partners presented their activities planned to be performed during 36 months of the project period. Taking into account previous experience in building strong network of organisations that serve as specific force in advocacy and policy improvement giving the voice to the citizens, next period will be crucial in using bridges built among key stakeholders in accession countries to pay more media and decision maker’s attention on key environmental issues toward EU integration.
Two of partners come from EU countries, Belgium (EEB) and Italy (punto.sud), and will help in better understanding of EU policies, but also will help in transfer of knowledge and experience from more developed countries. Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development is one of the partner, together with: 4X4X4 Balkan Bridges from the former Yugoslav Republic of 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.
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!
The 2018 Vienna UN Conference
The 2018 Vienna UN Conference was organised by ACUNS in January 2018 for the diplomatic community, civil society, NGOs, academics, business leaders and media representatives to discuss actions, potentials, and challenges linked to SDG 5: ‘Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.’
EASD Honorable President participated on January 10, 2018, at Opening Session and Session on Empowering Female Leaders. She is ACUNS Expert; EASD is Institutional ACUNS member.
Participants share best practices and explore potential future collaborations in this multi-stakeholder forum, while spotlighting the International Gender Champions – Vienna initiative.
In the spirit of SDG 17 (specifically, Target 17.17: ‘Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships’) an intriguing mix of international stakeholders participated in the 2018 Vienna UN Conference.
2018!…..With activity highlights from 2017!
Activity important milestones in 2017
EASD activities are focused to 3 thematic groups:
- Promoting sustainable development; Agenda 2030 and SDGs;
- Environment and Natural Resources; Climate action; Advancing policy integration ; Advancing science/technology/innovation integration; Environmental Security and Justice;
- Building partnerships; Raising awareness on emerging issues; Working with civil society and non-state actors
Promoting sustainable development; Agenda 2030 and SDGs:
Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union
EASD participate at UNEA3, Nairobi, Nov-Dec 2017
EASD participate: Summit to Plan the End of Amalgam in Europe 2017– November 20-21, Berlin
EASD participate: IPEN Regional meeting, Prague 16-20 October 2014
“Make Mercury History” – EASD participated at Minamata COP1 in Geneva
Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development
EASD participate at 2017 Vienna UN Conference – Implementing the 2030 Agenda
Environment and Natural Resources; Climate action; Advancing policy integration ; Advancing science/technology/innovation integration; Environmental Security and Justice:
Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union
Good signal: Serbia gets (again) separate Ministry of environmental protection
Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
“EnE17 – The 13th Regional Conference Environment to Europe” announcement: Climate Change Education
Building partnerships; Raising awareness on emerging issues; Working with civil society and non-state actors:
Initiative: End mercury use in dentistry by 2022, civil society challenge European Union
EASD participate at UNEA3, Nairobi, Nov-Dec 2017
EASD participate at 2017 Blue Flag National Operator Meeting
Eko-paket – Eco-Schools annual conference for the school year 2017/2018
EASD participate: IPEN Regional meeting, Prague 16-20 October 2014
EASD become the Member of the Western Balkans Youth Cooperation Platform!
Civil Society Forum in Trieste, 11-12 July 2017 – we (EASD) participate
Good signal: Serbia gets (again) separate Ministry of environmental protection
Serbia: Blue Flag 2017 Ceremony at beach on “Belgrade Sea”
EnE17 Conference and Panel in Media
Mercury Initial Assessment in the Republic of Serbia Workshop – we participate
Civil Society Forum in Trieste, 11-12 July 2017 – we (EASD) participate
Civil Society Forum in Trieste, 11-12 July 2017 is organised linked to the 4th intergovernmental Summit of Western Balkans and EU countries and it bring together representatives of civil society organisations with the objective of providing a platform for their impact on the so-called Berlin Process.
The Forum consider the topics high on the agenda of the political Summit: youth cooperation, rule of law and anti-corruption, enterprise development and innovation potentials, regional cooperation and bilateral issues; also, it will initiate debates on questions as environment, energy and climate change (EASD participation is focused to environment and climate change issues, as well as innovation, youth and regional cooperation), migrations, media freedoms, the issue of Brexit in relevance to the Western Balkans and the possible role of civil society in increasing the efficiency of the Berlin Process through communications.
The outcomes of the Civil Society Forum meeting (EnvEnCC MESSAGES) in Trieste will be communicated to the intergovernmental Summit in several ways: at a policy event attended by a number of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and a number of representatives of civil society of the Western Balkans, on July 12; at a press conference organised by the Civil Society Forum; in form of recommendations which will be presented to the Summit organisers and through the follow-up advocacy process. The goal of the Civil Society Forum meeting in Trieste is to support regional cooperation and “Europeanisation” of the Balkans through more active civil society participation in the decision-making process.
The Civil Society Forum Trieste is organised under the umbrella of the Civil Society Forum of the Western Balkans Summit Series, as a joint initiative of the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB), ERSTE Foundation and the Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung, in partnership with the Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF), and in close cooperation with the Central European Initiative (CEI), Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), Centro Studi Politica Internazionale (CESPI) and Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso.
Serbia: Blue Flag 2017 Ceremony at beach on “Belgrade Sea”
On June 26, 2017 the Blue Flag is handed to City of Belgrade and “Ada Ciganlija” for beach “Ada Ciganlija-Savsko jezero” in Belgrade. To note that this beach is awarded with the Blue Flag for the 6th time, by recommendation of FEE National Jury and decision of the Blue Flag International Jury 2017. National Operator for Blue Flag in Serbia is organisation “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” and National Coordinator is MSc Aleksandra Mladenović.
The flag is delivered by National mentor for FEE programs in Serbia Prof Dr Anđelka Mihajlov to Acting Director JP “Ada Ciganlija” Robert Djukic. The President of the Assembly of Belgrade Nikola Nikodijević opened the bathing season on Ada Ciganlija and pointed out that the Blue Flag is “evidence of water quality and services provided by beach”. The event was attended by Head of the City Administration Sandra Pantelic and highest representative of municipality Čukarica Srdjan Kolarić.
Moments with the awarding of the Blue Flag:
Blue Flag Ceremony in Media:
http://www.tanjug.rs/full-view.aspx?izb=339251
http://www.beograd.rs/lat/beoinfo/1736848-nikodijevic-otvorio-kupalisnu-sezonu-na-adi-ciganliji_2/
http://www.danas.rs/beograd.39.html?news_id=349444
http://studiob.rs/otvorena-kupalisna-sezona-na-adi-ciganliji/
http://www.bktvnews.com/info/beograd/otvorena-sezona-kupanja-na-adi-ciganliji-2/118561
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Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development
The Thirteenth Regional Conference – EnE17 Environment to Europe was successful UN Environment WED and ESDW event. Traditionally, this Conference was organized by professional association “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” and Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia.
Especially interested was Panel on Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development (panelists are: Prof. dr Vladimir Đurđević, Faculty of Physics, University of Belgrade ; Prof. dr Aleksandar Jovović, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Belgrade; Prim. mr sci. med. Branislava Matić, Head of Unit for Human Ecology and School Hygiene at Institute of Public health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut”; Nataša Đokić, Head of Department for planning projects at City of Belgrade, Secretariat for Environmental Protection; MSc Izabel Airas, Advisor for circular economy, Center for Circular Economy, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia; prof. dr Anđelka Mihajlov (Member of the Government of the Republic of Serbia Negotiating Team for the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the EU, responsible for climate changes in Chapter 27); Panel was moderated by Milica Momcilovic.
EnE17 was opened with introductory speeches by Goran Trivan, Secretary for Environmental Protection of the City of Belgrade with strong and clear message where it is and how it should develop the sector of environment and climate change in the Republic of Serbia, Päivi Alatalo, Deputy Head of the Mission, Embassy of Finland, Belgrade, Stanojla Mandic, Deputy Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection of the Republic of Serbia, Zoran Vujovic, Vicepresident, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia, PhD Mirjana Drenovak Ivanovic, Faculty of Law, University of Belgrade and member of the Government of the Republic of Serbia Negotiating Team for the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the EU, responsible for specific sectors of Chapter 27, MSc Dusan Stokic, Co-organizer of the EnE17 Conference, Director of the Centre for Environmental Protection, Standards and Technical Regulation, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia and PhD Dunja Prokic, the EnE17 Conference Chair person, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development. Conference was attended by representatives from government and non-government sectors, international organizations, scientific and educational institutions.
Conference participants (about 100 registered participants) were united in: education on climate change is very important in order to be able to mitigate the consequences of climate change and to adapt to them. Key role should have educational institutions to prepare and implement multidisciplinary programs tailored to different educational institutions and different age categories. Education on climate change requires professionals who will work with young people, so young people will be prepared to make the right decisions in the future. Participants in the discussion have tried to provide answers to questions on how to be more effective in environmental protection and responsive to nature.
The Conference awarded prizes for the best Young Reporters for the Environmnet (YRE), who took part in the competition, “Saving resources, do not throw, recycle!” The competition is organized in the framework of the FEE International Young Reporters for the Environmnet, implemented in Serbia by a professional association “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development” with RECAN Foundation support. Prizes are awarded MSc Aleksandra Mladenovic, Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development president, MSc Milena Tabasevic, coordinator of the Young Reporters for the Environment in Serbia and Jelena Kis, manager of the RECAN Foundation for recycling beverage cans.
See pictures from Opening , Green Planet Award to Tetra Pak Company , Panel CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT , YRE awards ceremony , Research papers presentation .
EASD have new President of the Council
From March 2017 President of the Council is Dunja Prokic. Dunja is the 2nd elected President of Council of “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Developments” ( The first President of Council was Hristina Stevanovic Carapina, from organisation establishment)
From 2012 Dunja Prokic is engaged by Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development on EnE program – Environment to Europe (as main coordinator of the Regional Conference “Environment to Europe).
Dunja Prokic, has PhD in environmental protection science, dissertation in the field of contaminated sites remediation was defended at the Faculty of Environmental Governance and Corporate Responsibility, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica in 2012. Finished her Master degree at the Faculty of Technical Science, University of Novi Sad in 2009 (Master of Technical Science). During postgraduate studies, her research focused on waste management and as a scholar of the Ministry of Science, she worked on several projects in the field of energy technologies and renewable energy sources. She finished her basic studies at the Faculty of Technical Science, Environmental Engineering Department, University of Novi Sad in 2005 (Graduate Engineer of Environmental Engineering).
From 2008 to 2012, Dunja worked as a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Environmental Governance and Corporate Responsibility, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica. From 2012. till now, she has worked as a assistant professor for environmental management at the Faculty of Environmental Governance and Corporate Responsibility, Educons University in Sremska Kamenica on the following subjects: Corporate environmental standards, Environmental risk management, Management of technological development, Environmental strategic planning and Revitalization and remediation of the environment. Since 2009, she worked as a expert –associat in NGO “Ambassadors of Sustainable Development” on projects in the area of local environmental security, waste management, eco-communication etc. She was in a team of a national expert for Serbian preparation for the World Conference on Sustainable Development RIO+20.
Since 2008 till now, Dunja has participated in numerous scientific and professional conferences in the country and abroad. She has published more than 50 scientific papers in the following areas: waste management, environmental security, EIA and SEIA, climate change, remediation of contaminated sites, water resources management, LCA and sustainable development. She actively participated in several international, national, regional and local projects in the field of environmental protection. She is currently engaged on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development project (project number 176019). In recent years, she has worked as a consultant on the study related to waste and wastewater management. During professional development, she is focused on implementation of the values in protecting and preserving our environment through the concept of sustainable development at all levels of governance.
Regional conference “The environmental challenges, EU enlargement and public participation – the role of media on advocating environmental issues!
Within the project “Development of ENV.net in the Western Balkans and Turkey: giving citizens a voice to influence the environmental process reforms for closer EU integration“, ENV.net team is organizing a regional conference titled “The environmental challenges, EU enlargement and public participation – the role of media on advocating environmental issues! ” to be held 21-22 October, 2016, in Struga, Macedonia.
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.
Agenda 2030 and SDGs in the focus of EASD work
Multi-stakeholder partnerships at the national, local, regional and international levels, that are solution-oriented and inclusive of all groups, including women, indigenous peoples and minorities, will be crucial to realizing these joint aspirations and will be a key element of the 2030 Agenda and SDG implementation.
The successful adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals was the result of more than two years of intensive consultation and engagement of all stakeholders.
The UNEP Regional Office for Europe, in partnership with the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Environmental Bureau, organized a multi-stakeholders meeting on the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, combined with the yearly UNEP Regional Consultation Meeting for Major Groups and Stakeholders on 12-13 November 2015 in Brussels, Belgium. EASD participated ( report).
Sustainable Development Indicators data and development for SEE region is underway through Platform Indicators Development. For Serbia, EASD team is focused on Environmental Sustainability, Science and Technology , Health and Hygiene and Energy and Environment . EASD promote The World Environmental Education Day, having the great event in school “Vuk Karadžić”, Surčin.
The 2nd meeting of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) will take place from 23-27 May, 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting will be held under the overarching theme: “Delivering on the Environmental Dimension of the Post-2015 Development Agenda.” There will also be a Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF) held prior to UNEA-2 on 21 and 22 May 2016. Environmental Ambassadors (EASD) is organisation accredited in UNEP/UNEA.
In the preparatory phase, EASD participated in the process of UNEP Redefinition of its Youth Strategy, familiarise with the interactive version of the Bali Guideline Implementation Guide , reviewing new sustainable development agenda (results from open consultation on ‘grey‘ and “green” indicators are now available ).
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requested the UN Secretary General, in consultation with Member States, to prepare a report in preparation for the 2016 meeting of the High-level Political Forum, which outlines critical milestones towards coherent, efficient and inclusive follow-up and review at the global level, for consideration of the General Assembly. In order to informally contribute to the reflection, Major Groups and other Stakeholders have been invited to provide their views and inputs on these issues by completing an online questionnaire by 15 November 2015. The inputs and responses received is available on the Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform (our organisation is the member of SDKP). In addition, we keep eye on Open-ended Meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to UNEP (OECPR) and Preparatory meeting for the 2nd Session of UNEA, 14-19 February 2016 – we registered our representative to participate.
EASD participated in the UNEP’s survey on the involvement of Major Groups and Stakeholders in the generation, utilization and dissemination of environmental information developed by UNEP. Below some of the key findings are highlighted:
· 63% of the organizations contributed to the generation of environmental information by UNEP to a moderate, large or very large extent
· Of contributions made, the greatest percentage, 56%, was to UNEP publications.
· 88% have accessed environmental information generated by UNEP; publications were the most common form of information accessed, with assessments and findings, and emerging issues coming a joint second.
· The most common way in which organizations accessed UNEP information was via the UNEP website, with the second most common mechanism being via email.
· 87%, have made use of information generated by UNEP either to a moderate, large, or very large extent. Organizations primarily used UNEP generated information for educational purposes, as a guide to their own work, or for analysis.
· 86% have contributed to the further dissemination of environmental information generated by UNEP, principally during meeting discussions or through posting on social media.
· 65% experienced no difficulties in contributing to, accessing, using or disseminating environmental information generated by UNEP, but for those who did the main issue was with language constraints.
· The most effective mode for organizations to be involved in the generation, access, receipt and dissemination of environmental information generated by UNEP was email; this was followed by the UNEP website and through social media.
· 85% successfully received the type of information they needed from UNEP either to a moderate, large or very large extent.
· Suggestions on how UNEP could improve included:
o greater interaction from UNEP on social media
o improvements to websites to make them more user-friendly
o sending of hard copies of important reports and documents to resource centers
o the use of shorter bulletin messages to facilitate understanding of the public
o greater dissemination
o more translations
o timely information sharing to allow sufficient time for review and comments
o the use of Google hangouts, online workshops
o more active engagement with mass-media (e.g. TV)
We “keep eye” on the multi-stakeholder dialogue will be held on Friday 27 May 2016 from 12:30 hrs to 14.00 hrs, TO BE HELD DURING THE HIGH-LEVEL SEGMENT OF UNEA-2. It will be open to all interested delegations and will be organized as a moderated, interactive dialogue session. The proposed theme for the dialogue is: “Restoring and sustaining healthy ecosystems for people and planet: partnerships to jointly deliver on the environmental dimension of Agenda 2030”.
In February 2016, EASD promote stronger position of Environmental NGOs in the draft UNEP Stakeholders Engagement Policy (SEP) . More in local language
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.
Eco-schools National Operators Meeting 2014
This year’s NOM took place in Cardiff, from 4th to 6th Decemeber, and was organized by Keep Wales Tidy team in the premises of Maldron hotel. Workshops, presentations, group discussions and many interesting sessions made all participating National Operators fully involved.
After the warm welcome from Lesley Jones, Chief executive of Keep Wales Tidy, Laura Hickey (Member of the Board with responsibilty for Eco-Schools) introduced Peter Davis – Wales’ Commissioner for Sustainable Futures. Sessions related to 7 steps were being introduced either by Brid Conneely, International Eco-Schools Director or Laura Hickey and facilitated by Team Wales. Several Eco-Schools’ showcases presented the good practice in Welsh schools. The Environmental review session, Action planning, Monitoring and evaluation, Social media connections, 21st century skills: linking to the classroom and Eco-Schools report session were followed by FEE Environmental education principles presentation and group work. Decade for ESD, conference update, was given by Lesley Jones, Yukiko Tsuburaya, Kenza Khallafi and Paul Pace. FEE’s new flags supplier, Semaphore, introduced themselves. Conference dinner was served in the beautiful banquet hall of Cardiff Castle. Young Reporters for the Environment were involved in the Meeting as well.
NOM was filled with positive attitude and cooperation, sharing of knowledge, experience and fresh ideas among operators. Many attendees returned to their home countries with precious suggestions and materials for further improvements of the Programme after successful 20 years.
Dragana Grujičić
You have to know before you act: Call for participation to ENV.net e-learning courses
TITLE: FPA 306642 : Call for participation to new ENV.net e-learning course: Get funding from the EU
After the success of the e-learning course Social Media, Activism and Participation launched in June 2014, ENV.net team decided to develop a new course: Get funding from the European Union.
The course provides an understanding of the EU funding and programming system with a brief presentation of the main EU Institutions involved in this process. It also presents the funding opportunities available for CSOs from Western Balkans and Turkey to implement their projects. Moreover this course focuses on the necessary steps to carry out in order to apply for Grants under the EU Calls for proposals system.
Course modules
The course is designed for beginners in EU-funded projects and the calls for proposals system and does not require a preliminary knowledge of the subject. It is delivered through the ENV.net e-learning platform and it is divided into four modules:
- The EU Institutions: this first module will give participants a broad idea of the most important EU Institutions involved in the decision making process, with a special focus on the role of the EC and its DGs involved in the external aid programmes. The role of the EU Delegation and of the EEAS will be also explained in this module
- EU Funding & Programming: the focus of this module is on the financial framework under which the European Commission and EU Delegations work to deliver aid to partner countries. It explains how the programming system works, from the Multi-annual Financial Framework with most interesting Financial instruments, to Country Strategy Papers, to the Annual Work Programme. This will help participants to understand how to align their actions to the objectives established by these programmes and consequently to get funding.
- The Calls for Proposals system: in this module, participants will get practical information on how CSOs from Western Balkans and Turkey can look for and apply to calls for proposals launched by the different DGs of the European Commission, in particular DG Enlargement and DG EuropeAid, to get contributions (Grants), for the execution of their projects.
- 4. Applying to a call for proposals: in the last module, participants will briefly look into the documents to be submitted to the EC to apply for a Grant. i.e. the application form, the budget and the logical framework
Additional information
The course offers video-lessons, tests, exercises and also additional material (e.g. toolkits, official EU documents, useful links) for gaining insight into the proposed topics.
The participation to this on-line course requires a computer with a reliable internet connection and a web-browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Firefox). The course materials are provided in the course modules. Participants are not required to purchase any additional software, materials, resources, or books.
This is an on-line self-learning course and offers high degree of flexibility to participants who are free to follow the lessons at any time, but are requested to complete the course within its global duration of 15 days. The average duration of the course is 3 days.
The course is in English and it is free of charge.
Application procedures
There are 3 periods in which interested users can attend the course Get funding from the EU
- 14th October – 28th October 2014
- 4th November – 18th November 2014
- 25th November – 9th December 2014
Moreover ENV.net course Social media, activism and participation is also still running and next sessions will be on the following dates:
- 4th November – 18th November 2014
- 9th December – 23rd December 2014
New e-learning sessions will be launched in 2015 for both courses.
To apply in one of these courses, you should first registered in the ENV.net e-learning platform from this link: http://dl.env-net.org/ by clicking on ‘Register’ and then follow the registration and subscription procedure.
Once chosen the course from the course catalogue, this will be accessible from the first day of the course period.
Please contact ENV.net staff (env.net-helpdesk@puntosud.org ) and see ENV.net website for additional information concerning these courses and the registration process.
This news item has been published with TACSO assistance. The contents of this news item are the sole responsibility of the FPA which is listed in the contact details, and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of TACSO and the European Union.
World Environment Day – Raise the voice!
EASD is contributing to WED with activities:
– Interview with Prof Andjelka Mihajlov, Environmental Ambassador for Sustainable Development in daily newspaper POLITIKA (announcement)
– Media Conference on June 4 at 12:00 in Media Center ( announcement ) Moments from the Conference for Media
– EnE14/ENV.net Conference “Environment to Europe”, June 5 , starting at 10:00 in Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Belgrade
BE A PART OF SALVATION
The heaviest rains and floods recorded in 120 years have struck the people in Serbia, leaving thousands of children homeless, without food, water, warm and dry clothes. This project will provide immediate relief assistance to the children and their families. The assistance will help about 1000 children and youth get the essentials to continue education and rebuild their lives. It will also support their parents to concentrate on repairing the houses and businesses.
Help is needed: Help to Serbia, Support Serbia, Change , …..stay informed and – help. Just do something what you can! Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia really need your help. We are all struggling with disastrous floods that have hit our countries like NEVER BEFORE IN HISTORY. Thousands of people have lost their homes, belongings and everything else they worked for their entire lives. For the first time after the war, people of Serbia, Bosnia and Croatia are united in one goal – to survive. Please, BE A PART OF OUR SALVATION.
What is the issue, problem, or challenge?
The heaviest rains and floods recorded in 120 years have struck the people in Serbia, leaving thousands of children homeless, without food, water, warm and dry clothes. More than 10,000 people have been evacuated, but because of destroyed roads and bridges, it is difficult to reach all the victims. About 5,000 children have been displaced, left without any clothes, shoes and other necessities. Their parents have lost all produce, businesses and jobs.
How will this project solve this problem?
This project will enable Pomoc deci to respond quickly and help affected children and their families with immediate assistance in clothes, shoes and basic necessities. Your support will allow Pomoc deci also to provide textbooks and other school supplies to the children for September when the new school year starts. As relief moves into recovery, assistance will help victims regain their livelihoods and will help children continue with education.
Potential Long Term Impact
Major disasters always require a huge amount of support to provide both immediate relief and recovery. Organizations that are deeply-rooted in local communities are often the in the best position to provide long-term support for disaster victims.
Text from globalgiving
Call of proposals for ENV.net sub-granting in Serbia “EU: we watch and learn to be ready!”
The deadline for submission of the applications is 28th February 2014 at 23.59. ( 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).
We are announcing the call for proposals under EU funded ENV.net project for the CSOs in the Western Balkans and Turkey: Development of the ENV.net in West Balkan and Turkey: giving citizens a voice to influence the environmental process reforms for closer EU integration, PROJECT CODE: 2012/306-642.
- EU: we watch and learn to be ready!
- EU: we watch and learn to be ready!
- EU: we watch and learn to be ready!
Framework of the action is to support environment education activities and promotion of EU environmental values in schools and for youth, considering today’s children and youth in Serbia as the future EU citizens.
Priority thematic categories are:
a) waste related actions- as the outreach of ENV.net Serbia 2013 Survey, and
b) promotion of EU environmental values
Activities that may be financed under this call
Only the following types of activity are eligible for funding:
– Organisation of public events aiming at sensitise environmental educational activities in schools.
– Preparation and publication of leaflets, brochures, booklets, web sites, focused to promotion of EU environmental values
Size of Grants
Any grant requested under this Call for Proposals must fall between the following minimum and maximum amounts:
– minimum amount: € 1,000
– maximum amount: € 3,000
Organisation that is awarded with a grant must contribute to the overall budget of the proposed action with 5% from their own sources (example: for the grant of 3000 euros, your contribution should be 150 euros).
Who can apply?
In order to be eligible for a grant, the applicant must:
– be legal persons and
– be non-profit-making and
– be specific types of organisations such as: Non-Governmental Organisations/Community Based Organisations (NGO/CBO), social partners (trade unions, employers’ associations), universities, cultural associations, media, etc. and
– be established in Serbia.
Location
The project should be implemented in Serbia.
Project duration
The project will start upon signature of the contract; tentative date is March 10, 2014.
Activities started prior this date cannot be funded.
Maximum duration of the project is 6 months.
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Detailed guidelines , application form , budget form 1, 2 (budget form in excel is available on request, or downloaded from ENV.net site), contract , narrative report form , Financial Report Form
Download APPLICATION PACKAGE
Posted on February 1, 2014.
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 2024 October 15-18, Tobago
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 )
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.
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.
