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ECO-SYSTEM AND “GREEN CHAIR”: PROJECT “CITIES READY FOR CLIMATE CHANGE”

Consultations and a workshop for the preparation of the proposal of the Strategic Plan of the “Green Chair” network were organized within the third cycle of the EKO-SYSTEM support program “Cities Ready for Climate Change”, in October 2023. The lead partner is the Centre for Modern Skills, and the partners are the Aarhus Centre Novi Sad, the BFPE Foundation for Responsible Society and the Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development. The project aimed to improve further the work and strengthen the “Green Chair” network. The topic of the project is adaptation to climate change at the local level.
During the implementation of the project, another activity was consultations held with representatives of local communities: Kruševac, Pirot, Požega, Sremska Mitrovica and Subotica, to encourage advocacy at the local level, related to climate change.
The representative of the Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development, Aleksandra Mladenovic, supported the preparation of a model of a local initiative for the city of Kruševac, which contains measures to mitigate climate change at the local level. As part of the mentoring work, two online thematic meetings were held, with the team for drafting a local initiative. It includes the concept of measures that will be proposed to the local self-government unit. The mentoring work resulted in greater cohesion of the local team, strengthening mutual communication and reaching an agreement on joint climate action at the local level.

Proposal of measures and recommendations for adaptation to climate change and mitigation of the impact of climate change, for local self-government units

General Measures
1. Include a set of measures and recommendations for adaptation to climate change in the development of spatial planning and strategic documents, Development Plans, and Local Environmental Action Plans.
2. Building, strengthening and improving capacities at the municipal level to a) adapt to climate change to introduce adequate measures into policies and decision-making processes at the local level, b) plan and implementation of climate policies, as well as modeling GHG emissions at the local level, and c) data collection, analysis and use (with a focus on the use of GIS), especially those related to river basins, flood maps, water source protection zones, erosion risk zones, etc.
3. Organizing trainings and seminars on available funds for the implementation of projects directly related to climate change (renewable sources, energy efficiency), joint training and seminars to strengthen institutional capacities and improve multisectoral cooperation.
4. Preparation of educational manuals to improve the understanding of the vulnerability of certain sectors to the impacts of climate change and to build resilience and adaptive capacity of the local community.
5. In cooperation with higher levels of government, strengthen the capacities (technical and human) of protection and rescue services at the local level to undertake organized and effective protection and rescue measures.
6. Establishment of an early warning system for the management of extreme climatic events (for all types of climate hazards: floods, droughts, landslides, forest fires, etc.).
7. Use of digital technologies to monitor extreme climatological situations (e.g. drone monitoring, real-time monitoring, etc.).
8. Establish a single database on droughts, floods and landslides and their damage.
9. Adapt Local Fire Protection Plans in the context of adaptation to climate change; ensure reserve amounts of water, by building or installing water tanks, etc. for effective fire protection (especially in open spaces).

Measures by sector

– Agriculture
1. To improve the knowledge of farmers about the impacts of climate change and to introduce them to examples of good practice from the countries of the European Union, but also from the surrounding countries.
2. In organized agricultural production, establish a hail protection system.
3. Improve irrigation infrastructure and ensure sufficient water for irrigation of arable land, in particular for agricultural production that takes place outdoors and is therefore exposed to weather conditions.
4. Receive and capsulate large waters when they exist and make them available in conditions of need through the construction of artificial reservoirs, which, in addition to the production of electricity, also create conditions for the development of tourism, provide flood protection of the downstream area and provides water for irrigation.
5. Implement measures to improve cooling in agriculture (construction of shelter from the sun, adequate accommodation, installation of fans and sprinklers).
6. Subsidize small agricultural producers, especially in the context of reduced incomes and agricultural yields during dry periods.
7. In agriculture, encourage the use of adequate varieties that are more tolerant to heat and drought, change crop patterns, target land management practices, farm structure, and adaptive capacity of farmers.
8. Application of measures aimed at preventing plant diseases, soil heating, etc.
9. Create the conditions and strengthen the awareness of farmers for adequate management of agricultural waste to reduce emissions from methane.

– Forestry
1. Maximize illegal logging control and implement forest health protection measures (occurrence of pathogenic fungi, occurrence of forest fires, define measures in response to snowstorms, wind gusts, frosts, etc.).
2. Intensify afforestation in landslide-prone areas and land erosion to reduce the risk of new landslides.
3. Establish comprehensive monitoring of areas at risk of erosion and landslides, with the preparation of plans and maps and action plans for prevention and control over their implementation.

– Civil engineering
1. To reduce the risk of landslides, establish continuous monitoring and documentation of illegal and unplanned construction of residential and other buildings and consistently implement regulations governing construction conditions.

– Water management
1. Plan the construction of a system for connection to the sewage network and wastewater treatment plants
2. Provide for continued investment in preventive protection and rescue measures, as well as full coordination with all actors having an impact on floods.
3. Procurement of adequate material and technical means and equipment is important for the provision and organization of all measures that affect the degree of vulnerability of people and material goods from floods.
4. To ensure timely and complete information to citizens about all measures and actions taken by the municipality to reduce the risk of floods, as well as to raise awareness of citizens about the possible consequences of floods.
5. Establishment of uniform inter-municipal and regional flood protection measures and a unified system of warning and notifying the competent structures of the upcoming danger, as well as the need to build a common (single) management system for hydropower facilities that have a regional character.

– Nature protection
1. Application of Nature Based Solutions, such as the maintenance and restoration of natural aquatic ecosystems (e.g. rivers, connecting river channels and meanders), afforestation, restoration and maintenance of grasslands, buffer zones, adequate land management, etc., because nature-based measures are more effective than technical infrastructure for flood protection (embankments, canals, etc.), both in environmental and economic terms.

– Waste management
1. Implement measures to reduce the waste that is deposited and adequate collection of municipal waste (collection networks in rural areas, construction of recycling yards, procurement of specialized equipment for waste collection, as well as activities to educate and raise awareness among the local population about the importance of this topic).

-Gender equality and human rights
1. At the local level, work on linking gender equality and climate change, as well as the realization of equal rights for all, especially vulnerable groups (e.g., youth, Roma, women, persons with special needs…), by implementing climate change mitigation measures.

WatSanPlan

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

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EASD  is at World Water Week ( Stockholm 2022)

UNEP@50 and World Environment Day

Joining the World menstrual hygiene day 2022; Reflection

BE CONNECTED WITH THE REGIONAL UNECE FORUM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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

TRAINING FOR STUDENTS – ALEKSANDROVAC, OCTOBER 22, 2021

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

Training for trainers on water safety and sanitation

WED 2021 Training

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

Information paper on Climate Change and Floods

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

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

ENVIRONMENT TO EUROPE – EnE

This project/process present different phases towards European values, as well as globally values promoted through Multilateral Environmental Agreements.  Started to raise awareness of the importance of  the UNECE  Ministerial “Environment for Europe”  Belgrade 2007 Conference,  and further continuously is mobilizing interesting parties in Serbia and Region to catalyze environmental and sustainable development.

Within “Environment to Europe” Process, EASD actively participate and organize different supporting activities in different related thematic areas, like sustainable consumption and production, efficient resource use, chemicals, eco-consumers protection, participation at global, EC, regional and with papers at different conferences, etc. Regional cohesion projects supported Environment to Europe process.

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EEB 2022 ANNUAL CONFERENCE – “Boosting the Deal for a Greener Europe in Turbulent Times” 

Study visit to Grenoble – the Green Capital of Europe

EnE22, June 2022 – UNEP@50 and World Environment Day

December 2021 – Climate Pact for Serbia: Snapshot targeted rehearsal of country’s obligations in climate action….

June 2021 – WED EnE21 Event

Virtual tour on the experience from Italian practices in circular economy

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

Recap the moments from  EnE19/ENV.net Conference

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

WEBINAR – Regional Forum of Sustainable Development (RFSD) for the UNECE Region : we participate

We participate at UN Environment SEE Ministerial Conference “Innovative Solutions to Pollution in South East and Southern Europe”

For your attention: Ministerial Conference “Innovative Solutions to Pollution in South East and Southern Europe” , Belgrade, December 4-5

EASD  full member in European Environmental Bureau – honor and challenge

The ESDN Conference 2018 – we participate  ;  We participate – ESDN Conference 2018, “Stakeholder-Policy Cooperation in the Age of the SDGs: What new approaches are required to be successful?”, Vienna (Austria), 1-2 October, 2018

Join us for June 5th: Conference Agenda is available

6th UN regional meeting on SAICM, Poland, February 2018: we participate

February 2018: Call for participation for EnE18: Nature protection – Nature-Responsive Development

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

November 2017: EASD participate: Summit to Plan the End of Amalgam in Europe 2017– November 20-21, Berlin 

September 2017: “Make Mercury History” – EASD participated at Minamata COP1 in Geneva

July 2017: Civil Society Forum  in Trieste, 11-12 July 2017 – we (EASD) participate  ;  Good signal: Serbia gets (again) separate Ministry of environmental protection 

June 2017: Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development 

May 2017: Draft Agenda for Environment to Europe EnE17 Conference (Climate Change Education for Sustainable Development), June 5, 2017, Belgrade

April 2017:  Call: The Thirteenth Regional Conference ”Environment to Europe – EnE17″, June 5th 2017, Belgrade

February 2017:  “EnE17 – The 13th Regional Conference Environment to Europe” announcement: Climate Change Education

June 2016:    Agenda , EnE16-ENV.net Zbornik radova/Proceedings of papers ; WED Messages from Serbia: 12th Regional Conference “Environment to Europe” , REPORT FROM EnE16-ENV.net, BELGRADE, SERBIA

January 2016 – Save the date and participate: June 6, 2016 – Environment to Europe Conference  

June 5, 2015 –  2015 Conference, Information,  Proc. of papers

We participate at European Green Week

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

June 5, 2014 – ENV.net multi-stakeholder Conference on Chapter 27: about 200 participants , 2014 Conference

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agenda for EnE14/ENV.net Conference “Environment to Europe”, June 5, 2014 in SCC – opening at 10:00

Invitation for EnE14-ENV.net Conference, June 5 – 2014 in Belgrade

EnE14 / ENV.net Conference will be held on June 5, 2014 in Belgrade (it will 10th regional conference!). Thematic focus: Chapter 27.  Reserve the date!  More information soon. Follow the updated information related to event.

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EnE13 – Environment to Europe Conference  on June 10, 2013 is focused on local environment.  The main messages from this participatory ENV.net event are: environmental sector activities should be knowledge based, and education for environment and sustainable development should be priority. Capacities and continuity is very important for inclusion environment in other sectoral policies. Conference is institutionally supported by Ministry of Energy, Development and Environmental Protection and Ministry of Natural Resources, Mining and Spatial Planning, as well as National Commission for UNESCO.  This Conference is UNEP WED event.

2013 EnE13 ENV.net Roundtable Focus: Local Environment Agenda, Zbornik radova EnE13 – Zivotna sredina ka Evropi – Papers Proceedings; Minutes; More than 120 participants at EnE13 conference/ENV.net Roundtable: 10 June, 2013 in Belgrade
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Snapshots from the previous EnE “Environment to Europe” Conferences:

Thematic focus Published materials
2005 EnE05 Thematic focus : The importance of Environmental Sector in EU Integration process Detailed Agenda published.CD Proceedings of Papers published. Book “Sustainable Development and Environment towards Europe in 95+ steps”, by A.Mihajlov, published in Serbian
2006 EnE06 European/developed countries values in environmental and related issues; lessons learned. At the same time, the Civil Society Forum EfE07 Meeting towards UN Pan-European Ministerial Conference Belgrade 2007 “Environment for Europe” held. Detailed Agenda published.CD Proceedings of Papers published. Book “Sustainable Sustainable Development and Environment Towards Europe in 95+ Steps”, by A.Mihajlov, published in English
2007 EnE07 Dedicated to contribute to upcoming UNECE “Environment for Europe” (2007, Belgrade) Pan-European Ministerial Conference ; NGO Declaration on Environmental Cohesion of Western Balkan agreed Detailed Agenda published.CD Proceedings of Papers published.
2008 EnE08 Youth and Vulnerable Groups in Environmental EU Accession Detailed Agenda published. EnE08 Zbornik radova 4. regionalne Konferencije „Zivotna sredina ka Evropi“-sadrzaj published.
2009 EnE09 Climate Change and Sustainable Tourism Conference Detailed Agenda published (agenda EnE09) ; CD Proceedings of Papers published.
2010 EnE10 Green Education and Green Economy Detailed Agenda published ( Agenda EnE10 Konferencije ); CD Proceedings of Papers published.
2011 EnE11 Rural and Mountain Sustainable Development Detailed Agenda published (agenda_ene11) CD Proceedings of Papers published. Publication with selected paper published.
2012 EnE12 Learning event for Rio=20 preparation – Green Economy and Governance for Sustainable Development Detailed Agenda published ( Agenda EnE12 )

CD Proceedings of Papers published. UNDP/UNEP Green Economy Study published http://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/984serbia.pdf

 

 

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.

Summer Eco-School

 “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development”, in cooperation with City of Sombor administration – Department of Public Services and Utilities organised Summer Eco-School in UNESCO Biosphere Reservate Golija (MAB – UNESCO) – Studenica (27-31 August 2012). Participated students from Sombor attending different faculties. Lectures and educative workshops include concept of protection of natural and cultural heritage within biosphere reservate, biodiversity and sustainable use of plant resources,  Sustainable tourism and possibilities for development of rural areas, Ecological footprint, as well as walking tours (“Learning by Walking”). Ecological footprint is developed through support by UNESCO, and represents educational signal and courses.

Summer Eco-School

Environmental Education for students from Sombor

“Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development”, in cooperation with City of Sombor administration – Department of Public Services and Utilities organised Summer Eco-School  “2012 Golija Summer Eco-School” in UNESCO Biosphere Reservate Golija – Studenica (27-31 August 2012). Participated students from Sombor atending diferent faculties. Lectures and educative workshops include concept of protection of natural and cultural heratage within biosphere reservate, biodiversity and sustainable use of plant resources,  Sustainable tourism and possibilities for development of rural areas, Ecologycal footprint, as well as walking tours (“Learning by Walking”).

In December 2013, 3 workshops were held for preschool children in Sombor.

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.

Projects 2004-2011

  • Sustainable Development and Environment towards EU: “EnE – Environment to Europe” Conferences 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, in cooperation with Serbian Chamber of Commerce
  • E-communication standards , 2011, supported by Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning
  • “Support to the Department of Planning, Programming, Monitoring and Reporting on EU Funds and development assistance to the Office for European Integration of Serbia, for establishing a partnership to promote the use of international assistance “, participant as the member of leading SEKO Consortium for Environment and Energy, 2011 ,
  • Ecological footprint: analysis and training, project supported by UNESCO, 2011
  • Possible aspects of environmental protection and natural resource management for Rural Development, supported as advisory project in the “Project on Transitional Agriculture Reform,” World Bank , 2011, 2011/2012, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia
  • Environment Forum , project supported by EC (DG Environment)
  • Analytical study of the impact of air pollution on the population in selected urban locations (Pancevo, Vrsac, Bor), (participation in the project with the questioning of citizens in selected locations on the subject), a project supported by the ministries responsible for the environment and for science
  • Hazardous Waste Management, TAIEX DG Enlargement INFRA 32384 project, 2009
  • Say Yes to Palilula , project supported by City of Belgrade Municipality Palilula
  • Modify habits – keep Belgrade clean!, the project supported by the Secretariat of Environment of Belgrade
  • Hit the right tone by use environmentally friendly rules , project supported by City of Belgrade Municipality Vracar
  • Regional environmental advocacy and cohesion of the Western Balkans (abbreviation: REA), Project supported by the Embassy of Nederland (2009-2011) , REA Project Snapshots , Courses
  • Children – the guardians of municipality,  project supported by City of Belgrade Municipality Vozdovac
  • Local Environmental Security (abbreviation: LES), project supported by OSCE in Serbia, LES Brochure
  • Keep it healthy, keep it green, keep it European , project supported by NDI
  •  Involvement of NGOs in Serbia in the research of renewable energy sources, a project supported by the EU
  • My Belgrade – My Environment , the project supported by the Secretariat of Environment of Belgrade
  • Local strategic planning , project supported by City of Belgrade Municipality Stari Grad
  • Technology Transfer Partnerships, project supported by CIDA
  • Sustainable development and environmental leaders for tomorrow, 2006/2007, MATRA
  • Building a common ‘green’ future in Europe (Regional Initiative for cohesion in the field of environment), project supported by Open society Fund
  • RENCO – Regional Environmental Cohesion: Towards sustainable development strategy for urban South-East Europe, project supported by Sida and Ministry of Environment
  • Women as the Voice for Sustainable Development and Environment , project supported by CIDA, WAVE_Report_2007-draft
  • Education courses for provincial and local authorities on public participation in decision-making related to the Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Impact Assessment , Project supported by Ministry of Environment