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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.

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

 

 

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 

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

Serbia: Blue Flag 2017 Ceremony at beach on “Belgrade Sea”

2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development  

November 2016:  Serbian Visions 2016 : Blue Flag and Green Key programs presented by  FEE SERBIA (EASD)

October 2016: Blue Flag NOM 2016: EASD participate 

InWASTEgate

June 2016: Blue Flag for Ada Ciganlija beach

January 2016: National jury and Committee for FEE programs in Serbia

October 2015 EASD at 2015 Blue Flag NOM

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

Blue Flag 2015 National Jury Meeting, January 2015

Blue Flag 2014 National Jury Meeting , February 2014

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National FEE Committee Meeting, September 6, 2013 

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In 2013 Ada Ciganlija-Sava Lake Beach in Belgrade deserved the second time this important international certification.

Activity on Blue Flag Beach in Serbia among the five continental winners of the 3rd IOC Sport and Environment Awards. This is recognition for outstanding initiatives in the field of environment and sustainable sport, in particular cleaning the bottom of the lake. See also FEE site.

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In the publication  ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ACTIVITIES HANDBOOK 2013,   3 pages are examples from Serbia: Serbia, p.18, Serbia, p.28 and Serbia, p.71

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2013 Blue Flag National Jury meeting held in February 2013.

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In 2012 only Ada Ciganlija-Sava Lake Beach in Belgrade deserved this important international certification. Nominated by National Jury to be awarded with Blue Flag in 2013 (noted in media  )

Feasibility Study BF Serbia – 2011

Green Key

Green Key is presently the largest global eco-label for accommodation and has a national administration center (in Serbia this is organisation “Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development”) in each participating country.

Green Key is an independent Programme recognized and supported by the World Tourism Organization and UNEP.

National operator is planning starting implementation of the program in Serbia in 2014. International criteria reflect the various fields of tourism facilities (hotels, hostels, camp sites, conference and holiday centers) and specialized national criteria reflect each country’s legislation, infrastructure and culture.

More information at FEE Serbia site, in Serbian

EASD was approved as the FEE FULL MEMBER ORGANISATION at FEE GA in June 2014. 

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July 2019: Mona hotel – the only hotel in Serbia outside of Belgrade with international ecocertification “Green Key”

FEE busy September 2018: General Assembly and Green Key NOM

Pavle Pavlović – National Coordinator for GREEN KEY Project (2017/2018)

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

Athens 2017: Green Key National Operator Meeting dedicated to the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development  

Serbian Visions 2016 : Blue Flag and Green Key programs presented by  FEE SERBIA (EASD)

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

List of GREEN KEY facilities

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

Radisson Blu Old Mill Belgrade – The first GREEN KEY HOTEL in Serbia , February 2015

We participate on Green Key national operator meeting 2014

Green_key_brochure_2014

National FEE Committee Meeting, September 6, 2013 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Minutes from Monitoring visit are in the Gallery.

In Media: 1 2  M1 M2 M4 M5

Some pictures from TV-video coverage:

Participation at UNEP Global Major Groups and Stakeholder Forum, Global Ministerial Environment Forum and High-Level Gender Forum

Environmental Ambassadors for Sustainable Development  participated at the “Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF-14)”, and “The First Universal Session of the Governing Council/ Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC-27/GMEF),” Nairobi, 16-22 February 2013.  Ministers meeting for the first time under universal membership of 193 member states- again as a result of the decisions taken and adopted last year at Rio+20 and the UN General Assembly later in the year- adopted a welter of other decisions relating to the way UNEP will operate and work as the global platform for environmental policy-making and action over the coming years and decades.  Governments called for  the transformation of the existing Governing Council into a UN  Environment Assembly of UNEP and to build stronger links between UNEP’s science-based Global Environment Outlook process and its ministerial meetings – further implementing the call  by member states at Rio + 20to strengthen the science-policy interface. 

Among the wealth of other decisions taken at the first Universal Membership of the UNEP Governing Council were: 1.  A UNEP-led consortium will host and coordinate the Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) which will be the implementing arm of the Technology Mechanism of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), 2. The CTCN will work on leap-frogging the technical and financial hurdles to the even greater take-up of clean and renewable energies to low carbon tranportation and energy efficient buildings, 3. Full operationalization of a decade-long initiative to decouple economic growth from unsustainable use of natural resources and pollution generation-the 10 Year Framework of Programmes for Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP for SCP), 4. The UNEP-hosted initiative will assist countries in areas from sustainable public procurement, lifestyles and education to sustainable buildings and construction and sustainable tourism, including ecotourism – again bringing from outcome to implementation other key aspects of the Rio+20 Future We Want, 5. Governments also decided to convene in October this year an intergovernmental diplomatic conference to formally adopt the Minamata Convention on Mercury that was agreed  in January in Geneva under a UNEP-facilitated negotiation-again a further implementation of the Rio+20 outcome document.

Over 1300 participants from 147 countries, including 80 ministers, representatives of UN agencies, international organizations, academia, NGOs, business and industry, and women and youth organizations attended the first Universal Session of the GC following the decision of the United Nations General Assembly to strengthen and upgrade UNEP, as called for in the Rio+20 outcome document. Delegates adopted 13 decisions, on inter alia:

–       the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES);

–       coordination across the UN system, including the Environment Management Group (EMG);

–       oceans;

–       sustainable consumption and production;

–       the green economy in the context of sustainable development;

–       advancing justice, governance and law;

–       state of the environment; and

–       chemicals and wastes.

The GC adopted a decision on institutional arrangements that, inter alia, invites the UN General Assembly to rename UNEP’s governing body “UN Environment Assembly,” and provides that the body “will ensure” the active participation of all relevant stakeholders and explore new mechanisms to promote transparency and effective engagement of civil society in its work and that of its subsidiary bodiesinter alia, by: developing by 2014 a process for stakeholder accreditation and participation that builds on the existing rules of procedure and takes into account the inclusive modalities of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and other relevant UN bodies.

The day before the Governing Council got underway, the Network of Women Ministers and Leaders for the Environment (NWMLE) and UNEP hosted the second High-Level Gender Forum. Prof Andjelka Mihajlov participates, by invitation to “Gender Forum” as a member of the “Network of Environmental Women Ministers and Leaders”, as the former Minister for Protection of Natural Resources and Environment.  The forum participants called upon ministers and environmental leaders to have dedicated officials for coordination of related gender and environment programmes and agreed to send a consolidated proposal on gender actions to be forwarded for consideration by UN Secretary General’s High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post 2015 Development Agenda. The women ministers also requested nations to support the ratification of the Minamata convention on Mercury, which opens for signing in October.

More about meetings at  www.unep.org .  Moments from EASD participation are in Galleries of pictures. These activities are foreseen as the important international cooperation activities.

Prior to this, organisation participate at Rio+20 Conference.

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.