The Belgrade Open School is implementing the project „Together for the Environment“ which goal is to improve the protection of the environment and biodiversity in Serbia. The project is implemented in cooperation with the American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia, the ENECA association, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the international environmental organization The Nature Conservancy and the Young researchers of Serbia.
The goals of the project are related to raising and strengthening the management capacity of protected nature areas, improving sustainable financing mechanisms for such areas and involving the business sector and citizens in the topics of environmental protection, biodiversity protection and clean air.
The main activities of the project are:
- Analysis of the management process of protected areas;
- Implementation of the program of raising and strengthening the capacities of the main actors of nature protection;
- Analysis of the regulatory framework and financing mechanisms of protected areas;
- Involvement of the business sector in the field of nature protection;
- Monitoring of public policies and reporting at the national level in the field of environmental protection;
- Expert, mentoring and financial support to civil society organizations, media and citizens.
Expected results of the project are:
- Improved practice of management of protected areas;
- Developed capacities and competencies of relevant actors of nature protection, including managers of protected areas;
- Enabled sustainable biodiversity financing mechanisms;
- Supported innovations in initiatives for the development of eco-business in the environment of protected areas;
- Increased availability of information on environmental public policies;
- Citizens have greater needs for a clean environment.
The project is being implemented from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2027, with the support of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).