BOS has done an analysis under the title  "The potential of sustainable agriculture and organic food production in the municipality of Sjenica as an alternative to development based on the exploitation and utilization of coal" by Dr sci. Senad Hopić.
Region of southwestern Serbia has become attractive for investments in energy projects, raising the question of the impact of these projects on development of regions and local communities. Sustainable development in the field of global energy policy is oriented towards the fight against climate change, but it is essentially aimed at balancing between the objectives of economic development, the realization of the right to energy as a human right and the right to a healthy environment. When it comes to Sjenica, developed agriculture and tourism offers are, in fact, basic development potential. Vision of Sjenica is, according to the Strategy of local sustainable development, "A clean municipality with high environmental awareness, with resolved issue regarding waste, with rational use of natural resources and Pester, with rich plant and animal biodiversity and preserved natural resources."

Sjenica has significant competitive advantages in agriculture compared to other local authorities, such as: the youngest population in Serbia, protected geographic origin of numerous products such as Sjenicas’ sheep and cow cheese and Sjenicas’ lamb, Regional Center for Agricultural Development, which establishes the infrastructure for quality control , and others.

The purpose of this document is to highlight the value and importance of agriculture for the development of the region and the municipality of Sjenica, as well as the potential risks of accelerated exploitation of energy resources. Special attention in this document is paid to an announced project to build power plants "Štavalj" and potential negative impacts of the project on natural environment and agricultural development. These issues must be addressed with the active participation of the public, with defining public interest with respect to evaluations of experts and the needs of local communities. In this way, launching a debate on the future of the region based on lo-carbon economy and local communities that are not dependent on intensive exploitation of fossil fuels.

Photo sourece: Freepik