On Kamena Gora, a protected area of exceptional qualities, a two-day training for representatives of civil society organizations and media has been held in the period from June 21 to 23, on the topic of public participation in environmental impact assessment and strategic impact assessments. The training was jointly organized by the Belgrade Open School, the Ecological Association "Rzav - God Save Rzav", the Kolovrat Mountain Climbing Club and the Forum for Local and Regional Initiatives.
The training gathered participants from the region of southwestern Serbia, as well as from Novi Sad, Nis, and Belgrade. The participants first learned about the legal framework of environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental impact assessments procedures. Through two introductory sessions led by Mr. Jovan Rajic, a lawyer specializing in the field of environmental protection, the Law on the Environmental Impact Assessment and the Law on Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment were analyzed in detail. Special attention was paid to the various legal solutions that give the public the opportunity to participate in the decision-making process.
It was also pointed out that the Law on Planning and Construction was not sufficiently harmonized with these two laws. At the end of the first day, the participants were also acquainted with the Law on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control of Environmental Pollution. According to this Law, during 2004 in Serbia, over 280 installations for whose work an integrated permit is required. To date, only 18 plants have been able to obtain this license. It was concluded that this law is not adapted to the conditions and standards of the economy in Serbia and that during the process of harmonization of the legal regulations of the Republic of Serbia with the regulations of the European Union, it is necessary to adopt acts that are applicable in the domestic context.
The media and their role in the field of environmental protection were the topics at the beginning of the second day. Vesna Radojevic, a journalist for the Istinomer, talked about the necessity of better linking civil society organizations and media representatives in order to achieve partner cooperation and raising the environment on the priority list of the public and decision makers. Dragan Gmizic, a Greenfield Production reporter and associate of the Society for Bird Protection and Research, pointed out the importance of networking and the use of alternative media channels in order to develop public awareness of the environmental threat. He also explained the importance of determining the target group in communication with the public. In the case of cooperation with the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia, he highlighted the possibilities of a partnership approach and the use of modern communications in achieving the goals of nature and environment protection.
Mirko Popovic, from the Center for Research, Transparency, and Accountability, acquainted the participants with the mechanisms and tools available to the public when it comes to active participation in environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental impact assessment procedures. During the discussion, participants shared their experiences regarding participation in the proceedings, and, on specific examples, it was considered how the public can be involved in decision-making and in which part of this process.
Jelena Beronja, a nature protection expert, opened the topic of protected natural assets, the impact of different protection regimes on local communities and the protection of natural assets in the border areas. She emphasized the importance of cooperation with local communities and adequate management of natural resources.
During the training, two documentary films were also screened dealing with the exploitation and management of natural resources, as well as the decision-making processes of importance for the protection of nature and the environment. The first film - "A Plain without Birds?" deals with the problem of poaching in Serbia. For this film - it was created in cooperation with the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia - Dragan Gmizic received the EU Award for Investigative Journalism in May 2017. The second film - "The Great Rzav" - presented the Rzav River, which threatens to be degraded by the construction of two large dams and reservoirs. The film analyzes various alternatives for supplying the local community with drinking water, with an overview of the natural and archaeological heritage along the Rzav River, which is endangered by the planned activities.
Throughout the discussion, the topics of coordinating the cooperation and information sharing between interested media and civil society organizations were opened in order to work more effectively towards achieving common goals. The need for coordinated monitoring of information of importance for the environment and of the work on the basic preparations for the participation of representatives of civil society and the media in the processes of environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental impact assessment was noted. In conclusion, it was decided that the available resources should be joined in terms of joint action in the areas identified as a priority.
The training in Kamena Gora is part of the project "Community Power", which aims to promote responsible and sustainable environmental policy-making in line with EU standards, with the active and competent participation of the media and civil society. The Community Power project is supported by the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia through the project "CO-SEED: Civil society acts for environmentally sound socio-economic development" funded by European Union funds under the Civil Society and Media Support Program.
Author of the photo: Belgrade Open School