OUR PARTNERS
Young Reasearchers of Serbia is a non-profit, non-political NGO that gathers young people around common interests, ideas and goals. YRS aroused from the research movement at Valjevo in 1969, but in 1976 was officially established as a network of organizations, societies, clubs and sections with research programmes, gathered around the coordinative office on the republic level in Belgrade. Through its history, the number of members changed, but there were over 50 different organizations taking part. In the 90’s YRS leaves the organizational form of vertical relationships following the current direction of civil sector development. Today YRS represents the organization on the national level and is unites three thematically different but interconnected sectors – Youth Sector, Voluntary Service of Serbia and Environmental Protection and Conservation Sector. With the Belgrade Open School, Young researchers of Serbia are collaborating on the project "VOLVOX - Community Strength", whose goal is to contribute to the reforms of environmental protection and climate change policies in Serbia.
Also, the Young Researchers of Serbia are involved in the activities of the "Together for the Environment" project, through which they support the managers of protected areas in cooperation and communication with local communities.
Environmental protection engineers inform, educate and encourage citizens to actively participate in the sustainable development of their communities through the preservation of natural resources, the development of a circular economy and the preservation of the health and well-being of all living beings. The founders were inspired to create organisation in 2005 wiht the need to make a clear and concrete contribution to reducing the harmful impact of people on the environment and applying knowledge and energy to achieve sustainable development in Novi Sad, Vojvodina, Serbia, Europe and the world.
Foundation BFPE for a Responsible Society
The BFPE Foundation for a Responsible Society contributes to the democratic transformation and European integration of the Southeast Europe region by conceptualizing and organizing the political education of interested and engaged citizens and decision-makers at different levels. Together with other civil society organizations, BFPE strives to gather a broad and competent community of those who advocate for a developed Serbia in the European Union, which has responsible social and political elites and which is capable and ready to cooperate with its neighbors for the benefit of the entire region. BOŠ, in cooperation with BFPE, leads the pillar for environmental protection within the Platform "Sustainable Development for All".
Association of Young Researchers Bor
The Society of Young Researchers Bor was formed in 1976, as a youth organization, to gradually grow into an organization that is aimed at all citizens and that mainly acts in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development at the local level but also on a wider level. Today, the basic strategic direction of the Society of Young Researchers Bor is continuous activity aimed at raising the awareness and knowledge of young people and all other citizens about the need and possibilities of environmental protection and sustainable use of all natural resources. The Belgrade Open School, together with DMI Bor, implemented activities within the Platform "Sustainable Development for All" in Bor in order to support the local self-government in developing a part of the Local Development Plan related to environmental protection. During 2022, the Belgrade Open School re-established cooperation with the organization DMI Bor within the project "Get involved!" Civil Society for Energy Transition''.
Center for Advanced Economic Studies
The Center for Advanced Economic Studies (CEVES) is an independent research and development organization dedicated to the sustainable socio-economic development of Serbia and the Western Balkans, based on entrepreneurship, solidarity and civic initiative. The energy of CEVES is directed towards recognizing and researching the most important determinants of sustainable socio-economic development in Serbia and the region, and offering innovative, responsible and fact-based solutions and policies, not only to the state, but to the wider society - primarily to those whose issues directly concern ( entrepreneurs, employed/unemployed, scientific institutions, etc.) and civil society. CEVES stands for the nationalization and realization of the goals of sustainable development in Serbia, as a particularly suitable framework for directing the development of society; as well as for spreading and embodying European values. BOŠ, in cooperation with CEVES, implemented activities within the Platform "Sustainable Development for All".
The Timok Youth Center (TOC) is a non-political, non-profit, non-governmental organization - an association of citizens, founded to achieve the goals of building a civil society in Serbia, with a special focus on young people. TOC deals with issues of youth policy, encouraging and developing youth initiatives, encouraging and directing youth participation in the local community, as well as affirming healthy lifestyles of young people. It was created as a user service for young people, and it became recognizable as the bearer of initiatives and activities of local and regional youth coalitions. He is recognized as a leader in youth politics, but also in support of CSOs, informal groups and volunteers. BOŠ, in cooperation with TOC, implemented activities within the Platform "Sustainable Development for All".
Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation
For more than 15 years, the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation have demonstrated solidarity for and provided solutions to everyday people affected by war, economic hardship and displacement. The Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation is an independent and non-profit association, founded with the aim of helping citizens, especially refugees and displaced persons, in practical solutions to their life and existential problems with a special emphasis on solving their housing issues. The foundation was founded by Ana and Vlade Divac, as a continuation of twenty years of humanitarian work started in the USA within the Divac Humanitarian Organization (HOD). In the past 13 years, the organization was primarily focused on supporting the most vulnerable (on solving housing and economic problems), on improving the conditions for the quality upbringing of children and young people, on the development of philanthropy and social entrepreneurship. BOŠ, in cooperation with the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, implemented activities within the Platform "Sustainable Development for All".
Center for Democracy Foundation
The Foundation Center for Democracy (FCD) is a non-governmental, non-partisan and non-profit organization. Its mission is to encourage and motivate citizens to build a democratic and solidary society, improve economic, social and cultural rights and fight for responsible and efficient institutions through research, education and public dialogue. The founders of the Foundation are relevant and recognized experts in Serbia - sociologists, lawyers, philosophers, politicians, artists, economists, psychologists and media experts. FCD is recognized by the public for its commitment to public dialogue, building strong institutions and advocating for the promotion and protection of economic and social rights, with a special emphasis on labor rights. BOŠ, in cooperation with FCD, implemented activities within the Platform "Sustainable Development for All".
Smart Kolektiv is an independent, non-profit organization founded in 2003 in Belgrade. He is a pioneer in promoting the concept of socially responsible business and the development of social entrepreneurship in Serbia. Starting from the idea of connecting business and society, the Smart collective finds ways to apply the experiences and logic of business in solving social problems, helps companies to articulately and strategically cooperate with the community, and various social groups to interest the business world in their needs and initiatives and become more innovative , more efficient and sustainable. BOŠ, in cooperation with the Smart collective, implemented activities within the Platform "Sustainable Development for All".
Renewables and Environmental Regulatory Institute
Renewables and Environmental Regulatory Institute (RERI) is an organization that gathers lawyers interested in the legal regulation of environmental protection issues, exercising the right to a healthy environment, as well as access to justice and justice in environmental matters. Cooperation takes place through joint monitoring and participation in various decision-making processes, as well as through support for public participation in the decision-making process through the organization of public consultations on relevant documents. The Belgrade Open School in cooperation with RERI, from December 2022, is implementing a project called "Civil society for energy transition". The focus of RERI's work as part of this project is monitoring the implementation of laws in the field of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. The cooperation between these two organizations is also realized on the project "VOLVOX - Community Strength", whose goal is to contribute to the reforms of environmental protection and climate change policies in Serbia.
Environmental Improvement Center
The Center for Environmental Improvement deals with education and information, research and analysis, communication and initiatives aimed at a faster transition to a circular economy. During December 2022, BOŠ started cooperation with the organization Center for Environmental Protection within the project "Get involved! Civil Society for Energy Transition''.
The local response is an association that firmly believes that the rule of law is the pillar and basis of a just society, open to all its participants. He believes that government representatives are obliged to respond to citizens' requests, submit reports on their involvement and bear responsibility. During December 2022, BOŠ started cooperation with the organization Local Response within the project "Get involved! Civil Society for Energy Transition''.
United branch union Nezavisnost
The United branch union Nezavisnost union is an independent, democratic and independent organization of employees in which they voluntarily join for the purpose of representation, representation, promotion and protection of their professional, work, economic, social, cultural and other individual and collective interests. The operation of UGS NEZAVISNOST is based on the principles of voluntariness, equality, democracy, publicity of work, solidarity, efficiency and responsibility. During December 2022, BOŠ started cooperation with the organization UGS Nezavisnost within the project "Get involved! Civil Society for Energy Transition''.
Pro.Tok21 is an association of citizens, a voluntary, non-partisan and non-profit association of individuals and legal entities, founded for an indefinite period, in order to achieve goals in the field of sustainable development as a combination - ecology, social factors, and economic factors. The headquarters of the organization is in Smederevo. Pro.Tok21 gathers enthusiasts of various profiles, who are determined to offer the local community new concepts of the functioning of our society. During December 2022, BOŠ started cooperation with the organization Pro.Tok21 within the project "Get involved! Civil Society for Energy Transition''.
Vojvodina Environmental Movement
Vojvodina Environmental Movement - Sremski Karlovci is a local, regional and international resource center for education, representation, cooperation, promotion and activism in the field of sustainable development. The Vojvodina Mountain Movement is one of the organizations,
which founded the Good Energy Network. The movement has extensive experience in creating and implementing educational programs for sustainable development for various target groups, through which practical and sustainable solutions for sustainable development at the local level are presented.
American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia
The American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia (AmCham) gathers American companies in Serbia, initiates a dialogue and partnership with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, business entities and other interested parties in order to work on improving the regulatory and business environment, and will actively work on the sustainable inclusion of the business sector on the project in the financing of protected areas.
Germanwatch Balkan Green Foundation Eko-svest
In 2022, the Belgrade Open School established cooperation with the organizations Germanwatch, Balkan Green Foundation and Ekosvest. Germanwatch is an independent development and environmental organization that advocates sustainable global development, socially just, ecologically and economically stable development. Balkan Green Foundation (BGF) from Pristina is a regional organization that promotes inclusive and equitable progress in the Western Balkans in the field of sustainable development. EkoSvest from Skopje is an independent non-governmental environmental organization, which through its activities deals with the topics of waste management, sustainable transport, promotion of transparency in the work of international financial institutions (IFIs) in Macedonia, environmental protection and promotion of renewable energy sources. Cooperation was established through the project "Energy transition and decarbonization in the Western Balkans", with Germanwatch as the leading organization on the project and with the support of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ).
Long-term cooperation, since 2016, with partner organizations continued in 2022 through joint monitoring of the development of new thermal energy projects in the Western Balkans region, as well as cooperation on the topics of air quality and fair energy transition.
Health and Environment Alliance
HEAL is a leading European non-profit organization researching how the natural and built environment affects health in the European Union (EU) and beyond. HEAL's vision is a world where present and future generations can benefit from a clean environment to enjoy long and healthy lives. Lives free of chemicals that harm health, where the air we breathe and the food we eat and the built environment we live in promote health; and a future where we have transitioned to a toxic-free, decarbonized, climate-resilient and sustainable economy and lifestyle. It shows how policy actions can protect health and improve the quality of life for all.
NETWORKS
Coalition 27 was established by civil society organizations in 2014 with the aim of monitoring and contributing to the process of harmonization and implementation of the policies and regulations of the Republic of Serbia with the EU acquis in the field of environment and climate change (Chapter 27 in the EU accession negotiations). Coalition 27 advocates and encourages public participation in the Republic of Serbia’s accession negotiations with the European Union and proposes solutions that will contribute to the protection and improvement of the environment and the quality of life of citizens.
The platform is structured in three pillars corresponding to the three dimensions of sustainable development: social, economic and environmental, but from the overall management perspective, it is operated in an integrated manner, recognizing that the SDGs and targets are closely interlinked.
The Good Energy Network is a voluntary platform for connecting local governments and partners from the governmental, non-governmental and business sectors, who are committed and have ambitions to apply and spread good practices and solutions in local energy.
The Good Energy Network brings together actors who show a greater degree of ambition in the implementation of local climate and energy policies, compared to the national framework. The network currently consists of 3 cities and municipalities (Pirot, Šabac and Vrbas) and 3 civil society organizations (Belgrade Open School, RES Foundation and Pokret Gorana Vojvodina) that have decided to work on the development and implementation of ambitious energy and climate policies at the local level.
Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe is the leading European coalition of non-governmental organizations working on the topic of climate change. This network has over 170 member organizations active in 38 European countries. Can Europe empowers civil society organizations to influence the design and development of policies related to climate change, both in the European Union and in European countries outside the EU. Belgrade Open School became a member of this network in 2020.
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The Green Chair represents a network of over 60 non-governmental organizations engaged in improving communication with the legislative branch of government and influencing the improvement of legislative proposals in the field of the environment. The basic idea of the network's work is the constant participation of representatives of the civil sector in the sessions of the Environmental Protection Committee of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia. The work of the network is managed by the Green Chair Coordination Team, which consists of three civil society organizations: Young Researchers of Serbia, the Center for Modern Skills and the Belgrade Fund for Political Excellence.
OUR DONORS
United States Agency for International Development
By helping Serbia protect its environment and involving local communities and businesses in conservation efforts , this activity contributes to USAID’s overall goal of a more prosperous and democratic Serbia committed to European integration and self-reliance. The Belgrade Open School cooperates with the American Agency for International Development (USAID) through the "Together for the Environment" project, which it implements in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Young Researchers of Serbia, the ENECA Association, the International Environmental Organization The Nature Conservancy and American Chamber of Commerce in Serbia. The general goal of the project is to improve the level of environmental protection and biodiversity in Serbia.
The Delegation of European Union finances the project "VOLVOX - Community Strength", which the Belgrade Open School implements with partners Young Researchers of Serbia and the Renewables and Environmental Regulatory Institute. The project aims to contribute to the reforms of environmental protection and climate change policies in Serbia using transformative potentials of Green agenda for the Western Balkans and European integration. Since 2001, the European Union has invested more than three billion euros through numerous projects in Serbia through grants, which makes it the largest donor in the country.
German organization for international cooperation - GIZ
Belgrade open school achieves cooperation with the German organization for international cooperation (GIZ) through the project "SDG 2030 Local Moitor in Serbia". The overall objective of this project is to support the implementation and monitoring of the achievement of sustainable development goals (UN SDG 2030) at the local level in Serbia. The German Organization for International Cooperation supports projects dealing with issues related to rural development, sustainable infrastructure, governance and democracy, economic development and employment, as well as projects in the field of environment and climate change. GIZ supports Serbia in the process of European integration, improving its economic situation and consolidating democratic structures.
European Climate Foundation is devoted to development of low-carbon economy in Europe, which should take over the leading role in the fight against climate change at a global level. European Climate Foundation's mission is to support the development of a low-carbon society, to maintain global temperature growth below two degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, and to find the balance between climate change, energy security and economic growth. Cooperation between BOŠ and European Climate Foundation started in 2015 through the project "Climate Change Policy on the Road to the EU". The project contributed to development of national climate change policy as well as the development of a national climate and energy strategy in accordance with the EU policy framework up to 2030, with a special focus on improving local community resistance to climate change and supporting sustainable and ecological development. Cooperation continued on the project "Thinking ahead", through which BOŠ seeked to open the topic of a fair energy transition towards an energy sector based on renewable energy sources in Serbia.
The UK’s main aims in Serbia are to support the implementation of political, economic and social reforms, to encourage a positive role for Serbia in the region, and to help encourage peace, security, reconciliation and prosperity in the Western Balkans. The Belgrade Open School, with the support of the British Embassy in Belgrade, conducted a project entitled "Exploring the correlation between air pollution and COVID-19 in Serbia", in order to answer how these two challenges are connected, as well as to point out the problem of air pollution and what are all the negative effects of air pollution, primarily on the health of the population of Serbia. In 2022, the British Embassy in Belgrade provided support to the Belgrade Open School on the project "Civil Society for Energy Transition", which aims to transform the domestic energy and climate sector in order to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions, energy independence, democratic and decentralized management of energy and climate policy, through the increased participation of civil society in the development and monitoring of the implementation of reforms.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) finances the project "Energy Transformation and Decarbonization in the Western Balkans", which the Belgrade Open School implements with partners GermanWatch from Germany, EkoSvest from Skopje and Balkan Green Foundation (BGF) from Pristina. The general goal of the project is the transition of the energy sector in the Western Balkans in the direction of a greater share of renewable energy sources, reduction of gases with the greenhouse effect and respect for the social aspects of the energy transition. Since 2000, the Federal Republic of Germany has allocated 2 billion euros for Serbia through direct aid, as well as through EU funds, for the implementation of numerous bilateral and regional projects, providing support to the public, private and civil sectors.
FORMER DONORS
Rockefeller Brothers Fund in the Western Balkans supports projects and activities aimed towards meeting the ambitions of the countries in the region for membership in the European Union, with a focus on advancing democracy, creating a space for sustainable development and reconciliation in the region. Sustainable development of the region with focus on an efficient energy sector based on renewable energy sources is one of the priorities of Rockefeller Brothers Fund in the Western Balkans. The Belgrade Open School from 2016 to 2018, with the support of the Rockefeller Foundation, successfully implemented the project "Community Energy". The project "Energy Community" was working to improve energy management in Serbia and strengthening democratic governance by empowering the civil sector to take an active role in the decision-making process. Cooperation continued in 2019 through the institutional support provided by the Fund to the Belgrade Open School for the implementation of the activities of the Energy, Climate and Environment Program area.
Beyond Fossil Fuels is an initiative coming from civil society organisations from the European Union, countries of the Western Balkans and Turkey, with the aim of meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement, transformation of the energy sector of Europe into a low-carbon system and abandoning coal as a fuel. The initiative is dedicated to tackling netagive effects of coal on public health, society, economy and the environment. In the year 2020. Europe Beyond Coal is supporting organizations that are partners from the campaign. Belgrade open school has got a grant for organizing a study visit for chosen participants from the Kolubara region to Greece. The goal of this study visit in accordance with the goals of the Europe Beyond Coal campaign and it refers to promoting just energy transition and transforming the region in which the economy is based on coal exploitation.
The World Wide Fund for Nature
The mission of the World Wide Fund for Nature is to stop the degradation of the environment on our planet and build a future where people will live in harmony with nature.The Belgrade Open School and the World Nature Fund since recently co-operate in the field of environmental protection, through the project "Climate Change and Protected Areas". The project is designed to increase the resilience of protected areas in Serbia to climate change.The World Nature Fund and the Belgrade Open School are part of the Coalition 27, which together with other members monitors and contributes to the process of harmonization and implementation of the policies and regulations of the Republic of Serbia with the acquis communautaire in the field of environment and climate change (Chapter 27).
United Nations Development Programme - UNDP
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provides development assistance to Serbia with the primary goal of improving the lives of people in Serbia, primarily the poorest and most vulnerable, and providing a future in which everyone will enjoy equality, dignity and opportunities. The program implements a series of activities that combine the expertise provided by UNDP and a comparative advantage in the areas of 1) sustainable development and social inclusion of marginalized groups; 2) good governance; 3) empowerment of women; 4) energy, environmental protection and the fight against climate change. The goals of the UNDP in Serbia are part of a wider agenda - 17 sustainable development goals (SDG) that were adopted in 2015 with a mission to eradicate hunger, achieve gender equality, improve health services and educate each child by 2030. Belgrade Open School, supported by UNDP, is implementing the project "Visible data for invisible air", which aims to contribute to better quality and accessibility of data on air quality in Serbia through the open data principles.
Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Government of Serbia
BOS is one of the civil society organisations awarded with a grant by the Ministry of Environmental Protection of the Government of Serbia, through the Public Call of the Ministry for grants dedicated to civil society organisations in the area of environment protection in 2018. With this grant, BOS is implementing the project "Green Youth: Green Youth: raising awareness of youth on environment protection through innovative media strategies", which is dedicated to dedicated to raising awareness among youth, on the topic of environment protection through using online media and the Internet as means of communication, thus creating preconditions for their active engagement in environment protection.
Civil Society Acts for Environmentally Sound Socio-Economic Development
The "CO-SEED: Civil Society Acts for Environmentally Sound Socio-Economic Development" is a three-year project which began in 2016. Its aim is to contribute to the sustainable management of natural resources in countries where the project is implemented through promoting a better legislative framework, transparent decision-making process which involves an active group of civil society organizations and increased media attention for this topic, consequently benefiting the society as a whole. The members of the project consortium are the WWF Turkey, the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia, the Dinarica Association from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Green Home from Montenegro and INCA from Albania, while advisory support is provided by the WWF Adria from Croatia. The project is financially supported by the European Union.
Within this project, a call for funds for civil society organizations has been announced for proposals for a project dedicated to strengthening the capacity, knowledge and technical competencies of civil society organizations for contributing through public consultations on environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental impact assessment procedures. Within this competition, the Belgrade Open School received funds for the implementation of the "Community Power" project, in cooperation with the FLORES Forum for Local and Regional Cooperation from Sjenica, the Ecological Association "Rzav - God Save Rzav" from Arilje and the Kolovrat Mountain Association from Prijepolje.
European Found for the Balkans
The European Fund for the Balkans is a joint initiative of European foundations (Erste Foundation, Robert Bosch Foundation and King Baudouin Foundation) which leads and supports programs aimed at strengthening democracy, encouraging European integration and affirming the role of the Western Balkans in the new challenges of Europe. The ultimate goal of the EFB is to contribute to democratic and liberal societies in the region through increased citizen engagement and improved regional cooperation, within the framework of credible prospects for EU membership. The key objectives of the European Fund for the Balkans in the next five years will be: providing funds and platforms through which citizens will be informed and empowered to take action and which will demand responsible institutions and democracy, improving regional cooperation between civil society in the Western Balkans region based on solidarity and demand-driven dialogue and exchange of ideas, opinions and actions; supporting the process of affirming the political credibility of the enlargement policy throughout the Western Balkans region while insisting on adherence to the principles of the Thessaloniki agenda. The Belgrade Open School received support for the implementation of the "United Balkans for Clean Air" project. Through the project, the Belgrade Open School, in cooperation with other partners from the countries of the Western Balkans, implemented the campaign "United Balkans for clean air" with the aim of informing the citizens of the Western Balkans about the causes and consequences of air pollution, as well as possible solutions that would improve the quality air.