Through the implementation of the „Green Incubator“ project, Belgrade Open School provides mentoring and financial support to local organizations throughout Serbia to work on improving public policies in the field of environmental protection.

From April to October 2022, BOS will work with 23 organizations that will implement 19 projects within five thematic areas: climate change, air quality, waste management, nature protection and horizontal legislation.

You can find a list of supported organizations and the names of their projects here.

The beginning of the cooperation was marked during a four-day training in Vrnjačka Banja, when selected organizations were provided with instructions for successful financial and program management of projects. The event was opened by Milorad Bjeletić, Executive Director of the Belgrade Open School, emphasizing the importance of providing support and developing civil society as a catalyst for change in any democratically developed society. On behalf of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, the participants were addressed by Ekmel Cizmecioglu,Program Manager for civil society and human rights, and Antoine Avignon, Program Manager for environment and climate change. The two emphasized that the efforts of civil society brought the topic of environmental protection on the socio-political agenda in Serbia. Additionally, they reminded the attendees of the complexity of Chapter 27 in the process of European integration and the importance of participation of civil society organizations in various topics, which are also covered through the „Green Incubator“ project.

In addition to financial and program management sessions, much of the training was dedicated to presenting the methodology for monitoring public policies at the local level and providing guidelines for its proper use. The contributions that organizations will make through the application of the methodology will be included in the Coalition 27 Shadow Reports and thus deepen the content of these annual Reports, giving them a local component.

This year, the participants of the training were given promotional material made in agreement with small, local, producers of zero waste products. The working material is made of natural resources (blocks, pens), while soaps, business card cases and fruit measuring bags are made of previously used material (old curtains, tetrapack packaging, previously used oil....).

Photos from the training are available here.

The program Green PowerUp – Civil Society Support Program for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development of Local Communities is a central part of the three-year „Green Incubator“ project implemented by the Belgrade Open School with partners Young Researchers of Serbia and Environmental Engineering Group. The support program is implemented with the financial support of the European Union and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.

Author of the photo: Belgrade Open School