Are people more interested in solving problems at the level of their local community (“in their backyard”), or if they know they are part of the solution to a bigger problem?

Large organizations deal with larger problems (regional, national, global), and small ones with local challenges (a specific problem in their community around which associations and informal groups are organized). Members of local communities join together mainly to respond to a perceived problem, less often preventively.

Research has shown that people are very aware of environmental problems, on different levels, but they don't know how to get involved. They would, on most occasions, get involved if someone invited them. Our education system does not include learning about civic activism, or does it in an inadequate way, not recognizing the importance of long-term solutions. Despite this, young people today are much more aware and active in environmental protection, but they should also be given space to be heard, to come up with new solutions and be part of the decision-making process that primarily concerns their future.

On the other hand, there is no sense of solidarity between cities or regions, and networking for solving the same problem on a wider scale is weak, i.e. initiated almost exclusively by national or international organizations (eg mini hydroelectric power plants).

The impression is that local authorities do not recognize the importance of education for long-term solutions and that there is a lot of work to be done in that field.

Is supporting informal groups (financial, mentoring) really a way to encourage activism in local communities? How effective and sustainable is it? What are other innovative solutions to encourage activism in local communities?

An innovative idea for improving grants to organizations and informal groups is the creation of a fund for urgent actions, which can be accessed without lengthy administrative procedures. Informal groups are very active, but any delay wastes energy and often the momentum in the community that would move the locals to respond to an urgent problem is lost.

"Ideas are sought after today", and informal groups are a source of innovative solutions. They may not see the problem that is manifesting in their community from the perspective of large organizations, who have the bigger picture and know well the causes and effects at higher levels, but they can offer innovative solutions, which the larger organizations can then replicate in other communities. What informal groups need is a better understanding of the problem, supported with current and relevant research. They get this from large organizations through various programs such as Green PowerUp.

While organizations often have to be guided by the donor goals, in order to ensure sustainability in their work, and are often unable to respond urgently to a problem, informal groups are not burdened by this. They are easier to organize and are more independent in expressing their opinions and taking a stand, at least in their local communities. What informal groups need is the expertise of larger organizations.

The support is not only in money, but also in mentoring and sharing resources of larger organizations, as well as in ensuring the sustainability of relations and the recognition of informal groups and local associations by local authorities. It is necessary to nurture informal groups, just as it is necessary to have large organizations. What is important is cooperation and a balance of resources for the sake of better ideas and solutions - leave systemic activism to the big organizations, and encourage local activism through informal groups.

Is there a difference in the activism of the young and the elderly? What motivates young people, what motivates older generations and how to respond to their motivation? How can activism become part of the culture in the community, and not an exception? Are young people only active online, if so, how to get them started “offline”? Is the problem a lack of motivation or a lack of program?

As stated, the education system does not recognize the importance of long-term solutions. Despite this, young people today are much more aware and active in environmental protection, but they should also be given space to be heard and to come up with new solutions.

Former work actions and today's volunteer camps taught and teach young people how to be active. There is no lack of motivation, just a lack of mechanisms to engage. Young people are often not recognized as important, and they are more aware and active than people think. The transfer of intergenerational knowledge is lacking both in associations and local governments, ministries, and in society.

In the courtyard of the Museum of African Art, we gathered more than 80 representatives of local associations and discussed local activism and its importance for a society as part of the Green Talks.

Green talks were organized as part of the Green Meetings - come out on a green branch, in the presence of representatives of local associations that received support through the Green PowerUp program and the Green Incubator project. Apart from this topic, the event also discussed energy transition, climate change, public policies, circular economy and the role and state of civil society in Serbia.

The Green Incubator project is implemented by the Belgrade Open School in partnership with Young Researchers of Serbia and Environmental Engineering Group with the support of the European Union.

Author of the photo: Belgrade Open School