In the year when the Young Researchers of Serbia celebrate 50 years of work, the ECO SYSTEM programme continues to build and strengthen partnerships among civil society organizations in Serbia working in the field of environmental protection.

Global data show that nature and ecosystems are under greater pressure than ever before, contributing to climate change and biodiversity loss. Nature demands solutions, which is why civil society organizations play an irreplaceable role – from field activities, environmental monitoring, and implementation of regulations, to advocacy and cooperation with institutions at the local and national levels.

Over the past five years, with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the ECO SYSTEM programme has supported a total of 55 projects across the country. In this way, local initiatives have been strengthened, the role of civil society in decision-making has been reinforced, and organizations and networks have further developed their capacities in environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate change response.

Results of the Sixth Cycle of the ECO SYSTEM Programme

Within the sixth cycle of the ECO SYSTEM Programme support, there was significant interest from civil society organizations in participating. A total of 60 project proposals were submitted, involving as many as 89 organizations and networks from 43 different locations across Serbia. The selection process in such strong competition once again demonstrated both the diversity and the growing capacities of organizations working in the field of environmental protection. Following the evaluation process, support was awarded to 15 project proposals that will be implemented by a total of 25 organizations.

In this year’s sixth cycle of the ECO SYSTEM Programme support, the following organizations will implement their projects in 17 locations across Serbia – from Kikinda and Novi Sad, through Valjevo, Požega, and Rudnik, to Kraljevo, Raška, and Užice, as well as Niš, Kragujevac, and Leskovac, including Belgrade, Paraćin, Novi Banovci, Gornji Milanovac, and Orašac:

• Pokret gorana Kikinde (Kikinda / Orašac)
• Center for Environmental Improvement (Belgrade)
• Dendrosrbija (Užice)
• PROAKTIV (Niš)
• Lokalni odgovor (Valjevo)
• Institute for Regional Development (Novi Sad / Rudnik)
• Forum for Civil Action – FORCA (Požega)
• Center for Modern Skills (Belgrade)
• Volunteer Fire Department Kraljevo (Kraljevo / Raška)
• UNEKOOP (Paraćin / Novi Banovci / Kragujevac)
• Ekomar (Kragujevac / Belgrade)
• Alternative for Safer Chemicals – ALHem (Belgrade)
• Eneca (Niš)
• Tim 42 (Leskovac)
• GM Optimist (Gornji Milanovac)

Partnerships for Change

Civil society strengthened through the ECO SYSTEM Programme support will have greater opportunities to contribute to improved management of natural resources, as well as to more actively influence the quality of environmental governance and the more consistent implementation of European environmental standards in Serbia.

The high level of interest in the call and the geographical diversity of submitted projects demonstrate that Serbia has a strong community of civil society organizations actively contributing to environmental improvement and the development of sustainable solutions in their local communities.

Over the next six months, follow the implementation of supported projects and activities carried out by organizations across Serbia. More information about the program and supported projects is available at:
ekosistem.mis.org.rs

The ECO SYSTEM Programme support for civil society organizations working in environmental protection has been implemented by the Young Researchers of Serbia (MIS) since 2020, with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).