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

Global data show that nature and ecosystems are under the greatest pressure to date, contributing to climate change and biodiversity loss. Nature calls for solutions, which is why civil society organizations play an irreplaceable role, from field activities and environmental monitoring and enforcement 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. This has strengthened local initiatives, reinforced the role of civil society in decision-making, and further developed the capacities of organizations and networks working 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 supporting programme, there was strong interest from civil society organizations in participating. A total of 60 project proposals were submitted, involving 89 organizations and networks from 43 locations across Serbia. The selection process in such strong competition once again demonstrated the diversity, as well as the growing capacities of organizations working in environmental protection. Following the evaluation, support was awarded to 15 project proposals to be implemented by 25 organizations.

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

• 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 will have greater opportunities to contribute to improved natural resource management, as well as to more actively influence the quality of environmental governance and more consistent implementation of European environmental standards in Serbia.

The strong interest in the call and the geographical distribution of submitted projects show 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 across Serbia. You cab find more information about the programme and supported projects at:

ECO SYSTEM Programme

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