Belgrade Open School in partnership with Young Researchers of Serbia and Environmental Engineering Group is implementing a three-year project named Green Incubator. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations dealing with environmental issues, in particular to monitor the European integration process of the Republic of Serbia, to foster initiatives of local informal groups, as well as to explore the potential and make recommendations for socio-economic development of local communities based on principles of green (circular) economy.
The overall objective of the project is to develop a competent civil society that contributes to reform processes and Serbia's EU integration.
The specific objective is to strengthen the capacities and increase the efficiency of civil society in Serbia in addressing environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Main activities:
- Designing and conducting trainings for raising the organizational and thematic capacities of civil society organizations;
- Financial support for the implementation of selected projects of civil society organizations;
- Financial support for the implementation of ideas and initiatives of local informal groups;
- Establishing a Coalition 27 Resource hub for selected organizations;
- Developing a methodology for monitoring the implementation of environmental policies at local level;
- Creating and publishing local government Green cards within the Coalition 27 website;
- Publishing the Shadow Report of Coalition 27 and local civil society organizations;
- Organizing Green Talks as thematic discussions involving different stakeholders;
- Research and presentation of research findings on the potential for socio-economic development of local communities.
Expected results:
- At least 100 civil society organizations and informal groups empowered to work on the implementation, advocacy and communication of EU environmental standards and benefits for local communities;
- Engaging citizens and involving multiple stakeholders in environmental issues and opportunities in at least 40 local communities;
- Increased transparency and availability of environmental information at local and national level;
- Established cross-sectoral dialogue between civil society organizations and decision-makers on opportunities for cooperation and joint resolution of challenges in environmental protection and local development;
- Developed and promoted recommendations for developing a circular economy at the local level.
All project activities will be implemented between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2022. This project is funded by the European Union.