The focus of the initiative "ReEnergy 2015 – Towards Energy-Sustainable Planning at the Local Level" has been on challenges for the Republic of Serbia in the process of negotiations with the European Union (Chapter 15 – Energy and Chapter 27 – Environment) and on compliance with the 2030 European Union energy policy objectives defined by the conclusions of the European Council of October 24, 2014.
The project "I Know How to Act - Civil Society as a Guarantee of Responsible and Effective Environmental Policy in Serbia" has focused on the involvement of civil society organizations in the decision-making process and implementation of legislative acts related to the improvement and protection of the environment in the Republic of Serbia.
With the involvement of the civil sector and the development of innovative, green and cost-effective energy production and consumption solutions, the project "Energy Transparency" has sought to improve the procedures and process of governance and decision-making in public institutions at the local level in the field of energy.
“ReEnergy 2014 – The Challenges of European Standards Implementation in Creating and Implementing Energy Policy and Environmental Protection in the Republic of Serbia” project has aimed at strengthening the capacities of local self-government, civil society and the media to better understand and actively engage in and monitor the energy planning process at the local level as well as training them for the implementation of projects to improve energy policy and infrastructure in their local communities.
“Aarhupedia - Access to the Justice System in the Area of Environmental Protection through a Free Legal Aid Program” project has served to establish a public and free legal counseling service for citizens and civil society organizations in the field of access to information of public importance, public participation in decision-making processes and access to justice in the field of environmental protection.
“ConSENSus - A Partnership Approach in Creating an Environmental Policy” project has been designed to improve the mechanisms and practices of CSO participation in environmental policy management at the local level through advocacy and the establishment of local Green Councils and the development of decision models for their functioning.
The project “Civil Society Organizations as a Communication Bridge between Citizens, Public Authorities and the Business Sector in the Process of Electronic and Electrical Equipment Waste Management” is the result of three years of experience of the Belgrade Open School (BOS) and previous initiatives of BOS, the Heinrich Bell Foundation and GM Optimists, which have promoted civil society organizations as a valuable public administration partner and a key player in improving the implementation of a sustainable environmental policy at the local level.
The Project “Strengthening Administration Capacities for Serbia’s Accession to the European Union (SA4EU2)” is an advanced training program for 420 participants, employees of local self-government, state and provincial administration, public enterprises, development agencies and other institutions and bodies of the Republic of Serbia.
The overall goal of the project was to strengthen the role of civil society organizations in the process of adaptation to climate change and to enhance their capacities for active participation in the implementation of strategies, laws, and policies in the field of climate change and sustainable development in Serbia.
The project has critically dealt with the examination of the current state of energy efficiency policy in Serbia. Through three regional consultative workshops and final conferences, the project has made recommendations for improving the existing practical and political framework in Serbia, with a particular focus on the impact of this policy on the environment, economic growth and employment at the local level.
The overall goal of the project was the development of a sustainable and efficient waste management policy in Serbia, which is in line with the modern EU standards in this specific policy area. The specific objectives of the project were: to bridge the information gap; to learn how to overcome obstacles in the implementation of waste management laws; and to raise awareness of the importance of proper waste management.
The project has aimed to improve the implementation of laws in the field of environmental protection and strengthen the dialogue between legislative and executive bodies and local self-governments. Additionally, the goal was to improve the cooperation of the National Assembly, the Ministry of Environment and Spatial Planning, local authorities and stakeholders in the process of implementing environmental laws.
The project "Sustainable Environmental Policy at the Local Level: Towards an Efficient and Responsible Management of Urban Communities in Serbia" has been intended to contribute to improving the participation of citizens in the management of urban communities in Serbia through the development of a sustainable environmental policy and its inclusion in the developmental policies of other sectors at the local level.
From September 2014 until August 2016, Belgrade Open School was a partner on the Policy Bridging Initiative project which was implemented by the International Centre for Policy Advocacy (ICPA) as part of the Regional Research Promotion Programme (RRPP) cycle for the Western Balkans, which was financed and implemented by the University of Fribourg, Switzerland.
