A consultative meeting titled "Renewable Energy Sources and Protection of Natural Resources" was held in Arilje on Friday, April 20. The topic of the meeting were the projects for the construction of mini-hydroelectric plants, their impact on natural resources, as well as the experience of present civil society representatives in using the available mechanisms of public participation to advocate for conservation of nature and natural resources.

The meeting, held at the hotel "Mlinarev san", was attended by civil society organizations, experts and environmental activists from Arilje, Jošanicka Banja, Prijepolje, Priboj, Loznica, Valjevo, Zavidovic (B&H) and Belgrade. In addition, the meeting was also attended by representatives of the media: the Center for Investigative Reporting of Serbia CINS, Radio Belgrade 2, as well as the correspondence of Free Europe from B&H.

The topics of the meeting were the projects for the construction of mini-hydroelectric power plants, their impact on natural resources, as well as the experiences of present civil society representatives in using the available mechanisms of public participation to advocate conservation of nature and natural resources.

The meeting term was chosen due to the new dynamics in the hydro energy sector in Serbia. Previous incentive mechanisms in the field of renewable energy sources have resulted in numerous projects for the construction of mini hydro power plants. Only Serbia plans 800 new projects for the construction of a mini hydroelectric power plant, while the number will triple throughout the region. However, it is often not taken into consideration the negative effects that the construction of mini hydro power plants have on the environment, natural resources, plant and animal life, as well as local communities - threats to ecosystems, drinking water problems, landslide and flood risks, and a number of other dangers that call into question the need for building these projects and their sustainability. In addition, numerous mini-hydro construction projects are either implemented or planned in protected natural areas. The question of the construction of the mini-hydro power plant in Serbia was given a new dynamic in the recent period, due to the adoption of the Program for the Implementation of the Energy Development Strategy, the Regional Master Plan for Sustainable Hydropower in the Western Balkans, as well as the growing discontent of local communities: locals from different parts of Serbia, such as Temska, Priboj and Jošanička Banja.

During the meeting, the participants discussed the possibilities that the legal framework for public participation in environmental issues provides them to engage in the processes of drafting and approving projects of importance, and exchanged experiences in their advocacy throughout the years for preserving natural resources and representing the interests of local communities. Despite the exclusion from the decision-making process on such projects, or narrowing the space for their participation, there is still a strong determination of representatives of local communities and the interested public to continue to advocate for the preservation of natural resources, for joint consideration of the problem of small hydro power plants construction, and they are still open for considering the possibility of more efficient participation and joint coordinated action in preserving natural resources. They also discussed the possibility for achieving greater success in preserving natural resources in the future and a stronger influence on decision-makers through strengthening cooperation, regular communication and information exchange.

The consultative meeting was organized by the Belgrade Open School, the Ecological Association "Rzav - God save Rzav", the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia and the World Wildlife Fund - WWF. The meeting was organized within the project "CO-SEED - Civil society advocates environmentally friendly socio-economic development", which is supported by the European Union.