Volvox - Stronger involvement of civil society in environmental policy making and monitoring
Overall objective was to channel the transformative power of the European integration process and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans into environmental and climate change reforms in Serbia
Specific objective was to contribute to the creation of a competent civil society capable of acting as a credible partner to public authorities in the development of environmental policies and to exercise effective independent oversight of strategic decision-making and investment processes.
This project strengthened the capacity of citizens, local organizations and civil society organizations to participate in environmental decision-making processes, fostering open and inclusive participatory policy-making processes.
The project has also increased the responsibility of public administration in preventive environmental protection mechanisms that have been transferred through the EU integration process into the legislation and public policy system of the Republic of Serbia.
Target groups were environmental civil society organizations, grass root and activist groups; Line ministries (Environment, energy, planning and construction); Secretariat for Public Policies; Local authorities.
Final beneficiaries were civil society, local communities, media, EU institutions, companies (polluters), international community.
The project resulted in fostered inclusive and informed public participation process in environmental and climate decision making; Increased capacities of environmental CSOs, grass roots and citizens to take part in participative mechanisms within strategic and legislative decision making processes; Established EIA & SEA quality monitoring hub for independent CSOs oversight of Environmental Impact Assessment and Strategic Environmental Assessment; Improved knowledge and capacities of local communities to effectively defend their interests in EIA and SEA procedures;
Main project activities were:
Consultations on the development of key strategic and legislative documents in the field of environmental protection and climate change;
Creating a knowledge base and experts to support citizens, CSOs and local communities for informed participation in decision-making processes;
Advocacy and communication campaign for transparent and participatory processes of environmental policy development;
Verification of the effectiveness of the influence of civil society organizations in the mechanisms of public participation;
Developing and implementing innovative tools to increase citizen participation, based on experiential learning, that foster cooperation and trust between government and civil society;
Critically reviewing the responsibilities of government authorities and companies in relation to plans and projects with high potential negative impacts on the environment;
Belgrade Open School and RERI
Implementation period:
January 2022 – December 2023
Location:
Republic of Serbia
Budget:
EUR 150.000,00
Donor:
European Commission – Civil Society Facility Programme 2020
Area/Thematic focus:
Environment and Climate Change
