Natura Cooperation. No. 1, July We present. Networks of environmental NGOs in Serbia and in Montenegro. Opportunities

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1 ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER Natura Cooperation No. 1, July We present Networks of environmental NGOs in Serbia and in Montenegro Opportunities Capacity building programms What do NGOs say?! News from the Region It is our pleasure to share with you the first issue of electronic newsletter Natura Cooperation! Newsletter is a result of work on Capacity building and networking of environmental NGOs in Serbia and in Montenegro project. Supported by European Commission, DG Environment, project aims to strengthen capacities of environmental organizations for future work and strengthen cooperation among networks of environmental organizations in Serbia, Montenegro and EU based organizations. Project will last till December 2009 and is implemented by three main partners: Young Researchers of Serbia from Serbia, WWF MED Po from Italy and Green Home from Montenegro. Photos (YRS): Signing Memorandum of Understanding among environmental NGOs in Serbia within Natura 2000 Resource Center network, Jun

2 We present Network of Environmental NGOs in Serbia NATURA 2000 Resource Center of Serbia Initiated in March 2009 network of environmental NGOs in Serbia attracted unexpected attention of environmentalists in Serbia. Name of the Network explains the aim: non governmental organizations are going to be united, strengthened and work on NATURA 2000 and other relevant nature related EU accession processes. More then 30 organizations applied for participation in the Network. It is not easy to guess motivation and expectation of such a huge number of NGOs but it is evident that NATURA 2000 and EU accession is topic of interest and, at the same time, cooperation was missing among environmental organizations in last years. After the first meeting of Network Members (hold in April 2009) it become evident that, although being informal, network has to have a clear structure in order to work more effective. Facilitated by Young Researchers of Serbia (secretariat of the Network) members drafted Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation on NATURA 2000 and related processes between WWF, Young Researchers of Serbia and members of the network NATURA 2000 Resource Center of Serbia. During the second meeting of the Network Memorandum was signed by most of the members. Memorandum is still open for signatures of interested NGOs. After good beginning, Network members are expected to continue with: structuring working groups within Network, fundraising for the capacity building activities, cooperation with similar networks and especially collaboration with governmental institutions. For more info contact: Milka Gvozdenovic (milka@mis.org.rs) and Tanja Petrovic (tanja@mis.org.rs) Photos (YRS): second meeting of Network members NATURA 2000 Resource Center of Serbia members: Akademsko društvo za zaštitu i proučavanje prirode-novi Sad, Ambasadori životne sredine-beograd, Asocijacija za razvoj ibarske doline IDA - Kraljevo, CEKOR- Subotica, Centar za očuvanje biodiverziteta i održivi razvoj EKOLIBRI Bionet- Beograd, Društvo za zaštitu i proučavanje riba- Novi Sad, Društvo za zaštitu i proučavanje ptica Vojvodine- Novi Sad, EKO CENTAR- Beograd, Eko Forum- Beograd, Ekološki klub grada Sremske Mitrovice- Sremska Mitrovica, Ekološko društvo Endemit - Beograd, Ekološko društvo Dragačevo- Guča, Ekološko udruženje za lokalno održivi ratvoj EKOLOR - Krčedin, GM Optimist- Gornji Milanovac, Green Bike- Valjevo, Inženjeri zaštite životne sredine -Novi Sad, Kruševači ekološki centar- Kruševac, Mladi istraživači Srbije,- Beograd, Nepušačko edukativni centar PR-Kragujevac, NIDSB Josif Pančić -Novi Sad, NVO Lokalna agenda 21 za Kostolac opštinu - Kostolac, Planinarsko društvo Kablar - Čačak, Pokret Gorana- Sremska Mitrovica, Studentski eko pokret-beograd, Udruženje grañana Škola za opstanak -Beograd, Unija ekologa UNECO - regionalni centar Paraćin, Volonterski centar Vojvodine- Novi Sad, Liga za ornitološku akciju-beograd, Društvo mladih istraživača-bor, Prirodnjačko društvo Gea -Vršac, Ekološko udruženje Avalon -Vršac, Društvo za zaštitu životne sredine Stara planina-pirot, Centar za razvoj grañanskog društva PROTECTA-Niš. 2

3 We present Network of Environmental NGOs in Montenegro GREEN RESOURCE CENTER IN MONTENEGRO Photo (GH): meeting of Network members in Montenegro Green Resource Centre (GRC) is an informal coalition of environmental NGOs from Montenegro, aimed to enable easier approach to the environmental legislation and its implementation. Recognition of needs for creation of such a Coalition was assessed by NGOs even in 2004 during the Tara River defending campaign, when it was noticed that NGOs have sufficient knowledge about environmental standards of EU and that they are not using it clearly and in wide extent as support to the campaign. After establishment of GRC in 2006, Green Home, as a coordinator of the Coalition, gathered legal documents relevant to environmental field and formed the database. So it can be found at the website texts on Montenegrin and English language, which include 76 international conventions and protocols, 43 directives of the EU and 20 Montenegrin laws, regulations and decisions related to the environmental protection. Today GRC developed divided sub sections which are dealing specifically with certain thematic. There had been formed subgroups dealing with energy issues and alternative energy resources (GRC SIC Solar info centre) and a subgroup dealing with development of Natura 2000 network of protected areas in Montenegro (N2 GRC - Natura 2000 info centre). The first meeting on establishing N2 GRC (May 2009) made important contribution on understanding Natura 2000 and forming the initial agreements between members. Needs for capacity building of NGOs had been compiled and they launched the first initiative on preservation of the forest area, potentially recognised as candidate for future Natura 2000 network in Montenegro. Members of the Natura 2000 info centre invite all interested NGOs to join the Coalition, which will provide us to overtake the role in preparation and implementation of Natura 2000, through targeted training and teaching. More info: Natasa Kovacevic (natasa.green@t-com.me) NATURA 2000 Info Center of Montenegro members: NGO Breznica from Pljevlja, NGO Bonum from Pljevlja NGO Green Youth Pljevlja, NGO Agro Vita from Pljevlja, NGO Otpor from Bijelo Polje, NGO Tresnjica from Andrijevica, NGO Triton from Plav, NGO Plagus M from Plav, NGO Fors Montenegro from Kolasin, NGO Natura from Kolasin, NGO Young Researchers from Niksic, NGO CESP from Podgorica, NGO Zelena Obala from Podgorica, NGO Hidroecologica from Podgorica, NGO Center for Protection and Researching of Birds from Podgorica, NGO Crna Gora Fishing Paradise from Podgorica, NGO Godinje from Podgorica, NGO Skadar Lake from Virpazar (Bar), NGO Pristan from Ulcinj, NGO Kalimera from Ulcinj, NGO Green Step from Ulcinj, NGO Eco Vita from Ulcinj, NGO Green Home from Podgorica, NGO Ecofest from Herceg Novi, NGO Ozon from Niksic. 3

4 Opportunities Capacity building programms Training on Project Cycle Management (PCM) In May 2009 on the beautiful mountain of Fruska Gora (Serbia) 20 representatives of environmental NGOs from Montenegro and from Serbia had an opportunity to improve knowledge about developing successful nature protection projects. Training was prepared and facilitated by Christoph Stein, Head of Barcelona Project Office, WWF Mediterranean programme. Using interactive methods the trainer achieved to establish cooperation among present NGOs, to develop 5 good ideas and draft plans for environmental projects and to develop understanding and trust among participants. Training on PCM was the starting point for cooperation between two networks: NATURA 2000 Resource Center in Serbia and Green Resource Center in Montenegro. Training was presented as an activity of Capacity building and networking of environmental NGOs project supported by European Commission-DG Environment. Training on Communication Training will be organized in September 2009 in Montenegro. It will gather 20 participants (10 from Serbia and 10 from Montenegro) who will have a chance to work together on improvement of communication skills and knowledge. Experienced trainer, Christoph Stein (WWF Mediterranean programme) will be the leader of this capacity building activity as well. Training on communication is a continuation of Capacity building and networking of environmental NGOs project supported by European Commission-DG Environment. NATURA 2000 and EU nature legislation training WWF Mediterranean Programme, Young Researchers of Serbia and Green Home are partners in the project Serbia, Montenegro and Natura 2000: strengthening the capacity of governments and civil sector to adapt to EU nature protection aquis funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through WWF Norway. Within this project many capacity building activities are planed. Training-workshop on EU nature legislation, NATURA 2000, relevant terminology etc. will be the first one. Training modules will be adapted to the needs of environmental NGOs and will be organized in Serbia for NATURA 2000 Resource Center of Serbia members and in Montenegro for Green Resource Center members. Experts from WWF Mediterranean Programme and WWF Danube Carpathians Programme will lead the capacity building process. Trainings are foreseen to be held in October in Serbia and in November 2009 in Montenegro. Questions about capacity building programmes on: natura@mis.org.rs and natasa.green@t-com.me 4

5 What do environmental NGOs say?! News from the Region Green List of Serbia successfully finished the campaign Oplaneti se! Uklonimo deponije. The campaign involved 12 local environmental organizations from 11 communities in Serbia in awareness rising on waste management and other environmental problems. More about the campaign on Bike tour Stop climate change started from Belgrade on 6 th of July and will continue through FYROM, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Croatia. More then 30 enthusiastic bikers, supported by local NGOs, will organize events all around Balkans to promote sustainable use of resources, bicycle use and inform people about causes and consequences of climate change. Bike tour is initiated and organized by Center for Environment from Banja Luka. Climate Change Road Show was organized by WWF Danube Carpathians Programme and partner organizations (Voluntary Center of Vojvodina, Young Researchers of Serbia and Drustvo prijatelja prirode) in Novi Sad, Belgrade and Nis. Organized for the second time in Serbia, Road Show is a great opportunity to show to people that small changes in consumption patterns decrease green house gasses emission. More on European Commission s call for projects proposal under IPA-Civil Society Facility, Support to Partnership Actions Environment, Energy Efficiency, and Health and Safety at Work" brought very dynamic atmosphere among environmental NGOs around Western Balkan. Many ideas for joint actions are developed - in few months we will have more info about granted projects. NGOs welcome DG Environment activities regarding environmental NGOs from candidate countries and potential candidates: On 25 June 2009 NGO Back to Back meeting for RENA (Regional Environmental Network for Accession) took place in Brussels. Participating NGOs from Western Balkan countries prepared joint statement to welcome high level cooperation within RENA. It is foreseen that RENA will: facilitate exchange of experience and best practice, help to jointly tackle environmental challenges, provide a forum for the European Commission to communicate to the whole region, be a supplement to bilateral co-operation between the Commission and the countries, take into account the different stages of the countries regarding environmental acquis in the pre-accession process. It is expected that NGOs will be adequately involved in process. Environmental Forum The New NGO Forum came to an end in December Its successor, the Environment Forum is at its beginning. A Call for interest is planned to be launched in early September 2009 to select the NGOs which will be invited to participate in annual meetings with the EC in Brussels to discuss environmental issues in the context of EU accession. The first annual meeting is planned to be organized in Brussels in November This will enable enough time to have preparatory meetings organized at national level in October. The idea is to allow more NGOs to participate in the preparation of the annual meetings and get feedback from the selected NGOs who will come to Brussels. 5

6 Contacts: Young Researchers of Serbia Bulevar umetnosti Novi Beograd, Serbia Tel Fax Green Home Radosava Burica 31, Podgorica, Montenegro Phone/fax: ; If there is anything you think should be included in future newsletters, you have news or any examples of good nature conservation and environment protection practices, please natura@mis.org.rs This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are sole responsibility of Young Researchers of Serbia and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union. 6