Challenges and Recommendations for Improving Local Environmental Protection Policies

A conference titled "Environmental Protection Management – Technical Support for Local Self-Governments – Challenges and Recommendations" was held in Belgrade on 18 February, focusing on enhancing technical support for local self-governments in the field of environmental protection. Experts and representatives of state institutions gathered to exchange experiences, analyze key challenges, and define recommendations for strengthening the capacities of local communities in environmental management.

The results of technical support implemented in 20 local self-governments across Serbia were presented. Among the key achievements, consultant Biljana Filipović Đušić highlighted the development of three local waste management plans, the implementation of air quality control programmes in three local self-governments, the development of an energy efficiency plan and a soil monitoring programme, as well as the strengthening of institutional capacities through the establishment of seven Green Councils.

Special attention was given to improving citizen and business participation in the creation of public policies, while some local self-governments also initiated processes for drafting and adopting new policy documents, including five local waste management plans, two energy efficiency programmes, and one pollution control programme. Seven local self-governments developed a roadmap for drafting public policy documents, with the aim of increasing participation and transparency. Nearly 50 employees in 20 local self-governments enhanced their capacities on this topic.

In addition to the achieved results, consultant Nina Cvetanović identified several challenges hindering the implementation of environmental protection policies at the local level. The main issues include insufficient political and financial support for local self-governments, limited organizational and technical capacities, weak cooperation between institutions and civil society, and the need to improve communication with citizens and increase transparency.

Participants agreed on the necessity of strengthening cooperation between local and national institutions, as well as enhancing technical capacities and mechanisms for policy implementation. A particular emphasis was placed on the need for continuous environmental monitoring, which would enable data-driven decision-making and long-term sustainability of local policies.

The workshop was conducted as part of the “PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature” program, jointly implemented by the United Nations agencies in Serbia - UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP, in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Serbia and with financial support from the Swiss Government.