Switzerland Supports Local Communities in Nature Protection

Certificates were formally awarded to representatives of 18 local self-governments in Serbia for the implementation of projects aimed at environmental protection at the local level, as part of the “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature” Programme.

At an event held on 27 May in Belgrade, certificates were ceremonially awarded to representatives of 18 local self-governments from Serbia for the implementation of projects aimed at environmental protection at the local level, as part of the United Nations programme “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature,” implemented with the support of the Government of Switzerland. The event was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), as well as numerous representatives of local self-governments.

Over the next year, the programme will support the implementation of 18 partnership projects aimed at addressing environmental protection challenges at the local level. With financial support from the Government of Switzerland amounting to over EUR 225,000 and contributions from local self-governments exceeding EUR 31,000, the projects will cover areas such as waste management, water resource protection, reforestation, air quality improvement, nature conservation, development of eco-tourism, and the use of renewable energy sources.

“What is particularly valuable within this programme is the fact that local self-governments, in partnership with civil society organisations, were at the centre of the process – from identifying needs to creating solutions. That is the right approach, because sustainable environmental protection is not possible without citizen engagement and capacity-building on the ground,” emphasised Mirjana Todorović, Head of the Department for Waste Management System Development and Cooperation with Local Self-Governments at the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

Dragan Mladenović, Senior Good Governance Officer for the programme, also addressed the audience and reflected on the importance of engaging local actors in improving quality of life:

“Our goal was to respond to the needs identified by the local self-governments themselves. For us, this represents a strategically significant intervention, as the idea was to empower local governments to adopt procedures and respond proactively when it comes to environmental protection.”

“Environmental protection is no longer a topic for the future – it is a challenge of the present and our shared responsibility. These local initiatives will demonstrate how partnership can contribute to sustainable change at the local level. On that path, the programme team will remain by your side – as a partner, as support, and as an ally in building healthier and more sustainable local communities,” concluded Ana Nedeljković Belja, Programme Manager.

At the event, the supported projects were presented and certificates awarded to representatives of local self-governments. The following municipalities and cities received support: Babušnica, Bela Palanka, Bojnik, Bosilegrad, Ćuprija, Knjaževac, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Medveđa, Niš, Osečina, Prijepolje, Ražanj, Sjenica, Svilajnac, Tutin, Valjevo, and Vrnjačka Banja. More information on the supported projects is available in the public call results overview.

The “PRO – Local Governance for People and Nature” Programme is implemented by UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Serbia, with financial support from the Government of Switzerland in the amount of 9 million euros. The programme covers 110 cities and municipalities across Serbia and contributes to improving good governance, social inclusion, and environmental protection at the local level.