EUinfo

The Network for Rural Development of Serbia, in cooperation with 6 other networks for rural development in the Balkans, has started the implementation of the project "Academy from field to table for a green Western Balkans - our common European future" funded by the European Union.

The project has the following objectives:

•    Strengthen the capacities of CSOs in the sustainable food and livelihood system through the regional "From Field to Table Academy".

From June 12 to 15, 2023, the 3rd Balkan Rural Parliament was held in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Organized by the Balkan Network for Rural Development, with the support of GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation), the summit gathered around 90 representatives of civil society, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, local food producers, national government organizations and EU institutions.

The press conference of the project "WE CAN" in Pljevlja
A press conference of the project "Reducing the impact of local communities in the cross-border region of Serbia and Montenegro on climate challenges - WE CAN" was held in Pljevlja on June 7, 2021.

The project partners held a press conference, during which they presented the achievements of the project and their importance for reducing climate change and the use of renewable energy sources.

Within the project "Reducing the impact of local communities in the cross-border region of Serbia and Montenegro on climate challenges - WE CAN", a closing conference of the project was realized.

During the two-day closing conference held on June 3rd and 4th, 2021 in Kraljevo, the participants had the opportunity to get acquainted with the results of the project.

On that occasion, the representatives of the municipality of Pljevlja had the opportunity to meet with the representatives of the city of Kraljevo, led by the mayor.

On Monday, March 29, 2021, a public debate with stakeholders was held in Vrnjačka Banja on topic - opportunities and challenges related to stimulating the green economy in agriculture and rural development in Serbia.

Public debate was conducted within the Networking and Advocacy for Green Economy project (NAGE) funded by the EU, where the Rural Development Network of Serbia is one of the partners.
The gathering was attended by over 20 participants - mostly representatives of CSOs from Serbia.

Łukasz Czech provides lecture from the perspective of a farmer, entrepreneur and rural advisor, based on his personal, practical experience. Experts presents current main problems of farmers in Poland, including access to capital, contact with administration, problem with sales and prices, lack of water, unfair position of retailers; shattered structure of agriculture, as well as low bargain position, which is a crucial issue for farmers. 

Wojtek Szpociński, chairman of the Development Policy Foundation provides examples of two EU funded initiatives - cluster projects implemented in Poland, dealing with certain areas related to High Nature Value Farming: Conservation and recreation of wetland habitats in Biebrza Valley, being one of Natura 2000 Area in Poland and the project Carp Valley, regarding “Living Eco-Communities” implemented in Western Malopolska. 

Social Innovation in Marginalised Rural Areas (SIMRA) is a project funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.

SIMRA seeks to advance understanding of social innovation and innovative governance in agriculture, forestry and rural development, and how to boost them, particularly in marginalised rural areas across Europe, with a focus on the Mediterranean region (including non-EU) where there is limited evidence of outcomes and supporting conditions.

Two very important documents were prepared within the project:

Network for rural development of Serbia, in front of a partner consortium, announces a call for civil society organizations (CSOs) for launch and implement green entrepreneurship projects within the project „NAGE – Networking and Advocacy for Green Economy“ funded by the European Union, and implemented by 7 partner organizations from the Balkan (Rural Development Network of North Macedonia (lead partner), Croatian network for rural development, Network for Rural Development in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Network of Organizations for Rural Deve