National Forum "Roadmap to a Green Economy in the Western Balkans"

On Monday, October 4, 2021, the National Forum "Roadmap to a Green Economy in the Western Balkans" was held in Kraljevo.

The National Forum was organized within the project "Networking and Advocacy for Green Economy" (NAGE), which is financed by the EU, and in which the Network for Rural Development of Serbia is one of the partners.

The forum was attended by about 40 participants (most were physically present and a number of participants attended via the zoom platform).

Dr. Natalija Bogdanov presented the document Roadmap to a Green Economy in Serbia to the participants via the zoom platform. The participants were presented with the goal of making a Roadmap, approach and methodology, analysis of the situation, problems and obstacles, as well as recommendations for improving the situation with defined solutions. Dr. Natalija Bogdanov pointed out that in addition to improving legislation, the LEADER approach can be a very effective mechanism for introducing the concept of green economy in agricultural production, but that it is necessary to raise the capacity of all key actors within the Local Action Groups.

After that, Dr. Darko Znaor from Croatia presented a comparative presentation of similarities and differences in the Roadmap for a green economy in all Western Balkan countries through a zoom platform, with reference to specific proposals for the introduction of innovations in agricultural production.

After the presentations, a discussion was opened on the presented findings and the identification of opportunities and challenges in the implementation of the Roadmap to a Green Economy in the Western Balkans. The role of the "academic community" and the "non-governmental sector" in more efficient introduction of the concept of green economy in agricultural production was especially discussed.