The project "I Know How to Act - Civil Society as a Guarantee of Responsible and Effective Environmental Policy in Serbia" has focused on the involvement of civil society organizations in the decision-making process and implementation of legislative acts related to the improvement and protection of the environment in the Republic of Serbia.

Environmental policy is one of the most important multisectoral policies in the process of Serbia's accession to the European Union. Compliance with the EU acquis and the application of environmental standards sets new and serious tasks for the local administration, especially when it comes to the application of new legislation. Although this process is quite successful at the central level, the application of new regulations at the local level is slow, insufficiently public, and often without concrete results.

The involvement of civil society organizations in the decision-making process, implementation, and monitoring of environmental policies has been recognized as a prerequisite for the responsible and efficient public administration, but also a basis for quality participation of citizens in the practical and political life of the local community. Previous experience shows that participatory approaches are underdeveloped and that civil society organizations are not recognized as a relevant partner.

By raising the level of knowledge about EU environmental standards, advancing public advocacy skills and developing policy papers, the project "I Know How to Act" has aimed at establishing new standards for civic participation in the decision-making process and enabling civil society organizations to be the bearers of that process.

The functional networking of civil society organizations across the country enables an exchange of knowledge and experiences and contributes to a deeper integration of the non-governmental sector in the field of environmental protection.

Taking into account the comprehensiveness of environmental policy and its inter-sectoral character, project activities have been focused on:

• Promoting energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources at the local level;
• Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and dependence on fossil fuels through the promotion of public awareness and the development of concrete policy proposals;
• Improving the participation of civil society organizations in the creation of local budget funds for the environment and monitoring their distribution.

The project has been implemented by the European Movement in Serbia, the Belgrade Open School, the Protecta Civil Society Development Center and UNECOOP, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway.