Within the "PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature" Program, the Belgrade Open School (BOS), as an implementing partner of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), aims to strengthen the capacities of local self-governments in the area of environmental governance. The Joint UN Programme "PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature" contributes to improving the quality of life of citizens through the improvement of local governance, social inclusion, and environmental protection governance in 110 cities and municipalities throughout Serbia, which are eligible for the Programme support. The Joint UN Programme is implemented by the United Nations Serbia agencies - UNOPS, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNEP, in cooperation with the Government of Serbia and with the financial support of the Government of Switzerland.

The activities that BOS is implementing in the frame of the Environmental Governance component are focused on strengthening the capacities of local self-governments related to environmental protection, primarily regarding the implementation of the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, as well as other relevant international, regional, and national documents related to environmental protection and climate change.

One of the expected results of the Program is improved capacities of local self-government units in the area of environmental governance through the implementation of good governance practices which are designed to enhance the environmental protection system at the local level directly.

The activities to be carried out in the upcoming period are as follows:

1.    Enhancing the capacities of local self-government units for implementing good environmental governance practices

BOS will support local self-government units in developing new or updating existing local public policies, improving the legislative and regulatory framework in the field of environmental protection with a special focus on integrating the goals and measures defined in the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans.

2.    Enhancing the capacities of local self-government units for transparent development and adoption of public policies with broader public involvement

The main goal of this activity is to contribute to a deeper understanding of local self-government units and other stakeholders of various issues in the field of environmental protection and climate change, to better incorporate the environmental policies into local development plans, and to enhance a transparency framework of the processes of developing and adopting local public policies.

For more information about the "PRO - Local Governance for People and Nature" Program, visit the Program's website.

For more information about the Government of Switzerland support to Serbia, visit the embassy’s website.

The above-mentioned project activities will be implemented by BOS in the period from June 20, 2024, to June 15, 2025.