The Ministry of Environmental Protection and UNDP organised the Fair of Climate-smart Ideas and awarded the best ideas submitted, as part of a joint project called Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge Project (CSUD).

Minister of Environmental Protection Goran Trivan and UNDP Serbian Deputy Resident Representative  Steliana Nedera awarded the most innovative project ideas for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Also present was the Deputy Head of Mission of the Kingdom of Sweden’s Embassy in Serbia Joachim Waern and Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Saša Lazović.

The search for sustainable solutions for climate-friendly communities received a tremendous response across Serbia. 111 applications were received, with the most significant number of proposed ideas submitted by individuals (43), civil society organisations (20), local self-government units (16), scientific and research institutions (14), business associations (12) and public utility companies (6). The 25 most innovative ideas and teams have been selected to receive financial and professional support, and nine more will be able to use the support of the “Climate Incubator”. In the Climate Incubator project teams will have mentor support and assistance in finding sources of co-financing, promotion and linking with other climate innovators.

“The response received, and the quality of the ideas once again proved that Serbia is a country of smart and creative people and that it is possible, with the right incentive, to change Serbia for better in the field of environmental protection”, said Minister Goran Trivan. “Serbia is committed to achieving global goals for mitigating the consequences and adapting to climate change, reaching modern standards and strategic European goals,” he stressed.

“One of the main criteria in evaluating the ideas received was that the innovation is in line with the needs of the local community in which it is implemented. At the same time it needs to offer an opportunity to engage and involve women, youth and marginalized social groups,” said the UNDP Serbia Deputy Resident Representative Steliana Nedera adding “UNDP remains a reliable partner to the Government of the Republic of Serbia in fulfilling the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the achievement of the global goals of sustainable development, including those related to the fight against climate change”.

Innovative technical solutions and business models will find their application in 16 municipalities and cities, Belgrade, Stara Pazova, Inđija, Pećinci, Ruma, Pančevo, Kikinda, Rumenka, Smederevo, Šabac, Veternik, Kraljevo, Kruševac, Vrnjačka Banja, Niša, Čačak, but also throughout Serbia because of the excellent potential for furthering comprehensive application in the field of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, waste management, transport improvement, agriculture, forestry.

“Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge” is a five-year project aimed at supporting, through a partnership between the public, private and civil sectors, the development of projects aimed at reducing GHG emissions and ensuring that local communities in Serbia are more resilient to climate change. The Ministry of Environmental Protection implements the project with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the financial support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project partners are the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, the Government of Switzerland, Innovation Fund and the Standing Conference of Cities and Municipalities.