Cooperation between NGOs and institutions as a basis for establishment of Natura 2000 in Montenegro

After two years of the project "Partnership Action for Biodiversity Protection in Western Balkans” and three years of the project "Strengthening the Capacity of Governments and Civil Sector in Serbia and in Montenegro to adapt to EU Nature Protection Acquis” we are happy to see that things related to nature conservation in Montenegro are moving in a positive direction (although very slowly). Given the changes that were happening in the relevant Ministry through this period (3 Ministers in 2 years) and small number of employees in nature conservation sectors, the research on species and habitats in Montenegro has been successfully completed. Additionally, the reference list of species and habitats for Natura 2000 (in line with the Habitats Directive) and the draft catalogue of habitats in Montenegro have been prepared. A young team of experts was employed by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism to fulfil the database with field results and to help mapping data needed for Natura 2000.

Members of Natura 2000 Info Center network were very active

On the other hand, we had active environmental NGOs. During the implementation of both projects, they were interested and committed to strengthening their capacities to participate and take an active role in preparation for Natura 2000 in Montenegro. Today we have a network of NGOs - Natura 2000 Info Centre. It includes 35 organizations that are trained to communicate, lobby, make campaigns and promote the topic. The network communicates with relevant authorities for biodiversity protection in the European Commission in Brussels or professional international NGOs in the region. They help organize thematic activities for capacity building or meetings for networking and cooperation of different sectors (environment, forests, water management, agriculture, transport, tourism), especially for high conservation value areas, in which there is potential ''conflict” with different development approaches.
Although it’s still too early to talk about Natura 2000 areas, there is an overview of what we currently have in Montenegro. However, the quality and detail of data processing depends on Montenegrin experts. Montenegro recognizes the necessity to begin with preparations for the establishment of an ecological network, but state institutions are still not ready to deal with that task. To succeed in this, significantly greater understanding of the EU process is needed, as well as the preparation of technical grounds and motivation of the academic and general community to participate in these very important activities.

Natasa Kovacevic, Green Home

Power of the network

“Ask not what your network can do for you—ask what you can do for your network J”

Small boat represents NGO network trying to save nature (c) drawing Bjanka Prakljačić

2008 brought new energy to my organisation (Young Researchers of Serbia), and many other, organizations in Serbia. It was a key year for the establishment of collaboration with WWF and a very important year for stronger cooperation with other NGOs in Serbia. At that time we, Serbian NGOs, knew each other; we also knew organizations from Montenegro but we were missing “something” to be more organized. The “something” came with a project supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and we created a network for working on EU nature related acquis. Then, in 2009 we were supported by the EC – DG Environment for capacity building and it was perfectly matched.

We all had a positive experience on national, regional and international levels and naturally and spontaneously the project “Partnership actions for biodiversity protection in Western Balkans” was the next step. 

Partnership is a strong word! During the implementation of the project we made it stronger. What partnership on the project brought to me and my organization was positive spirit and stress; good ideas and actions; a lot of question marks and then sudden happiness when we understood what our partners meant; new knowledge, tips and tricks; a new understanding of our partners’ work and plans; some clear ideas about “what and with whom I wouldn’t like to work in the future” and many, many other things!

Another strong word and more important, frequently pronounced and written during the project period, is “networking”. Our network of NGOs has 56 member organizations, 4 working groups and Young Researchers of Serbia is the network secretariat. It is not easy at all! So many things to be considered. Sometimes too demanding but.....it is great! What is the value of the network? Well, after almost 4 years working within the network I can say that I can answer all questions regarding nature, nature protection, EU acquis, Natura 2000 in Serbia etc. 

No, no, no....I am not so advanced J  I have colleagues in the network, many of them, with the different professional background, with different knowledge, experience....and thanks to the reliable information exchange methods I can get  answers. We can all ask each other any question and rely on each other. Of course, we have a number of sleeping members and sometimes we face a lot of difficulties to involve them in activities....but slowly, slowly we will motivate them to be more active.

To conclude, NETWORK is the most significant change that happened to me in the last 730 days (during this project)! Working with others on different project activities made me understand the importance of being networked and has motivated me to do what is necessary to make the network function. 

Milka Gvozdenovic, Young Researchers of Serbia

Protected Areas and Natura 2000 workshops in Serbia and in Montenegro

Natura 2000 workshop in Serbia

80 representatives from the nature conservation sector in Serbia and in Montenegro took part in workshops on the NATURA 2000 concept for protected areas as well as explaining stakeholder involvement in the process of designation of NATURA 2000 sites. Among the participants were protected area managers, representatives of nature protection authorities and civil society organizations from the two countries.

During the two-day workshops, participants improved their knowledge of how to go about establishing the NATURA 2000 network in their respective countries. Speakers from Romania and Bulgaria presented examples of good practice from the region and how the NATURA 2000 network took shape in the newest EU member states.

Participants in the workshop in Serbia were greeted by Biljana Panjković, Director of the Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province. She highlighted the importance of the NATURA 2000 network as a good opportunity to conserve nature and natural resources. She also emphasised the role of civil society organizations as important partners in nature conservation.

Natura 2000 workshop in Montenegro

Experts from the WWF, IUCN, the Institute for Nature Conservation of Serbia, the Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province and Young Researchers of Serbia also shared their expertise. Representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning and the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management introduced the latest legislation on nature conservation and water protection.

At the workshop in Montenegro, Vasilije Bušković from Institute for Nature Conservation of Montenegro talked about the previous steps made in establishing the ecological network in the country. Experts from WWF and Wildlife Society Balkani from Bulgaria shared their experience and stressed the challenges they faced. Experts from Daphne Institute for Applied Ecology from Slovakia, together with the NATURA 2000 team of the Ministry for Sustainable Development and Tourism, presented the methodology and highlighted the challenges of field work.  Natura 2000 team presented achievements in development of Natura 2000 database and Catalogue of biotopes (habitats), etc.
The workshops are part of the project “Strengthening the Capacity of Governments and Civil Sector in Serbia and in Montenegro to adapt to EU Nature Protection Acquis”. The project lasts for three and a half years (2009 – 2012) and is implemented by WWF in cooperation with the NGO Young Researches of Serbia and the NGO Green Home from Montenegro. The project is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Sonja Bađura, WWF

The study tour to Croatia

20 NGO representatives from Serbia and Montenegro gathered in Zadar, Croatia in May 2011 for a study tour planned within the project “Partnership Actions for Biodiversity Protection in Western Balkan”. After study tour to Brussels in September 2010, it was second study tour within this IPA project, and it lasted for three days.

The main purpose of the study trip was for the participants to gain as much as possible knowledge and insights into various aspects of the process of establishment of Natura 2000 in Croatia. Representatives from two key state institutions, Ministry of Culture and State Institute for Nature Protection, responsible for overall legislative harmonization and necessary technical preparations for establishing Natura 2000 network in Croatia explained roles of their institutions, work done so far, on-going efforts and the challenges that lie ahead. Concrete suggestions were also provided to the participants.

Equally important was participation of representatives of two local state institutions, Public Institution for the Management of Protected Nature Areas of Zadar County and Nature Park “Vransko Lake”. Their presentations further elaborated challenges in managing future Natura 2000 sites from a local perspective and thus emphasized important issues such as raising awareness of local stakeholders and their inclusion in decision making processes.

In addition to presentations from state institutions, Association Sunce and Association “Lake” made presentations of their involvement in the efforts of establishing Natura 2000 network in Croatia, explaining this process from an NGO standpoint. Among other topics covered were: Public participation in development of legal framework for nature conservation in Croatia as well as in inter-sectoral cooperation in development of management of protected areas. Similarly, on the second day NGOs from Serbia and Montenegro introduced their ongoing efforts regarding Natura 2000 and presented challenges that lie ahead.

Afternoon session consisted of three working groups in which all the participants brainstormed on several topics, mainly related to upcoming challenges in both countries and potential activities for the recently established Natura 2000 NGO networks in Serbia (Natura 2000 Resource Center) and Montenegro (Natura 2000 Info Center).

The lectures took place in the Impact center in Zadar. But, for the final day of the tour, all the attendees left that beautiful coastal city for an excursion to National park Krka, part of the future Natura 2000 network. There they visited Burnum roman military camp and the beautiful and unique Krka waterfalls. A day in the nature was the most beautiful conclusion of a fruitful stay in Croatia.

Srdjan Uljevic, Sunce

NGOs are working on small actions

11 NGOs in Serbia and 6 NGOs in Montenegro are developing projects on biodiversity and Natura 2000

In the framework of the IPA project „Partnership Actions for Biodiversity Protection in Western Balkans“, which is carried out by Young Researchers of Serbia, WWF Mediterranean Programme, Green Home and Sunce, there are actions in the form of small projects for other non-governmental organizations, members of the network "Natura 2000 resource center Serbia” and "Natura2000 infocenter" from Montenegro.

The project team received 29 project proposals in Serbia, and 8 in Montenegro. In Serbia 11 projects were chosen while in Montenegro six. The results of all projects will be presented at the final workshop of the project "Partnership Actions", scheduled for November this year. The project team intends to present them through a small exhibition. We will also display the first documentary on Natura 2000 in Serbia, which will be prepared within the small grant given to NGO “Centar za inovativne aktivnosti (CINA)”.

The advantage of using resources of other NGOs were recognized by NGOs from Vojvodina: : “Akademsko drustvo za proucavanje i zastitu prirode”, “Drustvо zа zаstitu i prоucаvаnjе ptica Vojvodine“, “Drustvо zа zаstitu i prоucаvаnjе ribа“ and “Protego“. They have created a joint project "Natura 2000 in Serbia: Challenges and Opportunities ". As a result, members of the network will be richer for two very valuable publications: "Steps towards Natura 2000 in Serbia", which will describe the natural resources of Serbia as well as everything about Natura 2000, and "Ideas for the NGO's for specific actions to improve biodiversity " written by Dr. Gabor Mesaros. They will present their publications, as well as a poster "Natura 2000 in Serbia", at several workshops. They will present Natura 2000 to decision makers - from the city authorities to land owners on potential Natura 2000 sites.

Two valuable publications will be prepared by NGO “Eko-Centar”. These are CEEweb publications "Why Does Biodiversity Loss Matter? Answers for Ministers and Children" and "Services of nature - How Natura 2000 contributes to the provision of ecosystem services for human wellbeing. "

The project of NGO “Avalon” is focused on IBA areas. It will try to actualize the importance of IBA and Natura 2000 sites, as well as energy efficiency in public and among professionals. The project team will organize the eco-team that will carry out preparatory activities for the initiation of NATURA 2000 in South-eastern Banat, on the basis of visits to habitats twice a month. They will make a video that will be included in the already mentioned film about Natura 2000. Within this project there will be a central event "Natura 2000 ", scheduled for 5th June in Vrsac.

NGO “Stara Planina” devoted its project to environmental education for children. Under the name "Stara Planina - biodiversity or tourism, that is the question" the project aims to broaden awareness on the need for environmental protection and the introduction of sustainable development program in accordance with the provisions of the Natura 2000 network and the EU directives. The main goal is that young people from the Municipality of Pirot get acquainted with the value ​​of protected natural areas. NGO “UNECO” is preparing a project "Sustainable management of private forests" with the aim of reducing the devastation of forest ecosystems and to increase energy efficiency in rural areas. With a variety of studies, workshops and round tables, they will also prepare and set the "Energy calculator”. NGO “Mladen Karaman” from Kragujevac is preparing a project on the promotion of ex situ protection as a method in the process of preserving and improving biodiversity.

The only project that has already been done in Serbia was prepared by the NGO “Prostor”, with activities related to Earth Hour. Earth Hour was held on 26 March, and they have already completed their project. Other NGOs are just beginning with activities and will develop them in the next five months.

As far as Montenegro is concerned consultation was completed 7 weeks ago, so some NGOs have already finished a good part of the job. NGO “Priroda”, while intending to make a project related to Earth Hour, has decided to concentrate on related activities, as the motto of this year's Earth Hour was to go "Beyond the Hour." The main goal is that energy efficiency, climate change and negative impacts on nature are always considered, not just for that one hour of the year.

“Ekolosko drustvo Breznica” from Pljevlje is preparing a project "Initiative for protection of biodiversity of forest park Savina in Herceg Novi”. As Savina Forest Park is currently devastated, but due to being exceptionally rich in biodiversity, it deserves to become a Natura2000 area. The NGO Breznica will try to make a case for a Natura site at future round tables. “Centar za zastitu i proucavanje ptica Crne Gore” is working on the project "Wings over Montenegro - birds as indicators of the quality of nature protection", which includes various activities such as making and placing hummingbird feeders, organized bird watching, various lectures, all with the aim of acquainting the public with the EU Bird Directive and its main provisions - the need to protect birds in all places and at all times, and the popularization of Montenegro as a bird watching destination.

NGO “Green.Me” is preparing a project "SOS-Save Our Sea" whose main goal is to educate the public along the whole Montenegrin coast on the importance of biodiversity and negative impacts of its imbalance (using the example of the spread of algae Caulerpa racemosa). They will produce a brochure involving different associations and institutions dealing with the sea and its protection, which would also strengthen cooperation between associations and institutions. NGO “OZON” from Niksic is preparing a project that would highlight the importance of Golija as the important area that should be nominated for Natura 2000, while the “Drustvo mladih ekologa Niksic” is working on the project “Promotion of protected areas and NATURA 2000 network in Montenegro", mostly through photos of inaccessible areas, which could one day be the Natura 2000 sites.

All the NGOs in both countries will complete their projects by the end of October 2011 in order to present them at the exhibition in Belgrade in November.

Petra Boic Petrac, WWF