Oliver Dulic: The Ministry has a good cooperation with NGOs

Oliver Dulic, Minister of Environment in Serbia

The Minister of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Serbia, Mr Oliver Dulic, is pleased with the first steps that Serbia has made ​​regarding the implementation of EU legislation on nature protection. He is aware of the necessity for the NGO sector to work with governing institutions. This cooperation already exists, as he says, through common workshops and conferences.

Is there political will in Serbia for the implementation of EU legislation for nature protection? Above all, I think of Natura 2000? How is that political will reflected in practice?

- We have shown a clear political will to implement EU legislation. In addition to transposing EU directives into the legal framework of Serbia, in January 2010 the Twinning project "Strengthening of administrative capacities in Serbia Natura 2000" was initiated. This is how the establishment and development of the European Natura 2000 network in Serbia began. The first results of that project are visible, we have created the necessary working groups and included national professional and scientific community in the whole process.

The state working group for Natura 2000 implementation has been established. There is also a Council for Natura 2000. Would you involve NGOs in these bodies?

- The Ministry of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning includes different stakeholders in the process of preparing the Natura 2000 network in Serbia through various activities. Civil society organizations were present at workshops and conferences regarding Natura 2000. Representatives of the Ministry were present at meetings organized by NGOs. Bearing in mind that the process of establishing a Natura 2000 network has started, non-governmental organizations were involved from the very beginning and I believe they will actively participate.

Protected Areas

Are you satisfied with the cooperation with other sectors (agriculture, water management, forestry sector) on nature conservation and  preparations for the EU integration process?

- Without other sectors we wouldn’t be able to start such a great effort as establishment of the ecological network Natura 2000 is. There is intense and immediate cooperation of all of us. Without adjustment of all sectors it wouldn’t be possible to adopt a number of acts that are essential in preparation for EU accession.

In Serbia there are 43.3% of the species that inhabit Europe while only 5.86% of the area of ​​Serbia is protected. Will this percentage increase during your mandate?

- At the moment about 6 percent of the territory of Serbia is protected. As we announced, we are working actively to increase that percentage that is protected by the state. The adoption of several regulations – out of which some are in the final stage – is on-going. This will contribute to the declaration of new protected areas.

Message

Are you familiar with activities of the project “Partnership Actions for Biodiversity Protection in Western Balkans”? If so, what is your opinion on that project?

- It is extremely important to strengthen the capacity of NGOs in the field of environmental protection, and this is what the mentioned project is about.

What is your message to NGOs dealing with nature?

The Ministry has a very good cooperation with NGOs. We invite them to continue with useful projects in the field of nature protection.

 Petra Boic Petrac, WWF

Biljana Panjkovic: We expect one third of Serbia to become part of Natura 2000

Serbia is just starting to work on Natura 2000. There is a hard work ahead of us, above all finding finances

The director of Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province, Ph.D. Biljana Panjkovic will take care of the process of implementation of Natura 2000 in Serbia. We have talked in a relaxed atmosphere of National park Krka in Croatia, where Biljana came with Serbian and Montenegrin colleagues for a study tour of “Partnership Actions for Biodiversity Protection in Western Balkans” project.

As I hear, you’re the top expert for Natura 2000 in Serbia!

Well, maybe I’m not that much a top expert… But as we are in the process of pre-accession to the European Union, we have condition to implement Natura 2000 to become a member state. Since we’re already late in comparison with the other countries from the region, Ministry of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning formed the working group to make an action plan and to coordinate all activities to implement Natura 2000 in Serbia. I am the head of that working group that consists of experts who are considered to be relevant to Natura 2000: experts in the field of ornithology, habitats, species... They will form their own teams with the experts and scientists they find most relevant, and the persons who will map their results. We think that there should be involved all academic institutions, professional institutions, NGOs, various individuals… all the people that have data on species and habitats. This project starts this year, which includes preparatory phase, but most of the work refers to the period of 2012-2015, when the mapping of habitats and species is planned, as well as the checking of existing data. After that preliminary list will be prepared and send to the European Commission for negotiations.

Have you already started to work?

We have started! The working group was formed, as well as the Council. We are developing the action plan that has to be adopted, and then we need to go full speed ahead if we want to have a result – and we want that! We also have a great support of our Ministry and the Government of the Republic of Serbia. There have been several projects related to the mapping of habitats and species, and those related to certain protected areas such as Special Nature Reserve Zasavica. Currently, there is a Twinning project in collaboration with the Austrian Agency for Environmental Protection. It is a consulting service; they estimate the state of nature and raise the capacity of administrations and NGOs that are recognized for their performance in the field of nature protection. First results have already been achieved on the basis of current knowledge; we have identified potential areas of special protection for birds and migratory species (SPA). The transfer of experience is helpful, but it is still related to a small number of people. We have used the recommendations from the Twinning project as a basis for drafting an action plan on establishing Natura 2000 in Serbia. We have planned about ten years to work on Natura 2000. In the fifth, sixth year we might have a preliminary list of areas. At that time we should start working on a variety of manuals for monitoring and management. Actually, we don’t have any manuals for species and habitats, this is the first thing we need to do.

There would be some manuals still this year thanks to the project “Partnership Actions for Biodiversity Protection in Western Balkan”!

That’s great! We will use them, as well as we use brochures prepared by the State Institute for Nature Protection in Croatia and their book on habitats. Of course, we have our own specific habitats and species and we need to take care which of them shall be included in the list…

Do you have any idea how much of Serbia would be protected through the Natura 2000 network?

Well, since the Institute for Nature Conservation is responsible for nature protection of Vojvodina province, I can tell you only the data for Vojvodina. 5.98% of the area is under protection in Vojvodina. What is foreseen for protection, including those areas that are in the audit assessment of natural values for which protection has been established, there won’t be more than 11% protected. If we add to this figure habitats that were identified - some 520 habitats - we get another 6.5%. Therefore, in Vojvodina there can’t be more than 17,5% of ecological network. In the whole Serbia that percentage should be higher. 5,96% of Serbia is protected, and that is little. Some studies are completed and they say it will be 8.3% by 2012. Therefore, for the whole of Serbia, it could be over 30%. There are many mountainous areas that are abandoned, people have gone to the cities, there are no many villages, and they have small population so it should all fit ... But all this requires a lot of field work, and not just a question of how much per cent will be protected, but what kind of protection it would be. We will have to establish a monitoring to keep track of whether it's good and what needs to be changed.

Do you expect any difficulties in this process?

Of course, first of all I expect difficulties with finances. We have some modest funds that the state has set aside for this year, but we should try to apply for various funds. The state would have to provide a part of necessary funds as well as the minimum 15% participation, in funds. Natura is the national interest and I expect help from all. All those who have information are welcome. In Serbia, Emerald network is established and the establishment of a national ecological network is also in progress. To make the proper proposal of some site and to implement Natura 2000, we need to include all state areas and consider it as a whole. The obtained data have multiple purposes, not only for Natura, but also to establish a monitoring. In my knowledge, last detailed surveys of vegetation in Serbia, which are crucial for habitats mapping, were done in 1980's and weren't completely finished. Realistic assessment of the situation brings us tangible savings in future years.

What shall be the role of NGOs in the process of designation of Natura 2000 sites?

Many non-governmental organizations are engaged in scientific research, especially ornithological organizations. More or less all the data related to birds can be found with them. So without their participation we can’t do anything. There are NGOs that work with habitat mapping and data. We also have a student society that, with very little training, can do mapping. I count on all of them! Many scientific professionals work on another projects that must be completed first, but there are many biologists who have no work at the time. I believe they would gladly join us with just a little training.

Are you in touch with colleagues from Slovenia and Croatia?

Institute for Nature Conservation of Vojvodina Province is in contact with the State Institute for Nature Protection in Croatia. Their team was in visit at the Institute for Nature Protection of Serbia in Belgrade where we met. I hope to develop close cooperation with them. They can’t disclose details, but we can sure use their methodology. We are also familiar with the experiences of our colleagues from Hungary. We can certainly use examples of good practice from our neighbour countries.

As far as I know, you don’t even have directives translated into Serbian...

I don’t know that, but certainly, if we don’t have that, directives need to be translated. We have formed a group that is engaged in writing projects. Some people from the ministry shall become part of that group. In the group there would be project managers who will know when some project occurs and when the applications should be sent. I hope that this team of people will apply on time for these funds.

Do you have an idea what shall be added to the annexes of directives of Serbian endemic species?

At this point I couldn't say something like that. In any case, it will be something that is characteristic only for us.

Petra Boic Petrac, WWF

Regional meeting “Natura 2000 & Water Framework Directive ”

Regional meeting about links between ecological network Natura 2000 and Water Framework Directive was held at the beginning of July in Podgorica. The meeting was organised within the project “Strengthening the capacity of governments and civil sector in Serbia and in Montengro to adapt to EU nature protection aquis“ funded by Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Participants from governmental and public authorities responsible for water sector and nature conservation in Montenegro, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Croatia were present at the meeting, including the most active members from NGOs alliances that are supporting Natura 2000 – Natura 2000 Info Centre form Montenegro and Natura 2000 Resource Centre form Serbia. NGO members have shown respectful understanding and knowledge about recent situation in the region; they were informed about transposition progress of EU directives and challenges in the implementation.

It was a good opportunity for participants to find out more about objectives of Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Birds and Habitat Directive (BHD), while Mr Sergiy Moroz, from WWF European Policy Office was introducing existing synergy and links between WFD and Natura 2000, as well as deadlines when objectives under the three directives should be reached for all water depending Natura 2000 sites. Together with differences and similarities of directives, some concrete examples were presented – conservation measures and common monitoring system.

Mr Fernando Magdaleno from the Spanish Ministry of Environment, Rural and Marine Affairs introduced examples about management and environmental flows in protected areas & Natura 2000 sites in Spain, as one of obligation that comes with EU Membership.How to reconcile environmental protection and socio-economic development is always an issue, and Ms Angela Klauschen, from WWF Mediterranean Programme office, had explained potential use of exemptions under both, WFD and Natura 2000 sites. It was also shown that EU legislation does not prevent new developments if applied correctly (relationship between HD Art. 6.3 & 6.4 and WFD Art. 4.7).

Example of the Schelde Estuary, at the border of Belgium and the Netherlands, demonstrate that the integrated planning and management at the level of ecosystems allows achieving objectives of the three directives. The participants had opportunity for group work and to exchange information on transposition of EU legislation, and (non)existence of implementation mechanisms at national level, also to identify common constrains.

Countries of the WB region have unique opportunity to use EU experience and to avoid mistakes of other EU countries in order to implement directives faster, more effective, and with less related costs.Working groups had difficult task to identify common priorities and to recommend next steps. This task was successful with a little support from Duška Dimović and Andrea Štefan, both from WWF.
Presentations from the meeting could be downloaded here:http://croatia.panda.org/dinarski_luk/natura_2000_u_srbiji_i_u_crnoj_gori/
Andrea Stefan, WWF

Twinning field visit in Serbia

A five-day field trip to three regions in Serbia, with representatives of different institutions form the sector of nature conservation, as well as from other sectors that are relevant for nature conservation and preparation of Natura 2000 network, was organized within Twinning project in Serbia

Within the Twinning project “Strengthening Administrative Capacities for Protected Areas in Serbia (NATURA 2000)”, that is happening in Serbia at the same time as IPA project “Partnership Actions for biodiversity Protection in Western Balkan”, the filed trip through Serbia was organized in May 2011. The trip included visits to three protected areas – Nature park Stara Planina, Special nature reserve Uvac and Special nature reserve Gornje Podunavlje. Its objective was that attendees learn together about the current situation in protected areas in Serbia, about specific challenges and opportunities, conflicts and ways of cooperation, from protected area managers, local stakeholders and different interest groups.

The participants of the field trip visited various types of protected areas and met on the field people who live and work in these regions to get an impression about current open questions, experiences and challenges regarding each protected area. General impression was that people are starting to realize that they can live in and beside protected areas, and not to be against it. That was clearly shown in the rural areas where several farmers started interesting local initiatives in production, education or direct cooperation with the managers of the protected area by supporting the feeding places for birds. Experts from all sectors stressed out that the value of many habitats directly depends on activities of people which should be directly supported by projects in future.

Clear visions and objectives are a precondition for all management activities regarding Natura 2000. They should be prepared as soon as possible. It was also clearly shown that opinion leaders and other very active people of the region, which introduced and guided the participants, have a key role for the success of regional development. Programs, projects and strategies should take that into account - by establishing network of these people and directly supporting them.

Christoph Stein: Capacity building is about transforming your society, starting with you and your organization

In many countries NGOs are competitive. I can’t say NGOs in Serbia and in Montenegro are not competitive, but I see many of them caring about each other which makes me proud of our two partners, Young Researchers of Serbia and Green Home

Christoph Stein lives in Barcelona, but being WWF capacity building officer, his working area, apart from Spain, includes Northern Africa, Middle East and Western Balkans countries. Through the IPA project “Partnership actions for biodiversity protection in Western Balkans”, Stein has trained several NGO representatives from Montenegro and Serbia for lobbying and advocacy.

The Project ”Partnership actions for biodiversity protection in Western Balkans” is in its final phase. Being capacity building officer, what is your opinion on this project?

Capacity building is one of the main line of the project. If you start a new policy process, such as Natura 2000, you have to find a way to connect it to civil society for many reasons. Civil society has to push the government to be active on Natura 2000 and later on to monitor the process. This is something that needs to be built up, and you can’t do it in few weeks. We are very lucky with this project that we have two years to work with the group that slowly grows within the project.

This is your second project in the region, after the one you’ve already worked on with Young Researchers of Serbia and Green Home. Are you satisfied with these collaborations?

We had another capacity building project that was a small project. It is really good to see those NGOs are both champions in their countries with an interest in other NGOs. In many countries NGOs are competitive. I can’t say NGOs in Serbia and in Montenegro are not

competitive, but I see many of them caring about each other which makes me proud of our two partners.

Photo: Christoph with the IPA project team in Zagreb

How long have you been interested in capacity building?

Capacity building is about how to use educational processes in the best way to achieve previously established learning objectives. In this, I started in early 1990s, first as a teacher in different schools, then I worked for other NGOs on educational projects. In 2000 I came to WWF and this is when we started talking about capacity building and education. I have worked in the region for 10 years with capacity building. But, my job is divided – I work in the Western Balkans and in Northern Africa and Middle East.

Is there any fundamental rule of capacity building?

No main rules. Capacity building is about pushing for transformational changes. We all want to change something in a positive way. First you want to change yourself. You need to learn how to do it and how to apply it to other people. So, capacity building is about transforming your society, starting with you and your organization. It’s about listening and asking the right questions, it’s about being open to learning and changing and for an organisation it means a permanent process.

Lobbying is a part of your training. Do you have good experience with NGOs learning about lobbying?

Lobbying is part of most NGO work – there are few NGOs who are not dealing with advocacy or lobbying in a different context. If you work for an environmental or social NGO, you need to know how to lobby. You need to lobby people and advocate institutions. There is a lot to learn and a lot to improve. When you start to plan that process, you see how difficult it might be. Many NGOs say: “We have no power, we are too small...” That is not true! NGOs need to understand that their power starts at the community level where they work. From there it goes up… But, yes, they have power – not to change alone, but to push that change with their partners.

And what about lobbying and advocacy, is there a golden rule?

You have to be very clear what exactly you want a person or an institution to do. You have to ask yourself the question: what exactly do I want and what can this person or organisation really do to help me to achieve my goals. A golden rule in most advocacy processes is that you have to evaluate your progress and to be flexible enough to adapt to changes on the policy level.

Do you get feedback from stakeholders you have trained?

We have different feedback – from evaluations that people write after training, in personal contact… As I see it, people are positive. Organizations come back to our training courses. This means they were satisfied with the previous training, and we have a relationship of trust, we are on a good track. What they learn, they try to apply. We can see this from small grants that we gave to 17 NGOs within the project “Partnership actions for biodiversity protection in Western Balkans”. It’s a pity this project is ending this year, there is so much more we could do. Hopefully there will be funds to continue this project…

What would be the next steps of the follow up?

We could keep this group together to work on the implementation of Natura 2000. This is not a process of one of two years, but of 10 years! We should motivate this group to keep on this process, to work with public institutions, for which they need a lot of energy. This follow up could be on socio-economic assessment, on communications… There are so many possibilities and if we want to work on it for the next 10 years, we could. The group of NGOs is very motivated and all we need now is to find funds to continue the process….

Petra Boic Petrac, WWF

Wolfgang Suske: NGOs are Watchdogs for the Correct Implementation of Natura 2000

One of the best Natura 2000 experts, Viennese Wolfgang Suske, is currently working on several projects in Serbia, Romania, Croatia and Austria, through his firm Suske Consulting. He works on the rural development and social aspects of Natura 2000 projects as well as financing tools of Natura 2000 and the process of appropriate assessment of the most important articles of Birds and Habitats Directives. As a communication expert Suske has worked on projects in Romania and Malta, he was a team leader of the project “Implementation of Natura 2000 in Croatia”, and today he is an expert of a Twinning project in Serbia. Suske also lectures at the University of Natural Resources in Vienna, and the Klagenfurt University.

How many countries have you worked in as an expert for Natura 2000?
In the last 5 years I have worked in 15 countries, mostly in training courses and seminars for authorities or NGOs, but also for freelance offices and experts.

What can you say about your experience with the implementation of Natura 2000 – whether in Austria or other countries?
In Austria we were unable to start a professional participation process in time. We waited for the moment that farmers, foresters and other stakeholders asked for better and clear information. And we tried to use tactics in the designation process. It was interesting that big investors forced us to stop that because infringement procedures caused legal uncertainty – and for investors that is the biggest problem.

Do you have any brilliant advice for the countries that will implement Natura 2000 in the near future?
It might sound strange – but the brilliant idea is to sit together and develop this Natura 2000 network. To discuss together the importance of our nature, the added value of protected rivers, grasslands and forests but also the challenges for the social and economic sectors within regions. This is the key: to learn from each other and to build up the network on this cooperation.

What do you see as the biggest obstacles in the phase of implementation?
In many countries it is the deficit of human resources – for organization and administration of the designation, participation, management, development of financing tools, etc. If the implementers are weak – mostly because they are understaffed – you spend time with infringement procedures or complaints from the European Commission or investors. If the implementors are strong, Natura 2000 can become a great success story.

How important is the role of NGOs in Natura 2000?
I think in the area of nature conservation NGOs have never had a bigger role than with Natura 2000. They are watchdogs for its correct implementation and they can help a lot in management. In nearly all funding programs NGOs are potential applicants.The European Commission definitely counts on NGOs and are ready to listen to critical comments and constructive proposals.

Both Serbia and Montenegro have their own NGO networks – in Serbia more than 50 NGOs are involved, in Montenegro about 30. But communication seems to be their biggest problem up to now. As an expert for communication, do you have any advice for them? In general, what might be the best way to communicate when discussing Natura 2000?
Communication is no miracle. Each day we learn what kind of communication works and fails. The task of an expert might help to make those experiences visible. For the NGO network I have to start with a compliment: their organisation so far has been great. For Natura 2000 they should more and more clarify their own role. For each separate NGO. What can they support and what not. Where can they help – and where they need help. This should be exchanged face to face, especially during this phase.

You are an expert on a Twinning project in Serbia. Do you see any progress in work with institutions?
I see progress – of course. The Ministry and NGOs have had some very good meetings and outcomes with the team of the Twinning Project. It is nevertheless a process which demands patience from each side. We as a team have to learn to deal with the specific situation in Serbia. That makes us to experts: to start with listening. And the authorities have to deal with a lot of additional work – and, as I mentioned before limited resources. I admire the good will and the commitment of the institutions here.

What does the public in Austria think about Natura 2000?
Last year we started an evaluation project, a survey. We asked farmers and authorities “what they think now about Natura 2000”. The result was unexpected: more than 80% of those interviewed see Natura 2000 in a positive or neutral light.
Petra Boic Petrac

NGOs begin to work on Water Framework Directive

July 2010 saw the start of implementation of the project ‘’Preparation of Serbian Public for Participation in Water Protection”, which runs until July 2011. The project team, led by Young Researchers of Serbia, WWF Danube-Carpathian Programme and Environmental Engineering Group, will work on strengthening the capacity of environmental NGOs for the monitoring of EU laws on the water framework in Serbia, with particular attention on the Water Framework Directive.There will be many training courses and meetings, as well as educational materials for NGOs published during the project. How to use the Water Framework Directive, and its connection with the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive are everyday questions in the EU. NGO network “Natura 2000 Resource Center of Serbia” will form a working group that will work only on water issues. The importance of Water Framework Directive in the biodiversity protection is huge and we hope that this project will run many activities in the sector.
Milka Gvozdenovic