Four Serbian Towns Commit to Environmental Improvements
With the support of the local country office of the Regional Environmental Center (REC), four Serbian mayors signed agreements on May 15 to develop local environmental action plans for their respective communities. The mayors of the municipalities of Vrnjacka Banja, Cuprija, Velika Plana and Trstenik signed the cooperation agreements at a ceremony in Vrnjacka Banja. LEAPs are strategic documents that offer solutions for environmental problems at a local level.

Five Communities Lead the Way in Local Environmental Action Planning in Kosovo (as defined by UNSCR 1244)
Representatives of the municipalities of Ferizaj/Urosevac, Gjilan/Gnjilane, Gjakove/Djakovica, Peja/Pec and Kline/Klina in Kosovo (as defined by UNSCR 1244) have signed cooperation agreements with the Regional Environmental Center (REC) to start working on local environmental action plans (LEAPs) in their communities.

Seminars for Sustainability in the Black Sea Region
The seminar series “Partnerships for Sustainable Development” will bring together various upper-management stakeholders from government and the private sector in order to create a platform for sharing and partnerships aimed at attaining the goal of sustainable development.

One million residents of SEE communities to benefit from REC project
The Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (Sida) is providing funds to the Regional Environmental Center (REC) to implement the project Local Environmental Action Planning for Sustainability in South Eastern Europe (SEE). The project will be carried out in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo (as defined by UNSCR 1244).

Climate Change Roundtable - Watch the videos!
On the 27th of February, the REC and the European Economic and Social Committee hosted a multistakeholder roundtable on Climate Change entitled "Adapting to Climate Change in Europe – Options for EU Action.

Day of the Tree
The government of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia named March 12 łTree Day˛ and organised a mass tree planting throughout the country. Last summer, the country was devastated by fires caused by the very high temperatures and dry climate, and large expanses of forest were destroyed.
Now, a number of intellectuals and singers have joined together in an initiative to promote the renewal of the countryąs forests and the importance of nature protection. On March 12, two million trees were planted, one for each member of the population. Many people throughout the country participated in the event, and the staff of the REC CO former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia took part in the tree planting near Skopje.

Green Pack Junior steps out
The REC launched its new environmental curriculum for youngsters, the Green Pack Junior, grabbing the attention of scores of environmental ministers, UN officials and educators at the recently concluded Environment for Europe Conference in Belgrade.

SECTOR second round of regional grants is opened
The REC on behalf of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), is opening a second round of regional grants under the SECTOR programme, which addresses environmental and sustainable urban development problems.

REC Breaks Ground on Zero Emission Center
The REC is reconstructing its conference center to make an energy efficient building with zero harmful emissions. Already a popular destination for international conferences, the REC conference center will soon be a model of efficiency thanks to financial support from the Italian Ministry for the Environment Land and See. The REC is seeking additional assistance from governments and businesses for further improvements.

Investing in knowledge for sustainability
Eighteen experts from 15 countries discussed global conditions for achieving sustainable development during the session “Investing in Knowledge for Sustainability,” which was organised by the REC with generous financial support from the Italian Ministry for Environment, Land and Sea.

Sida and REC partner up to reduce poverty in communities in Southeastern Europe
The Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the REC have signed an agreement to implement a project supporting the development of local environmental action plans (LEAPs) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo as defined by UNSCR 1244. This project will help 19 municipalities develop their own LEAPs, with the aim of improving local environmental management and planning practices. After the LEAPs are finalised, Sida and the REC, together with partner municipalities, will provide financial support of EUR 1.43 million for local environmental projects. Implementation of this project will start in 2007 and is expected to wrap up in 2010. For more information about this project contact Srdjan Susic.

Emissions Trading in Central & Eastern Europe, Budapest November 26-27, 2007
Regional emissions trading experts will host interactive sessions assessing the current status of the European Union’s Environmental Trading System (ETS) as seen by Central and Eastern Europe and examining the future challenges. The event will provide in-depth insight into the implications for CEE businesses and examine how business models and financing strategies might need to adapt as the market moves into Phase 2.

NATO Advanced Research Workshop
Energy and the environment are increasingly being recognized as highly relevant to global security. The workshop “Energy and Environmental Challenges to Security” is aimed at engaging political actors and key policymakers, academics and stakeholders, including governmental authorities, journalists and members of civil society, to focus the international debate on these issues.