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Green Horizons Academy – Good for Nature (Belgrade)
March 28 - 4:00 pm - March 29 - 7:00 pm
About the Event
The Green Horizons Academy (GHA) is an annual space for discussion and idea development around the future of environmental and social policies in Europe. This year’s edition, Good for Nature, will focus on advocating for strong biodiversity protection policies and empowering civic engagement in environmental efforts.
In 2025, nature protection activists and green minded individuals in general face mounting challenges. The EU’s Biodiversity Strategy 2030 is under pressure, environmental laws are threatened by corporate lobbying, and civic movements face increasing repression amid a growing trend of authoritarianism. Meanwhile, in Serbia and across the Balkans, local movements struggle to protect ecosystems from extractivist industries, such as lithium mining and hydropower projects. In this context, GHA: Good for Nature will bring together civil society representatives, grassroots activists, EU policy experts, and decision-makers to strategize and build knowledge on defending nature and strengthening environmental democracy.
The two-day conference will feature a public panel debate, a field trip to explore local environmental challenges, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Project Background
GHA: Good for Nature is part of the Green European Foundation’s broader mission to promote a sustainable and socially just future. This year’s edition follows the 2024 discussions on extractivism and the European Green Deal’s external impacts, shifting the focus toward biodiversity and nature restoration as central pillars of Europe’s green transition, as well as avoiding the clashes that can happen between the fight for biodiversity and the development of sustainable energies.
Programme
DAY 1: PUBLIC EVENT – no pre-registration needed
16:00 Arrival of the participants and public
17:00 Panel 1: Biodiversity and consistency in EU policies
- Igor Kalaba – Center for Environment, (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
- Belma Šestović – Wildlife Montenegro
- Nataša Đereg – National Convention on European Union in Serbia (NCEU)
- Vanja Jakšić – WWF Adria (Belgrade)
Moderator: Žaklina Živković, Polekol
18:30 Panel 2: Ecosystems, local communities and decarbonisation
- Ivan Milosavljević – Rangers of East Serbia
- Aleksandar Dragićević – Eco activist, Montenegro
- Milja Vuković – Blue and Green initiative
- Andrey Ralev – Bankwatch SEE
- Marko Mirč – Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”
Moderator: Iva Marković, Polekol
20:00 Dinner for the participants and speakers – at the venue
DAY 2: CLOSED DOOR – only selected applicant
09:00 Workshop 1: Sandra Jovanović – Biodiversity Expert – EU policies for the people!
10:30 Workshop 2: Discussions around case studies with the participants and lessons learned from the day before’s panel discussions
12:00 Field trip to Bara Reva, Lunch
14:00 Ana Džakić, NGO Bela Čaplja (White Heron) – Presentation about the local struggle, Networking opportunities
18:00 Trip back to Belgrade
19:00 Dinner & Goodbyes
Practicalities
Date: 28-29 March 2025
Location: Belgrade, Serbia / online live retransmission on our partner’s instagram channel
Venue: KC Grad, Braće Krsmanović 4, Belgrade, Serbia
Language: English
Costs coverage: We will provide catering during the event and cover any travel costs within Serbia. Accommodation and international travel costs will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and as funds allow. We however would really like to mention that this should not be a barrier to apply ! Please indicate your needs in the application form.
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for participants who are:
✔ Environmental activists, civil society representatives, students, researchers, or decision-makers
✔ Passionate about biodiversity, climate justice, and civic engagement
✔ Interested in networking and collaborating with green-minded individuals from Serbia and beyond
Limited spots available – apply now to this link! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. To better mitigate the travel cost, the deadline for international application is 14th of March, the deadline for Serbian application is the 19th of March.APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
If you have any question, please reach out to anthony.msika@gef.eu
This event is organized by the Green European Foundation with the support of Polekol and the financial support of the European Parliament to the Green European Foundation. The European Parliament is not responsible for the content of this publication.
