Serbia

Serbia became an independent state in 2006 and, like many other Balkan countries, is still dealing with the legacy of recent history, including the environmental and chemical hazards. In this context, we are working with partner organisations in Serbia to promote the right to information on the environment and toxic substances, to strengthen the role of citizens in improving chemical safety, and to support the practical implementation of the regulation of toxic substances.

In Serbia, we work with several NGOs, but we have the most joint projects with ALHem, which focuses on chemicals in consumer goods and their safer alternatives, and with which we have been cooperating since 2015. In 2016, together with the CEE Bankwatch Network and CEKOR from Subotice, we monitored toxic substances in the vicinity of the Serbian coal-fired power plant Obrenovac, and together with ALHem in 2020, we promoted the protection of citizens from dangerous phthalates and the introduction of regulations that are already standard in EU countries. The project and test results are summasized in the publication SOFT plastic, HARSH truth.

Our latest project, which we launched together with ALHem in 2024, focuses on the active involvement of young people in the systematic solution of environmental problems in Serbia. The project involves young people are involved in practical environmental protection and an  advocacy processes to protect citizens from dangerous phthalates. Although phthalates have been better regulated in Serbia since 2023, the project also aims to verify the real effect of the implementation of the regulations. The results of testing consumer products are going to be summarised in the publication SOFT plastic, HARSH true 2.

Our activities are co-financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic within the Transition Promotion Program, the IPEN network (International Pollutants Elimination Network) and the Global Greengrants Fund.