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Best open data climate-related ideas awarded

Belgrade, 4 June 2018 – The Ministry of Environmental Protection and UNDP organised the Awarding Ceremony as part of a joint project called Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge Project (CSUD). The awards were granted to the winners of the Open Data Challenge, addressed to municipalities and cities with the most innovative ideas in the area of opening, accessing and improving data management of importance for the fight against climate changes.

The search for innovative solutions in this area received a great response across Serbia, and independent experts chose eight best project ideas, which initially will find their use in Kragujevac, Krusevac, Belgrade municipality of Zvezdara, Sabac, Kraljevo, Sremska Mitrovica, Cuprija and Krupanj, but also throughout Serbia because of the excellent potential for furthering comprehensive application in the field of energy efficiency, renewable energy, waste management, etc.

Open data stimulate economic growth as they create an incentive environment for the development of innovations and “green” ideas and enable the attraction of “climate-friendly” investments. Availability of data is necessary for efficient planning and decision making, ensures greater transparency of work of local self-governments and stimulates public involvement in decision-making processes.

“I consider the project as an extremely important one, it promotes innovation in Serbia which strategically defined digitization and modernization as priority. Serbia has to build capacities, and this is an approach of increasing capacities. Without these data there are no project-technical documentation necessary to implement projects worth nearly 15 billion euros,” said Minister of Environmental Protection Goran Trivan.

UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Serbia Steliana Nedera said that eight local governments, the winner of the Open Data Challenge, will receive, besides financial support of up to $10,000 per project, expert and advisory support within the Climate Incubator for further development of ideas into mature projects ready for implementation. In the Climate Incubator, a software solution for improving data management will be created, which will enable the data of different local communities to be networked, and also connected to the databases of state institutions.

“Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge” is a five-year project aimed at supporting, through a partnership between the public, private and civil sectors, the development of projects aimed at reducing GHG emissions and ensuring that local communities in Serbia are more resilient to climate change. The Ministry of Environmental Protection implements the project with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the financial support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project partners are the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, the Government of Switzerland, Innovation Fund and the Standing Conference of Cities and Municipalities.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and UNDP organised the Fair of Climate-smart Ideas and awarded the best ideas submitted, as part of a joint project called Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge Project (CSUD).

Minister of Environmental Protection Goran Trivan and UNDP Serbian Deputy Resident Representative  Steliana Nedera awarded the most innovative project ideas for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Also present was the Deputy Head of Mission of the Kingdom of Sweden’s Embassy in Serbia Joachim Waern and Assistant Minister of Education, Science and Technological Development Saša Lazović.

The search for sustainable solutions for climate-friendly communities received a tremendous response across Serbia. 111 applications were received, with the most significant number of proposed ideas submitted by individuals (43), civil society organisations (20), local self-government units (16), scientific and research institutions (14), business associations (12) and public utility companies (6). The 25 most innovative ideas and teams have been selected to receive financial and professional support, and nine more will be able to use the support of the “Climate Incubator”. In the Climate Incubator project teams will have mentor support and assistance in finding sources of co-financing, promotion and linking with other climate innovators.

“The response received, and the quality of the ideas once again proved that Serbia is a country of smart and creative people and that it is possible, with the right incentive, to change Serbia for better in the field of environmental protection”, said Minister Goran Trivan. “Serbia is committed to achieving global goals for mitigating the consequences and adapting to climate change, reaching modern standards and strategic European goals,” he stressed.

“One of the main criteria in evaluating the ideas received was that the innovation is in line with the needs of the local community in which it is implemented. At the same time it needs to offer an opportunity to engage and involve women, youth and marginalized social groups,” said the UNDP Serbia Deputy Resident Representative Steliana Nedera adding “UNDP remains a reliable partner to the Government of the Republic of Serbia in fulfilling the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the achievement of the global goals of sustainable development, including those related to the fight against climate change”.

Innovative technical solutions and business models will find their application in 16 municipalities and cities, Belgrade, Stara Pazova, Inđija, Pećinci, Ruma, Pančevo, Kikinda, Rumenka, Smederevo, Šabac, Veternik, Kraljevo, Kruševac, Vrnjačka Banja, Niša, Čačak, but also throughout Serbia because of the excellent potential for furthering comprehensive application in the field of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, waste management, transport improvement, agriculture, forestry.

“Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge” is a five-year project aimed at supporting, through a partnership between the public, private and civil sectors, the development of projects aimed at reducing GHG emissions and ensuring that local communities in Serbia are more resilient to climate change. The Ministry of Environmental Protection implements the project with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the financial support of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project partners are the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, the Government of Switzerland, Innovation Fund and the Standing Conference of Cities and Municipalities.

The Office of the United Nations Development Programme in Belgrade, Serbia, in direct cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, and with the financial support of Global Environment Facility (GEF), has officially Launched Public calls under the Open Data Challenge and Innovation Challenge, within the “Climate Smart Urban Development” project.

The two challenges represent a pioneering attempt to establish a market for innovations in the field of climate change in the Republic of Serbia and to provide all interested stakeholders with the platform for joint action – from those who offer solutions to those that need these solutions to deal with local problems and plan future development. The challenges are expected to generate innovative solutions to address the impact of climate change, which can be financed independently or through a partnership between local governments, donors, industry, civil society organizations and other stakeholders.

Public calls are open for both challenges: Open Data Challenge and Innovation Challenge.

Open Data Challenge is a public call/challenge for proposing innovative and cost-efficient ideas/solutions for simple and user-friendly public access to city/municipal climate change-related data, and for improving the management of this data. Application deadline is 28 February 2018.

Innovation Challenge is a public call/challenge for proposing innovative and cost-effective ideas for reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG) emission created by public services and facilities, while simultaneously providing social, economic and environmental benefits for the community and its citizens. Additional call for individuals will be open on 15 December 2018. Application deadline is 31 January 2018.

On Tuesday, September 19th, a “Sharing gets you further” conference was organized, in the context of celebration of the EU Mobility Week 2017, and within the framework of the “Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge” (CSUD) project, implemented by the Ministry of Environmental protection, with UNDP support.

At the premises of the EU Info Center in Belgrade, representatives of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, the Standing Conference of Cities and Municipalities, and UNDP emphasized the importance of development and implementation of measures that reduce the negative effects of transport on health and the environment, especially in the urban areas. Participants agreed that even though the transport sector is one of the significant contributors to the greenhouse gas (GHG) and other harmful substance emissions, it also has significant potential for environmental protection and the fight against climate change, as well as for the improvement of human health, and for the economic development of local communities through the opening of new jobs and attracting investment.

In this regard, the participants emphasized the necessity to introduce and further spread alternative, non-motorized methods of transportation, specifying, in particular, cycling as a very simple and all-available way of transport. At the same time, the need for adequate traffic planning was emphasized, including the construction of infrastructure adapted to the needs of cyclists and pedestrians, along with the raising awareness of all traffic participants, and the development of adequate safety and security policies. At the conference, representatives of Belgrade, Novi Sad and Krusevac presented the best practice examples from their cities, while the founders of the start-up “Ono bikes” and CarGo mobile app spoke about the application of technological innovations in urban mobility.

It was concluded that the development of sustainable and climate-resistant cities and municipalities requires a multi-sectoral approach, and that the development of sustainable transport is a good example, since transport improves the quality of life, enables economic growth and development, and, on the other hand, has significant potential for protecting the environment and human health.

From the perspective of the “Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge” project, conference participants and the public were invited to take part in a unique “challenge”, and use any alternative mode of transport on September 22, when going to and from the workplace, other than individual vehicles. In this way, they will be able to personally contribute to the development of a sustainable and healthier local community, and climate change resilient at the same time.

In the context of celebration of the EU Mobility Week 2017, and within the framework of the “Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge” (CSUD) project implemented by the Ministry of Environmental protection with UNDP support, the two events will be held on 22^nd of September – World Car Free Day. We are inviting you to take part in the “Just not by Car (Samo ne autom)” challenge, an initiative organized with CSO cyclist association, and in the Promotional Bicycle Ride organized in cooperation with the Secretariat for Transport of the City of Belgrade. The other project partners, including the EU Delegation / EU Info Center, are also expected to join the events.

Additionally, these activities, as well as the CSUD Project goals, will be presented within the Conference “Sharing gets you further”, organized by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia, the EU Info Centre and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities on Tuesday, September 19, 2017 at the EU Info Center in Belgrade.

The challenge “Just not by Car” will take place throughout the 22^nd of September. This is a challenge for companies, institutions and organizations to motivate their employees to use non-motorized transportation means (preferably bicycles) on their way from home to work. You can find more information on registration (Deadline: September 20, 2017) and participation process here.

The promotional bicycle ride will take place at 11 a.m. on 22^nd of September in front of the Sports Center “Milan Gale Muskatirovic” near Danube and will end at Savska promenade. It is expected that the Secretary for Transport of the City of Belgrade as well as high level representatives of UNDP and other partners, will joint this ride, in order to support non-motorized modes of transport for the sake of preserving the environment, improving health and combating climate change.

If you would like to join us and apply for the promotional bicycle ride (Deadline: September 21, 2017), you may do so via email to: ana.seke@undp.org

Both activities are being conducted under the framework of the project „Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge“, implemented by the Ministry of Environmental Protection with the assistance of the United Nations Development Programme.  The project is based on challenges for identification of innovative ideas and solutions for combating climate change at municipal level.

On Thursday 15 June 2017 at the UN House (Bulevar Zorana Djindjica 64, New Belgrade), starting at 10:00, was held the kickoff event of the project “Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge”, implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection in cooperation with UNDP and with financial support from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF).

The project which aims to achieve sustainable development of local municipalities and the support of local governments in responding to the challenges of climate change was introduced to public and relevant stakeholders. Climate change is a major challenge for humanity, is generally accepted attitude of this meeting. In this kickoff event, local governments, business sector, civil society organizations, scientific research institutions and all those who, in partnership, can offer and implement original ideas, was sent a challenge and an invitation to participate in the project.

On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, the audience was addressed by State Secretary Stana Bozovic. She pointed out that the Government through the relevant Ministry to provide full logistical and financial support to local governments so that they can, according to their own needs and capacities, meet the challenges and take part in this project. The challenge of course is to find ways to apply a universal, accessible and sustainable solution to the problems at the local level, especially when local governments are not able to achieve individually and independently financed.

Deputy Resident Representative of the UN Development Program in Serbia, Steliana Nedera, has invited all local governments to engage in a program of challenges and stressed that innovation is a key way to achieve “balance development and preservation of quality of life and the environment.” Guests from Finland and Croatian presented their experiences related to the participation of local governments in the field of application of innovative ways to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, as well as measures to adapt to climate change. Also, on this event were presented alternative ways of financing of the projects in this field. Exceptional response to this event contributed to the representatives of the banking, non-governmental and private sector. They all expressed their willingness for a direct contribution to this project, and the general conclusion of the participants of this meeting is that interdisciplinary cooperation is one of the main preconditions for its successful implementation.

It is planned that in the next five years of the project all of those ideas that are the basis for supporting sustainable local development are implemented and support the local communities to become more resistant to climate change. In this way, solutions that will have the best results, in addition to giving a great development and ecological contribution to their local governments, also will have the right to be awarded by this challenge program.

Presentations from the event:

01 MPZŽS Odsek za Klimatske promene – Danijela Bozanic 

02 UNDP_Marco Zappalorto

03 UNDP_CSUD project for the Kickoff 15 06 2017 Miroslav Tadic

04 Hinku Forum- Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)

05 Zeleni fond MPZŽS – Vladica Božić

06 UniCredit_ CC_15.06.17.

07 Alternative Finance – Terra Hub

08 RES CSUD KICK OFF_15 june 2017

09 Fond za inovacionu delatnost 15. jun UNDP

10 Siemens d.o.o. Beograd ENG_UNDP

On Thursday, 18 May, a lot of organizations in Belgrade will join the challenge “Just not by car”, with a goal to promote the usage of alternative ways of transport for going to work.

The officials of Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection will also participate in the challenge led by State Secretary Stana Božović, as well as the UNDP team!

This year the challenge “Just not by car” is realized through support of project “acclimatization of urban development” (Climate Smart Urban Development Challenge) project which is funded by Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and implemented by UNDP in cooperation with the Ministry.

Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection, on Thursday, will send a call that all interested individuals, institutions and companies choose to cycle or walk and so support the action in achieving better results and rise awareness about the importance of using alternative ways of transport.

By participating in this action we strengthen the social capital of our communities, improve our health, showing practical and useful ways of urban mobility in urban areas.

In one word, we provide personal and collective contribution to the achievement of sustainable development goals in the fight against climate change.

Tracking of activities is done by a mobile application “Strava” which will track the distance that participants cover.

The organization and the individual with the most distance, and the organization with the largest number of entries, will be awarded.

Besides the Ministry, in organizing of the challenge participated associations “Bajsologija” and “Ulice za bicikliste”, foundation Heinrich Boll and UNDP.

The official promo video:

On May 08, UNDP held an inception workshop for the Climate Smart Urban Development Project (CSUD). The inception workshop aimed to achieve a consolidated agreement for activities that would enhance the implementation process of this project.

The CSUD project began in 2017 and will last for the next 5 years. To successfully execute this project, The Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection (MoAEP), in cooperation with the UNDP as the implementing agency, will receive funding from the Global Environment Fund (GEF), the Ministry, UNDP, government partnerships of Sweden and Switzerland, the European Union Delegation and other key partners.

The main objective of this project is to get local communities involved in the fight against climate change, through new and innovative solutions. The project consists of two major challenges: the accessibility of data (Open Data Challenge) and program challenges (Challenge Program). The first part of the project aims to improve the data availability for local communities, while the other encourages the development of projects which will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The Challenge Program framework will consist of three key steps: challenges for collecting innovative ideas to implementation challenges for these innovative solutions.

The project will be carried out according to the procedures and requirements of the Global Environment Fund (GEF), and the needs of the local governments.