Green Agenda Network

During October and November 2009 the coordinators of the the working groups of Ethnocultural Values and Tourist Infrastructure had an opportunity to exchange their experiences on a study visit in Kroatia and on a VideoMaking in Macedonia.

Aldo Sheshaj- Tourist Infrastructure coordinator

Aldo was on November 2009 for a training in Macedonia. This training consisted on the preparation of the coaches on Videomaking. This training was something new and very successful said Aldo, it is a way on how to appeal on the Local Government for the problems of the commune. Also this video we can use as a promotional tool for the tourists or as a tool for raising up the visibility of the Green Agenda process.

He learned a lot of new things not only on how to use a videocamera or making a movie, but we learned from the other member’s experiences, that were in this regional training. He had an opportunity to share our experience of the Green Agenda process in Preza.  I made a summary of the main things of the process.

Now the things are scheduled and on February we will make a short movie for Preza. What I learned is that we need more to be improved in our work. We have some strong and weak points. And a worthy method to improve our work is this videomaking for Preza Commune. This training was so worthy for me and very necessarily.

Suzana Halili- Ethnocultural values coordinator

Suzana was in Kroatia on a study visit on Merimudjee region. During this study visit we saw the process of the Green Agenda in this region. Every commune/ every participant that was invited on this study visit made a presentation and showed us the way how they operated during the Green Agenda process. During this experience exchanging time I had an opportunity to take and to give good ideas.

I saw that Albania was on a higher stage than the other countries concerning the GA process and the project lists.

The pilot projects that were applied there were financed by the community, commune and GA. Most of them were very visible and touchable, we can say about the tourist attractiveness, building water mills for energy production, etc. What most impacted me was that wherever we went they gave us promotional materials as CD, flyers, telephone numbers etc. Most of these ideas for pilot projects we can adapt in our commune. This experience was worthy to me. I learned that applying a pilot project needs cooperation and it cannot be done alone, this is also about the fund raising and donors.

written by albpermakulture

Novi Sad - 18 International Eco-World Fair was held from 6 to 11 October 2009. Visitors of this traditional event for the first time get the opportunity to meet with details of the Green Agenda. Milieukontakt International and its partners in Serbia NGO Timočki club Knjaževac, Pokret Gorana of Sremska Mitrovica and NGO Staniste from Vrsac were successfully presented the Green Agenda project in Serbia. We presented under the working title The Green Agenda - a strategy acceptable for each municipality, which has raised the attention of visitors. What is important we fully achieved the goal of our participation in this event, we made contact with dozens of cities and municipalities in Serbia, where we presented the methodology and the benefits that have Green Agenda. It is also many associations and NGO`s showed their interest to apply the Green Agenda in its place.

During the six days of the fair we had a permanently open and active stand with whose we visits very satisfied.

09 October at 15.00 hours in “Ecological classroom” successfully presented to the Green Agenda in Serbia. The presentation was attended by 20 visitors who were satisfied with the displayed.

written by Nenad

green_agenda_newsletter_ii-final.pdf

Dear colleague in sustainable development,

We are proud to present you the second volume of our Green Agenda Newsletter. The Newsletter provides information on ongoing activities, upcoming events and success stories in and from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia concerning local sustainable development. In each Newsletter we will also highlight an aspect of the methodology used for these local processes, the Green Agenda method. These processes are coordinated by 19 local partner NGOs, 6 trainers groups and Milieukontakt International. At the moment, 20 communities around the Western Balkans are involved. These communities are all very different in many aspects, but they all have committed inhabitants and local authorities that are willing to invest time and energy into a better future that preserves and improves local natural and cultural-historical values. Another special and shared feature of these communities is that the local stakeholders are in fact the motor in the formulation of a joint strategy and action plan as well as their implementation. They have truly embraced the Green Agenda method as developed by Milieukontakt International over the last decade.

We hope you will find the Newsletter Green Agenda of interest for your work or voluntary occupation, and invite you to share it with whomever you think would also be interested. Please do let us know if you have any questions or suggestions concerning our programme “Green Agenda in the Western Balkans” or this Newsletter. You can find our contacts at page 4 of the Newsletter.

written by Nenad

In the atachment find a short report about activties related to Green Agenda for the period April - August 2009.

biosfera-ga.pdf

written by biosfera

The National Green Agenda Conference, took place on 21-22 May 2009 in Hotel Makpetrol- Struga.  The topic of the conference is: “Green Agenda - Macedonia, accomplished results and possibilities to implement the process in other municipalities in Macedonia”.

The Conference’s aim is to provide a wider audience with theoretical background as well as practical information from the field of Green Agenda processes and their possible future in Macedonia. 

The national conference is a result of the achievements of the Green Agenda Process in the 3 municipalities - Vevcani, Bitola and Delcevo. The idea is to promote the method and results in order to share experience and to evaluate the possibilities for implementation of the model in other interested municipalities Macedonia. 

Conference was structured and realized in two parts:

 May 21^st, 2009 

Part one,

Opening session by the Milieukontakt International and Opening of the conference by the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning.

Presentations “Introduction of the GA on international level” by presented the Milieukontakt International; “Presentation of the process of GA” presented by NGOs and “Achievements of the GA Process in our Municipality” - Presentations presented by the representatives from the Municipality of Delcevo, Vevcani and Bitola.

Session “What can MKI offer to new Municipalities” and Open Discussion where mayors and representatives from municipalities express their possitive comentars and will to implement the process of Green Agenda in their Municipalities.

Part two,

Field visit - visiting the Municipality of Vevcani – presentating of the results of the GA process:  restoration of Vevcanski Springs and the Tourist Info Center in Vevcani. Host  of the visit and dinner in Vevcani was the mayor of the Municipality Mr. Pero Ilieski.

On the conference were invited wide range of Municipalities, donors, media and NGOs.

7 Mayors of Municipalities were attending the Conference, 14 representatives from Local Self Governments, 16 representatives form NGOs, national media and representatives from  the Ministry of Environment and Physical Pllaning and Global Environmental Fond-Small Grants.

written by zelencentar

On 8 th MAY 2009, Green Agenda Document was approved by the Commune Council in Preza Commune.

written by albpermakulture

People in Preza are already familiar with the Green Agenda idea, nevertheless we wanted to hold a meeting for public consultation about this important document. The target group was selected carefully several times, people were informed, and formally invited to come to the meeting. In events like this, they normally come if they feel appreciated, so we met their expectation.  

Participants were gathered in the High School of Preza and after a brief introduction, the three coordinators of WGs gave a brief summary of what has been done so far in their WGs. Then the APA - GA coordinator in Preza, Edlira, gave a brief summary of the process and prepared them for where their contribution is felt that is needed. The participants were given materials to work on, they were split into the three WGs and worked separately. They elaborated more in detail the working plan, and also gave their input on the final material of GA of the groups they were in. In the end, the WG coordinators presented in front of the big group the new input given. A 5 minute time for questions and suggestions from other participants was allowed and in the end a summary was made.

written by albpermakulture

 National Green Agenda Platform for Albania was held on February 11^th 2009.  Participants from communes, the NGO-s, the coordinators of the working groups and other representatives from neighbor communes of Green Agenda in Albania participated on the National platform. The three coordinators of the working groups from Preza Commune and APA-Albanian Permaculture Association participated on the National Platform. Some of the artisans of Preza commune were there with their products, at the fair that was held for the communes that are going through the Green Agenda process and there were also some of the producer of  BIO products like wine and olive oil. They were there to promote the values, tradition and BIO products of Preza commune.

written by albpermakulture

On January 23^rd and February 6^th in Preza Commune were held two final meetings of the work that the working groups have done. The three working groups finalized the document of Green Agenda and they prepared it to consult it with the public, on the next meeting of stakeholders held on March 12^th.

written by albpermakulture

GREENING THE LOCAL ELECTIONS IN BITOLA

Candidates for Mayor in Bitola, signed Declaration for cooperation wehere implementation of the Green Agenda Action plan is the first topic.

With tea and coffee in relax and nice atmosphere, we ask the candidates for Mayor of Bitola: “What are their priorities related to environment and nature protection if they are elected”

The first and most important topic was their commitment for implementation of the Green Agenda Action Plan.

After the discussion DECLARATION for cooperation is signed.

Signed declaration consist 5 top priority topics where Adoption and implementation of the Green Agenda is placed at the first place.

That’s how Green Agenda Action Plan become part of the political promise by the candidates for Mayor of Bitola Municipality.

This event is important for the process of advocacy for the environmental issues to take priority place in the Agenda of the political parties.

Signed declaration is opening the door for cooperation with other political parties presented in the Local Municipality council.

This event was in line with our tendency to involve political parties from the beginning of the process being aware that political support by the decision makers will be necessary.

“Eco coffee” event take place in the “Hotel Millennium” in Bitola on  17.03.2009 starting at 12.00 h.

written by biosfera