12–14.07.2024. Zlatar
The Women’s Network for Nature and Environmental Protection invites you to the workshop “Nature’s budget, not a bouquet”, which will be held from July 12 to 14, 2024, on Mount Zlatar. In the three days of the workshop, we will learn and exchange knowledge about the financing of nature protection and gender budgeting, but also learn about the natural values of Zlatar and the special Uvac reserve and the work of local activists.
Nature and its diversity have enormous value in themselves, but they are also a prerequisite for the survival of the human community, the basis for ecologically sustainable development of society and well-being. On the other hand, we live in a time of investor urbanism and concreting, mass tourism, consumerism, lack of knowledge about environmental protection, but also commercialization and exploitation of nature.
The answer to these harmful processes is education and active protection of natural values through the existence of protected nature areas. With a responsible approach, each country defines natural, social and cultural treasures, which then acquire sustainability of existence in the system of integrated institutional protection. And sustainability is achieved primarily through stable sources of financing and ecosystem use, which increases the natural values of the area under protection.
What will we learn and discuss in the workshop? Due to the growing problem of climate change and the poor state of European biodiversity, the European Union has adopted an ambitious package of measures for the restoration of nature, and what is happening in Serbia? We want to find out if the institutions at the national and local level invest enough in nature protection? Does the management model of protected areas encourage sustainable management in order to protect natural values or is it the opposite direction? Are managers motivated to search for sustainable sources and financing mechanisms in accordance with the principles of nature protection? Part of the answer to these questions will be given by the results of the research conducted by the research team from EC “Stanište” and the movement “Defend the forests of Fruška Gora”. We will look for the gender perspective of the budget for nature and environmental protection and ask ourselves what women would invest in if they had the opportunity to invest in nature protection. The seminar will also present a budget model for financing nature protection, which combines human, technical and financial capacities into a foundation without which there is no effective and sustainable management of nature protection.
Where? The seminar will be held on the beautiful Zlatar mountain, which is home to the Uvac Special Nature Reserve. Zlatar is the sunniest mountain of our country with vast forests and pastures, mountains of herbs and the smell of pine, and it is home to women who create new ways of coexistence in their community through care for nature. We will be hosted by the local association Studenac, brave women goldsmiths who, by listening to and defending the needs of their community, create sustainable relationships within their environment and nature, which is a source of food, rest, creativity and survival.
How to apply? Participation is open to all women (activists, experts, employees of institutions) who are engaged at the national or local level in the field of nature and environmental protection, and who want to learn more about financing and the gender aspect of nature protection, but also share their knowledge and perspective. Due to the limited number of participants in this seminar, it is necessary to write a short motivational letter (maximum 500 words) about your commitment and motivation to participate in this workshop. We will try to ensure the territorial representation of the participants. Only 15 registrants will have the opportunity to participate in the seminar, but we will try to inform all registrants about the results and further work on this topic.
For any additional questions, feel free to contact us at [email protected]
These activities are part of the ECO-SYSTEM program implemented by the Young Researchers of Serbia and supported by Sweden.