Grants and Grantees / Close-Ups / Green Network of Vojvodina

In March 2000, 14 Serbian citizens came together to form a nongovernmental organization (NGO) dedicated to their interests in sustainable agriculture and rural development.  That organization, the Green Network of Vojvodina (GNV), is today a respected name in Serbia and beyond due to its efforts to protect the environment and promote sustainable development at the local, regional, national, and international levels. 

According to GNV board chair, Olivera Radovanovic, "GNV has become the strongest NGO in Serbia that's working on sustainable development and agriculture."  GNV aims to make these issues a priority for businesses, policymakers, and the public in Vojvodina, a province in northern Serbia and a major agricultural region.  Through conferences, workshops, public discussions, and other activities, GNV works directly with the people of Vojvodina to create and support sustainable communities.  In addition, the organization aims to inform people about the importance of preserving biodiversity and managing natural resources and teaches the region's farmers about good agricultural practices.  GNV also seeks to increase public participation in environmental policymaking, expand greenways and improve public spaces, and promote interethnic cooperation.

GNV's projects include its Multifunctional Agricultural Development project, started in 2008 to educate small farmers about combining organic agriculture with rural tourism.  In 2008 the organization also held its fifth annual farmers' market in Novi Sad, Vojvodina's capital city.  The market is the only one of its kind in Serbia as well as the largest distributor of organic produce in the country.  In these efforts, GNV focuses especially on women and young people, two groups who are increasingly becoming leaders on sustainable development issues.  "Women [and young people] are the most progressive part of the population," said Radovanovic.  "They're prepared to accept new models in agriculture, rural tourism, and biodiversity conservation."  By working closely with these groups, GNV aims not only to support the local farming tradition but also to promote economic development in Vojvodina's rural areas.

In the future, GNV plans to work with its regional and international partners to focus on rural livelihoods and formulating sustainable policies on agricultural, forestry, and fisheries.  "The main goal of this project is to improve the capacity of government and other stakeholders in the region to improve environmental governance," said Radovanovic.  By bringing together business, governments, and everyday citizens together to tackle important agricultural and environmental issues, the Green Network of Vojvodina will continue to be a powerful and credible voice for sustainable development, both in Serbia and throughout the region.