Publications

Having analysed the media coverage of the floods that affected Serbia in 2014, the booklet sought to shed light on new aspects of media reporting and to draw attention to the topics that should be the focus of media attention. At the same time, through examples seen in other countries that have been dealing with the issue of gender-sensitive reporting for several years, the publication offers recommendations and advice that could be useful in the reporting of future natural disasters and emergency situations. To that end, problems faced by journalists and the media when reporting of an emergency situation, is highlighted. Through concrete examples of good practice, this booklet offers suggestions for the improvement of communication between relevant authorities and the media, which may result in a higher quality of information disseminated to citizens.

The brochure portrays basic principles of circular economy and its benefits to environmental safety, job generation and economic growth through inclusive policies. It also contains concrete information regarding improvements in national waste management policies supporting circular economy development, transition from linear to circular economy and its impact on energy consumption and preservation, new opportunities for the Serbian industry in the sphere of circular economy, international experiences as well as national support programmes and good practice examples from Serbia. The publication is available in Serbian language only.

The Monograph includes works of students of specialized course in environmental law. It contains case studies of different environmental problems in Serbia and recommends possible solutions. Available in Serbian only.

The purpose of the manual on torrential floods and community based flood risk reduction is to acquaint local and international stakeholders with national achievements and challenges in the field of torrential flood risk management in Serbia. The manual contains a comprehensive review of historically significant torrential floods in Serbia, existing flood management strategies, risk analysis and legal framework that stipulates the jurisdiction of local governments in the prevention and management of flood risks. It highlights the strategic importance of the role that local authorities have in creating flood resilient communities. A part of the manual is dedicated to the engagement of civil society in raising awareness of local communities in disaster risk reduction and the importance of their co-operation and partnership with elected officials, thus creating a "culture of preparedness".

This publication contains an analysis of national and international regulations governing liability for environmental damage, an assessment of environmental damage and compensation for environmental damage in comparative law and international treaties, as well as a review of legal instruments governing the protection of the environment through civil and criminal law in the Republic of Serbia. This handbook places strong emphasis on the role of public in initiating and participating in environmental criminal and civil proceedings. The Manual is intended for judges who deal with criminal and civil cases, prosecutors, law students, environmental inspectors and civil society. Available in Serbian only.

Based on the assumption that natural disasters can have different effects on men and women, the OSCE Mission to Serbia supported the development of a publication on the impact of May 2014 flooding in Serbia from a gender perspective. The research was conducted in order to identify and document gender-specific differences regarding flood risk, inform the public, formulate a set of recommendations and offer them to responsible authorities to improve gender sensitive planning in emergency management. Results of the research show that the most vulnerable groups during natural disasters are the elderly, people with disabilities, single mothers and women who live alone in their households. Illiterate residents (mostly women and Roma) are also among the vulnerable categories. The research also reveals that the basis of community vulnerability in emergency situations lies in an undeveloped systemic approach to dissemination of information during natural disasters and lack of community training on practices of effective reactions during floods. The publication is available in both Serbian and English.

This leaflet aims at raising community awareness about flooding and flood risk reduction measures. It was developed within a project on enhancing community-based flood risk management in Zajecar municipality. The leaflet was distributed in the course of a comprehensive outreach campaign, the goal of which was to improve flood resilience of affected communities and to strengthen the involvement of civil society in flood risk reduction in Zajecar, a municipality prone to serious flooding. It is not available in English.

A manual on family behavior in emergency situations, published by the Section for Emergency Situations of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Serbia, in co-operation with the OSCE Mission to Serbia.

The Handbook contains a comprehensive analysis of the procedures regarding access to environmental information and public participation in environmental decision-making processes prescribed by different laws and a review of current administrative and judicial practice related to public participation in environmental protection procedures. The Handbook also includes case law analyses of the Court of Justice of the European Union and the European Court of Human Rights and portrays the current practice of the Commissioner for Access to Information of Public Importance. It is intended for judges dealing with administrative judicial matters, civil servants who conduct environmental procedures, representatives of civil society and general public and undergraduate and postgraduate law students. Not available in English.

The Guide was developed by the Regional Aarhus Centre Subotica with the Mission’s assistance in order to address lack of knowledge on the content and rights defined by the Law on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) among the civil society and business community. The bilingual Guide (in Serbian and Hungarian) provides guidelines to the rights for public engagement and other legal requirements related to practical implementation of the Law and is intended primarily for citizens, journalists, CSOs but also for investors and representatives of local authorities.