Last week, at the invitation of the BioSense Institute in Novi Sad, our legal consultant, Jana Sovilj, delivered a presentation as part of the workshop “Monitoring of Nature Infrastructure – Skill Acquisition for Nature-Based Solutions”, organized within the SONATA Twinning project. The presentation focused on the legal framework for environmental protection in the Republic of Serbia, with a particular emphasis on Vojvodina, where the project is being implemented. The goal was to provide SONATA project participants with an overview of relevant legal mechanisms and procedures that could be applied in the implementation of nature-based solutions in Serbia.
Nature-based solutions leverage the power of nature to address various environmental, social, and economic challenges, including climate change, food and water security, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable urban development.
A special focus was placed on habitat expansion and water protection, given that one of the main objectives of the SONATA project is the optimization of three key ecosystem services: crop pollination, carbon capture, and food production.
Legal considerations play a crucial role in the implementation of such solutions, particularly regarding strategies such as windbreaks and the use of riparian land. Regulatory frameworks directly influence these efforts – for instance, Serbia’s Water Law prescribes a 10-meter riparian zone, while intensive agriculture in Vojvodina, combined with natural factors, contributes to soil erosion, necessitating the implementation of protective measures. For these measures to be effective and ensure ecosystem preservation, it is essential to understand both natural and biological factors, as well as the relevant legal regulations and procedures.
Additionally, since the primary goal of the SONATA project is knowledge transfer and the provision of cutting-edge tools for mapping and understanding natural landscapes and habitats, the workshop, mentored by the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), focused on strategies and planning for further stakeholder mapping and engagement in the project’s Living Labs. The workshop also included discussions on two case studies that will be part of the project.
The event featured dynamic discussions and active participation from representatives of IH Cantabria, UNIOVI, and VITO, all of whom are partners in this project.