Innovative Solutions Challenge Call for Protection, Preservation and Revitalization of Wetland Habitats

The public call is aimed at innovative project proposals for the application of nature- based solutions in order to protect and preserve wetland habitats within protected areas or in their immediate vicinity, in the Republic of Serbia.

This public call aims to collect project proposals that can contribute to the efforts of the Republic of Serbia to protect and preserve wetlands and fulfil obligations arising from ratified international agreements in the field of nature protection and conservation, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on Wetlands (RAMSAR). Also, projects and ideas that this public call aims to support shall contribute to the Serbia’s European Union accession process, given that the protection and restoration of these important ecosystems is part of the European Union Biodiversity Protection Strategy until 2030, as well as the new EU Nature Restoration Law.

Funding Information

• The maximum co-financing amount that can be claimed fоr a project is $150,000.00 USD.
• In the event that the project proposal is seeking co-financing in an amount greater than $50,000.00 USD, it is necessary to submit a statement from the applicant confirming experience in managing projects that were worth the same or more than the project proposal they are applying for.
• Projects whose project activities can be implemented in a period that is not shorter than six months nor longer than 18 months.

Conditions applicable to the project proposal

• As part of this call, only those projects that are implemented within or in the immediate vicinity of legally protected areas on the territory of the Republic of Serbia and whose project activities are exclusively related to the protection, preservation and/or restoration of wetlands can be proposed.
• Preference in the selection of projects for implementation shall be given to those projects whose activities have a measurable positive impact on wetlands through the protection of species and/or ecosystem biodiversity, preservation of ecosystem services of wetlands, adaptation to climate change and mitigation of its negative consequences, stimulation of traditional forms of use of wetlands with the aim of their long-term preservation.
• Also, priority shall be given to projects:
  • in which innovative nature-based solutions, in compliance with the current national legislation of the Republic of Serbia, are applied;
  • in which the application of the NbS contributes to the restoration of habitats and the implementation of policies and regulations of the European Union in the areas of nature protection, water protection and adaptation to climate change;
  • which represent solutions that can be replicated and/or further upgraded for use in other protected areas;
  • whose activities and applied NbS have clearly defined end users and an implementation plan;
  • that propose partnerships that contribute to the long-term preservation and protection of wetlands;

Who can apply?

• The following legal entities can submit project applications as the project lead:
  • All managers of protected areas;
  • Public enterprises;
  • Legal entities from the private sector;
  • Scientific and research institutions and organizations; and
  • Local self-government units.
• The applicant:
  • must be authorized to perform the activities proposed in the application;
  • must provide a copy of the formal agreement between the applicant and the protected area manager when submitting the final project proposal (if the main applicant is not the manager of the protected area where the proposed actions will take place);
  • must be registered in the Serbian Business Registers Agency;
  • cannot be in liquidation proceedings, bankruptcy proceedings or under a temporary ban on activities;
  • as a lead proponent, can propose a maximum of three project proposals within the call;
  • can implement the project independently or in partnership.
• All proposed actions must be in compliance with the national legislation.
• Partnership
  • Civil society organizations can participate as partners. Exceptionally, a civil society organization can be the project holder if it is also the manager of the protected area.
  • In case of partnership, partner organizations must be registered in Serbia.

For more information, visit UNDP.