In the period from 17-19 October, Florozon was co-host of enriching three-day study visit in Skopje, part of the SMART Balkans project. The dedicated team of the Norwegian Embassy in Serbia, represented by Ms. Nela Jovic, together with representatives of CSO’s from the WB countries, was actively engaged in insightful sessions focusing on the vital role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in averting corruption risks in the environmental sector.
On the first day, alongside esteemed CSO representatives from Western Balkan countries, specializing in environmental issues and anti-corruption efforts, we had the privilege of visiting the Assembly of the Republic of North Macedonia. A productive meeting with the informal green parliamentarian group shed light on their commendable initiatives in combatting environmental corruption. Later, at the Council of Inspection Authorities, we gained valuable insights into their crucial role in monitoring inspectors, particularly in environmental matters. We ended the day with a networking session lead by CED Florozon, where the following conclusions were made:
- The communities from all WB countries are facing the same/similar problems in the field of corruption (environmental corruption included), so joint initiatives are needed for exchange of experience
- There is a need of joint regional initiatives and projects, in order to overcome the existing problems and challenges
- Building capacities of CSO’s, state and local institutions, and other relevant stakeholders is more than needed, in order to overcome the corruption in the WB countries
The second day was dedicated to forging connections with Macedonian CSOs actively engaged in the fight against corruption in the environmental sphere. Their presentations showcased invaluable experiences and best practices, providing a wealth of knowledge for all participants. During the sessions, CED Florozon presented the latest data from the ongoing survey of perception of corruption in the environment.
On the final day of the visit, we delved into discussions with the State Commission for Prevention of Corruption and the State Inspectorate for Environment. Learning about their competencies, roles, and impressive results in the battle against corruption was both informative and inspiring.
As reiterated throughout this study visit, the bedrock of success in preventing and combating corruption in the environmental sector lies in the strong collaboration between CSOs and state institutions. Together, we can make a significant impact.
#SMARTBalkans #StudyVisit
