1. Energy efficiency Dimitrovgrad-Nis-Sarajevo-Bihac Balkan Road to Energy Efficiency Supporting projects to improve energy efficiency and to increase the production and consumption of renewable energies is one of the priorities of European cohesion policy in the period 2007-2013 Budapest 31. March 2008.

2. The main urban sustenability problem In Serbia and Bosina doesn’t exist consciousness about importance of energy efficiency, in general on the public level and on decision makers level(local government, municipalities, institutions)

3. The main urban sustainability problem – what institutions need -knowledge about EE -best practice sheering -increasing of capacities -founding and cooperation -information about trends in EU Main needs

4. Goal and objectives The project goal is to enhance capacities for the creation of energy efficiency, more active participation in the process of building common regional policy of utilization of alternative sources of energy and possibilities of cooperation among local actors (businesses, universities, financial institutions, local authority, NGOs, citizens etc), through establishment of regional network of information centers for eexchange of experiences and dissemination of good practice To improve cooperation and networking in the region through exchange of experiences and dissemination of good practice. To produce educative materials about sustainability in practice for public use. Capacity building in delivery of policies and programmes about sustainable energy. To encourage the local community in participating in environmental initiatives and project development objectives

5. Partners and stakeholders Center for civil society development, PROTECTA is an NGO founded in Nish, Serbia, the lead CSO Life environment protection society “Stara Planning” regional partner.Pirot, Serbia. cross-border partner Centre for Environmentally Sustainable Development (CESD), Sarajevo BIH stakeholders Municipality NIsh, municipality Pirot, municipality Dimitrovgrad, municipality Vranje Municipality as the basis of a network of Information Centres from Serbia. Municipality Sarajevo, Municipality Mostar, Municipality Tuzla, Municipality Bihac from BIH. Municipality as the basis of a network of Information Centres in BIH

6. Activities  Start up meeting with partners and stakeholders  Workshops – EU strategies in the field of sustainable energy  Preparation of publication- international experience  Workshops – founding possibilities, and capacity building  Preparation of publication – educational material  Study visit  Cross-border conference – creation of city networks  A series of public awareness campaigns in Serbia and Bosnia- Organisation of events, e.g. exhibitions, TV and radio shows

7. Environmental impact and sustainability In BIH and Serbia fossil fuels combustion in energy sector contributes with about 80% of greenhouse gasses emissions. Inadequate legal framework for renewable energy and low public awareness and lack of knowledge of how to save energy and how to use renewable resources for personal needs, are major obstacles for establishment of more sustainable energy production and consumption in the region.

8. Thank you ! Dragan Petković