Mionica, 26 November 2024 – The Joint SDG Fund programme “From Seed to Sustainability: Food Systems 4 All” was officially launched in Mionica on 26 November. The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, the local government of Mionica, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, agricultural producers, members of the Kolubara Biodistrict, Serbia Organika, academic institutions, the UN Resident Coordinator’s office in Serbia, and UN agencies. This programme extends the longstanding partnership between the United Nations and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management to transform Serbia's food systems.
Nabil Gangi, Deputy Regional Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for Europe and Central Asia, emphasized the challenges facing food systems in the region, including increased stress on land and water resources, climate change, conflicts, and economic inequalities. He affirmed that initiatives like “From Seed to Sustainability: Food Systems 4 All” demonstrate that food system transformation is not only possible but already underway.
The programme aims to advance four Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Serbia: SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). It seeks to accelerate progress by enhancing inter-institutional coordination mechanisms, adopting nature-positive production methods, and promoting sustainable resource management through an inclusive and gender-sensitive bio-district model. Piloting the global bio-district concept in Serbia’s Kolubara district will involve supporting the National Association of Organic Producers, Serbia Organika, and the government in formalizing and operationalizing the bio-district.
A bio-district is a defined geographical area where farmers, citizens, tourism operators, associations, and public authorities collaborate to sustainably manage local resources based on principles of organic production and agroecology. The Kolubara bio-district, the first of its kind in Serbia and Southeast Europe, will serve as a pilot for this innovative approach, aiming to harness the economic and sociocultural potential of the region.
“This step represents significant progress toward ensuring a sustainable future and aligns with our aspirations for Mionica to become a leader in sustainable agriculture, ecological development, and the promotion of healthy, organic food. It is important to note that this project contributes to community development, from uniting local producers and institutions to fostering international partnerships,” said Boban Janković, Mayor of Mionica.
“From Seed to Sustainability: Food Systems 4 All” is a one-year initiative funded by the Joint SDG Fund, with support from the European Union and the governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The initiative is led by the UN Resident Coordinator’s office in Serbia and implemented by FAO, UNEP, and UN Women, with support from UNECE and in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of Serbia.
