Cultivating Serbia's future environmental guardians: The OSCE Mission's lasting impact through the environmental law clinic

The right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment is an unequivocal prerequisite for human dignity and prosperity. Recognizing the intrinsic link between human rights and increasing environmental challenges, the OSCE Mission to Serbia places utmost emphasis on strengthening environmental rights. To help achieve this, the Mission has been collaborating with the Law Faculty at the University of Belgrade to support the Environmental Law Clinic (ELC), an extracurricular educational programme that cultivates well-prepared legal professionals in the field. In November 2023, the 9th cycle of the ELC began with 30 new students preparing to form the next generation of environmental guardians.

"By dedicating your career to environmental protection, you are actively working on safeguarding human rights. We must safeguard mother nature since it cannot advocate for itself in court," said Hristina Vojvodić, an ELC alumna.

Since 2015, over 500 senior law students completed the ELC's 10-week programme gaining in-depth knowledge of environmental legislation from experienced legal experts. The students were also given the chance to work on real-life environmental cases through placements in various state institutions. By equipping them with the tools and knowledge to handle environmental cases effectively, the programme not only fosters the participants' education but also helps Serbia's environmental laws to be translated into tangible action through expert practitioners.

Bridging theory and practice for impactful future careers

The programme's theoretical phase comprises 15 workshops held by judges, prosecutors, professors, and experts in environmental law. Topics include environmental offenses, legal protection of the right to a healthy environment, international law, and international best practices in environmental legislation. Students receive a comprehensive handbook and other publications developed with the support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia to build a solid theoretical base.

What sets the ELC apart, however, is its practical phase. It goes beyond the classroom by immersing students in practical work at state institutions such as the Office of the Commissioner for Information of Public Importance and Personal Data Protection, the Judicial Academy, Misdemeanor Courts and Ministry of Environmental Protection. Through this comprehensive approach, the programme provides an opportunity for students to sharpen their expertise through environmental case management, effectively cultivating legal professionals equipped with the skills to create a tangible impact in the field.

"ELC alumni are currently at the forefront of environmental matters, actively engaged in some of Serbia's most prominent environmental cases," said Prof. Dr. Mirjana Drenovak Ivanović, Head of the ELC and winner of OSCE Mission to Serbia's Person of the Year Award for 2023.

One such prominent environmental case was the High Court in Belgrade verdict in favor of the Regulatory Institute for Renewable Energy and the Environment (RERI) ordering the largest electric utility power company in Serbia, "Elektroprivreda Srbije", to reduce sulfur dioxide emissions in thermal power plants due to the danger it posed to human health and the environment. Two ELC alumnae were involved in this case: Hristina Vojvodić on behalf of RERI and Milena Mirčetić on behalf of the High Court in Belgrade.

"The fact that ELC alumni are now actively involved in environmental proceedings in the country is a testament to the quality and practical value of the programme," highlighted the Head of the Serbian Mission, Ambassador Jan Braathu.

The role that the OSCE Mission to Serbia plays in creating lasting impact

The OSCE Mission's support for the ELC is also a strategic investment in Serbia's future. The ELC alumni are actively shaping the future of environmental law in Serbia, making this initiative not just an educational programme but a catalyst for change.

The nine-year long support of the OSCE Mission to Serbia for the ELC is a reflection of the OSCE's broader mandate and core values. By contributing to the work of the ELC, the Mission has reinforced the link between environmental security and broader societal stability-a principle enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act. The success of the programme also demonstrates the transformative power of education and the inclusion of youth, which is one of OSCE's core commitments.

Drawing on the ELC's success, The OSCE Mission to Serbia continues to collaborate with the Law Faculty on other projects such as the Hub for Young Environmental Lawyers ("the Hub"), which aims to equip young lawyers under 35 years of age with the expertise to address environmental law violations, promote sustainability, help achieve greenhouse gas neutrality and protect civil liberties for civic engagement. The Mission plans to support the Hub in 2024 as well, reaffirming its dedication to educating young professionals in environmental law.