Areas of work
The Country Programming Framework (CPF) is FAO’s planning and programming strategic document that responds to the challenges faced by the agrifood systems of the Republic of Serbia. Developed in partnership with key national and international partners, the CPF aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2021–2025 and FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022–2031. The focus areas include promoting sustainable food systems, mitigating the environmental impact of production and consumption, strengthening resilience against climate change, fostering equitable economic growth, and enhancing sector competitiveness in the context of EU accession. FAO also supports Serbia in adopting green innovations and digitalization to ensure sustainable agricultural practices that contribute to global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In line with its mandate, FAO focuses on supporting the implementation of UNSDCF Strategic Priority 1 and its three outcomes aimed at contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
The main outputs under FAO’s mandate are:
Climate Smart Agriculture and Disaster Risk Management
To strengthen the resilience of the agricultural sector, FAO has been working with ministries, the EU, agricultural advisory service and academia to improve policies and strategies, to enhance the sector’s competitiveness, develop institutional and technical capacities, and implement pilot interventions. As education and knowledge-sharing are prerequisites to taking action, FAO together with partners is implementing complex capacity building programme targeting ministries, administrations, local self-governments, agri-extension services, farmers and youth. Most recently, a new elective subject in climate change in agricultural high schools in Serbia has been introduced.
© FAO/Oliver Bunic
Forest Landscape Restoration
To accelerate action towards sustainable forest management, FAO carried out a detailed forest inventory in Serbia, that allows further assessment of the current status of forests and lays a foundation for future planning and analysis.
In the upcoming period, FAO will work on strengthening key partnerships to support the country’s decarbonization process and address the increasing number of wildfires, both human-caused and a result of climate change. FAO in Serbia will continue with activities with the objective to preserve natural resources and biodiversity, as well as to reduce damage to both the environment and people.
38616527-c890-4fc1-958b-28e3f91e5c1c.tmb-21by9wide%20.jpg?sfvrsn=8602b8ab_1 "aljevo, Serbia - Forest scene")
© FAO/Oliver Bunic
Sustainable Soil Management and Organic Agriculture
To support the establishment of an enabling environment for the promotion and application of organic agriculture in Serbia, FAO is working to strengthen legal and institutional frameworks to support the development of organic agriculture, that will help reduce soil degradation and usage of pesticides and preserve natural resources and biodiversity. To preserve soil quality and improve soil management, FAO is providing support to increase national capacities to assess the risk of agriculture diffusion.
© FAO/Mark Milstein
Genetic Conservation Programme
To ensure that agro-biodiverstity and genetic resources are used responsibly and sustainably, FAO Serbia is implementing a genetic conservation programme at Stara Planina for Busha cattle. The next steps will include the development of national plans for animal genetic resources.
© FAO/Tibor Szucs
With growing population and food demand, FAO, in collaboration with various stakeholders, is working on the food system transformation and finding adequate solutions for making food systems more resilient and sustainable. Through series of national dialogues, National Pathways for Food Systems Transformation have been developed, outlining remaining gaps and key areas of action: promotion of nature-positive production methods, organic agriculture, better health and nutrition, providing support to local food markets, development of infrastructure, expanding public-private partnerships, managing food waste and loss, while investing in innovation and digitalization.
