From Seed to Sustainability: UN's New Initiative for Food Systems Transformation" Launched in Serbia

Mionica, 26. November 2024 – In the presence of representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, the local government of Mionica, the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, agricultural producers and members of the Kolubara Biodistrict, academic institutions, the UN Resident Coordinator’s office in Serbia, and UN agencies, the joint UN project " From Seed to Sustainability: Food Systems 4 All" was officially launched today. This project continues the partnership between the United Nations and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management to transform food systems.

Nabil Gangi, FAO Deputy Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, highlighted that food systems in the region face significant pressures due to increasing stress on land and water resources, climate change, conflicts, and economic inequalities. He concluded that initiatives such as the project " From Seed to Sustainability: Food Systems 4 All" demonstrate that the food system transformation is both possible and already underway.

The goal of the project is to advance four Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Serbia, particularly SDG 2 (Zero hunger), SDG 5 (Gender equality), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), and SDG 15 (Life on land). The objective of this joint programme is to accelerate Serbia’s progress towards the food system transformation through strengthening inter-institutional coordination mechanisms for the effective implementation of food systems transformation by adopting nature-positive production methods and sustainable management of resources through the inclusive and gender-sensitive bio-district model. 

A bio-district is a geographical area where farmers, citizens, tourist operators, associations and public authorities enter into an agreement for the sustainable management of local resources, based on principles and practices of organic production and agro-ecology, aiming at the fulfilment of the economic and sociocultural potential of the territory. Kolubara bio-district is the first such district in Serbia and Southeast Europe. 

“This step represents significant progress toward 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. This initiative in Serbia is led by the UN Resident Coordinator office and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), together with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), with support from the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management.