The Green Chair mechanism Mеханизам Зелена столица

The Green Chair mechanism presents a network of over 60 non-governmental organisations active in the field of environmental protection. It was established on 5 June 2013 at the initiative of seven civil society organisations. The main idea behind its establishment was to ensure the permanent participation of civil society representatives at sessions of the Environmental Protection Committee (Committee) of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia (National Assembly). The Green Chair’s mission is to improve communication with the legislative government and to initiate the improvement of environmental legislation. This unique mechanism enables the permanent and coordinated participation of civil society representatives in the work of the Committee and is one of the most important mechanisms for including citizens in the work of parliamentary committees in general. Representatives of the Green Chair mechanism participate in debates during the Committee session, and make comments and suggestions for improving the laws and by-laws presented to the Committee. The basic idea and intention of working through such a mechanism is to provide MPs and members of the Committee with expert knowledge and insight from the civil sector as well as from the local level.