Young people have the opportunity to develop green skills and are open to gaining knowledge in this area – this was the conclusion of the panel discussion “Green Jobs, Skills, and Education”, held at the Europe House in Belgrade as part of the European Green Diplomacy Week organized by the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia.

The panel was organized by the EU4Green project, a regional initiative financed by the European Union and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), and implemented by the Environment Agency Austria. “Through this project, we support the Western Balkans in implementing the Green Agenda with the aim of strengthening sustainable practices and fostering the green transition in line with European standards,” said Nenad Konstantinović, Communications Manager of the EU4Green project and moderator of the panel.

The panel opened with a keynote speech by Daniela Zanini-Freitag, a green education expert from the Austrian Environment Agency. Daniela presented the EU4Green project’s activities, which include preparing and continuously training the workforce through tailored programs for local economies. “We focus on customized training tailored to local needs, such as training for wastewater treatment plant operators, thereby contributing to the enhancement of green skills and sustainable development,” Daniela emphasized.

One of the panelists, Ivana Milićević, Project Coordinator at the Regulatory Institute for Renewable Energy and the Environment (RERI), highlighted the importance of a legal framework in promoting green jobs. “Measures and specific policies that would encourage young people to pursue green jobs are currently lacking,” Ivana said, emphasizing the need to involve young people in institutional processes.

Milica Lukić, a researcher at the Faculty of Geography in Belgrade, pointed out the limited awareness among young people about the broader opportunities in green sectors. “Young people often associate green skills exclusively with ecology, while broader education and communication about positive examples are needed,” Milica said, adding that connecting academic and civil society sectors is key to creating a favorable educational environment.

Tatjana Avramović, environmentalist and researcher at Platform Zajedničko, stated that “green jobs should become the standard in most sectors, and the civil sector plays a crucial role in creating space for training and skill development through various initiatives.”

Discussing changes in the green labor market, Nemanja Petrović, Project Coordinator at the Belgrade Open School (BOŠ), noted: “The most sought-after sectors include green management, energy efficiency, circular economy, green IT, and sustainable agriculture.” Nemanja leads the project “Green Generations – Schools Engaged in Climate Action”, empowering young people to take an active role in their communities.

Finally, Dalibor Ignjatović, Innovation Director at the National Association of Autonomous and Electric Vehicles (NAAEV), spoke about innovations and the development of green jobs in the e-mobility sector.

The panelists concluded that the roles of experts, regulatory frameworks, and media are crucial in promoting green jobs and skills. This discussion highlighted the importance of education and collaboration across various sectors in supporting the green transition in the Western Balkans.