Across Serbia, this year’s European Green Diplomacy Week placed a strong emphasis on freshwater protection and the role that nature plays in sustaining healthy communities. Europe House Belgrade contributed to this nationwide initiative by hosting its central event and highlighting why safeguarding water resources is essential for the future.

The main event, titled “Nature and Society”, took place on 19 November at Europe House Belgrade as part of the campaign celebrated from 14 to 25 November 2025. The interactive workshop gathered 2nd and 3rd grade pupils from Drinka Pavlović Elementary School, offering them hands-on activities to explore the importance of water, biodiversity and environmental protection.

The event was organised in partnership with the EU for Green Agenda in Serbia project implemented by UNDP, and held beside the Europe House’s freshwater aquarium. The programme featured influencer Andrija Jo as moderator and facilitator, who guided the pupils through a series of interactive sessions on aquatic ecosystems.

At the beginning of the event, the Ambassador of the European Union to Serbia underlined that water is one of Serbia’s most valuable natural resources, connecting people, nature, and communities. He highlighted this year’s campaign message — “See Water Differently” — reminding participants that every drop matters and that clean rivers, lakes, and freshwater habitats are vital for both nature and people.

The Ambassador also emphasised the EU’s continued support to Serbia through the EU for Green Agenda project, aimed at reducing pollution, improving water and waste management, restoring ecosystems, and strengthening resilience to climate change.

After the opening, pupils took part in the Aquarium Activation session, where they jointly introduced a new fish into the Europe House aquarium. With insight from Public Aquarium and Tropicarium Project Manager Branislav Jakovljević, the children learned about the functioning of a closed aquatic ecosystem, natural balance, and the role of different species in maintaining water quality. They also proposed and voted on a name for the newly introduced fish.

This was followed by a short educational session with the EU Ambassador, who exchanged experiences about freshwater species from Sweden, Serbia, and across Europe, drawing parallels between different habitats and explaining the universal importance of protecting rivers, lakes, seas, and aquatic life.

The programme concluded with “My Pond”, an interactive lesson led by Tanja Vukov from the Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković.” Through specimens and examples from local environments, pupils explored how wetlands function, why they matter, and how small everyday actions can help protect water resources. Each pupil received a small takeaway gift linked to the campaign’s message.

The event formed part of the broader 2025 European Green Diplomacy Week campaign, coordinated by Europe Houses in Belgrade, Niš, and Novi Sad, in partnership with the “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia” project implemented by UNDP, and in cooperation with organisations and projects EU4Green, NATURED, IPA Adrion (programme), EBRD, RERI, City and Me, Discover Serbia, Coalition 27, Young Researchers, FINS, Youth Center Novi Sad, Beldocs/CineEuropa, and Society for Bird Protection and Study of Serbia, with the shared goal of inspiring citizens, promoting sustainable habits, and encouraging active engagement for a healthier, greener future.

The Europe House freshwater aquarium, established in June 2025 with support from the “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia” project and in cooperation with NGO Aquaria Life, continues to serve as an educational space where visitors can learn about the rich biodiversity of European rivers. The aquarium is home to several species typical of the Danube basin, including chub, carp, roach, rudd, bream, perch, pumpkinseed, and others — all maintained in a balanced and carefully monitored ecosystem.

The project EU for Green Agenda in Serbia, with the financial support of the European Union and in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, is implemented by UNDP in cooperation with Sweden and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with additional funding provided by the governments of Sweden, Switzerland and Serbia.

European Green Diplomacy Week is a global EU campaign that fosters collaboration on climate change and inspires climate action.