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Bosnia & Herzegovina names second Ramsar site.

The Secretariat is pleased to report that, as of World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2007, Bosnia and Herzegovina has added its second Wetland of International Importance to the Ramsar List. Bardaca Wetland (Bardaca-mocvarni kompleks) (3,500 hectares, 45°06'N 017°27'E) is an Important Bird Area situated in the floodplain of the Sava River near the border with Croatia, and about half of the Ramsar site comprises fishponds constructed since the early 20th century and further enlarged in the 1960s for irrigation purposes. The ponds, floodplain forest, meadow and swamp areas support a range of endangered species and make an important nesting and stopover site for birds. There is a rich fish fauna (e.g., Gymnocephalus schraetzer, Zingel streber) and a range of amphibians such as Salamandra salamandra, Rana dalmatina, and the pond tortoise Emys orbicularis. The hydrological regime has been interrupted by the construction of channels, pump stations, and damming of nearby streams, but presently pressure comes from permanent, intensive agricultural practices such as intensive pasturing and unwise use of fertilizers and pesticides. Aquaculture and fish production remain a primary economic pursuit. With assistance from the Ramsar Small Grants Fund, a management plan is currently under development.

Saving 20% by 2020: European Commission unveils its Action Plan on Energy Efficiency

As a major step toward meeting the unprecedented energy challenges facing the EU, the European Commission today presented its Energy Efficiency Action Plan. The Plan contains a package of priority measures covering a wide range of cost-effective energy efficiency initiatives. These include actions to make energy appliances, buildings, transport and energy generation more efficient. Stringent new energy efficiency standards, promotion of energy services, specific financing mechanisms to support more energy efficient products are proposed. The Commission will furthermore set a Covenant of Mayors of the 20-30 most pioneering cities in Europe and will propose an international agreement on energy efficiency. Altogether, over 75 measures are set forth. "Europeans need to save energy. Europe wastes at least 20% of the energy it uses. By saving energy, Europe will help address climate change, as well as its rising consumption, and its dependence on fossil fuels imported from outside the Union's borders." said Energy Commissioner Piebalgs. "Energy efficiency is crucial for Europe: If we take action now, the direct cost of our energy consumption could be reduced by more than €100 billion annually by 2020; around 780 millions tonnes of CO2 will also be avoided yearly" he pointed out. The Action Plan, which will be implemented over the next six years, is in response to the urgent call from Heads of State and Government at the Spring European Council this year for a realistic Energy Efficiency strategy. The Plan underlines the importance of minimum energy performance standards for a wide range of appliances and equipment (from household goods such as fridges and air conditioners to industrial pumps and fans), and for buildings and energy services. In combination with performance ratings and labelling schemes minimum performance standards represent a powerful tool for removing inefficient products from the market, informing consumers of the most efficient products and transforming the market to make it more energy efficient. Minimum performance requirements for new and renovated buildings will be developed. Very low energy consumption buildings (or passive houses) will also be promoted. The Plan emphasises the considerable potential for reducing losses in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. The Action Plan proposes targeted instruments to improve the efficiency of both new and existing generation capacity and to reduce transmission and distribution losses. A comprehensive set of measures for improving energy efficiency in the area of transport is put forward. The Plan recognises that energy savings can be achieved, in particular, by ensuring fuel efficiency of cars, developing markets for cleaner vehicles, ensuring proper tyre pressure and by improving the efficiency of urban, rail, maritime and aviation transport systems. The Plan recognises the importance of changing transportation behaviour. The Action Plan also calls for appropriate and predictable price signals, essential for improving energy efficiency and overall economic performance. The Plan also contains a number of additional proposals to raise energy efficiency awareness, such as education and training. Finally, the Plan emphasises the urgent need for energy efficiency issues to be addressed on a global level through international partnerships. The Action Plan on Energy Efficiency, when fully implemented, can thus improve the Union's competitiveness, improve the living standards of its citizens, boost employment and increase exports of new, energy-efficient technology. On an individual level, small changes in our energy consumption patterns will mean saving money, improving the environment and doing our share for our common European goals.

Prime Minister Dodik laid a cornerstone for factory of bio-diesel in Srbac

Prime Minister of Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik and representative of investors Nenad Kokanović laid today in Sitneši near Srbac the cornerstone for factory of bio-diesel “Sistem ekologica”, which would process the oil rape to produce ecologically clean bio fuel as the alternative to existing fuels. Kokanović said that the factory would be built within six months, and in its construction and development would be invested app. 15 million dollars of mainly foreign capital. According to him, in the first period of operation in the factory would be employed between 30 and 40 workers, and the plan is to employ 150 workers in total, by the end of the year. Kokanović thanked the Prime Minister for his support and will of the Government of Republic of Srpska to adopt the European standards for producing bio-fuel, and expressed the hope that this only one among many projects of this kind in Republic of Srpska. Pointing out that this factory would produce 60 tons of bi-diesel per day, Prime Minister of Republic of Srpska Milorad Dodik said that producing of bio-fuel is the innovation in Republic of Srpska, and that the Government would support it. “Government developed the action plan, on which would be based the normative frameworks for all types of stimulations in domain of the bio-fuel production”, Prime Minister Dodik stressed and added that opening of this factory would be the opportunity for people of this area to establish cooperation with company “Sistem Ekologica”, through producing the raw material for processing. Prime Minister stressed that Republic of Srpska in the previous period, through the series of action, improved its business environment, that the number of foreign investments have grown, and that the value of the capital traded at Banjaluka Stock Exchange tripled through the last year. “One year ago, value of the capital traded at the Stock Exchange was three billion KM, and that amount now exceeds eight billion KM”, Prime Minister Dodik said adding that region Banjaluka, of all regions in whole BiH, achieved the highest export rate. “This shows dynamic business activity that is ongoing in Republic of Srpska, and Government and municipalities are here to create good conditions for business”, Prime Minister Milorad Dodik said.

Support letter to NGO Milenijum - from Mayor of Srbac municipality

NGO “Milenijum” has imposed itself throughout its work with the young groups and civil associations as an austere partner to the local and regional authorities in the fields of: - development of democracy and consideration towards human rights and freedom - development of European programs for children and young people - greater participation of young people in the development of the local community - youth employment - development of the capacity of the educational institutions and educational process in general - contribution to the development of culture and art - intercultural exchange and the long-life learning - protection and promotion of the environment and the development of rural areas The NGO “Milenijum” has justified its status with the implementation of several programs and projects of great interest, either for the local or widespread regional community. Hitherto, we find it very important to mention its pioneer steps forward in the development of European programs for children and youth in Republic of Srpska and BiH, also its considerable contribution to the protection and promotion of the environment and the development of rural areas as a primary problem of the country in the transition within the process of stabilization, its adaptation and joining the EU. The reconcilability of the NGO ‘Milenijum” by a numerous national and international authority’s best proves these statements.

The improvement of sanitary conditions of the spring Makarevac, placed in Nozicko village. In cooperation with the Foundation Mozaik and The Municipality of Srbac, under the project “ Support to the initiations in local communities “, we got financial means from USAID, and in December 2006. the project was realized. The goal of this project was the preservation of the traditional, tourist and environmental destination of the spring water “Makarevac”, which originates from more than a hundred years. The total sum of the project amounted to 10.855,00 BAM, the part of it, 3.920,00 BAM, came from the Foundation Mozaik, and the contribution of the local community amounted to 6.935,00 BAM (the Municipality of Srbac donated 700,00 BAM, local population 200,00 BAM and the contribution of others was realized in donations of goods and other services).

The theatre of young amateur actors in Srbac

The goal of this project was to provide for the young to spend their free time in a more creatively way, and to achieve their new experiences. The Municipality of Srbac gave assistance with its financial means of 700,00 BAM in the realization of this project. A group of girls from the High school “Petar Kocic” had been preparing their firs performance. The biggest merits for the success of this performance achieved a college-trained actress from Banja Luka Sladjana Zrnic, who had unselfishly spent most of her time teaching the girls the first rules in acting. The opening night “Women’s talks” was presented on December the 10th in the civic center in Srbac. The main goal of this thematic performance was the prevention against the violence over women, a promotion of women’s rights and it led off the conversation for women to be more active in the life of the local community, especially of small ones such as our community. During the previous year we visited several more times the National Theatre in Banja Luka, and we also participated at the amateur theatre festivals in Municipality of Laktasi 2000.

Support of economic development programme – management of woods junk in municipality of Laktasi – strategic planing 2006. In cooperation with domestic firm BRIJEST.

During the period 15.07. - 25.07.2006., we organized the International work-volunteer camp “Youth for life” Motajica 2006. in Gornja Lepenica village, Durava. Eleven volunteers from seven European countries and fifteen volunteers from the local community had participated. The arrival of all volunteers from ten European countries, our introduction with their customs and culture, their introduction of our community, also a promotion of the volunteer work and educational workshops – these were all the young needs that may have been satisfied in this way and whose values were promoted at this gathering. This camp has moved the young on from their passivization and has awoken volunteer spirit in them.

Supervising of the Parliament elections carried out in October 2006. at polling places in the Municipality of Srbac. Cooperation with the organization “Plava sfera’ from Banja Luka.

Implementation of anti-AIDS campaign carried out in December 2006. Co-operation with the organization Kastel from Banja Luka. A street promotion had also been organized, booklets and brochures were given to people, all these were organized to increase young people’s awareness and knowledge about their prevention against AIDS.

A campaign for helping and supporting children with hard social and economic family life, called “A candy for a baby” (“Jedan slatkis-jedno dijete”) was organized on the occasion of the New Year holidays. The campaign was carried out in cooperation with the Center for social work, the Center for mental health, and the Council of Children from the High school “Petar Kocic” and other elementary schools from Srbac. 174 presents had been given to children without one or both parents, children with mental derangement and the poor ones.

In February this year, the performance “Women’s talks“ was carried out at the Civic center in Srbac. The play served as a humanitarian action for one of the girls who acted in the play. That is to say, Vesna Brkic had a hard operation of spine and all the tickets money (1270 BAM), was gathered as a donation for her operation, so as to make a difficult period in her life a little bit easier.