Networking
The SLLEI has developed a broad informal stakeholder network contacted over last 18 months. SLLEI has also now formalized engagement of key stakeholders from national and local governments, private sector (including Austrian) companies, banking, environmental and social NGOs, chambers of commerce, farmer associations, women’s groups, potential off takers (district heating companies, national electric company, industry) and investors into an Advisory Board.
The Advisory Board of the Sustainable Land, Livelihoods, and Energy Initiative Serbia (SLLEI) will guide, advance, and promote the facilitation of a EUR 1 billion+ private and donor climate adaptation investment mechanism to catalyze use of government-owned abandoned and degraded agricultural land (and other degraded lands such as landfills, mining areas, and private non-food producing land) to support rural economic development, energy security, and environmental objectives using sustainable and profitable short rotation woody biomass energy plantations, co-located renewable energy technologies where feasible, and adjacent solar thermal greenhouses and agroforestry borders to further support local rural livelihoods.
SLLES initiative is complementary to the Dendromass4EU project, currently underway with significant EU/EC support along with IKEA’s and universities’ partnership—cultivating demonstration SRPs (poplar) in the EU and supporting bioeconomy innovation. The Project aims to accomplish similar goals in the non-EU countries of the Western Balkans, focusing on species best suited to the local conditions (willow, arundo).
https://www.dendromass4europe.eu
In addition, the Project aligns with the EU Energy Barge initiative along the Danube River, adding in Serbia as a missing link for transport.
