Green Futures, Brighter Beginnings: Municipalities Lead the Way

Belgrade, 11 December 2025 – National and local authorities, civil society, youth volunteers and UN partners gathered today for the final workshop of the Joint Programme “Green Futures, Brighter Beginnings: Local Action for Child Rights and Energy Efficiency.” Funded by the Joint SDG Fund, and implemented by UNICEF, UNEP and UN-Habitat in partnership with the Government of Serbia, the programme supported municipalities to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through inclusive, energy-efficient and child-sensitive policies.

Opening the event, UN Resident Coordinator in Serbia, Matilde Mordt, highlighted the importance of local action in the green transition. “SDG localization is where the 2030 Agenda becomes real for people. Each territory has different needs and priorities, many times intertwined. For example, the energy transition is not only an energy issue, but also a matter of social justice - households should not experience energy poverty. No municipality should be left behind in the green transition. This programme shows what is possible when national institutions, municipalities and UN agencies work together around local needs,” she said.

Over the past year, in partnership with the Red Cross of Serbia, the programme reached 100 vulnerable households with children in 10 municipalities through youth-led outreach, providing practical guidance on improving home energy efficiency and safety. Through direct contact with families in need, volunteers strengthen their own sense of empathy and show their peers that young people can drive positive change in their communities.

At the same time, UNICEF conducted a Public Finance Analysis on local government spending on green energy and energy efficiency. In collaboration with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, selected municipalities are further supported to plan and fund green transition measures that reflect the needs of children and vulnerable families.

UNICEF Representative in Serbia, Deyana Kostadinova, emphasised the long-term value of this work. “This programme has shown what is possible when municipalities, civil society, youth and national institutions work toward a common child rights goal,” she said. “We all need to further expand this shared commitment, from household outreach to well financed local budgeting, so that many more communities across Serbia can benefit.”

As the programme concludes, partners reaffirmed their commitment to supporting municipalities with evidence and tools that help them integrate and finance energy affordability, energy efficiency and child rights into local planning and action. The UN Country Team confirmed it will continue supporting Serbia to address energy poverty and advance SDG localization.