The photo contest „Natura 2000 in the frame", which was jointly organized by the project „EU for Natura 2000 in Serbia" and the Energy Portal, was completed on November 27th. During 11 weeks more than 1500 photos took part in this competition and three of them, most successful, will be awarded at the closing ceremony that will be held online on December 17th on the Facebook page of EU Info Center.
The main topics on which photographers amateurs and professionals responded were: protected areas and landscapes, natural beauties, flora and fauna, sustainable human activities (sustainable agriculture, tourism, and other activities). The intention and goal of this photo-contest were to connect the importance of protection of biodiversity with the diversity of natural landscapes in Serbia, highlighting the spaces that will be part of the future Natura 2000 Network, as well as to show to the beautiful public landscapes in Serbia, and to motivate and remind citizens of the importance of protection of the environment and diversity of flora and fauna.
Every week professional Jury selected the three most successful photos received during the week. During the photo competition, 34 photos became finalists, and the three most successful will be awarded at the final ceremony. The Jury is composed by the Team Leader of the project „EU for Natura 2000 in Serbia" Ana Iñigo, Project Manager in the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia responsible for environment and Climate Changes Antoine Avignon, Project Manager in the Ministry of environmental protection – Sector for Nature protection and Climate changes Snežana Prokić, photographer Bojan Džodan, multimedia artist Mina Radović and Editor in Chief of Energy Portal Nevena Djukić.
„Nature photographers show us once again what fantastic photos they can make and what wide opportunities nature gives to them. The Jury had a complex task to make the decision, but they have also allowed us to enjoy fantastic photos. Through them, we can imagine and feel that we are at that location and see something that we did not see before. For me, to be part of the Jury has been a great experience that allowed me to log which sites I shouldn't miss travelling through Serbia", said Ana Iñigo.
The Natura 2000 is an international ecological network of protected areas that are classified into two categories according to the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. The project supports the Ministry of Environmental Protection to establish the first list of potential sites in Serbia that will be part of the European Natura 2000 Network.
Photo contest „Natura 2000 in the frame" gather several hundreds of photographers and nature lovers that equal participate for the one of three main award – 1st prize 60.000 dinars, 2nd prize – 45.000 dinars, 3rd prize -35.000 dinars.
The exhibition of the most successful photos is postponed due to a specific epidemiological situation and will be held once the conditions allow it, probably during spring 2021.
The online event will be broadcast live on the Facebook page of EU Info Center.