Who We Are

The Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) is an international organisation with its headquarters in Szentendre, Hungary. Founded to address environmental challenges across the region, the REC has worked to bring together governments, non-governmental organisations, businesses, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable development and environmental protection.

Country Office Serbia and Montenegro

The REC Country Office in Serbia and Montenegro — originally established as the Country Office Yugoslavia — served as a focal point for environmental activities in South Eastern Europe. Based in Belgrade, the office coordinated projects, facilitated stakeholder engagement, and supported national and regional efforts toward EU environmental approximation.

During its active period from 2001 to 2004, the office managed a portfolio of projects spanning waste management, public participation under the Aarhus Convention, capacity building for EU approximation, and sustainable rural development.

Our Mission in South Eastern Europe

The REC's work in the region focused on three core areas:

• Environmental policy — assisting governments in aligning national legislation with EU environmental standards.
• Capacity building — strengthening institutions, training professionals, and fostering regional cooperation.
• Stakeholder engagement — bringing together ministries, municipalities, NGOs, and international donors to address shared environmental priorities.

A Regional Network

Beyond Serbia and Montenegro, the REC maintained Country Offices across Central and Eastern Europe, including in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This network enabled cross-border collaboration on issues such as transboundary water management, waste planning, and implementation of multilateral environmental agreements.