Helping the Balkans study climate and environment An EU initiative to upgrade the meteorological and environmental capabilities of the University of Novi Sad has reinforced the whole Balkan region in this sector. Climate Change and Environment © Shutterstock With Serbia slated to join the European Union in the near future, the European Commission is doubling its efforts to enhance the upcoming member's research potential in many areas. One of these efforts is related to climate research, in coordination with the Centre for Meteorology and Environmental Predictions (CMEP) at the University of Novi Sad in Serbia. The EU-funded project 'Reinforcement of the research potential in Centre for Meteorology and environmental predictions' (RRP-CMEP) worked on boosting Serbia's capabilities in this respect. It brought together four research groups that focused on environmental forecasts related to air and soil quality control, production of healthy food and public health. By strengthening the centre's research and development capabilities, the project contributed to reinforcing the European Research Area (ERA). It also helped bring high-tech capabilities to the Western Balkans and disseminate research results of the CMEP and its partners. These efforts involved purchasing new equipment for the centre, an increase in human resources, organisation of an international workshop and establishment of a project website. RRP-CMEP also furthered training in climate monitoring and encouraged young scientists to pursue careers in the field. A key project achievement included the development of sophisticated software to help the centre undertake more robust analyses in the field. RRP-CMEP successfully repositioned the centre in the region, raised awareness on environmental issues, supported education in these fields, and reinforced the CMEP in numerous ways. This has enabled the centre to undertake research on a regional scale.
