What should we do when we notice pollution, improper waste disposal, environmental degradation, illegal construction, or another environmental problem in our community? Who should we contact, and what rights do we have? Citizens often want to take action but are unsure where to report a problem, what information they are entitled to request, and how they can participate in decision-making processes that affect their environment.

That is where the Green Phone comes in – an advisory service through which citizens can report environmental problems they have observed and receive expert, clear, and practical information on possible ways to address them. Through the Green Phone, we inform citizens about their environmental rights and opportunities to participate in relevant procedures, support them in communicating with the competent authorities, and, where necessary, provide access to legal support.

The “Green Phone – Lend Your Voice to the Environment IV” project aims to raise environmental awareness and encourage active citizen participation through communication, education, and involvement in environmental procedures. Particular emphasis is placed on citizens of Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva Counties, whom we aim to provide with accessible information about their rights and opportunities to take action to protect the environment.

Project Activities

Activity 1. Green Phone Advisory Service for Citizens

Through the Green Phone, citizens can report environmental problems and receive expert, clear, and practical advice on their rights, options for taking action, and the steps they can take to address a problem.

During the project, we plan to receive and process at least 200 reports from citizens concerning environmental problems they have observed. At least 40 citizens will receive the digital brochure “Lend Your Voice to the Environment!” by email, helping them better understand their environmental rights and the mechanisms available for environmental protection.

We will also involve at least one student in the work of the Green Phone, giving young people an opportunity to gain practical experience in environmental protection, citizens’ rights, and working on specific environmental cases.

Activity 2. Participation in Environmental Procedures and Legal Support

We will support citizens and local initiatives by participating in environmental and inspection procedures, communicating with the competent authorities, and, where necessary, providing legal consultations and initiating administrative or court proceedings.

As part of the project, we plan to submit at least 50 written communications to public authorities in connection with environmental procedures involving public participation, inspection procedures, or informal communication aimed at resolving cases reported through the Green Phone.

For one Green Phone case, we will provide legal consultations and support to citizens or a local initiative by jointly preparing documentation with a law firm and, where necessary, initiating and conducting administrative and court proceedings on behalf of the initiative or individuals concerned.

Based on the experience and data gathered through the Green Phone, we will also prepare one policy brief, which will be submitted to the relevant public-law bodies and communicated publicly.

Activity 3. Participation in the Adoption and Amendment of Laws, Regulations and Relevant Reports

We will use the experience and issues identified through the Green Phone to participate in processes for adopting and amending legislation and planning documents and to advocate for a more effective environmental protection system.

During the project, we will participate in at least two processes involving the adoption or amendment of relevant legislative acts and planning documents related to the work of the Green Phone.

Activity 4. Strengthening the Project Team and Organisation to Improve the Delivery of the Green Phone Service

Through training, exchange of experience, mentoring, and supervision, we will strengthen the knowledge and capacities of project team members and the organisation to improve the quality of the Green Phone service.

At least two training sessions or meetings are planned to strengthen the capacities of the Association’s employees and improve the organisation. We will also develop a mentoring and supervision programme for those working on the Green Phone.

Activity 5. Promotion of the Green Phone and Public Communication of the Project

Through a communication campaign, public events, participation in events organised by others, and Aarhus Quizos, we will introduce citizens to the Green Phone, their environmental rights, and opportunities to participate in environmental protection.

We will conduct one communication campaign addressing a selected systemic issue identified through the Green Phone. The campaign will include at least 30 public posts on Sunce’s official website, Sunce’s social media channels (Instagram and Facebook), in the newsletter, and in public media.

We will organise one public event for citizens, where a Green Phone-related topic will be presented and the brochure distributed to at least 20 citizens. We will also organise one Aarhus Quizos, where at least 10 brochures will be distributed, and participate in at least one public event organised by others, such as a public discussion or round table.

Project Objectives

General Objective

To raise environmental awareness and encourage active citizen participation through communication, education, and involvement in environmental procedures.

Specific Objectives

SO1 To provide citizens of Split-Dalmatia County (SDŽ) and Dubrovnik-Neretva County (DNŽ) with expert advisory support regarding their role and rights in environmental protection, encourage them to use legal mechanisms, and strengthen public participation in environmental decision-making.

SO2 To strengthen the capacities of the organisation and project team members in order to improve the delivery of the Green Phone service.

Target Groups

The project’s target groups are citizens, local initiatives, young people, students, civil society organisations, activists, the media, and decision-makers, with a particular focus on citizens of Split-Dalmatia and Dubrovnik-Neretva Counties.

The project’s final beneficiaries are local communities, citizens, public institutions, as well as the environment and natural resources.

Project Lead: Association for Nature, Environment and Sustainable Development Sunce

In 2026, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund is co-financing the project “Green Phone – Lend Your Voice to the Environment IV!” with grant funding of up to EUR 20,000.00.

Implementation Period: The project is implemented from 18 June 2025 to 29 July 2027.

Project Manager: Margita Radman, Head of the Education and Information Department
Email: [email protected]