Biodistricts represent an innovative model of territorial development based on organic production, environmental protection and cooperation among different stakeholders within a specific territory. Their aim is to connect local resources, production, the economy and the community in support of sustainable development. As an integrated approach, a biodistrict links agriculture, food production and consumption, natural resources, tourism, the economy, culture and education.

The biodistrict concept is also recognised in the European Union Action Plan for the Development of Organic Production, which defines a biodistrict as a geographical area where farmers, citizens, tourism operators, associations and public authorities jointly manage local resources based on the principles and practices of organic production, with the aim of achieving economic, social and environmental benefits for the territory.
Serbia Organika initiated the development of the biodistrict concept in Serbia in 2023 and established the national framework for its creation and further development. The Kolubara region was selected for the development of Serbia’s first biodistrict, and the first formal structures of Biodistrict Kolubara were established in May 2024, with the establishment of the Promoting Committee and the laying of the foundation stone for Biodistrict Kolubara.

The Guide presents the biodistrict concept and model, its principles, stakeholders and objectives, international experiences and policies, development and socio-economic effects, as well as the methodological and institutional framework for the development, establishment, operation and governance of biodistricts in Serbia. Particular attention is given to organic production as a key pillar of a biodistrict, the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity, the development of local value chains, the circular economy, tourism, knowledge and the active participation of the local community.
A significant part of the publication is dedicated to Biodistrict Kolubara as a case study in Serbia. By presenting its territorial and development context, vision, mission and strategic objectives, governance model and sustainable practices, practical implementation of the model, as well as the first experiences and lessons learned, the Guide demonstrates how the biodistrict concept can be developed within a specific local context.
One of the objectives of the Guide is to make the biodistrict concept more accessible to different stakeholders in Serbia and to provide practical guidance for its establishment and development. The experiences of Biodistrict Kolubara have been translated into practical knowledge and recommendations that can be useful to other territories considering the development of this model in Serbia.

The Guide is intended for agricultural producers, businesses, civil society organisations, Local Action Groups, local governments, development agencies, decision-makers, donors and all other stakeholders interested in initiating or supporting the development of biodistricts in Serbia.
The publication provides a basis for a better understanding of the potential of biodistricts, as well as a practical framework for their further development in Serbia, while taking into account the specific characteristics, resources and needs of different local territories.

“A Guide to Biodistricts – How to Establish a Biodistrict in Serbia”can be downloaded here.

The new Tourism Development Strategy recognizes bio-districts as an innovative model of integrated resource management focused on local economic development and based on the valorisation of the natural, cultural and social values of a particular area. Of particular importance is the Strategy’s explicit recognition of the need to develop and support the concept of “bio-districts” (eco-regions), as well as their role as an important tool for strengthening the sustainability and competitiveness of rural tourism and agritourism.

The Strategy also highlights the integrated nature of bio-districts, which bring together stakeholders and activities in organic and sustainable agriculture, tourism, environmental protection and local entrepreneurship. Such integration creates opportunities to improve the tourism offer, preserve biodiversity and increase economic benefits in rural areas.

Particular importance is also given to the role of bio-districts in connecting different sectors and stakeholders. Their further development in Serbia is recognized as an opportunity to improve coordination between the public, private and civil sectors, strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation, and position Serbia as a destination for responsible and environmentally sustainable tourism.

The recognition of the bio-district concept in three national strategies – covering agriculture and rural development, environmental protection and tourism – represents an important step towards its systematic and cross-sectoral positioning within Serbia’s national policies.

For Serbia Organica, which developed the national methodology for the establishment and operation of bio-districts, this represents an important recognition of the work carried out so far, as well as a strong incentive for the further development of the concept. The experience of the Kolubara Bio-district, the first bio-district in Serbia, demonstrates how this model can be applied in practice by connecting organic and sustainable agriculture, local producers and entrepreneurs, tourism, natural and cultural resources, and the local community.

The strategic recognition of bio-districts also opens up new opportunities for the further development of the Kolubara Bio-district and creates a more supportive framework for initiating and developing new bio-districts in other parts of Serbia.

The leaflet was developed with the support of the German Agency for International Cooperation – GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit – GIZ).

Set in the authentic surroundings of My Little Farm, the Festival will bring together producers, local organizations and other actors whose work contributes to the development of the Kolubara Biodistrict. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover local products and initiatives, exchange experiences, and spend time together in nature while enjoying the variety of activities offered at this year’s Festival.

We will be delighted to welcome you and have you join us for this event dedicated to the local community, nature and initiatives contributing to the sustainable development of the Kolubara Biodistrict.

The Festival is organized by the Kolubara Biodistrict and Serbia Organica with the support of the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) and other partners.

Here you can find all the details, including the programme and map Invitation and Festival Programme

**The Festival is open to all, but registration is required by 8 September at the latest by email: office@serbiaorganica.org.

The Guide to Biodistricts in Serbia seeks to answer these and other questions and will soon be published in both Serbian and English. The Guide draws on the experience of introducing the biodistrict concept in Serbia and the process of establishing the Kolubara Biodistrict, the first biodistrict in Serbia and in the Western Balkans. The preparation of the Guide was supported by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), through the Green Economy in Serbia project.

The Guide is structured into two interconnected parts.

The first part focuses on the concept and model of biodistricts. It explains what a biodistrict is, how the concept emerged and developed in the European context, its main characteristics and principles, who the key actors are, and how they can be connected at the territorial level. Particular attention is given to different aspects of biodistrict functioning, from linking agriculture and nature conservation to developing the local economy, short value chains, social cooperation and community engagement.

The second part focuses on the potential for developing biodistricts in Serbia. Drawing on international experience and the experience of developing the Kolubara Biodistrict, this part explores how the concept can be adapted to Serbia’s institutional, economic, agricultural and social context. It presents possible organizational models, the roles of different local and national actors, as well as methodological approaches and practical steps relevant to initiating and developing biodistricts in other parts of Serbia.

A dedicated chapter focuses on the Kolubara Biodistrict as the first example of this model in Serbia. It presents the process of its establishment and development, experiences in connecting local producers, organizations, institutions and other actors, the activities and initiatives developed, as well as the challenges encountered and the ways in which they were addressed. This experience provides an important basis for understanding how the biodistrict concept can be translated from a theoretical and European framework into a concrete territorial context in Serbia.

The value of the Guide lies in the fact that it does not view a biodistrict merely as an organizational model, but as a process that is gradually built through connecting people, knowledge, natural resources and the local economy around a shared territorial vision. Organic farming is one of the important foundations of this approach, but the potential of biodistricts extends beyond organic production. The focus also includes agroecological approaches, biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of natural resources, development of local value chains, culture and social development.

The Guide was developed with the aim of making the experience gained through the development of the Kolubara Biodistrict available to other territories in Serbia that recognize the potential of using a similar approach to connect agriculture, nature conservation, the local economy and the development of rural communities.

The Guide is not intended as a definitive blueprint, but rather as a basis for understanding, initiating, adapting and further developing the biodistrict model in Serbia – through experience, cooperation and the specific needs of each individual territory.

The Guide will be published soon on the website, where it will be available to read and download.

This represents an important first step towards the institutional recognition of biodistricts as a model that brings together sustainable agriculture, nature and biodiversity conservation, local economic development, and the strengthening of rural communities.

The recognition of the biodistrict concept within Serbia’s strategic framework creates opportunities for its further development, its integration into support measures and mechanisms, and the expansion of this model to other areas across Serbia.

For Biodistrict Kolubara, as the first biodistrict in Serbia and the wider region, this represents significant recognition of the work carried out to date and an important foundation for the further development of the biodistrict model in Serbia.

The webinar is designed to help organic actors who want to emulate bio-districts and provide inspirations that can be implemented in their localities. Some of the topics that will be discussed are:

1. How are territorial food systems such as bio-districts initiated and how are they sustained?

2. How has the establishment of the bio-district changed the local economy and the social and political environment of the area?

3. What are the challenges in sustaining a bio-district or similar local initiatives?

4. In some areas in Spain, community building and education, especially of children, play a big part in the creation of bio-district. Why did INNER implement this approach and what are the impacts of this approach?

5. How can organic actors from non-EU countries initiate an organic district?

REGISTER HERE 

A total of 3 volumes have been released, covering 33 European countries, including Serbia (Volume 3, 2026). In Serbia, 15 initiatives, examples, and programs have been identified that contribute to the development of agroecology across different activities: practice, science, social movements, living labs, and education and training.

The report was published by AE4EU (Agroecology for Europe) and Agroecology Europe.

 Why is this important?
To scale up agroecology, it is essential to understand its current state and development. This report provides exactly that insight and serves as a basis for better policymaking and further support to its growth.

At a time when European agriculture is facing challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, farmers’ income insecurity, and food security, agroecology is emerging as part of the solution.

🌿 Agroecology contributes to:

✔ Climate change mitigation
✔ Biodiversity restoration
✔ Strengthening farmers’ economic resilience
✔ Revitalization of rural areas
✔ Promotion of local supply chains

However, for its wider uptake, agroecology needs to become an integral part of policies, not just individual initiatives.

A collection of country reports

You can find here Volume 3, which includes the report on Serbia (pages 277 – 320)

The lecturers generously shared their extensive knowledge and experience in implementing sustainable tourism practices, opening entirely new perspectives for the members of the Bio-District and inspiring them with ideas and actions they can implement both within their own initiatives and in their wider communities. They were also encouraged to share this knowledge with others who did not have the opportunity to attend this unique educational program. All the topics were extremely significant and demonstrated the important role of sustainable tourism in connecting local sustainable production, gastronomy, nature, and cultural heritage—elements for which the Kolubara District stands out as the place where the first bio-district in this part of Europe was established.

For the Kolubara Bio-District, sustainable tourism has a special value because it enables the connection of organic and sustainable agriculture, local products, and natural resources into a unified story that attracts visitors and contributes to the development of this region.

Through motivating discussions with the lecturers and the exchange of practical examples, participants had the opportunity to reflect on the many potentials of their district, as well as the challenges that accompany the development of tourism initiatives.

It was particularly emphasized that such models of tourism make it possible to preserve natural resources and tradition while simultaneously creating new opportunities for the development of the local economy.

These gatherings also serve as a reminder of how important cooperation is between agricultural households and food producers, tourism hosts, and small local entrepreneurs. They also highlight that the foundation on which the Kolubara Bio-District was created is organic agriculture, and that organic producers and organic products are precisely what should make this region unique and recognizable. Without this, the area could become just another attractive tourist destination.

The training demonstrated how important knowledge, cooperation, and a shared vision are for the future of the Kolubara Bio-District. Through the exchange of experiences and the generous support of the lecturers, as well as among the participants themselves, the connections between them were further strengthened, showing that tourism can be a powerful driver of development—but only if it is sustainable, because only sustainable tourism brings benefits to local communities, nature, and future generations.