Background

Purpose

To support the local self-governments (LSGs) in their local air quality planning (update/development of local Air Quality Plans and/or Short-term Action Plans on Air Quality Protection).

Objective

To contribute to improved capacities of LSGs to plan and implement measures aimed at protecting the air quality.

Background Information

UNDP Serbia supports the Government of Serbia to comply with international conventions and European Union regulations on climate change, adaptation and mitigation, emission-reduction, and promotion of the transition to low-emission and climate-resilient development. Within the Environment and Climate Change portfolio, UNDP assists the Government in creating a stable and functioning framework in order to meet the requirements under the Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, UNCBD, UNCCD).

The European Green Deal and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans offer a blueprint for joint action to tackle the challenges of the green transition. The Green Agenda was shaped into regional action through the Sofia Declaration and the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Sofia Declaration on the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans 2021 – 2030. The green transition requires a cross-sectoral approach and broad societal participation to trigger transformative change. In line with this ambition, the “Green Agenda for Serbia” project funded by the EU, was designed to build broader engagement and participation. The project objective is to contribute to the efficient, inclusive, and sustainable implementation of the Green Agenda by improving the strategic and legislative framework, co-financing the implementation of innovative pilot projects, and mobilizing additional financing for scale-up investments. In this way, the project will contribute to the green transformation of the economy and society in Serbia. The project will also contribute to the decarbonization of the economy and achievement of the Paris Agreement goals, reducing environmental pollution (air, soil, and water) and support the alignment of Serbia’s regulatory framework with the EU acquis in following five pillars of the Green Agenda:

1. Climate action, decarbonisation, energy efficiency, and green industries;
2. Circular economy for resource efficiency and industrial symbiosis;
3. Depollution of the environment with a strong focus on air quality;
4. Protecting and investing in biodiversity and ecosystems;
5. Sustainable food systems for sustainable rural livelihood.

Under Pillar 3, the project will assist the Government in preparing recommendations for improving the air quality regulatory framework, support local self-government in the development and improvement of air quality plans (for local self-governments selected through public call) and implementation of the air protection measures from the plans, provide financial support for the innovative ideas for cleaner air, and develop pillar-specific roadmaps. The project will also prepare Guidelines for air quality planning for local self-governments.

UNDP has received 29 applications from LSGs under the “Public Call for Expressions of Interest for obtaining technical support for the development and/or improvement of Air Quality Plans and/or Short-term Action Plans on Air Quality Protection” and plans to provide technical assistance to the selected LSGs. UNDP selected 12 LSGs for receiving technical support in upgrade/development of their action plans: Subotica, Užice, Kraljevo, Novi Pazar, Bor, Zajecar, Niš, Pancevo, Belgrade, Pirot, Paracin, Beocin; while following 17 LSGs will benefit from capacity building that can help them accelerate the process of improving the AQ: Cuprija, Bujanovac, Sokobanja, Sombor, Veliko Gradište, Arandelovac, Vlasotince, Mionica, Prijepolje, Backa Palanka, Požega, Negotin, Dimitrovgrad, Medveda, Bosilegrad, Opovo, Loznica.

UNDP is seeking for a short-term consultancy to assist UNDP Environment and Climate Portfolio in providing support to the local self-governments (LSGs) in their local air quality planning (update/development of Air Quality Plans and/or Short-term Action Plans on Air Quality Protection).

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work:

UNDP is seeking consultants with expertise in air quality sector, to support local self-government units interested in preparation or improvement of Air Quality Plans and/or Short-term Action Plans on Air Quality Protection[1], within the “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia: Get Started, Take Action, Scale-up” project.

The Offerors will be required to comply with standard UNDP rules and regulations and previously agreed deadlines per individual services/deliverables provided in the area of the requested services.

Under the direct supervision of Portfolio Manager, the consultants will be required to perform the following duties:

Consultant on Air Quality Monitoring (LOT 1)

• Analyse the air quality status (collect the information on sources, types and characteristics of air pollution) and the status of AQ monitoring and AQ-related measures and plans within up to 12 LSGs (mentioned in the above section) (screen existing policy documents, reports, AQ-related measures) selected under the UNDP’s call (list of LSGs shall be agreed with UNDP Portfolio Manager);
• Consult with the LSGs’ teams about the expected outcomes of the AQ planning process, available resources and LSGs capacities available for AQ monitoring and planning, through performing series of interviews, discussions and desk research;
• Provide expert assistance to at least 8 and up to 12 LSGs in their AQ planning with special focus on AQ monitoring and data processing, including but not limited to: determining the locations and number of AQ monitoring stations, AQ parameters, determining pollution sources, defining goals, measures, targets, indicators for the AQ plan and/or Short-term action plans, and monitoring the implementation;
• Collect data and conduct analysis of local policies and, programmes and strategies, including but not limited to development plans, spatial plans, etc, in order to establish adequate monitoring processes and to ensure compliance with the AQ Plan(s);
• Develop brief Air Quality monitoring methodology including locations and number of AQ monitoring stations necessary (for LSGs that lack monitoring stations);
• Propose additional AQ measures based on the pre-assessed local conditions, measures and initiatives already taken, resources available and other relevant resources and indicators; Facilitate internal and external dialogue regarding the improvement of Short-term Action Plan measures;
• Develop training materials on AQ monitoring-related aspects of AQ planning, as an input to the Guidelines for air quality planning for local self-governments, in line with Rulebooks on the content of the Air Protection Plans and Short-term Action Plans;
• Conduct at least 3 one-day training sessions (at least one live in Belgrade and others either hybrid or online) for LSG representatives (all LSGs included in the project), based on the developed training materials. The Consultant shall also facilitate peer learning events (seminars, workshops) with the aim to enable knowledge exchange among LSGs on their experiences and knowledge regarding development and implementation of AQ plans, with a focus on air quality monitoring;
• Provide expert support to the LSGs, on a need-basis, in establishing Working Group for the development of Air Quality Action Plan;
• Provide expert support to the  LSGs in mobilization and participation of public in the process of AQ planning;
• Present the results of the planning process at the national and regional workshop;
• Provide expert support to the  LSGs, on a need-basis, to develop tender documentation for selection of company/organization/team of experts that will be engaged for the development of AQ Action Plan(s);

Consultant on Air Quality Planning (LOT 2)

• Analyse the air quality status (collect the information on sources, types and characteristics of air pollution) and the status AQ-related measures and plans within up to 12 LSGs (mentioned in the above section) (screen existing policy documents, reports, AQ-related measures) selected under the UNDP’s call (list of LSGs shall be agreed with UNDP Portfolio Manager);
• Consult with the LSGs’ teams about the expected outcomes of the AQ planning process, available resources and LSGs capacities available for AQ planning, through performing series of interviews, discussions and desk research;
• Provide expert assistance to  at least 8 and up to 12 LSGs in their AQ planning with special focus on defining targets, indicators and measures for the AQ Action Plan, including but not limited to: defining goals, measures, targets, indicators for the AQ plan and/or Short-term action plans, drafting operation procedures of the Working Group for coordination of the AQ planning process, identification of tasks and objectives of the Working group and support drafting AQ Plan;
• Collect data and conduct analysis of local policies and, programmes and strategies, including but not limited to development plans, spatial plans, etc, in order to establish adequate planning processes and to ensure compliance with the AQ Plan(s);
• Revise up to 7 Short-term Action Plans on AQ Protection and proposing additional AQ measures based on the pre-assessed local conditions, measures and initiatives already taken, resources available and other relevant resources and indicators, and facilitate internal and external dialogue regarding the improvement of Short-term Action Plan measures;
• Propose additional AQ measures based on the pre-assessed local conditions, measures and initiatives already taken, resources available and other relevant resources and indicators; Facilitate internal and external dialogue regarding the improvement of Short-term Action Plan measures;
• Develop training materials on AQ planning and implementation process-related aspects of AQ planning, as an input to the Guidelines for air quality planning for local self-governments, in line with Rulebooks on the content of the Air Protection Plans and Short-term Action Plans;
• Conduct at least 3 one-day training sessions (at least one live in Belgrade and others either hybrid or online)  for LSG representatives (all LSGs included in the project), based on the developed training materials. The Consultant shall also facilitate peer learning events (seminars, workshops) with the aim to enable knowledge exchange among LSGs on their experiences and knowledge regarding development and implementation of AQ plans, with a focus on air quality planning and implementation process;
• Support LSGs, on a need-basis, in establishing Working Group for the development of Air Quality Action Plan;
• Provide expert support to the  LSGs in mobilization and participation of public in the process of AQ planning;
• Present the results of the planning process at the national and regional workshop;
• Provide expert support to the  LSGs, on a need-basis, to develop tender documentation for selection of company/organization/team of experts that will be engaged for the development of AQ Action Plan(s);

All tasks shall be performed in close cooperation with relevant LSG representatives, representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, International Expert on Air Quality and UNDP Portfolio Manager.

Deliverables and timelines

The Contractor(s) will be responsible for the following deliverables (separate table of deliverables for each LOT):