CHANGE IN APPROACH TOWARDS FLOODS AND LEGAL CHALLENGES IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS FOR FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT IN SERBIA

Predictions about the effects of climate change in Serbia in the coming period indicate an increase in the  number of days with extreme amounts of precipitation that can cause flooding. The increased risk of flooding, as well as the extreme flood events that occurred in Serbia, indicate the need for change in this
field. The research is dedicated to the change from the concept of flood protection to flood risk management, with a special focus on nature-based solutions. The results of the research have showed that nature-based solutions as one of the approaches to flood risk management in Serbia are neither recognised as a concept nor as a term in strategies, policies and legislation. Therefore, there may be problems with the implementation of measures in practise, especially on privately owned land. The research has identified the gaps in the system and in legislation, and provided indications of possible solutions.