Environmental consultant  

Tanja Matijevic is a dedicated environmental manager, ecologist, devoted humanitarian, adventurous freelancer, and talented businesswoman based in Greece

Tanja Matijević BIO

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Tanja Matijevic is an adventurous and dedicated environmental scientist and ecologist, devoted humanitarian, freelancer, and talented businesswoman based in Lesvos, Greece.

She currently works on project design to improve human health, life, and prosperity as a environmental and health officer, ensuring basic standards and maintenance for the International Rescue Committee in Greece refugee camp.

Her work is credited with designing and setting into motion the “Introduction and Implementation of Waste Management and Recycling in the Biggest Refugee Camp in Europe” involving 20,000 locals at all levels of community. She coordinated communications and education of public leaders and camp managers, a major challenge due to limited recycling processes in place and the strained relations of hosts and refugees. Facilities, heavy machinery and units, and landfill supervision actively engaged in the mission.

Understanding the effects of ecological changes on the natural world and public health has been Tanja’s zest since childhood. During exploratory visits to the forest with her father, she developed a natural awareness to preserve and protect the nature of the forest, animals, trees, climate, and vegetation.

Tanja has since met many influential industry experts in her field who provided her with shared opportunities to make a difference.

What we offer?

We offer a sustainable solution through environmental management, solving issues of pollution, depletion of marine biodiversity, health conditions, and quality of life.

  1. Solid waste management
  2. Environmental Impact Assessment
  3. Marine Parks Implementation studies
  4. Humanitarian Crisis Program Management
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Career highlights

Project management

Joining forces with Professor Dr. Ante Vujić as assistant at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Her favorite project “Implementation of ecological content and principles in the Greenfield project bottling spring waters of Banja Vrujci” preserved the pristine beauty of the environment. The science included conducting impact assessments, implementing purification processes, and educating youth with rangers and organizing special events.

Engineering field
  • Entering into the engineering part of the field, she became a member of the Environmental Bureau and studied protection projects, ISO standards, conducted pilot projects, preliminary design, and prefeasibility studies.
Environmental Officer

Merging into the corporate world as a Health, Safety, and Environmental Officer was a huge milestone. She worked in Rio Tinto, the largest global mining company and had 150 direct reports upholding standard procedures. Aside from water and soil monitoring, birds and mammals’ protection, waste management, health, and safety, she learned managerial processes, communications, and professional development. However, after 5 years, she felt the corporate world was not a true reflection of her values and principles and decided to move on to small grassroots projects.

Master’s in Environmental Science

Enrolling in the Aegean University enabled her to complete her Master’s in Environmental Science. She completed her degree using the English language with thesis “Marine Debris in Coastal Environment of Lesvos Island, Greece after refugee crisis” She then engaged in humanitarian work with refugee children and marine protected areas, which met her natural desire to help vulnerable people and ecosystems.

Certifying as a PADI rescue diver

Certifying as a PADI rescue diver in Egypt and Greece and instructing others let her ecological studies take great shape. She led her team to venture integrated planning, habitat mapping, and implementing protected Marine Parks in Petra Islands. The sustained ecotourist project focused on activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and watersports, while prohibiting fishing and anchoring. She authored the project “Clean the Lesvos Sea—Revitalization of Marine Environment of the Lesvos Island from Environmental Pollution Produced by Immigration Crisis” in alliance with the Coast Guard, Harbor Authority, University, Municipality, and private sector thought leaders.

Skills

  • Solid Waste management 
  • Waste water biological purification
  • Marine coastal litter monitoring
  • Project Plan development
  • Health, Safety and Environmental standards setup, evaluation, audition
  • ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 setup 
  • Risk analysis  and assessment 

 

  • Environmental education in refugee camps
  • Environmental project in poor communities 
  • Humanitarian work 

 

  • Marine potential protected area evaluation 
  • Environmental impact assessment 
  • Connecting tourism and environmental protection
  • Scientific research
  • Sustainable Development    

“

The Earth will not continue to offer its harvest, except with faithful stewardship. We cannot say we love the land and then take steps to destroy it for use by future generations.

Jaun Paul II

 

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For better future 

Teamwork and effort are my first life values and my drive. Contact me to work together on making our environment better for future generations

 

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Testimonials 

“In her day to day work she strives to reconcile practice and policy related to environmental issues. I have known Tanja for almost three years and she is passionate and devoted, consistently pleasant, tackling all assignments with efficiency, dedication, always with a smile. Tanja leads by example and she brings to our team knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment that is both inspiring and motivating.”

Vesna Ciprus, Principal Advisor – Communities and Social Performance, Rio Sava Exploration

“During her research work on regional projects, she showed research motivation, independence and ideas she succeeded to test and conduct. In projects of sustainable development, a link between industry, social and environmental aspects of the operations, she showed creativity, teamwork and need to put everything in balance.”

Ante Vujic, Full professor
University of Novi Sad
Faculty of Sciences, Department of Biology and Ecology

“Tanja supported field activities working closely with contractors and colleagues on implementation of Health, Safety and Environmental Standards. She actively participate in ISO 9001 and ISO14001 audit. Tanja proved to be efficient, hard working and punctual co-worker”

Nenad Grubin, Operational Manager, Rio Sava Exploration 

“She was responsible for the implementation, field monitoring and development of the Waste Management Projects from two major UN donors. Her main responsibilities fall within the overall coordination tasks which included and was not limited to: 1) Chairing of the Solid Waste Management group and coordination of all the actors involved (NGOs, public sector) 2) reporting tasks including monitoring and evaluation data reports 3) Setting up and running recycling and cleaning education programs, campaigns with host population and volunteer groups 4) coordination of all solid waste activities on site.”

Georgia Mitsika, Environmental and Disaster Management Expert, International Organization of Migration

 

Certifications