EU Funds Serbia With €300 Million in Environmental And Energy Efficiency Projects

 

On August 7, Serbia and the European Union signed a financing agreement for a multi-year environmental and energy operational program worth €325.2 million. This includes €240 million in non-repayable funding from the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA), with Serbia contributing the remainder. This mechanism will be managed indirectly through national institutions, in accordance with EU member state implementation standards for the Cohesion and Regional Development Fund. Serbia's Ministry for European Integration emphasized that this agreement represents a new type of support for the accession process.

 

Mila Radenovic-Bojic, National IPA Coordinator, noted that the funds will focus on three key areas: €141.9 million for waste/wastewater management and water system upgrades; €140 million for air quality improvement and energy efficiency improvements (including energy-saving renovations for public buildings and homes); and €43 million for technical support. Specific measures include building capacity for the renewable energy transition, developing a strategic document that complies with EU standards, and strengthening the capacity of local institutions.

 

EU Ambassador to Serbia Andreas von Bekerat stated that this investment, in tandem with the new Western Balkans Growth Plan, aims to accelerate Serbia's alignment with environmental standards under the EU Green Deal. He emphasized, "A just green transition is about our shared future, and the funding will substantially improve the quality of life for citizens." The project runs from 2025 to 2032, with €44.9 million allocated for 2024 and €108 million allocated for 2025.