Environmental initiatives and sustainability awards announced in Republika Srpska and Serbia

In Republika Srpska, the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund has launched a new competition with a total budget of 4.6 million KM. The initiative aims to provide a fairer distribution of funds across various regions, including Banja Luka, Bijeljina, Doboj, Trebinje, and Sarajevo-East. Eligible projects can receive co-financing for up to 50% of investment costs, with a maximum of 5,000 KM per household. Due to high demand, the application period for the Banja Luka region closed after only three days following 1,873 applications.

In Serbia, the fifth edition of the ‘Eco-Municipality’ competition was held to recognize cities, municipalities, and schools with best environmental practices. Organized in partnership with the EU Delegation to Serbia and the ‘Green Agenda for Serbia’ initiative, the awards covered categories such as waste management, water management, energy efficiency, and sustainable mobility. Winners included several cities such as Belgrade, Niš, and Leskovac, as well as schools like the Eighth Belgrade Gymnasium. The event, held at the French Embassy, also saw the signing of a three-year agreement between France and the EU Delegation to support continued cooperation on environmental issues.