Serbia has signed an agreement with the European Union on the Financing of the Multiannual Operational Programme for the Environment and Energy Sectors, worth 325.2 million euros, of which 240 million euros are non-refundable funds from the Union’s Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA).
Serbian institutions will manage the programme under an indirect management system. This follows the same approach used by EU member states to implement cohesion and regional development programmes and represents another way of supporting Serbia in its EU accession.
Mira Radenović Bojić, the National IPA Coordinator for Serbia and State Secretary of the Ministry of European Integration, said that this support will contribute to sustainable waste management, enhanced wastewater treatment infrastructure and the promotion of energy efficiency measures in public buildings and households.
The programme will also help expand renewable energy capacity and improve public water supply and sewage systems. It includes air quality protection measures and supports the development of strategic documents and plans related to the renovation or construction of infrastructure, aligning with European Union standards.
The initiative enables improved cooperation with relevant national and international stakeholders, including civil society organisations and the private sector.
Environmental protection and sustainable energy are not only at the heart of the European Green Deal but are also essential for improving the quality of life for all citizens, emphasised Andreas von Beckerath, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia.
As he added, this major investment, in synergy with the new Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, aims to accelerate Serbia’s alignment with EU standards and help deliver tangible benefits for citizens and the environment.
The programme covers the programming years 2024–2027 and will be implemented between 2025 and 2032, with a co-financing rate of 26.2%.