Public Call for the Green Transition of Serbian Economy:EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia, is continuously open to public, private, and social enterprises, research institutions, civil society organizations, farmer associations and cooperatives, local governments, and protected area managers. Applicants can apply individually or in partnerships.
In Niš, we spoke with Zorica Korać, a representative of the "EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia" project, and Đorđe Mančić, the director of BojEn LLC. This Novi Sad-based company built a bio-power plant in Bojnik, southern Serbia, which produces biogas from organic fertilizer. The biogas is further processed into electrical and thermal energy.
The call focuses on key aspects of the green transformation of the economy and society, structured around five pillars:
- Climate Change: Including decarbonization, energy, and transport.
- Circular Economy: Addressing waste, recycling, sustainable production, and efficient resource use.
- Biodiversity: Aiming to protect and restore the region's natural resources.
- Pollution Control: Combating air, water, and soil pollution.
- Sustainable Food Systems and Rural Areas.
“Our goal is to create tangible changes with measurable positive impacts that can be replicated elsewhere,” said Zorica Korać.
She emphasized that over the past two years, more than 300 innovative project ideas have been submitted under this public call, with 52 receiving support. Projects must present innovative solutions not previously applied in Serbia.
Selection and Mentorship Process All submitted projects undergo biannual selection. Chosen projects enter an accelerator program lasting 2–4 months, providing mentorship in technical, budgeting, and reporting aspects to develop well-rounded projects with clearly defined outcomes.
Subsequently, project documentation is reviewed to identify sustainable and effective proposals for ecological, social, and economic development. These projects receive co-financing based on the available budget through a performance-based contract, which funds up to 50% of the estimated total investment cost upon achieving predefined goals.
Đorđe Mančić encourages entrepreneurs to submit their innovative ideas.
"The application process is simpler than with other donors but still follows specific rules. Patience is crucial as the pace of business and donor operations often differ but eventually align."
He advises that projects should address genuine company needs and not be created merely for the sake of applying. Mančić highlighted the mentorship program as an excellent tool for analyzing and refining ideas into complete projects. He noted that working with mentors validates the feasibility of project ideas.
“When working in this field, we often face reality mismatching the ideas we propose. For instance, producing electricity from waste faces resistance from stakeholders unfamiliar with the concept. Mentors from experienced institutions provide critical validation, confirming we’re on the right track. This encouragement is a significant benefit of the program,” concluded Mančić.
The public call for the green transition of the Serbian economy remains open until the end of 2026. Details on how to apply and additional information can be found on the website eumogucnosti.rs. eumogucnosti.rs.
Source: https://europa.rs/zelena-tranzicija-podrska-projektima/
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