Novi Sad to get EUR 300,000 grant for Green City Action Plan

Novi Sad Mayor Miloš Vučević has signed a document confirming the city’s intent to develop a Green City Action Plan (GCAP) for joining the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development’s (EBRD) Green Cities program, according to a statement on Novi Sad’s website.

At a joint press conference with Zsuzsanna Hargitai, the EBRD’s director for the Western Balkans, Vučević said that the EBRD is providing a EUR 300,000 grant for developing a GCAP for Novi Sad, which will show what needs to be done in order to make the city more environmentally friendly. The plan will cover the most sensitive areas in the field of environmental protection, Vučević explained.

As part of the obligations under the GCAP, the City of Novi Sad will initiate an investment project in one of the following areas: low-carbon and climate-resilient buildings, water and wastewater, solid waste, public transportation, communal energy systems (district heating/cooling), street lighting, and renewable energy infrastructure.

EBRD, Novi Sad to cooperate on sports center SPENS overhaul

Hargitai and Vučević have also signed a letter of intent to cooperate on securing financing for the City and/or ESCO (Energy Service Company) for a project to improve energy efficiency at Novi Sad’s sports center SPENS, according to the statement. The EBRD has agreed to finance and manage consultancy services, and following the completion of the consultant’s job the City will continue discussions with the bank on providing financing for the implementation of the project.

Vučević said that the city authorities will have a clear picture of what to do next regarding SPENS by the beginning of October. After that, decisions on priorities will be made in stages, he said, adding that rough estimates show the entire overhaul could cost up to RSD 4.5 billion (around EUR 38.2 million).

Vučević added that the City and the EBRD are working on the procurement of 30 more natural gas buses, which he said would improve not only the safety and quality of public transportation in Novi Sad, but also environmental protection.