Energy Advisory Center established in Knjaževac in Serbia for citizens, firms

Knjaževac in Serbia got an Energy Advisory Center, intended for all citizens and small entrepreneurs who want to save energy, reduce costs, and improve their living and working conditions, as well as for those considering or already implementing energy efficiency measures.

The opening of the Energy Advisory Center in Knjaževac, a town in eastern Serbia, was marked by holding a roundtable discussion with local partners. At the event, the representatives of institutions, public companies, organizations, and the business sector were invited to join the facility’s mission and contribute to the dissemination of knowledge within their respective fields.

“Energy efficiency needs to become a higher priority for everyone. That’s why we need an Energy Advisory Center that communicates with all members of the local community, and not just subsidy beneficiaries,” said Daniela Kostadinova, senior advisor in the project Promotion of Renewable Energy Sources and Energy Efficiency in Serbia, implemented by GIZ.

She added that investing in expanding the scope of the center – which provides not only financial but also advisory support – contributes to an improved quality of life for a greater number of citizens and to a better understanding of their needs.

The Energy Advisory Center in Knjaževac will offer free advice to all interested citizens and entrepreneurs on energy efficiency and investment opportunities in renewable energy sources. Visitors will also be able to get information on subsidies and other financing options for such investments and learn from examples of good practice.

“The opening of the Energy Advisory Center represents an important step toward improving the quality of life of our fellow citizens. By providing relevant information and advice, we are enabling both citizens and businesses to use energy more efficiently, reduce their costs, or even generate new income,” said Milan Đokić, Mayor of Knjaževac.

The center will be operated by the municipality’s enterprise for development, urban development and construction. It is located in its premises, too. The public firm’s director Mladen Radosavljević stated at the opening that the center would be open for one-on-one consultations, group discussions on various topics, and for providing all necessary advice related to energy efficiency.

The establishment of the Energy Advisory Center in Knjaževac was supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), in cooperation with the Regional Development Agency of Eastern Serbia (RARIS). The project was implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.