Green Investment Project Call for Local Governments and Protected Areas (Serbia)

Deadline: 30-Sep-2026

The EUZA project is inviting local government units and protected area managers in Serbia to submit green investment project ideas for support through a project accelerator. The initiative aims to identify, develop, and accelerate projects that contribute to Serbia’s Green Agenda while promoting environmental sustainability, collaboration, and investment at the local level.

About the EUZA Project

The EUZA project supports the efficient, inclusive, and sustainable implementation of the Green Agenda in Serbia by helping develop green investment projects at the local level. The initiative seeks to identify promising project ideas and accelerate their development so they can contribute to national and European environmental priorities. The project encourages cooperation among local governments, protected area managers, public institutions, civil society, academic organizations, private companies, and other relevant stakeholders. Green Agenda Pillars Submitted project ideas should contribute to one or more of the Green Agenda’s four key pillars:

- Pillar I – Decarbonization: Reduction of industrial emissions and support for decarbonization.

- Pillar II – Circular Economy: Development of solutions that promote resource efficiency, reuse, recycling, and circular economic practices.

- Pillar III – Environmental Pollution: Reduction of environmental pollution, with particular emphasis on improving air quality.

- Pillar IV – Nature and Biodiversity: Protection and preservation of nature and biodiversity. What Types of Projects Are Supported? The call is looking for green investment project ideas that contribute to one or more of the four pillars.

Projects may address:

- Industrial decarbonization and emission reduction. - Circular economy solutions. - Waste and resource management. - Environmental pollution reduction. - Air quality improvement. - Nature conservation. - Biodiversity protection. - Sustainable management of protected areas. - Other initiatives aligned with Serbia’s Green Agenda. Project Development Stages Applicants do not need to have a fully developed project proposal. Ideas can be submitted at different stages of development, including projects that are still at the concept stage. Applicants may also submit projects where some or all of the following have already been prepared: - Technical documentation. - Required permits. - Budget estimates. - Implementation arrangements. This allows both early-stage concepts and more advanced green investment projects to be considered for accelerator support. Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

- Local government units in the Republic of Serbia. - Managers of protected areas in Serbia.

Local government units can apply under:

- Pillar I – Decarbonization and reduction of industrial emissions. - Pillar II – Circular Economy. - Pillar III – Reduction of environmental pollution, particularly air pollution. Local government units may also submit project concepts covering multiple pillars where relevant. Protected area managers can primarily apply under: - Pillar IV – Protection and preservation of nature and biodiversity.

Partnerships and Collaboration

Applicants may submit projects individually or in partnership with other organizations and stakeholders.

Potential partners include:

- Public utilities. - Public enterprises. - Public institutions. - Civil society organizations. - Academic institutions. - Private companies. - Other relevant stakeholders. Partnerships should provide clear added value to the preparation or implementation of the proposed project. Project Mandate and Institutional Role Applicants must have the appropriate mandate, ownership, management rights, or institutional role required to develop and implement the proposed project. Where these conditions have not yet been secured, applicants should clearly explain how the necessary rights, mandate, ownership, or institutional arrangements will be established during project development. This requirement helps ensure that selected project ideas can progress toward practical implementation. What Makes a Strong Project Idea? A strong project concept should demonstrate a clear connection to Serbia’s Green Agenda and address a specific environmental or sustainability challenge.

Applicants should consider demonstrating:

- Clear environmental objectives. - Alignment with one or more Green Agenda pillars. - A realistic project concept. - Potential for environmental and local-level impact. - Appropriate institutional responsibility. - Relevant partnerships where they add value. - Potential for future investment and implementation. - A clear pathway for developing the project further. Benefits of the Project Accelerator The EUZA project accelerator provides an opportunity for local actors in Serbia to advance promising green investment ideas toward implementation. The initiative can help identify projects that: - Support Serbia’s environmental priorities. - Contribute to the Green Agenda. - Encourage sustainable local development. - Strengthen cooperation among stakeholders. - Improve environmental protection. - Support decarbonization and pollution reduction. - Promote circular economy approaches. - Protect nature and biodiversity. - Create a stronger foundation for future green investment. Frequently Asked Questions What is the EUZA project accelerator? The EUZA project accelerator is an initiative supporting the development of green investment project ideas in Serbia that contribute to the efficient, inclusive, and sustainable implementation of the Green Agenda. Who can apply? Local government units in Serbia and managers of protected areas in Serbia can submit eligible project ideas. Which Green Agenda pillars can local governments apply under? Local government units can apply under Pillars I, II, and III, covering decarbonization, circular economy, and reduction of environmental pollution. Which pillar is primarily intended for protected area managers? Protect