Croatia and Serbia together for a more sustainable future - Launching a project on energy efficient communities worth around two million euros
High temperatures in July are a result of climate change, but they also present an opportunity for a more sustainable future through the creation of energy-efficient communities utilizing solar panels. This realization has been embraced by four local governments from Croatia and Serbia, which plan to install solar power plants on 30 public buildings, set up 13 smart bus stops, and implement energy-efficient public lighting by mid-February 2026. With financial support from the European Union, the cross-border cooperation project on Energy Efficient Communities, valued at over two million euros, will be led by the City of Subotica and Croatian municipalities Vladislavci, Gorjani, and Strizivojna, with support from NALED.
We believe that significant savings will be achieved after installing solar panels on municipal administration buildings and kindergartens. We have excellent experiences in such cross-border cooperation projects, - said Ivan Lović, Mayor of Gorjani.
The project will be spearheaded by the City of Subotica, where the first renewable energy community in Serbia will be formed, as announced by City Manager Zagorka Panić.
We are pleased to further enhance cooperation between Serbia and Croatia through this project and achieve economic development. We hope to raise awareness among citizens about the importance of using solar energy because climate change affects us all, - emphasized Panić.
During the meeting, it was also announced that the project will involve mapping potential energy communities, renewable energy sources, and economic capacities. An application will be developed through which interested citizens can use a solar calculator to determine how many panels they need for their property. Following initial solar mapping in the CBC area, demonstration solar panels will be installed in the four pilot municipalities involved.
The Energy Community project in cross-border areas will create a more sustainable and greener future for Subotica, Vladislavci, Gorjani, and Strizivojna. Through collaborative efforts and investments in renewable energy sources, the project will contribute to improving the quality of life in the cross-border region, ensuring long-term resilience to climate change.
