Belgrade, September 2026 – The Ministry of Environmental Protection, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), announces a Challenge Call for Proposals for Innovative Solutions to Enhance Urban Green Infrastructure, restore and conserve natural resources, strengthen ecosystem services, and promote nature-based solutions.

The Call is launched under the project “Green Cities Transformation — Smart, Sustainable and Low-Carbon Urban Solutions in the Triangular Metropolitan Area”, which supports an integrated approach to sustainable urban development in Belgrade, Novi Sad and Zrenjanin.

Eligible applicants include the cities of Belgrade, Novi Sad and Zrenjanin and their municipalities, public utility companies operating within the three cities, protected area management institutions, private sector entities, civil society organizations, as well as academic and research institutions. Applications may be submitted either individually or as part of a consortium.

Project proposals may focus on the greening of cycling and pedestrian corridors, the establishment and enhancement of urban green corridors, the restoration of degraded green spaces and riverbanks, and the rehabilitation of existing parks or development of new parks. Support is also available for initiatives aimed at mitigating the urban heat island effect through nature-based solutions, including green roofs, green walls, urban forests, and pocket parks. In addition, the Call supports activities that contribute to the improvement of protected areas in the vicinity of the three cities, citizen science initiatives, and biodiversity monitoring and conservation efforts.

The online application form for this Challenge Call is available HERE.

The deadline for submitting applications is 18 September 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (CET). The evaluation process is expected to be completed by 25 September 2026.

The Evaluation Committee will select proposals in two categories: 1) implementation-ready proposals that demonstrate a sufficient level of technical maturity and can proceed directly to implementation; and 2) promising proposals that require additional technical assistance and mentoring before a decision on co-financing can be made.

Depending on their scope and complexity, selected projects may receive co-financing ranging from USD 40,000 to USD 300,000.

Implementation of projects selected under the first category is expected to commence on 1 October 2026. The development and refinement of proposals requiring additional support will take place between 1 October and 31 December 2026.

Detailed information on the application process, evaluation criteria, and required supporting documentation is available in the full text of this Challenge Call.

To present the objectives, requirements, and evaluation criteria of the Call, a series of Info Days will be organized. The first Info Day will be held on 9 September 2026 at 10:00 a.m., both in person at the United Nations Building in Belgrade (64 Bulevar Zorana Đinđića) and online. Interested participants may register via THIS LINK.

The project “Green Cities Transformation — Smart, Sustainable and Low-Carbon Urban Solutions in the Triangular Metropolitan Area” is implemented by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and financial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).