Belgrade, May 28, 2025 – With the support from the Slovak Embassy and in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Mining and Energy, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Serbia has launched a Public Call to provide technical support to public institutions for preparing feasibility studies to integrate geothermal energy into their energy mix.

The Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic has allocated $200,000 through the initiative “Public and Private Finance for Development” to encourage the use of geothermal energy in Serbia.

“Our goal is to facilitate investment and decision-making in the public sector regarding the use of geothermal energy for heating and production, and to secure funding for the development of energy facilities. In this process, we are supporting the collaboration of public and private sectors from Serbia with relevant partners from Slovakia and the European Union. With the help of Slovak experts, we will strive to strengthen domestic technical capacities by supporting project preparation and promoting the broader geothermal adoption. I believe this cooperation will be successful and that we will achieve significant results together in the field of sustainable energy and environmental protection in the future”, said Katarina Konsvaldova, Deputy Ambassador of Slovakia.

Minister of Environmental Protection Sara Pavkov emphasized that greater utilization of Serbia’s geothermal potential will improve air quality and citizens’ well-being, while also supporting Serbia’s Green Agenda goals.

“Serbia is rich in geothermal resources, that hold a unique potential for heating and cooling both public and private buildings, as well as for use in industry. The Ministry of Environmental Protection is actively working on projects aligned with the National Energy and Climate Plan goals, which targets at least 33.6% of gross final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030,” said Pavkov.

Geothermal energy is a stable and reliable source that can significantly contribute to pollution reduction, decarbonization of the economy, improved energy efficiency, and long-term cost savings for public institutions.

“Given Serbia’s high dependency on fossil fuel imports and rising electricity consumption for heating, it is necessary to rationalize energy consumption and shift toward sustainable domestic resources. Geothermal energy is weather-independent, has no adverse climate impact, and can ensure long-term energy stability,” said Ivan Janković, Assistant Minister for Geology and Mining at the Ministry of Mining and Energy.

“Public institutions now have an opportunity to receive technical support for assessing geothermal potential, conducting cost-benefit analyses, and developing feasibility studies—an essential step toward Serbia’s long-term energy transition,” said Yakup Beris, UNDP Resident Representative in Serbia. He expressed gratitude to Slovakia for joining Serbia’s green transition platform as a new donor.

A recent UNDP study on geothermal resource availability of locations in Serbia indicates significant overall geothermal source and well capacities in Serbia, although currently underexploited.

To facilitate wider application of this sustainable energy source, a Public Call has been launched for public institutions — including schools, hospitals, heating plants, and other public establishments across Serbia — to support their efforts in integrating geothermal energy.

The launch of the Public Call is part of the “Geothermal Energy in Serbia” project, implemented by UNDP with financial support from the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Mining and Energy of the Republic of Serbia, under the “Public and Private Finance for Development” and “EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia” initiatives.