In partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a public call to support the financing of mature green investments, the development of green project concepts, and the preparation of strategic and planning documents that contribute to the green transition at the local level.

The Public Call has been launched within the EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia initiative, which is implemented with the technical and financial support of the European Union and in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection by UNDP,  in cooperation with Sweden and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with additional funding from the Governments of Sweden, Switzerland and Serbia.

The aim of the Public Call is to support the development of new green investment projects and create conditions for their future financing by providing assistance to companies, local self-government units and protected area managers in the fields of decarbonization and energy transition, circular economy and resource efficiency, environmental pollution reduction with a focus on air quality, and nature and biodiversity protection.

The application deadline for all types of support is 30 September 2026.

Three types of support are available within this Public Call:

1. Financing Green Investments

This support is intended for public and private companies planning to implement investments in the areas of decarbonization and industrial emissions reduction, circular economy, and environmental pollution reduction, with a particular focus on air quality improvement. Priority will be given to investment proposals that can deliver measurable environmental benefits and contribute to alignment with EU standards. Companies will be able to implement their green investments through a blended green finance model, combining donor grants, companies’ own resources, and loans provided by partner commercial banks and leasing companies.

This component of the Public Call further advances the green investment financing model previously established within the EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia initative. Its objective is to ensure continuity in supporting Serbia’s green transition, expand the network of financial institutions and companies engaged in green finance, and increase the volume of mobilized private capital.

2. Development of Green Investment Projects

This support is intended for local self-government units and protected area managers requiring mentoring and expert assistance, including technical advisory services, project documentation enhancement, budget development, and identification of financing opportunities, to transform project concepts into technically and financially mature investment projects ready for potential financing. Projects may address the following Green Agenda priorities: decarbonization and energy transition, circular economy and resource efficiency, environmental pollution reduction with an emphasis on air quality, and nature and biodiversity protection.

3. Preparation of Strategic and Planning Documents

This support is intended for local self-government units planning to prepare or upgrade strategic and planning documents necessary for implementing the green transition and planning investments in the areas of climate change, circular economy, air quality, and wastewater sludge management. Local governments may receive expert assistance for document preparation, definition of priority measures, strengthening local capacities, and preparing concrete projects for future financing. Support is available for the development or revision of sustainable energy and climate action plans (SECAP), waste management plans, wastewater sludge management plans and air quality plans.

During September, Information Sessions will be organized in Belgrade (9, 15 and 16 September), Novi Sad (17 September), Kraljevo (11 September), Kruševac (14 September) and Zaječar (18 September). Interested applicants will have the opportunity to learn more about the eligibility criteria, application requirements, supporting documentation, and submission procedures. 

Meanwhile, more detailed information for companies, local self-governments, and managers of protected areas is available at this LINK, while information for banks and leasing companies is available at this LINK.

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Since the launch of the EU for the Green Agenda in Serbia initiative in 2022, 97 green investments with a total value of USD 54 million have received financial support through public calls. Approximately USD 7 million in grant funding has been provided for their implementation, complemented by an additional USD 13 million in commercial financing mobilized through partnerships with financial institutions.