LocationsRestoration of the Gradac River Strengthens the Local Ecosystem and Climate Resilience
June 30, 2026
H.E. Charlotte Sammelin, Ambassador of Sweden to Serbia, and Fabrizio Andreuzzi, UNDP Serbia Resident Representative a.i, visited the Gradac River Gorge near Valjevo to learn about the results of river restoration and biodiversity support measures implemented by the public water management company Srbijavode and its partners within the project “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia: Protecting and Investing in Biodiversity and Water for Enhanced Climate Resilience.”
During the visit, the participants were presented with the interventions carried out with Swedish support in this protected natural area. The measures were designed to address years of environmental pressure caused by floods, erosion, and sediment accumulation, which had degraded aquatic habitats, disrupted the river’s flow, and threatened biodiversity.
“It is inspiring to witness the tangible results of the work done by dedicated local civil society organisations - Erozija Valjevo and Ecological Society Gradac - to protect the Gradac River and Serbia’s rich natural heritage within the “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia project. Sweden is proud to support Serbia’s green transition, where safeguarding nature and its ecosystems strengthens resilience, economic prosperity, and community well-being. This initiative shows that strong partnerships and sustainable stewardship are key to tackling climate challenges and ensuring that this beautiful ecosystem thrives for generations to come,” said H.E. Charlotte Sammelin, Ambassador of Sweden to Serbia.
“At a time of global heatwaves and low water levels, the measures implemented on the Gradac River demonstrate how investing in nature-based solutions helps communities adapt to climate change while protecting biodiversity and water resources and contributing to local economic development,” emphasized Fabrizio Andreuzzi, UNDP Serbia Deputy Resident Representative a.i.
Ognjen Krnetić, a ranger in the protected area of the Gradac River Gorge
The removal of natural barriers and accumulated sediment from the riverbed has restored water flow and enabled fish migration, while bioengineering measures, such as willow brushwood structures combined with stone reinforcements are stabilising the riverbanks and preventing further erosion. In parallel, 20 hectares of land within the wider Gradac River basin have been reforested with native tree species, including sycamore maple and Austrian pine, reducing erosion and improving water retention. These measures are strengthening the resilience of the entire ecosystem, particularly in the face of increasingly severe climate pressures such as extreme rainfall and prolonged droughts.
In addition, scientific monitoring systems have been developed, including a dedicated geoportal for tracking the impact of the implemented measures and monitoring the condition of the river, forests, and biodiversity. Also, local community and schools have been engaged in educational activities highlighting the importance of biodiversity conservation.
The initiative “Nature-based Measures for an Ecological Gradac” was implemented by the public enterprise Srbijavode in partnership with the Ecological Society Gradac, Erozija AD Valjevo, the Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”, and GDI Solutions Ltd., with support from Sweden within the “EU for Green Agenda in Serbia” project. The project is implemented with technical and financial support from the European Union and in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection, by UNDP in cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden and the European Investment Bank (EIB), with additional funding provided by the governments of Sweden, Switzerland, and Serbia.
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