The introductory workshop of the project "Technical assistance for establishing a regional waste management system for the city of Novi Sad and the municipalities within Novi Sad region" was held on October 30, 2024, at the Science and Technology Park in Novi Sad.
The workshop was organized in order to familiarize all participants with the activities implemented so far. In addition, the intention was to present the expected results and the next steps that should contribute to the establishment of an efficient and sustainable waste management system in the region that includes the City of Novi Sad and the municipalities of Backa Palanka, Backi Petrovac, Beocin, Zabalj, Srbobran, Temerin and Vrbas.
“This project is not only a technical challenge, but also an opportunity for all of us to contribute to a better future for your region, improve the state of the environment and the quality of life of citizens, by strengthening the capacity to implement a waste management system following national and EU requirements,” said Vladica Bozic from the Sector for International Cooperation and Climate Change of the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
Stressing the importance of the regional waste management concept that Serbia has strategically opted for, Jelena Sarenac, Acting Assistant to the Provincial Secretary for Urbanism and Environmental Protection – from the Sector for Cleaner Production and Sustainable Development, said that this concept promotes technically appropriate, economically viable and socially acceptable solutions for waste treatment that do not degrade the environment and do not pose a risk to human health. “Regional waste management through the organisation of joint waste management of several municipalities brings benefits to each municipality and its citizens,” concluded Sarenac.
“This project represents our commitment to environmental principles and orientation towards modern and efficient waste management. Our goal is to minimise the impact on the environment and the health of our fellow citizens while raising awareness of the importance of sustainable waste management. Thanks to cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and support from EU funds, we have already started important steps towards the implementation of this project. In the coming years, we expect the construction of a Regional Waste Management Centre, which will significantly improve the infrastructure and waste management systems in our region,” emphasized Vanja Petković, member of the City Council for Ecology, Energy Efficiency and Environmental Protection of the City of Novi Sad.
In the opening session of the workshop, participants gained insights into the project’s specific objectives and anticipated outcomes, outlined by Herbert Heinz, the technical assistance Team Leader. Project experts then presented a detailed analysis of the current legal framework and institutional capacities, highlighting areas essential for advancing the regional waste management system. They also provided an assessment of the region’s needs in updating planning documents and enhancing the operational waste management system. Additionally, key financial indicators relevant to the future implementation of project activities in waste management were discussed, setting a comprehensive foundation for the next phases of the project.
In the workshop’s second session, participants delved into the methodology for assessing professional development and capacity-building needs within the regional waste management system. The methodology for evaluating the current level of public awareness about waste management in the region was also discussed. Concluding the workshop, Elena Janković, a lead project expert, outlined the next steps in implementation, ensuring that all participants were informed about the activities planned for the upcoming six months.