Implemented International Projects (DOWNLOAD PDF)
PROJECT FOREST INVEST
PROJECT: “Enhancing the Resilience of Forests in Serbia to Ensure Energy Security of the Most Vulnerable, while Contributing to their Livelihoods and Carbon Sequestration (FOREST Invest)” GCP/SRB/008/GCF ESMF
The objective of the “FOREST Invest” project is to support Serbia’s low-carbon development strategy through strengthening the role of the forestry sector in stabilising and increasing carbon removal, strengthening institutional and joint management capacities, and encouraging private sector participation in decarbonisation.
By applying a nexus, FOREST Invest will address bottlenecks in climate change adaptation and mitigation in the country, enhancing at the national level sustainable and climate-resilient forest management and carbon finance frameworks, improving energy security and living conditions through strengthening climate-resilient forest ecosystems and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as well as engaging the private sector in investments for climate-adaptive forest cultivation and decarbonisation.
The Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) of the FOREST Invest project ensures the identification and mitigation of environmental and social impacts, provides guidelines for planning and monitoring, offers alternatives and proposes mitigation measures during project implementation, and defines the needs for training and consultations, proposes grievance mechanisms, and specifies the resources required for effective implementation.
Annex-6-ESMF_Serbian_Final.pdf LINK : Annex 6 ESMF_Serbian_Final
PROJECT: “Enhancing the resilience of Serbian forests to ensure energy security of the most vulnerable while contributing to their livelihoods and carbon sequestration (FOREST Invest)” GCP/SRB/008/GCF ESMF
The objective of the “FOREST Invest” Project is to support Serbia’s low carbon strategy by enhancing the forestry sector’s role in stabilizing and increasing carbon removals, strengthening institutional and community management capacities, and incentivizing private sector participation in decarbonization. By applying a nexus approach, FOREST Invest will address bottlenecks to climate change adaptation and mitigation in the country by upscaling at a national level sustainable and climate adaptive silviculture and carbon finance frameworks, improving energy security and livelihoods through enhancing climate resilient forest ecosystems and GHG emissions reductions, and engaging private sector in climate adaptive silviculture and decarbonization investments.
The Environmental and Social Management Framework of the FOREST Invest project ensures environmental and social impacts are identified and mitigated, establishes guidelines for planning and monitoring, considers alternatives and mitigation during project implementation, and outlines training, consultation, grievance mechanisms, and funding needed for effective implementation.
Annex-6-ESMF_English_final.pdf LINK : Annex 6 – ESMF_English_final
LIFE Project Wildislands
Project Title: WILDisland – The Danube Wild Island Habitat Corridor
Project Number: Grant Agreement LIFE20 NAT/AT/000063
Project Acronym: LIFE WILDisland
Project Duration: 01/09/2021 – 31/08/2027
Project Budget: €14.1 million (approx. €9 million is co-financing from the EU LIFE Programme for Nature and Biodiversity)
Project Partners: 15 project partners from Danube region countries (Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania).
The “WILDisland” project, financed under the LIFE Programme, focuses on the “wild islands” of the Danube. It is necessary to preserve ecologically high-quality island structures along the Danube so that they can fulfil their important function as ecological units within the Danube corridor. The LIFE WILDisland project directly contributes to the achievement of Target 2 of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 (to conserve and restore ecosystems and ecosystem services and their improvement through green infrastructure and restore at least 15% of degraded ecosystems). The main objective of the project is the creation of a green corridor of islands along the entire course of the Danube, on which there will be no human interventions. The works around/on the islands will revitalise former Danube side-arms as well as the hydrological regime, providing conditions for the priority Natura 2000 habitat type 91E0*. PE “Vojvodinašume” participates in the project with the intention to, within the Special Nature Reserve “Gornje Podunavlje” (Apatin section of the marsh), convert plantations into natural forests and revitalise two former islands, together with the reactivation of two former natural side-arms adjacent to the Mišvald side-arm, thereby “restoring” two former islands which will be excluded from management and remain without human activity (or with minimal intervention if strictly necessary). The project also foresees dredging of part of the Mišvald side-arm, based on project documentation to be developed for these purposes. Within the project, measurements of the impact of the proposed activities on the surrounding forests and forest land will also be carried out, as well as mapping of the 91E0* habitat type along the entire Danube in Serbia.
Project “Restoring the Amazon of Europe: Reconnecting Riverine Habitats in the First five-country UNESCO Biosphere Reserve“
(Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme.)
The UNESCO Mura-Drava-Danube (MDD) Biosphere Reserve (“European Amazon”) is the first five-country transboundary biosphere reserve of its kind in the world. This project, financed by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme, follows the management objectives of the recently designated UNESCO Reserve and aims, through cooperation with local communities and the establishment of a Restoration Task Force (RTF), to secure additional areas for revitalisation and facilitate the transition to a nature-based economy (Nature-based Solutions). The project will initiate interdisciplinary dialogue, build capacities, and advocate for replication and upscaling of restoration areas in similar regions, while promoting the Reserve as a model for Nature-based Solutions (NbS). The RTF will support the Steering Committee of the UNESCO Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve (TBR MDD) in achieving sustainable landscape management with a focus on revitalisation and NbS.
One of the locations where work will be carried out within the project is located in Apatin, within the Special Nature Reserve “Gornje Podunavlje”. According to the project plan, this site foresees the revitalisation of a part of the forest managed by PE “Vojvodinašume”. Two plots designated for revitalisation, with a total area of 36 ha, are situated in different parts of the Reserve. After the felling of hybrid poplar on these plots, reforestation with native tree species is planned. On each of the plots, an experimental restoration trial field (25 ares) will be established, where no planting will be carried out, and the regeneration process will occur spontaneously, without human intervention. One of the trial plots will be fenced, while the other will be established without fencing, in order to obtain comparative data on the mode of regeneration of these forest sections, the growth of plant species that will naturally appear, the occurrence of invasive species, diseases, the influence of animals, and similar factors.
This project is supported by the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme, managed by the Cambridge Conservation Initiative in partnership with Arcadia. More information on the Endangered Landscapes & Seascapes Programme can be found at www.endangeredlandscapes.org
InoSens LLC Novi Sad and PE “Vojvodinašume” as partners in the CiROCCO Horizon Europe Project
The CiROCCO project (full title: Enhanced In-situ Environmental Monitoring in Under-sampled Deserts) is coordinated by the Institute of Communications and Computer Systems (ICCS) in Greece and involves 12 organisations from 4 EU Member States (Greece, Cyprus, Spain, and Luxembourg) and 3 non-EU countries (Switzerland, Egypt, and Serbia). The consortium, which convened in Athens at the Kick-off Meeting between 20 and 21 March, consists of 3 academic and research technology organisations, 4 companies, and 5 national, regional, and local public authorities. The project will run from 1 March 2023 until 28 February 2026, with a budget of €3.5 million.
CiROCCO is an ambitious project with a clear vision and objectives. The international consortium, under strong leadership, places the project in a favourable position to make a significant contribution to improving land monitoring in desert areas and to enhancing climate change models.
The project video can be viewed HERE.
The vision of the CiROCCO project is the establishment of a complete monitoring system consisting of a distributed network of low-cost sensors, connected through state-of-the-art techniques of data fusion from satellite observation and assimilation models. The sensor network will address the current lack of land monitoring data in desert areas, offering an operational solution that is easy to maintain and scale up. The sustainability of the installation will be ensured through commercialisation services, while data management with findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability (FAIR) will support integration into the Cross-COPERNICUS ecosystem and assimilation services.
The project has several objectives, including the installation and operation of in-situ, low-cost, autonomous digital monitoring stations in cooperation with competent organisations, both during and after the project, as well as the establishment of a cost-effective and sustainable network of digital monitoring stations in under-sampled desert areas and ecosystems in Egypt, Serbia, and Spain. It also foresees the development of data processing services based on ICT infrastructure and the provision of data to the research community in order to improve climate change models. CiROCCO also aims to accelerate the adoption of the tools and services it offers by the wider community, in order to ensure maximum long-term impact.
The project partners from Serbia are PE “Vojvodinašume” and InoSens LLC Novi Sad.
PE “Vojvodinašume”, as the manager of several protected areas in Vojvodina, will oversee the pilot activities including the specification, provision, installation, and monitoring of the CiROCCO sensor station network at sites within the Special Nature Reserve “Deliblato Sands”.
In CiROCCO, the local interest in environmental protection for the benefit of our citizens is connected with advancement on the market of project technical solutions, with a focus on pre-commercial evaluation and validation of solutions, expansion of the ecosystem, dissemination of excellence, and the entry of the CiROCCO system into the market.
InoSens is the most successful SME in Serbia in terms of the number of Horizon projects. InoSens will coordinate the collection, processing, and analysis of data from the network of meteorological and air quality sensors. The data will be used for short-term (24-hour) assessments of drought and forest fire conditions, as well as for a public health risk warning system. In parallel, InoSens will conduct ecological modelling based on EO products, field research on land degradation changes, and assessment of various risk factors. InoSens will also prepare studies on long-term ecological management, risk avoidance, and planning of mitigation measures.
CiROCCO Project Partners
Institute of Communication and Computer Systems (ICCS), National Observatory of Athens (NOA), EBOS Technologies Limited (EBOS), NETCOMPANY-INTRASOFT SA (INTRA), INOSENS Doo Novi Sad (INO), Centre For Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE), University of Cyprus (UCY), Idalion Municipality (DIMOS), Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance (MOL), PUBLIC Enterprise Vojvodinašume, Pretrovaradin (VSUME), Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas (CSIC), Astrocast SA (ASTRO).
Project LIFE Restore for MDD
Project: 101113557 — LIFE22-NAT-AT-LIFE RESTORE for MDD — LIFE-2022-SAP-NAT
As of 01 October 2023, the project “LIFE RESTORE for MDD”, co-financed by the EU, has started implementation. It is an international project for the restoration of the UNESCO Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve. The new project “LIFE RESTORE for MDD” has officially launched restoration efforts along the rivers Mura, Drava, and Danube – areas included within the Biosphere Reserve and protected in Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Hungary, and Serbia, the world’s first five-country biosphere reserve.
For the first time, 17 institutions from five countries, including institutions and organisations in the fields of nature conservation, water, forestry, and regional development, as well as universities and non-governmental organisations led by WWF Austria, will work together on the restoration of the river ecosystem and its unique floodplain forests along the three rivers, often referred to as the “European Amazon”. Over the next five years, with €20 million, the project plans to restore 29 sites along the rivers, with the objective of establishing 2,472 hectares of floodplain forest, reconnecting 54,230 metres of river side-arms, and transferring 966,000 m³ of sediment, thereby creating new gravel and sand banks. These activities will not only provide valuable habitats for rare fish and bird species, but will also re-establish healthier floodplain forests and improve their resilience to drought.
This innovative LIFE project serves as an example of international cooperation and joint restoration efforts to revitalise the UNESCO Mura-Drava-Danube Biosphere Reserve across five countries. It is the largest restoration project ever implemented in the region and therefore a significant step towards protecting our environment. The “LIFE RESTORE for MDD” project represents an important contribution to the European Green Deal, as well as to the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and the proposed EU Nature Restoration Law. It is also an international demonstration of how five countries can work together on restoring key ecosystems for the benefit of both nature and people.
In Serbia, the project is implemented in the territory of the Special Nature Reserve “Gornje Podunavlje”, managed by PE “Vojvodinašume”. The area of the Monoštor Marsh, due to the construction of the Danube embankment and the Danube–Tisa–Danube Canal (Prigrevica–Bezdan), has been outside the influence of Danube flooding since 1965. In order to improve habitat conditions, there was a need to adjust the regime of groundwater and surface waters, as well as the soil water–air regime, to the requirements of the plant and animal life characteristic of floodplain marshes. For this purpose, about twenty years ago, technical documentation was prepared for revitalisation activities in the Monoštor Marsh area, whereby the entire space was divided into two spatial units: “Šmaguc–Kalandoš” (northern part of the Monoštor Marsh) and “Siga–Kazuk” (southern part of the Monoštor Marsh). Under current conditions, water inflow into the Monoštor Marsh is enabled through the inflow–outflow sluice “Staro Selo”, located on the Danube embankment of the first line of defence (km 41+855). At the appropriate water level of the Danube (220 cm at the Bezdan hydrological station), water is released through this sluice into the old riverbed of the Danube, the so-called “Stari Dunavac”. The water delivery system functions as follows: from the Stari Dunavac, water is transported further to the “Sever” Canal, supplying the northern part of the marsh, and to the “Jug” Canal, supplying the southern part of the marsh. The “Sever” Canal is only partially constructed, while the “Jug” Canal is fully completed, together with the separation sluice “Jug” at the beginning of the canal, as well as dual-purpose lower-order canals and accompanying facilities. The idea is that once the southern part of the Monoštor Marsh is “filled”, the separation sluice is closed, and water is redirected into the northern part. The absence of the northern part of the system, as well as the non-functionality of the existing separation sluice, are the reasons why the filling of the Monoštor Marsh has never been realised in practice, and it is precisely through this project that it is intended to accomplish what has remained unfinished for more than 30 years.In addition to restoring the water regime, the project will also implement the conversion of plantation stands into native forests.
Project Partners:
WWF Austria (Lead Partner), Institute for Nature Conservation of the Republic of Slovenia, Danube–Drava National Park, WWF Hungary, Slovenian Water Agency, Green Osijek – Non-governmental Organisation for Nature and Environmental Protection, Hrvatske Vode, Faculty of Agrotechnical Sciences Osijek, Government of Styria Office, Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas and Ecological Network of Virovitica–Podravina County, Public Enterprise “Vojvodinašume” Petrovaradin, Slovenian State Forests Ltd., Regional Management Styria – Southeast Styria, Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas in Koprivnica–Križevci County, Public Institution for the Management of Protected Natural Areas in Varaždin County, Međimurje Nature – Public Institution for Nature Conservation, Balaton-felvidéki National Park.
If you are interested in more information about the project and current updates, please visit the project website (https://www.amazon-of-europe.com/sr/projekti/life-restore-for-mdd/ ) and/or the Facebook page.
Find more information about the project in the information sheet LINK
Current project activities:
Here you can view the ongoing procurements within the project:
Market research for upcoming public procurement procedures for LIFE RESTORE for MDD project:
- Technical assistance – procurement and reporting services for project: LIFE RESTORE for MDD
Deadline for sending confirmation of interest: 16.10.2023
2. Services of organization of kick-off event for project: LIFE RESTORE for MDD
Deadline for sending confirmation of interest: 15.00h, 13.10.2023
The project is co-financed by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Market research for upcoming public procurement procedures for LIFE RESTORE for MDD project:
Expert services for Study of hydrotechnical arrangement of Monoštor Marsh with hydrologic-hydraulic study and research for project: LIFE RESTORE for MDD
Deadline for sending confirmation of interest: 12.02.2024.
Public procurement procedure for LIFE RESTORE for MDD project:
Expert services for Study of hydrotechnical arrangement of Monoštor Marsh with hydrologic-hydraulic study and research for project: LIFE RESTORE for MDD
Deadline for tender submission: 15.00h, 18.03.2024.
Market research for upcoming public procurement procedures for LIFE RESTORE for MDD project:
Procurement of IT equipment for project: LIFE RESTORE for MDD
Deadline for Confirmation of Interest: 27/02/2024.
Market research for upcoming public procurement procedures for LIFE RESTORE for MDD project:
Procurement of field equipment for project: LIFE RESTORE for MDD
Deadline for sending confirmation of interest: 11.03.2024.
Public procurement procedure for LIFE RESTORE for MDD project:
Procurement of field equipment for project: LIFE RESTORE for MDD
Deadline for tender submission: 13.00h, 24.04.2024.
Public procurement procedure for LIFE RESTORE for MDD project:
LIFE II – TD07 – Afforestation
Deadline for tender submission: 13.00h, 07.05.2025.
Project STOP FIRES
Project: HUSRB/23R/11/086 – 4.4.1.
The STOP FIRES project – Strengthening Organisations in Fire Protection – HUSRB/23R/11/086 started on 1 July 2024 and will last until 30 June 2026. This project, financed through the Interreg VI-A IPA Hungary–Serbia Programme, aims to increase the resilience of the environment to climate change and risk prevention through improved fire disaster management, as well as preparedness for emergencies. Special attention will be given to raising awareness about endangered natural areas in the cross-border region, with a focus on the Subotica and Kiskunság Sandlands.
The total project budget amounts to €1,635,275.68, of which €1,389,984.32 is provided from European Union funds. The Lead Partner is PE “Vojvodinašume”, Petrovaradin (Serbia), with significant support from other partners, including KEFAG Private Company Limited for Forestry and Wood Industry of Kiskunság (Hungary), the European Affairs Fund of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (Serbia), and the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia, Sector for Emergency Management (Serbia).
The implementation of the STOP FIRES project aims to jointly develop specific knowledge and skills, as well as to improve shared equipment for timely and efficient interventions in relation to fires. Thus, one of the key results is capacity building for timely, adequate, and effective intervention, which includes the joint development of a cross-border emergency plan for fire situations, the implementation of training for acquiring knowledge and strengthening fire management capacities of partner organisations, and the procurement of specialised and modern fire-fighting equipment.
The cross-border emergency plan for fire situations aims to strengthen the resilience of the cross-border region through the establishment of integrated procedures and communication systems for a timely response to forest fires. The key activities of this plan include several segments, namely:
- establishment of communication channels and contact points for rapid exchange of information and coordination in emergency situations related to fires;
- integration of a cross-border fire monitoring and early detection system, valued at €1,118,529, which will monitor weather conditions, assess fire risk, and notify the competent authorities of potential threats in the cross-border area. These systems will provide timely information to enable appropriate measures to prevent the spread of fires, particularly in hard-to-reach terrains. The system will continuously monitor carbon dioxide (CO₂), temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure in real time. Smart devices enable rapid fire detection and timely alerting of the authorities. In addition, the system includes a mobile application that allows operators to view the situation in the field, while sophisticated algorithms analyse video recordings and increase detection accuracy;
- enabling mutual assistance and coordinated response between countries, which will involve sharing fire-fighting resources, personnel, and equipment according to the severity of the incident.
This cross-border emergency plan represents the FIRST pilot project of its kind in the region, establishing the basis for long-term cooperation and improved fire preparedness.
Before the adoption of the plan, a Study on the Current State of Water Supply will be prepared during the project, with proposals for the further function and exploitation of well fields in the Subotica area, aimed at creating adequate preconditions for improving fire protection infrastructure. Within the project, three training sessions will also be organised, bringing together experts, fire-fighting units, and volunteers. The purpose of these trainings is to exchange knowledge and experience in the field of forest fire prevention and suppression, as well as to equip participants for the effective use of specialised equipment and the implementation of the cross-border emergency plan.
On the other hand, within the STOP FIRES project, joint measures are planned to raise awareness of fire risk, with the aim of informing residents and visitors of the Subotica and Kiskunság Sandlands about the importance of environmental protection and fire prevention. The campaign will include the organisation of various events, including open and closed conferences, round tables, and the production of promotional material. Through these activities, it is expected that knowledge and awareness about the causes and consequences of fires will be enhanced, as well as about strategies for their prevention. Special attention will be devoted to the education of children, who are a key group for awareness raising, through interactive workshops and lectures led by fire protection experts. This initiative will reach around 550,000 people from the cross-border area, with a focus on informing and engaging the community in order to achieve long-term change in awareness regarding fire risk and environmental protection.
ROLE of PE “Vojvodinašume”
The innovative character of the project lies in the development of an integrated cross-border monitoring/early detection system and a cross-border emergency plan for fire situations, which will be developed during the project by PE “Vojvodinašume” and the project partner KEFAG Private Company Limited for Forestry and Wood Industry of Kiskunság (Hungary). In addition to the above, PE “Vojvodinašume”, as the Lead Partner, has the obligation to manage the project and maintain continuous communication among the partners.
This announcement has been prepared with the financial support of the European Union through the Interreg VI-A IPA Hungary–Serbia Programme. The content of this announcement is the sole responsibility of PE “Vojvodinašume”, Petrovaradin (RS), KEFAG Private Company Limited for Forestry and Wood Industry of Kiskunság (HU), the European Affairs Fund of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (RS), and the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Serbia, Sector for Emergency Management (RS), and the content of this document does not reflect the official opinion of the European Union and/or the Managing Authority of the Programme.
Current project activities:
Here you can view the ongoing procurements within the project:
TD01 – Public procurement procedure for STOP FIRES project: HUSRB/23R/11/086 – 4.4.1.
Deadline for tender submission: 15.00h, 07/08/2024
Public procurement procedure for STOP FIRES project: HUSRB/23R/11/086:
Procurement of Fire truck and Firefighting equipment: STOP FIRES
Deadline for submission of the tender: 04/02/2025; 13:00h local time
CONTRACTING AUTHORITY’S CORRIGENDUM No.1 – TD02 – STOP FIRES
LINK: CONTRACTING AUTHORITY’S CORRIGENDUM No.1 – TD02 – STOP FIRES
CONTRACT AWARD NOTICE https://www.vojvodinasume.rs/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/a5g_awardnotice_enotices_en-4.pdf
Public procurement procedure for STOP FIRES project:
Deadline for tender submission: 02/09/2025; 13:00h local time
PROJECT REBIOFORESTS
The REBIOFORESTS project – Strengthening Cross-Border Capacities for Improving Climate Resilience of Forest Ecosystems through Advanced Assessment, Testing and Demonstration of Ecosystem Restoration Solutions – HR-RS00062 started on 1 September 2024 and will last until 28 February 2027. This project, financed through the Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Croatia–Serbia 2021–2027, aims to improve and restore the forests of the Spačva–Bosut Basin through the application of advanced assessment methods and ecosystem revitalisation solutions.
The Sava River valley, which encompasses the largest lowland oak forest complex in Southeast Europe, suffered severe damage during the supercell storms of July 2023. This cross-border forest area between Croatia and Serbia has exceptional ecological, social, and economic value, but the recent storms caused significant crown breakage and uprooting of trees. Preliminary estimates indicate that approximately 850,000 m³ of timber was damaged in Croatia and 200,000 m³ in Serbia. Such damage carries long-term consequences for the environment and for the communities that depend on this natural resource.
In addition, the Sava represents one of the important European biodiversity centres, with a wealth of species and habitats of national and international significance, many of which depend on preserved forest ecosystems. The Sava lowland forest also serves as an important carbon reservoir and sink thanks to its millennial continuity, with rich organic soil layers. The damage caused by the storms, however, may result in the uncontrolled release of carbon due to the decomposition of timber and the opening of canopies, which exposes the soil to heating by sunlight.
Therefore, the REBIOFORESTS project directs its efforts towards forest reconstruction in order to meet the objectives of key European directives on water, floods, and habitats, thereby ensuring the preservation of biodiversity and climate in this unique area.
The main planned activities and results of the project are:
- Collection of data and implementation of advanced field research for the assessment of the current state of forest ecosystems.
- Development of a Green Action Plan for the improvement of forests in the Spačva–Bosut Basin.
- Preparation and establishment of pilot areas for forest restoration.
- Demonstration of innovative forest restoration methods in the pilot area.
- Establishment of a cross-border gene bank for the conservation of native species.
- Dissemination of results and preparation of solutions for application in organisations.
The total project budget amounts to €1,655,501.66. The Lead Partner is Hrvatske šume d.o.o. (CRO), while the other partners are PE “Vojvodinašume” (RS), Croatian Forest Research Institute (CRO), Institute of Lowland Forestry and Environment (RS), and Competence Centre Ltd. for Research and Development (CEKOM) from Vinkovci (CRO).
Role of PE „Vojvodinašume”
As a key partner, PE “Vojvodinašume” will actively contribute to the collection of data and the assessment of the state of forest ecosystems in the Spačva–Bosut Basin, using advanced technologies such as drones and satellite imagery. It will also participate in the preparation and restoration of pilot areas through innovative oak planting methods aimed at strengthening the climate resilience of forests. In addition, PE “Vojvodinašume” will provide support in the preparation of ecosystem restoration solutions and in the dissemination of results. During the project, PE “Vojvodinašume” will organise one transnational and one national event, as well as a national conference.
Project REBIOFORESTS
Enhancing Cross-Border Capacities for Climate-Resilient Forest Ecosystems Restoration
The REBIOFORESTS project (HR-RS00062), launched on September 1, 2024, and running until February 28, 2027, aims to restore and strengthen the Spačva-Bosut Basin forests using advanced assessment and ecosystem revitalization solutions. Funded through Interreg VI-A Programme Croatia-Serbia 2021-2027, the project addresses the extensive damage caused by supercell storms in July 2023.
The Sava River valley, home to southeastern Europe’s largest lowland oak forest, suffered significant losses, with approximately 850,000 m³ of timber damaged in Croatia and 200,000 m³ in Serbia. This cross-border forest region, valued for its ecological, social, and economic significance, now faces long-term environmental impacts, including disrupted biodiversity and carbon release due to canopy openings and decaying wood.
As a key biodiversity hotspot in Europe, the Sava’s preserved forest ecosystems support numerous species and habitats of both national and international importance. These forests also serve as vital carbon reservoirs, underpinned by millennia of continuous organic soil formation. The storms, however, threaten this balance, emphasizing the need for immediate restoration efforts.
Project Objectives and Activities:
REBIOFORESTS focuses on aligning forest restoration with European directives on water, flood, and habitat conservation to preserve biodiversity and climate stability in the region. Key activities include:
- Advanced field research to assess forest ecosystem conditions.
- Developing a Green Action Plan for forest enhancement in the Spačva-Bosut Basin.
- Establishing pilot sites for forest restoration.
- Demonstrating innovative forest regeneration techniques.
- Creating a cross-border gene bank to conserve native species.
- Disseminating results and preparing solutions for broader application.
The project budget is €1,655,501.66. Led by Croatian forests ltd. (Croatia), partners include PE „Vojvodinašume“ (Serbia), the Croatian Forest Research Institute (Croatia), the Institute for Lowland Forestry and Environment (Serbia), and Competence Centre Ltd. for research and development (CEKOM), Vinkovci (Croatia).
Here you can view the current procurements within the project:
Public procurement of supplies for project REBIOFORESTS
Project: HR-RS00062 – PP2 – TD02
Deadline for tender submission: 13.00h, 06/05/2025
Public procurement of supplies for project REBIOFORESTS
Project: HR-RS00062 – PP2 – TD02.2
Deadline for tender submission: 13.00h, 21/08/2025
RETFOR PROJECT
Strengthening climate resilience measures for protection and revitalisation of ecosystems in the Spačva-Bosut Basin
The project has financed with EU funds through the Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Program Croatia – Serbia 2021 – 2027.
Total project budget
2.808.128,24 €
Project budget of PE „Vojvodinašume“
541.800,00 €
Project duration
11. 2024 – 31.10. 2027.
Lead partner organisation
Croatian Forests ltd.
Project partners
- PE „Vojvodinašume“
- Hrvatske vode (Croatian Waters)
- PWME „Vode Vojvodine“
- CEKOM Vinkovci
- Fund for European Affairs and Development of AP Vojvodina
Project area
Spačva-Bosut Basin
Project objective
Forests restoration of the Spačvano-Bosut basin in order to preserve biodiversity and resistance to climate change.
- Basic assessment – analysis of existing data;
- Identification and preparation of pilot sites;
- Development of a communication plan and identification of potential stakeholders;
- Establishment of a joint cross-border groundwater monitoring system to foster resilience and adaptation to climate change;
- Development of groundwater dynamic modelling software and installation of meteorological stations;
- Upgrading of the crown of the embankment on the Bosut River near Lipovac (CRO);
- Establishment of two monitoring stations for groundwater quantity and quality (piezometers 20–50 m depth) (CRO);
- Restoration of the Radosava pond (RS)
- Reconstruction of the dam on the Bosut River (RS);
- Establishment of a Climate Change Monitoring Centre as a department within the Competence Centre Ltd. for Research and Development (CRO);
- Validation and systematisation of results on exemplary and tested solutions;
- Preparation of a Strategy to be adopted by organisations;
- Communication and dissemination of results.
Expected Project Results
- Jointly developed Action Plan for the implementation of activities to increase climate resilience in the Spačva–Bosut Basin;
- Development and implementation of seven (7) pilot actions:
- groundwater level monitoring system,
- groundwater dynamic modelling software,
- meteorological stations,
- upgrading of the crown of the embankment on the Bosut River near Lipovac,
- restoration of the Radosava pond,
- reconstruction of the dam on the Bosut River,
- Climate Change Monitoring Centre;
- Jointly developed solutions:
- establishment of the Climate Change Monitoring Centre,
- jointly developed Nature-based Solution (NbS) for mitigating extreme droughts based on existing infrastructure;
- Developed Strategy, based on the presentation and dissemination of solutions and the exchange of data between local and transnational bodies, including forestry and water management organisations, with emphasis on multi-sectoral application.
RETFOR PROJECT
Strengthening climate resilience measures for protection and revitalisation of ecosystems in the Spačva-Bosut Basin
The project has financed with EU funds through the Interreg IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Program Croatia – Serbia 2021 – 2027.
Total project budget
2.808.128,24 €
Project budget of PE „Vojvodinašume“
541.800,00 €
Project duration
11. 2024 – 31.10. 2027.
Lead partner organisation
Croatian Forests ltd.
Project partners
- PE „Vojvodinašume“
- Croatian Forests ltd.
- PWME „Vode Vojvodine“
- CEKOM Vinkovci
- Fund for European Affairs and Development of AP Vojvodina
Project area
Spačva-Bosut Basin
Project objective
Forests restoration of the Spačvano-Bosut basin in order to preserve biodiversity and resistance to climate change.
Planned activities
- Basic assessment – analysis of existing data;
- Identification and preparation of pilot sites;
- Development of the communication plan and identification of potential participants;
- Establishing of the joint cross-border groundwater monitoring system to encourage resilience and adaptation to climate change;
- Software for dynamic modeling of groundwater and meteorological stations;
- Upgrade of the crown barrier on the Bosut River near Lipovac (CRO);
- Establishment of two stations for monitoring the quantity and quality of groundwater (piezometers 20 to 50 m deep) (CRO);
- Restoration of Radosava pond (SRB);
- Reconstruction of the dam on the Bosut River (SRB);
- Establishment of the Center for climate change monitoring as a department within the Competence center for research and development ltd. (CRO);
- Validation and systematization of results based on exemplary and tested solutions;
- Development of the strategy that will be accepted by organizations;
- Communication and dissemination of results.
Project results
- Development of the joint action plan for the implementation of activities to increase climate resilience in the Spačvansko-Bosut basin;
- Developed and implemented 7 (seven) pilot actions:
- monitoring system of groundwater levels,
- software for dynamic groundwater modeling,
- meteorological stations,
- superstructure of the crown barrier on the Bosut River near Lipovac,
- restoration of the Radosava pond,
- reconstruction of the dam on the Bosut River,
- Center for climate change monitoring;
- Jointly developed solutions:
- the established Center for climate change monitoring,
- The common developed nature based solution (NbS) for mitigating extreme droughts based on the existing infrastructure;
- Developed strategy that will be based on presentation and dissemination of solutions and data exchange between local and transnational bodies, including forestry and water management organizations with point out on multi-sectoral implementation.
PROJECT FIREGUARD
The FIREGUARD project – “Enhanced Risk Management and Fire Prevention in Endangered Natural or Protected Areas and Reserves along the Border” (RORS00061) started at the end of December 2024 and will last until the end of 2026. This project, financed through the Interreg IPA Romania–Serbia Programme, aims to improve the management of fire-induced crisis situations, emergency preparedness, and risk awareness in order to mitigate the consequences of fires in protected areas, specifically within the National Park in Kornereva Municipality (Romania) and the Special Nature Reserve Deliblato Sands (Serbia).
The total project budget amounts to €1,392,184.64, of which €1,183,356.93 is provided from European Union funds. The Lead Partner is PE “Vojvodinašume”, Petrovaradin (Serbia), with significant support from other partners, the Municipal Firefighting Association of the City of Pančevo (Serbia) and Kornereva Municipality (Romania).
The implementation of the project will contribute to strengthening the capacities of volunteer fire brigades in order to improve the safety of citizens in open areas, with special emphasis on endangered natural areas. The key results of the project are:
- Establishment of functional first-intervention units for fire suppression – one on each side of the border.
- Development of a cross-border strategy for emergency management in the event of forest fires and risk prevention. The cross-border strategy will provide guidelines for expanding the established model to other regions and will serve as a basis for the further development of the sector, not only at the regional, but also at the national and cross-border level.
- For the purpose of raising awareness through joint measures, a campaign will be carried out in order to increase knowledge on fire protection and to strengthen the awareness of the local population and visitors regarding risk prevention.
The innovative character of the project is reflected in the adaptation of existing international solutions (EuroFire standards) to the specific needs of endangered natural areas within the project. Namely, the partnership will use existing competence-based modules and the findings of the EuroFire standards, which, in cooperation with local experts, will be adapted to the specific character of the landscape and vegetation in the project areas.
Role of PE „Vojvodinašume”
As the Lead Partner, PE “Vojvodinašume” brings appropriate professional expertise, operational capacities, and knowledge in the field of forest management and environmental protection, enabling the efficient coordination of project activities. In addition to the above activities, PE “Vojvodinašume” will carry out information and promotion, as well as communication with the Programme bodies, all involved professional stakeholders, experts, and the media. The Lead Partner will also be responsible for project-level administration and reporting, ensuring that consolidated reports are in line with the plan and that all partners follow the implementation dynamics of project activities.
Current project activities:
Here you can view the ongoing procurements within the project:
Public procurement of Fire truck and Firefighting equipment for project FIREGUARD
Project: RORS00061– LP – TD03
Link: TD03 LP Supplies Fireguard
The deadline for submission of tenders is 23/07/2025; 13:00h local time.
