With a total project value of EUR 2.8 million, 85% (EUR 2.39 million) of which is funded by the Interreg Programme Croatia–Serbia 2021–2027, RETFOR will contribute to the protection, revitalisation, and sustainable management of the Spačva–Bosut Basin, a unique ecological area spanning the Republic of Croatia and the Republic of Serbia.
Mihajilo Dašić, Advisor at the Ministry of European Integration, emphasised that the RETFOR project was an important joint step in combating the consequences of climate change and that, regardless of our differences, we must stand together in defence of the entire ecosystem.
Konstantinos Soupilas, representative of the EU Delegation to Serbia, stated at the conference that this project was a model of how European cooperation could address environmental challenges in a way that benefited both nature and communities. RETFOR demonstrates how EU investments through Interreg encourage sustainability, innovation, and solidarity.
RETFOR is fully aligned with the core strategic priorities of the EU, particularly those set out in the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, and the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region. Key impacts include resilience to climate change, biodiversity protection, green infrastructure, and cohesion and cooperation.
The project will also include key infrastructure works, such as the construction of the Lipovac water barrier and groundwater level monitoring, with participation from Hrvatske vode and Vode Vojvodine. These activities aim to improve the water supply and enhance the ecological stability of the region.
“RETFOR is more than a project – it is a legacy of cross-border partnership and shared European commitment to nature and people,” said Ognjen Dopuđ, Director of the Fund for European Affairs and Development of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, at the conference.
By encouraging synergy between Croatian and Serbian institutions, RETFOR showcases the transformative potential of Interreg funding in tackling shared challenges through joint solutions. For more information about the INTERREG IPA Programme Croatia–Serbia, please visit: https://interreg-croatia-serbia.eu.
