17.02.2020.
The representatives of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund participated in the working meeting in the City of Osijek, the topics of which included plans and activities related to waste management and energy efficiency in the sector of building management.
On this occasion, the director of the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, Siniša Kukić, pointed out that the Fund and Osijek had had a history of cooperation on different projects. “Based on the results in the area of waste management, you rank among the finest, if not the best large city in Croatia. You have invested a lot in utility infrastructure and the waste from apartment buildings is collected separately, which is still a rarity in large cities. You are also implementing many projects related to energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. I would say that your vision of Osijek in the future is one of a smart green city,” said Director Kukić.
At the meeting, the deputy mayor of Osijek, Boris Piližota, and his associates presented the phases the projects, which the City is implementing with financial support from the Fund, were in, and further agreement was reached regarding the activities on remediation of the landfills Velika Lončarica and Sarvaš.
“We have already completed a number of environmental protection projects in Osijek, and we are continuing with the implementation others, such as remediation of the exiting landfills, or building new recycling yards to cover the whole city. We are providing systematic education for the citizens about sustainable waste management, and we have introduced the system for separating six types of waste at the doorstep. We are waiting for the remaining containers for plastics and biowaste to be supplied, then the needs of the citizens will be fully met,” said Boris Piložota, the deputy mayor.
Energy efficiency was also one of the topics discussed at the working meeting – the implementation of projects for kindergartens and schools, as well as numerous projects for the renovation of apartment buildings. Plans were presented for the new public call that will be co-financed by the Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund, as well as from European Union funds. Having regard to the public call for energy renovation of multi-residential buildings and family houses that will be invited soon, expectations regarding the improvement of energy efficiency in the City of Osijek are justifiably high. “Our vision is to successfully implement to the greatest possible extent the projects co-financed by the Fund and from EU sources, so that we can invest the City’s budget in some other development projects,” said deputy mayor Piližota.
Siniša Kukić, the director of the Fund, praised the proactive approach of the city authorities in the preparation and implementation of the projects. “Something that should definitely be an example for other major cities is the fact that you didn’t use just the national resources and funding available under the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Cohesion, you have provided funding from other EU programmes, such as cross-border INTERREG projects. I am convinced that we will continue intensive cooperation in the future as there are many projects still being implemented, and I’m sure you have just as many in the pipeline waiting for the Fund’s tenders and public calls,” concluded Kukić.
