The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has signed a loan agreement worth €75 million with the Republic of Serbia for the third phase of its solid waste management program. This loan is part of a broader €300 million investment program, co-financed by the French Development Agency (AFD). The project includes the construction or expansion of seven regional waste management centers and a multi-regional sorting system. The aim is to reduce the negative environmental impacts of waste production and management, while enhancing waste collection infrastructure and biodegradable waste treatment. The project will also help increase recycling rates, supporting Serbia’s transition to a circular economy and alignment with European Union (EU) environmental standards.
The new waste management systems will cover 47 municipalities across Serbia, benefiting more than 1.56 million people. Work has already started in several regions.
The financing agreements for the third phase of the project were signed by Serbia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Siniša Mali, Charlotte Rue, EBRD Director for Central and Southeastern Europe, and Rémi Riou, General Director of AFD.
In addition to the funding, EBRD is providing targeted technical assistance funded by donors to the Ministry of Environmental Protection to help build capacity and ensure the successful implementation of the program.
Charlotte Rue expressed EBRD’s commitment to improving environmental infrastructure in Serbia, stating, “We are pleased to partner with the Serbian authorities and AFD on this crucial initiative. Modernizing waste management systems and increasing recycling rates are essential steps to reduce pollution, promote circular economy opportunities, and bring Serbia closer to EU standards. Through this program, we are addressing pressing environmental challenges by combining financing with expertise to ensure that the solutions we are building today will have a lasting, sustainable impact.”
This project reflects AFD’s commitment to supporting Serbia’s transition to sustainable waste management and alignment with EU environmental standards. Rémi Riou highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating, “Together with EBRD and the Serbian authorities, we are addressing a critical environmental challenge while contributing to a healthier and more resilient future for the Serbian population.”
EBRD has been a leading institutional investor in Serbia, with over €9 billion invested in 367 projects, most of which have supported the private sector. The Bank’s focus in Serbia includes boosting private sector competitiveness, supporting the green energy transition, and investing in sustainable infrastructure.
