Third SpongeCity Project Partner Meeting Held in Zaječar

Organized by the Regional Agency for Development of Eastern Serbia - RARIS, the third SpongeCity (Sponge Cities) project partner meeting was held at the "Srbija TIS" hotel in Zaječar.

This international project, funded by the European Union through the Interreg Danube Region program, aims to improve water management in cities through the implementation of innovative solutions in green infrastructure. The project is being implemented by 13 partner organizations from 12 countries.

The partner meeting began on Tuesday, March 4. The project partners discussed progress in the implementation of activities, and presented the results of research conducted and digital tools developed through the project. The status of the construction of rain gardens, as one of the key elements of green infrastructure, was also discussed.

The second day of the international meeting, which brought together more than 50 participants, on March 5, was dedicated to presenting practical examples in water management in cities. With the participation of all partners, the workshop was also attended by representatives of local governments, development agencies, academic institutions and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities. The workshop began with a presentation of the “SpongeCity” project by Balaš Borković from the University of Pécs, which is the lead partner of the project. After that, Lin Nji Nji Njan from the University of Salzburg presented the digital tools developed within the project, with practical examples applicable to Zaječar.

Each of the partners had the opportunity to present an example of good practice from their country, with a focus on green infrastructure and water management. As one of the examples from Serbia, the “Niklo cao ja” project implemented by the mobile operator A1 was presented with the aim of transforming public areas across Serbia into rain gardens and green oases that will serve as places for relaxation, education, socializing and entertainment.