In a bold step towards tackling climate change through cross-border cooperation, the RETFOR project was launched as part of the Interreg Croatia–Serbia 2021–2027 programme.
With a total value of €2.8 million—85% of which is EU-funded—the initiative is set to protect and revitalise the ecologically rich Spčva-Bosut Basin, which spans both countries.
Officials described RETFOR as a transformative example of regional solidarity.
Mihajilo Dašić, an adviser at Serbia’s Ministry for European Integration, reportedly emphasised that the project represented a crucial joint effort in the fight against climate change, and stated that regardless of national differences, there was a shared duty to defend the entire ecosystem.
According to Konstantinos Soupilas from the EU Delegation to Serbia, the project demonstrated how European cooperation could address environmental challenges in a way that benefits both nature and local communities. He was said to have praised RETFOR as a model for sustainability, innovation, and solidarity.
The project was reported to align closely with EU strategic priorities, including the European Green Deal and the Biodiversity Strategy 2030. Key infrastructure efforts would include constructing a water barrier at Lipovac and monitoring groundwater levels—led by Hrvatske vode and Vode Vojvodine.
Ognjen Dopuđ, director of the European Affairs and Development Fund of Vojvodina, reportedly stated that RETFOR symbolised more than a project—it represented a legacy of cross-border partnership and shared European commitment to people and the planet.