Novi Sad | 3 June 2026

Round Tables on the Territorial Strategy of the Urban Area of the City of Novi Sad and Partner Municipalities under the EU INTEGRA Programme

The thematic round tables dedicated to the preparation of the Territorial Strategy of the Urban Area of the City of Novi Sad and the municipalities of Apatin, Bač, Bačka Palanka, Bački Petrovac and Odžaci were held in Novi Sad as part of the EU INTEGRA programme. The European Union programme, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry for European Integration, supports the application of the integrated territorial development approach in Serbia. Through the component implemented by UNOPS, cities and municipalities receive technical assistance for the preparation of territorial strategies and strengthening capacities for sustainable development planning.

The City of Novi Sad and its partner municipalities, together with the Regional Development Agency Bačka, launched the process of preparing the territorial strategy at the beginning of this year. The strategy will serve as a basis for planning the sustainable territorial development of this functional area in line with the model applied by European Union Member States.

Mirjana Marković, Member of the Novi Sad City Council responsible for urban planning, housing, property and investment affairs, emphasized that such meetings represent an important step in defining a shared development vision for Novi Sad and its partner municipalities through dialogue with representatives of institutions, businesses and civil society. She added that over the course of the two-day event, participants discussed the territory’s key development potentials and challenges, including improved connectivity and valorisation of natural and cultural heritage, the development of sustainable tourism, strengthening transport links between Novi Sad and the partner municipalities, and harnessing the potential of innovation, science and smart specialisation to support more balanced development across the territory.

Olivera Kostić, Manager of the EU INTEGRA component implemented by UNOPS, said that the programme continues to strengthen the capacities of local self-governments for planning and implementing integrated and sustainable territorial development in accordance with the principles of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy. She recalled that EU INTEGRA builds on the results of the EU PRO Plus programme, through which the integrated territorial development model was first introduced in Serbia, and that EU INTEGRA is continuing its implementation through the preparation of territorial strategies for ten additional territories across the country.

EU Support for Integrated Territorial Development – EU INTEGRA strengthens local self-governments in Serbia through the application of European models of integrated territorial development. The programme, worth EUR 15 million, is funded by the European Union, coordinated by the Ministry for European Integration, and implemented by the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The initiative supports local self-governments in three regions: Šumadija and Western Serbia, Southern and Eastern Serbia, and Vojvodina.