A photo exhibition was displayed until the end of May near the riverside in Sarajevo as part of the "Energy efficiency in public buildings of the Canton of Sarajevo" project. The exhibition presents the results of the successfully completed first phase of the project, during which 15 public buildings in Sarajevo were renovated. They included schools and kindergartens, as well as the Ilidža Health Center. As a result of investments in thermal insulation, installing LED lights and replacing energy sources, CO₂ emissions are expected to be halved. With a higher quality of heating and cooling, the users of these public buildings will feel more comfortable, and the reduced energy consumption translates into significant savings in the Sarajevo Canton budget. The project is financed through the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP), a flagship investment from the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans 2021-2027.

Works on the facilities were financed with €2 million grant from the European Union and €8 million loan from the EBRD. The Austrian government provided funding for technical assistance. The project is part of the EBRD Action Plan "Green Cities" for Sarajevo. The exhibition was set up in front of the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo, where citizens could visit it from 16 to 29 May.

The exhibition was officially opened by the Prime Minister of the Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk, alongside representatives of the European Union, the Austrian Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EBRD.

Johann Sattler, head of the EU Delegation and special representative of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina, said: "Through this project, 15 public buildings have been renovated so far, and I hope that we will quickly finish the remaining 25. This is the best way to achieve savings and lower bills. In that regard, I would also like to mention the energy package worth €70 million that the EU has provided to support the most vulnerable households in Bosnia and Herzegovina. About €15 million of this package is intended to upgrade energy efficiency in over 4,000 buildings throughout the country. The EU has set an ambitious goal to become the first carbon-neutral continent by 2050. Emissions know no borders, and as Bosnia and Herzegovina is a close neighbour we should take advantage of the opportunities that are offered to them. I would appeal to the newly-formed governments to start adopting the long-awaited package of energy laws in order to attract the new investments necessary for the green transition".

Manuela Naessl, director of the EBRD, said: “Supporting countries and cities to become greener and more resilient to climate change is one of our key priorities and we are really pleased to see how far Sarajevo has progressed towards these goals in recent years. We started working with Sarajevo Canton on the Green City Action Plan in 2018, and today we are on our eighth project together. These investments will make Sarajevo a better and greener city. There are new trolleybuses in the city, tram lines are being renovated, and today you can see renovated public buildings in which energy efficiency measures will increase user comfort and reduce heating and electricity costs."

Nihad Uk, Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, said: "This photo exhibition is the best confirmation of a job well done. The measures taken within this project are the best way to ensure adequate conditions for staying and working in our kindergartens and schools. We are proud of the cooperation achieved with the EBRD, the EU and Austria, and I confirm the commitment of the Sarajevo Canton Government to continue with similar initiatives with the aim of ensuring energy savings, but above all a better living environment for our citizens."

More about the project

Within the "Green Cities" program, the EBRD, the EU and other donor countries support the Canton of Sarajevo to identify and implement projects aimed at improving the quality of the environment, air and improving the level of public services. The project is financed through the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP), a flagship investment from the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans 2021-2027. The programme blends policy support with loans, technical asistance and incentives to support energy efficiency and renewable energy investments in the public and private sectors in the Western Balkans. REEP has received €100 million additional funding as part of the EU’s ambitious €1 billion Energy Support Package for the Western Balkans.

The financial breakdown of the project was through EBRD loan funds in the amount of €8 million, while the European Union, through the Western Balkans Investment Framework, secured grants in the amount of €2 million. For the purpose of technical assistance for the implementation of the project, the EBRD mobilized additional grants, namely grant funds in the amount of €492,000 from the Government of Austria and grant funds from the EBRD's Special Action.