Serbia and the Western Balkans are taking a significant step towards sustainability and green transition with the development of eco-industrial parks, according to Plamena Halačeva, deputy head of the EU Delegation in Serbia. This initiative, aligned with the Green Agenda, aims to encourage innovation and sustainable growth in the region. Today, the European Union, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and MIND Park signed an agreement to establish the first brownfield eco-industrial park in the Western Balkans, set to be developed in Kragujevac.
Halačeva emphasized that the goal of this pilot project is to transform MIND Park into a fully integrated eco-industrial zone, serving as a model for sustainable industrial development in line with EU environmental standards.
MIND Park, which currently covers 190 hectares and employs over 3,000 people, is a major industrial hub focused on industries like railway, aviation, and high-tech. With improved infrastructure and services, it aims to attract global investors and industries to the region.
The vision for MIND Park is to become the first eco-industrial park in the Western Balkans, combining technology, production, and logistics into a sustainable industrial ecosystem.
Ines Rocha, IFC Regional Director for Europe, stated that the initiative will help companies in the region meet global market demands, access European supply chains, and drive industrial decarbonization, fostering economic growth and attracting sustainable investments.
In addition to the Kragujevac eco-industrial park, four more pilot projects are planned across the Western Balkans, including a greenfield eco-industrial park in Šabac, further strengthening the region’s position in sustainable industrial development.
