Opening ceremony of the EU Project Refurbishment of Children playground and improving safety conditions was held at playground in Novi Sad in Milice Stojadinović Street.
This Project is worth over one million EUR, and it encompasses complete reconstruction of 27 children playgrounds in 11 cities and municipalities in Serbia. All the playgrounds are designed and shall be equipped in line with relevant safety standards applicable for children playgrounds in European Union, as well as in Republic of Serbia. Project is aiming to enhance physical activity of children, socialization, intellectual and emotional development of the youngest.
For children living in cities, playgrounds represent main link to the nature and outdoors, therefore, the EU have provided financial support for development of social infrastructure in order to secure overall development of children. The necessity for these kind of projects is constant, and thus it is of utmost importance to continue with investments in the refurbishment and construction of the facilities of similar contents.

Project is managed by Ministry of Finance – Department for contracting and financing of programs funded by European Union, while direct beneficiary is Ministry for Youth and Sport. Technical assistance in implementation of the project is provided by the project Technical Assistance for refurbishment and improved safety conditions of Children playgrounds.
Official opening has been attended by Acting Assistance Minister of Finance Mr. Marko Jovanović, Ambassador of Delegation of European Union to Republic of Serbia H.E. Mr. Sem Fabrizi and Minister for Youth and Sport Mr. Vanja Udovičić.

Acting Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Finance Mr. Marko Jovanović expressed contentment regarding the participation in the event which was held today. During the relevant occasion he stated the following:
„Contracting Authority in charged for monitoring of mentioned project is Ministry of Finance. Also, projects as such are of great significance for children, and support to the early childhood and youth development. Playgrounds represent crucial link between children, nature and open space and nowadays that relation is of great importance, especially in urban regions. Playing is an important part of children’s’ physical, social, intellectual and emotional development through individual and group activities.“
“The EU is the largest donor in Serbia delivering projects in many areas of life of citizens. Projects that bring joy to children have a special place. Today we are delighted to announce the completion of the first of the 27 playgrounds to be reconstructed in 11 towns throughout Serbia. This project is part of the broader EU grant portfolio, worth over 50 million euros, to provide support for the physical, social and emotional development of Serbian children of all ages”, said the EU Ambassador, Mr. Sem Fabrizi and added that he is “particularly pleased that the equipment and materials provided for the playgrounds were produced in Serbia, in line with the EU sustainability policy”.

The Minister of Youth and Sports Vanja Udovičić expressed his satisfaction that he attended a special ceremony today for the first of 27 playgrounds, which will be reconstructed at the initiative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and emphasized:
“We pay special attention to the promotion of healthy living and the popularization of sports, especially among children, and I am therefore very pleased that the European Union has supported another IPA project of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. It is very important that big cities, such as Novi Sad, have as many playgrounds as possible to enable our youngest a higher quality early development.”

First visitors were kids from Primary school ”Jovan Popović”, which is located in the vicinity of the playground.