In an era where climate change is increasingly shaping our world, the international strategic project RETFOR brings concrete solutions for nature conservation and the adaptation of forest ecosystems. The project was officially presented on April 10, 2025, at the kick-off conference held at the Science and Technology Park in Novi Sad.
RETFOR is implemented under the Interreg VI-A IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Croatia–Serbia 2021–2027, with the goal of strengthening the resilience of forests in the Spačva–Bosut basin – one of the largest and most valuable pedunculate oak complexes in Europe. The total value of the project amounts to €2,808,128.24, of which 85% is co-financed by the European Union.
The project is led by Croatian Forests Ltd., project partners: Public Company Vojvodinašume Serbia, Croatian Waters, Public Water Management Company „Vode Vojvodine” Novi Sad and European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and Competence Centre Ltd. for research and development.
Project activities include the restoration of water infrastructure, the establishment of a groundwater monitoring system, and the development of a Climate Change Monitoring Center. Through the creation of a joint cross-border Action Plan, RETFOR provides science-based measures for the long-term protection and adaptation of forests to climate challenges.
Through RETFOR, Competence Centre will lead pilot activities, develop a system for monitoring the impacts of climate change, and ensure knowledge transfer to local communities and professionals. This will directly contribute to strengthening the resilience of natural systems and the sustainable management of resources.
RETFOR stands as a symbol of European cooperation in practice – connecting science, engineering, and local action in the service of environmental protection. Competence Centre is proud to contribute to this initiative, which places shared knowledge and sustainability at the heart of future development.
Details about the event are available on the official website of the European Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/whats-new/newsroom/04-11-2025-operation-of-strategic-importance-cohesion-policy-drives-cross-border-climate-resilience-in-the-spacva-bosut-basin_en https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/whats-new/newsroom/04-11-2025-operation-of-strategic-importance-cohesion-policy-drives-cross-border-climate-resilience-in-the-spacva-bosut-basin_en
Learn more about the project here: https://www.hrsume.hr/gradjani/eu-projekti/retfor
