Five local governments in Serbia – Kragujevac, Pirot, Veliko Gradište, Raška and Vrnjačka Banja – have joined a new smart city development program aimed at improving urban services, resource management and quality of life.
The initiative is financed under the develoPPP programme and delivered by GIZ in partnership with NALED and private sector companies.
As part of the first phase, cities will introduce targeted smart infrastructure solutions. Raška is set to deploy a system for managing green spaces, while Pirot will implement smart parking. Kragujevac and Vrnjačka Banja are developing intelligent water supply networks, and Veliko Gradište will install a solar-powered charging station for electric vehicles.
Beyond individual projects, each municipality will receive a tailored smart city concept based on local priorities, including infrastructure, public services and environmental management. The program aims to help cities identify where digital solutions can deliver the greatest impact.
The initiative comes as interest in smart city development grows across Serbia, although progress is often constrained by limited funding, infrastructure gaps and a shortage of technical expertise. By combining pilot projects with strategic planning, the program seeks to accelerate the adoption of smart and sustainable urban solutions at the local level.