EU for the development of Knjaževac and Pirot – improvement of spa tourism and conditions for education

The natural source of thermal mineral water in the village of Rgošte represents one of the greatest tourist potentials of the municipality of Knjaževac. With the support of the European Union, a modern rehabilitation and spa centre was built. The project was financed with EU grants in the amount of over 260,000 Euros through the EU PRO Plus programme, and included the completion of construction, and procurement of modern equipment for modern physical medicine and rehabilitation.

“This is an example of how the EU supports improving spa and health tourism in Serbia, thus contributing to greater economic activity, increasing the number of tourists and creating new jobs,” said Nicola Bertolini, Head of Cooperation of the EU Delegation, during a working visit to the municipality of Knjaževac.

The centre will provide visitors with rehabilitation and modern physical medicine services under the professional supervision of doctors and physiotherapists. The first phase of the works, which included construction works, water supply, sewerage and underfloor heating, was financed by the municipality of Knjaževac and the Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications. The works were completed in 2022, and the municipality of Knjaževac, with EU support, will continue the development of the entire complex through an integrated project led by the City of Zaječar. The further development involves sports fields, children’s playground and connection of all contents into a single complex.

During his visit to Knjaževac, Nicola Bertolini also visited the ophthalmology practice Radius Medica, which improved its services with new equipment purchased with EU funds.

In Pirot, Bertolini and Mayor Vladan Vasić visited the Pirot Grammar School, which will be renovated within the project aimed at improving conditions in the entire Pirotski District with EU support of one million Euros through the EU PRO Plus programme. The project includes the improvement of conditions in schools in Bela Palanka, the adaptation of an open-air classroom in Babušnica and the equipping of a kindergarten in Dimitrovgrad. In Pirot, all three buildings of the Grammar School, which is 120 years old and under the protection of the state, will be renovated.

“The EU invests in education and youth because it is an investment in the future. The city of Pirot and all three municipalities from the district work together to improve the conditions for education, and we support their efforts,” said Bertolini. Pirot also received 50,000 Euros for the preparation of a feasibility study for the opening of a higher education institution, which will enable young people to obtain a higher level of education and greater opportunities for employment.