The first brownfield eco-industrial park in the Western Balkans will be developed in Kragujevac, with the aim of making MIND Park a model for sustainable industrial development in line with European Union environmental standards.
The agreement was signed by Darko Đorić, General Director of MIND Park, Plamena Halačeva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, and Ines Roča, Regional Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for Europe.
The idea is to modernise industrial zones in Serbia so that they become not only smart and sustainable hubs but also serve as models for similar projects across the region.
As Đorić emphasised, this project marks a turning point for the entire region and the Western Balkans.
"This is a shared vision for the sustainable future of industry, a future where economic growth is built on innovation, responsibility, and cooperation. When we launched the MIND Park project in 2018, we defined four pillars: location, technology, people, and sustainability. We have worked hard to position it as a leading industrial centre serving the railway, aviation, water treatment technology, and high-tech industries," he stated.
MIND Park spans 190 hectares and employs more than 2,000 people. The term "brownfield" refers to adapting existing industrial spaces to meet new and sustainable standards, rather than building entirely new infrastructure.
In addition to the European Union, the project is also supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC).
As stated, industrial success must go hand in hand with sustainability, and the next step is the complete transformation of MIND Park into an eco-industrial park.
"This is more than just an industrial zone; it is a sustainable business ecosystem where companies reduce harmful emissions and collaborate to minimise their environmental impact. With the support of the EU and IFC, we aim to become the first eco-industrial park in the Western Balkans that integrates technology, production, and logistics within a sustainable industrial environment. To achieve this, we will introduce more resource-efficient production methods, improve water treatment systems, and enhance cooperation between businesses," Đorić added.
This initiative will create new jobs, make companies more competitive, and position the region as a leader in sustainable industry.
Previously, an agreement was signed in Šabac for the construction of the first greenfield eco-industrial park in the Western Balkans.
"We are pleased that the project is continuing in Kragujevac, a city with a strong industrial tradition and one of the major economic hubs in Serbia," said Halačeva.
According to her, applying circular economy principles, reducing waste and pollution, aligns this project with the European Green Deal.
"The Green Deal is not just a plan or a growth strategy - it is a way to tackle environmental challenges and economic opportunities. Although greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 37% since 1990, our economy has grown by 68%, demonstrating that sustainability and progress can go hand in hand," added the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia.
The European Union is supporting Serbia’s green transition through the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans 2021-2027.
As Ines Roča added, the signed agreement is part of a broader movement shaping the future of green industry in the region and beyond.
"Industries worldwide are undergoing fundamental changes. Companies must adapt to increasingly stringent environmental regulations, growing investor expectations, and rising demand for sustainable products. In this context, the Western Balkans is no exception. With 60% of the region's exports going to the EU and sustainability standards becoming stricter, businesses must evolve to remain competitive. In this changing environment, eco-industrial parks offer a unique advantage, helping companies meet new requirements in social, environmental, and governance (ESG) standards," she stated.
MIND Park is presented as a model for companies seeking to align with global trends. Eco-industrial parks are not only important for environmental protection but also represent an economic opportunity - enhancing resource efficiency, reducing operating costs, and helping companies comply with EU regulations such as CBAM and other trade policies based on ESG principles.
"IFC is ready to support this transition. We are leveraging global expertise in decarbonisation to help companies adapt to EU environmental standards. Each eco-industrial park will contribute to making the Western Balkans a centre for sustainable industrial development," the statement concluded.
