Prijepolje Unveils Renewed Park of National Heroes

After three decades the completely renovated Park of National Heroes in the centre of Prijepolje municipality on the Mileševka River has been opened today thanks to the funds of the Ministry of Tourism and Youth and the European Union through the EU PRO Plus programme. The official opening of the Park was attended by Minister of European Integration Tanja Miščević, Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Serbia, Nicola Bertolini, Special Advisor in the Ministry of Tourism and Youth, Esad Hodžić and Director of UNOPS Serbia Multi-Country Office, Michela Telatin.

"This Park is an expression of the partnership between Serbia and the European Union, which represents our environment, the place where we live and where the EU member states see us and as equals. The assistance we provide together to our local communities is our strength and ability to develop, and at the same time, it is an opportunity for us to understand the local needs so then we can meet them together. Today it is this beautiful park on the Mileševka River in Prijepolje, and tomorrow it will be some other projects related to infrastructure, agriculture or support to small and medium-sized enterprises", said the Minister of European Integration, Tanja Miščević.

The final works, carried out with the financial support of the European Union in the amount of more than 20 million Dinars, included the installation of electrical installations, lighting, video surveillance, as well as procurement of equipment for fitness and exercise.

"This project is the result of the work of many people, institutions, time and energy invested while having limited funds - which means that it is also a reflection of great commitment. I am glad to see that it was successfully implemented. The European Union is waiting for you and the EU is here for you!" said the Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, Nicola Bertolini.

Esad Hodžić, a Special Adviser in the Ministry of Tourism and Youth, underlined that the reconstruction of the Park was initiated by the citizens of Prijepolje themselves, and that the Ministry of Tourism and Youth supported the first phase of the renovation with 37.8 million Dinars. These works included construction of sports fields for basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball and tennis, installation of a protective grid over the reconstructed drainage channel together with the concrete staircase within the stands.

"We managed to preserve the soul of our Park, while enriching it with new content. This is a park for all of us, for the youngest, for the elderly who have a chess corner, there are fields for athletes, sports equipment for recreationists, but also for people with disabilities. This is now a park accessible to all our citizens", said Drago Popadić, Mayor of the Municipality of Prijepolje. 

During the day, the Head of Cooperation of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, Nicola Bertolini, also had the opportunity to see projects supported by the EU in Prijepolje, which contribute to better social services and conditions for education. He first visited the sports hall at the "Milisav Stiković" Primary School, which was renovated with EU grants. In the Day Centre for children and youth with behavioural problems, he learned about the project jointly implemented by the Citizen association "Nova Vizija" and the Prijepolje Centre for Social Work that aims to improve social services as well as the social integration of risk groups among children and young people.