Quarterly Performance Report FY2023, Q2: USAID Serbia Better Energy

The project focuses on district heating plants (DHPs) and multi-apartment buildings (MABs) by investing knowledge and materials to improve energy performance at the local level. The project endeavors to provide policy guidance, technical support, training programs, and grants to facilitate efforts and investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Throughout the project, recipients will be provided with comprehensive assistance to conserve energy or introduce innovative energy sources, such as local renewables. The project aims to establish financial frameworks that showcase the use of Energy Efficiency (EE) and Renewable Energy (RE) investments, which can be adopted on a larger scale. The activities strive to harmonize and leverage public resources to boost private investment and elevate overall levels of financial and funding participation from third parties. In the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2023, the project made significant progress by initiating the execution of the first pilot schemes in MABs and implementing pilot initiatives in DHPs on time for the heating season. The project entered into agreements with housing associations and contractors to partially fund energy efficiency retrofit initiatives connected to the renovation of residential structures in Valjevo city. These efforts produced an average of 28% savings. The project facilitated dialogue between the Ministry, city of Valjevo administrators, and housing associations, ensuring the project remains on track despite hesitation from residents. The project reinforced communication with governmental officials, municipal energy managers, housing association managers, and private and public beneficiaries. The project also arranged training sessions to enhance the sector's overall proficiency. The Ministry of Mining and Energy and USAID have come together to endorse sustainable energy, energy security, and energy efficiency via the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2023. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade, and the event was also utilized to inaugurate the Nikola Tesla public awareness educational campaign. The campaign aims to help Serbian citizens comprehend the significance and consequences of energy usage and provides advice on how to reduce energy consumption and save money. The campaign effectively obtained 8,491,196 impressions (views, clicks, likes, shares, and shares) on Facebook, YouTube, and YouTube within the first two months, exceeding the anticipated number by 8.5 times. The campaign continues to promote the importance of energy efficiency and renewable energy as a corporate social responsibility effort to build no-cost partnerships with outdoor advertising agencies, local TV and radio stations, and other media.