Round table within the framework of the BABECA project

Within the framework of the project “Complex Water Management of Baja-Bezdan Channel (BABECA)”, co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg IPA Hungary-Serbia Cross-Border Cooperation Program, a roundtable on water management was held in Novi Sad on 21 May 2019.

The partnership in the project, with the overall amount of allocated funding exceeding EUR 8,699,537.91, of which the amount of the EU (IPA) contribution is EUR 7,394,607.21, consists of the Lower Danube Valley Water Directorate (Hungary), Public Water Management Company “Vode Vojvodine” Novi Sad (Serbia) and European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (Serbia).

The goal of the round table was to present the main project activities which will ensure better water flow in the Baja-Bezdan Canal, improve the water management system in the cross-border region along the Baja-Bezdan Canal, and consequently improve the flood defence system. The event was an opportunity for experts in water management and other relevant stakeholders to share experience and network, thus enhancing cooperation in the cross-border region. The event aimed to raise the awareness of students in water issues of the topics, so as to equip them with relevant knowledge and skills for their future careers.
The meeting was opened by Ivana Đurica, Assistant Director, European Fund Affairs of AP Vojvodina, and the attendees were greeted by Milán Mándity, Deputy Technical Director, Lower Danube Valley Water Directorate, and Stevan Ilinčić, Assistant Director, PWMC “Vode Vojvodina” Novi Sad. The project was presented by Zsolt Királj, Project Manager, Lower Danube Valley Water Directorate, and Zoran Madžgalj, PWMC “Vode Vojvodina” Novi Sad. Examples of best practice in water management and flood protection were presented by Miroslav Dunjić, Assistant Provincial Secretary for Agriculture, Water Management and Forestry, doc Attila Bezdán PhD, Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Novi Sad, and Vladimir Mučenski PhD, Faculty of Technical Sciences of the University of Novi Sad.
In addition to partner institutions, the round table was attended by students of the Faculty of Agriculture, representatives of the Provincial Government, Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences of the University of NoviSad, municipal administration in AP Vojvodina, Chamber of Commerce of Vojvodina, regional development agencies, public utility companies and the media.

The implementation of the project started on 29 September 2017 and is planned to last until 28 September 2020.