On 30 May 2025, the Letnjikovac pilot location in the City of Šabac hosted a festive and meaningful event as part of the project NONA – New Governance for New Spaces. The occasion marked the official Festival Day with exhibition and the award ceremony for the most successful participants of the art and literary competition titled “Letnjikovac of the Future – The Place I Want for All of Us”, which encouraged young people to imagine inclusive and green public spaces. The event brought together a large number of children, preschool educators, teachers, institutional representatives, and city authorities, with the aim of promoting creativity, civic engagement, and the sustainable transformation of urban environments. The most notable works were honoured with certificates and symbolic prizes, while official letters of appreciation were presented to all supporting institutions.
The event was formally opened by the Mayor of the City of Šabac, whose keynote speech highlighted the strategic importance of the NONA project for the city’s development and conveyed strong institutional commitment to its continued implementation. Following the mayor’s address, welcome remarks were delivered by the President of the City Assembly, representatives of the City Administration, and the Institute of Architecture and Urban & Spatial Planning of Serbia (IAUS).
After the opening ceremony and award presentations, two interactive community workshops were held:
• The urban gardening workshop, organised by Terrador, introduced children and adults to the principles of sustainable plant care in urban settings. Participants had the opportunity to create their own plant terrariums while learning about the ecological significance of green spaces in cities.
• The biodiversity and bird protection workshop, implemented by the Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia, focused on urban biodiversity and raising awareness about the preservation of bird species. The hands-on part of the workshop included the construction of birdhouses, helping participants understand how individuals can contribute to the protection of nature in their immediate surroundings.
On the same day, representatives of the NONA project – IAUS and the City of Šabac – also participated in the official programme of the AGE+ project, delivering a joint presentation within the thematic session “Special Purpose Area – Region of Intergenerational Solidarity and Cooperation Letnjikovac”. The session underscored the growing synergy between the two projects, both of which promote integrated and participatory neighbourhood development.
The Festival Day at Letnjikovac successfully united education, creativity, and community-building, reflecting the core values of the NONA project. Through this event, the pilot site once again affirmed its role as a space for experimentation, collaboration, and long-term institutional engagement.
The event provided strong momentum for the next major step – the National Investment Forum, planned for October 2025. Letnjikovac will be presented as a good practice example and a model for inclusive and sustainable urban transformation.
News and visuals from the event were published in local and national media, as well as on official and partner social media channels.
