Constructed close to 40 years ago and heavily destroyed during the war, Ćamil Sijarić primary school is one of the oldest and largest schools in the area of Dobrinja in Sarajevo with more than 950 boys and girls currently enrolled.Although it has been renovated several times over the years, the school has faced large heat losses due to an energy-inefficient façade, roof and old windows. When the canton of Sarajevo decided to embark on a large-scale reconstruction of its public buildings, the school was identified as one of the priorities.

With financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Union (EU) and Austria, Sarajevo Canton launched in 2020 a programme to refurbish 40 public buildings, mainly educational facilities, such as nurseries, schools, student dorms, and healthcare centres. The programme aims to make those buildings more energy efficient and reduce energy and electricity costs, as well as lead to lower CO₂ emissions. Fifteen buildings were selected for the programme’s first phase, of which 13 have so far been reconstructed.

The EU has provided a €2 million investment grant for the programme.

Reconstruction of public buildings is part of the EBRD’s Green City Action Plan for Sarajevo canton, along with other investments in areas such as water infrastructure, urban transport and district heating.Green City projects in Sarajevo are supported by the European Union, Austria, Japan, the Central European Initiative, Italy and the Western Balkans Investment Framework.