BEGA Canal

About the project:

The strategic project “BEGA – The repairing of the navigation infrastructure on Bega Canal” was a key initiative to restore the Bega Canal, revitalising it as a “living boulevard” and a vital transport and tourism link between Romania and Serbia. This project not only aimed to improve cross-border mobility but also to connect the Banat region to the broader European waterway network, including the Black Sea and the North Sea, through the existing canal systems. The success of the project in restoring the canal’s navigability and strengthening cooperation between the two countries was recognised with the prestigious DKMT Excellence Award for its impact on the Danube–Kris–Mureș–Tisa Euroregion.

Code: RORS-15

Financing Programme: 2014 – 2020 Interreg IPA CBC Romania – Serbia

KEY OBJECTIVES

To promote sustainable cross-border transport and mobility infrastructure to shape the Bega Canal area as an internationally recognized destination.
Improving accessibility and connectivity by raising the standard of transport and mobility infrastructure.
Enhancing the Bega Canal Area as a green, visitor-friendly destination for outstanding tourism experiences.
Strengthening cross-border competitiveness and promoting good neighborly relations between Romania and Serbia.

THE PARTNERSHIP

Lead Partner: Banat River Basin Administration – RO
Partners:
- Timiș County Councill – RO;
- Provincial Secretariat for Interregional Cooperation and Local Self-Government; Public Water Management Company “Vode Vojvodine” – RS.

KEY RESULTS

Hydro-complex Repair: Repaired and fully operational hydro-complexes at Sanmihaiul Roman, Klek, and Srpski Itebej.
A dedicated working inspection/bicycle path was built on the Serbian side.
A floating dock and mooring points were constructed in Zrenjanin to boost tourism.
On-site equipment, including two terrain vehicles, two multipurpose dredgers, one aquatic weed harvester, one barge, and one motor barge.
Six notebooks/computers were also acquired.
Six joint technical studies, a training package for 30 people, eight joint conferences to strengthen institutional capacity and public awareness.