The Culture Hub in Foča revived with energy efficiency measures

LowCarbon project

December 27, 2023

New look of the Culture and information Hub in Foča

The building housing the Culture and Information Hub in Foča has undergone its long-awaited renovation, after 70 years. Every winter, this symbol of culture in Foča was empty and cold, completely unsuitable for use. Thanks to the "Scaling-Up Investment in Low-Carbon Public Buildings in Bosnia and Herzegovina" (LowCarbon) project, financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and implemented by UNDP in BiH, with support from and in cooperation with the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency of Republika Srpska and other partners in the country, the building now has a new look and can host cultural events even during winter.

The Foča Culture and Information Hub covers an area of 800 square meters, housing a hall, conference room, reading room, a cinema hall, and other premises. A coal boiler facility built in eighties could not heat these premises, thus no activities and cultural events were organized in winter, due to which it had large financial losses. With the warmer days kicking in, it was hard to make up for the months of inactivity. These works revived this cultural institution, which was on the verge of complete extinction.

“The building was leaking, so in 2002 we changed the roof with our own funding and with the help of the local community, and that sums up all the investments in this building since it was built in 1954. The Hub has a large space for use, but it was impossible to heat it. Temperature in the winter days was around 18 degrees.”

The Hub Director Slavica Filipović describes the challenges they faced.

The employees of the Hub point out that they now have the renewed motivation for new activities and ideas.

The energy renovation, encompassing new external joinery, thermal insulation of the facade and roof ceiling, replacement of gutters, and a modern lightning protection installation, not only transformed the building's appearance but also introduced a more energy-efficient and cost-effective heating system.

“Heating turned out to be much better with the new joinery. Full thermal comfort is now achieved while reducing the harmful gas emissions. But true benefits of the project will only become apparent in the coming years, bearing in mind that the institution will generate significant savings”.

Radmila Prvulović, one of the staff of the Hub.

The authentic appearance of the building was preserved.

The renovation of the Hub has also facilitated smooth work of numerous women gathered in the Association Porodica, the Foča Women’s Association and the Foča City Choir. The Hub provided them premises for use, where they can carry out regular activities even in the winter.

The LowCarbon project's overarching goal is to eliminate financial barriers, encouraging investment in public facilities to reduce CO2 emissions, generate savings, create environmentally friendly jobs, and contribute to the economic development of the country.

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