Construction of 80-metre flagpole in Belgrade halted after no bids received for €3.12 million project

The tender for the construction of a Serbian national flagpole at Ušće was officially cancelled one month after it was announced, as no companies submitted bids for the project.

In October, the Belgrade City Secretariat for Investments launched a public procurement procedure for the construction of the flagpole and the redevelopment of the surrounding area in New Belgrade.

The estimated value of the works was 365 million dinars, or approximately €3.12 million, excluding VAT. Following amendments to the tender documentation, the deadline for submitting bids was set for November 9.

However, with no interested bidders, the procurement procedure was cancelled.

What was planned for the Ušće site?

The construction of the flagpole at Ušće had been announced several times in previous years. The project also included the redevelopment of part of Friendship Park, covering a total area of 5,541 square metres.

According to the project documentation, the centrepiece of the complex was to be an 80-metre steel flagpole displaying the national flag of Serbia.

The flagpole was designed to feature an automated flag-raising and lowering system, decorative lighting and appropriate aviation warning lights.

The project also included improvements to pedestrian pathways, green spaces and seating areas, while preserving existing trees and planting additional greenery.

A circular fountain, five metres in diameter, featuring a spiral stainless-steel sculpture was planned for the southern section of the square.

The development also included parking spaces for 12 tourist buses and four passenger cars, along with supporting utility infrastructure.

 

Building permit issued in September

A building permit for the flagpole and surrounding redevelopment was issued on September 23, 2026.

The project had been included in Belgrade's development plans for several years, although its implementation schedule and allocated funding had been revised on multiple occasions.

Despite the building permit having been issued, the cancellation of the procurement procedure means that no contractor has been selected.

It remains unclear whether the City of Belgrade will launch a new tender or postpone the project.