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The Wiener Städtische Cup brought together the best teams from Serbia

The new season of the Youth Sports Games, a manifestation that has been inspiring children all over Serbia for 12 years, encouraging them to learn about a healthy life, friendship, fair play, team spirit and respect for diversity through sports, was officially opened in Požarevac. This year, among the numerous disciplines, four regional finals in handball stand out, which gather as many as 400 young handball players, showing how strong sport can be as an ally in growing up.

This discipline gives children the opportunity not only to improve and develop their physical skills, such as coordination, strength and endurance, but also to strengthen social skills and self-confidence at the same time. Through the third regional final of the Wiener Städtische Cup, held after the ceremonial opening of the Youth Sports Games (SIM) in Požarevac, eight teams, boys and girls, had the opportunity to show their talent, but also to feel the true spirit of sport – togetherness, respect and perseverance.

First place in the boys’ category was won by Metaloplastika from Šabac, while Sloga from Petrovac na Mlavi triumphed in the girls’ competition. The trophies were presented to the best by Johannes Hahn, ambassador of the Youth Sports Games, and Zoran Blagojević, chairman of the Executive Board of Wiener Städtische osiguranje.

Johannes Hahn, SIM ambassador, expressed his great satisfaction that he attended the opening ceremony of the games in Serbia and the finals of the third regional tournament of the Wiener Städtische Cup.

“I am very happy to be here and to attend the opening ceremony and to have the opportunity to watch a handball match, because I come from a family that is fond of handball. I am happy to have watched the competition and I am really amazed by the quality of the game. I wish the players all the best, as well as the Youth Sports Games in Serbia and in the entire region – to be as successful as they have been in the previous 30 years,” said Han after the cup awarding ceremony at the Požarevac Sports Center.

Zoran Blagojević, chairman of the Executive Board of Wiener Städtische osiguranje, pointed out that the company recognizes this sport as an exceptional opportunity to support the personal development of young people, guiding them towards a healthy lifestyle and prevention of health risks.

“At Wiener Städtische osiguranje, we are committed to the promotion of an active lifestyle and risk prevention. We believe that a team sport such as handball plays an important role in the development of young people, as it helps them to adopt values ​​such as responsibility, discipline and team play. The partnership with the Youth Sports Games, the largest amateur sports event in Europe, shows our commitment to this goal, as it gives every child the opportunity to participate in professionally organized sports activities for free. Through this support, we want to contribute to the creation communities that provide equal opportunities for everyone, encouraging young people to adopt healthy habits and be responsible for their health”, emphasizes Blagojević.

The tournament in Požarevac was the third of a total of four planned regional finals, and two were previously held in Gornji Milanovac and Petrovac na Mlavi. The next step is another regional final in Novi Sad, and then the national championship in Apatin, which will bring together the best teams from all over the country. These competitions are an opportunity for children from different backgrounds to connect, make lifelong friends, learn new skills and be active.

When it comes to handball competitions, the Youth Sports Games, in cooperation with Wiener Städtische osiguranje, organized nearly 200 professionally organized matches in which over 2,000 girls and boys, aged 2010 and younger, participated, making the Wiener Städtische Cup the most massive handball event of the year. These tournaments are part of a wider initiative whose goal is to provide children and young people throughout Serbia with a free opportunity to play sports and develop healthy habits.

The Wiener Städtische Cup is over

The best young handball players represent Serbia at the international championship in Split

Apatin, July 4th, 2025 – The first Wiener Städtische KUP, a handball competition within the Serbian Youth Sports Games, got its champions. At the national final held in Apatin, the “RK Metaloplastika” team from Šabac won the men’s competition, while in the women’s competition, “Gracije sa Dunava” was the best. The winners of the national finals will perform at the interstate finals in Split from August 23-27 this year, where they will play with champions from other countries participating in the Youth Sports Games.

Zoran Blagojević, President of the Executive Board of Wiener Städtische osiguranje pointed out that through this initiative the company once again clearly confirms its long-term and strategic commitment to building healthier, more inclusive and sustainable communities, placing a special focus on supporting the youngest and their healthy development.

“The state final in Apatin illuminated the true essence of sport – fighting spirit, togetherness and energy that the young men and women brought to the field. We watched exciting games, felt the passion of the game and the team spirit that was present in each team, and thus once again received confirmation why Wiener Städtische osiguranje decided to support this handball competition. We believe that sport, in addition to contributing to better health and the prevention of many risks, plays an invaluable role in the growth of young people – by teaching them discipline, responsibilities and the importance of cooperation. By supporting such initiatives, we want every child to have the opportunity to grow in a positive, stimulating environment that fosters true values ​​and lays the foundations for healthier and stronger communities,” explained Blagojević.

The competition began with the semi-final stage, where the winning teams of the regional competitions held in Novi Sad, Gornji Milanovac, Petrovac na Mlavi and Požarevac faced off.

After the end of the competition, three prizes were awarded in the men’s and women’s categories. Marko Savić, “RK Metaloplastika” from Šabac and Anja Stevanović from “RK Osipaonica” won the award for the youngest player, and Luka Đorđević, “RK Metaloplastika” and Milica Bakić from the “Gracije sa Dunava” team for the best scorers, while Luka Kostić from “RK Omladinac” from Gornji Milanovac and Lara Medved from the “Gracije sa Dunava” team won the award for the best goalkeeper.

The first Wiener Städtische KUP, in which over 2,400 boys and girls participated, showed how important it is to support such events, as it enables every child to participate in professionally organized sports activities for free. Wiener Städtische osiguranje, as a partner of the Serbia Youth Sports Games, recognizes the importance of such initiatives and through supporting the handball cup actively contributes to creating an environment where young people have equal opportunities, promotes a healthy and active lifestyle, and develops awareness of the importance of prevention and health care from the earliest years.

TWO MILLION DINAR PRIZE FUND FOR DIGITAL PROJECTS

Aware of the challenges we are all facing due to the crisis caused by Covid-19, OTP Bank has launched the 4th Generator contest, with a total prize fund of RSD 2 million, aiming to support the digital projects that can help SMEs survive the crisis period and its aftermath.

BELGRADE – June 12, 2020 – Aware of what challenges small and medium-business in our country faced due to the crisis caused by Covid-19, OTP Bank started the 4th Generator contest, and this year the contest will bear the title Gamechanger. This year’s contest focuses on supporting digital projects – websites, apps and other digital platforms – that help and offer new possibilities to SMEs. For example, to better present their services and products and achieve additional visibility, or to secure new sales channels, to provide a space where satisfied clients can rate and recommend their products and services, exchange experiences and ideas, or to offer some other ways which will be of use to SMEs in successfully overcoming the consequences of the crisis.

Through this type of indirect support, the bank wants to contribute to overcoming the economic consequences of the pandemic and help a large number of small and medium-sized market players, by launching or improving digital platforms which can be of crucial assistance for their business to survive the crisis period and its aftermath.

The contest is open to all individuals, informal teams, entrepreneurs and companies who have a new idea that needs support to materialise or an already existing solution that needs improvement, and applications are open until July 1. The bank will award two RSD 1 million prizes in both categories – New Idea and Existing Solution.

Based on submitted applications, a jury will shortlist 10 semi-finalists, who will receive video material, as well as media promotion and promotion via bank’s channels, so as many people as possible can hear about their solution. Then, six finalists will be selected, who will compete for the main prize. During presentations, finalists will showcase their solutions, after which the jury will declare two winners, who will each win the RSD 1 million prize. Semi-finalists will receive special awards by partners of the contest – Vojvođanska banka and ICT Hub centre for technology entrepreneurship and innovation.

Criteria of the Generator Gamechanger contest, application and additional information can be found at the website www.generator.rs.

Together with its partners, OTP Bank continues to support the strengthening of innovation and domestic entrepreneurship.

About the Generator project:

In order to strengthen the competitiveness of Serbian entrepreneurship, the Generator project was carefully devised and then launched in 2017, gathering all initiatives and activities that foster innovative entrepreneurial endeavours under one umbrella. In the same year, Generator supported 40 entrepreneurial innovations through financial support, promotion and mentorship. The winner received RSD 1 million, and nearly 800 innovators submitted their ideas. The following year, 2018, the rewards went to best entrepreneurial innovations by students, and last year, Generator 2.0 was intended for digital transformation of SMEs. In late 2019, as part of the Generator, OTP Bank launched the Generator of Good Deeds initiative, which supports social entrepreneurship.

You can find more information at www.generator.rs.

#otpbankasrbija #generator2020 #podrška #SME #digitalizacija #inovacije

Two More Awards from Global Finance for Raiffeisen

The prestigious international financial magazine Global Finance has named Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI) the Best Trade Finance Provider in Austria, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, RBI was recognized as the best in this category across the Central and Eastern Europe region, the magazine announced.

The winners were selected by the editorial board based on submissions from banks and other service providers, as well as the insights of industry analysts, corporate leaders, and technology experts. Criteria for selection included transaction volume, global coverage, customer support, competitive pricing, and innovative technologies, according to Global Finance.

Chris Giarraputo, founder and editorial director of Global Finance, stated that the trade finance and guarantees sector has demonstrated “resilience and innovation this year, with advancements in digitalization, the adoption of blockchain technology, and AI-based solutions that enhance efficiency and transparency.”

He added that this award recognizes financial institutions that have excelled in addressing client needs while “navigating challenges such as geopolitical uncertainty and regulatory complexity.”

It is also worth noting that earlier this year, Global Finance named Raiffeisen bank the Best Consumer Digital Bank Serbia for 2024. This recognition was awarded in three subcategories: Best Online Product Offerings, Best Mobile Banking App, and Best in Innovation.

Wiener Städtische CUP Concludes – Serbia’s Young Handball Players Ready for the International Finals

Bor, July 2, 2026 – The handball competition of the Wiener Städtische CUP, held as part of the Youth Sports Games in Serbia, concluded with the national finals, bringing together the country’s top young handball players. Following qualification tournaments and regional finals, the championship titles were claimed by RK Metaloplastika from Šabac in the boys’ competition and Gracije sa Dunava from Apatin in the girls’ competition.

 The winning teams will represent Serbia at the international finals of the Youth Sports Games in Split, where they will compete against the region’s best young athletes while promoting the values of sport, friendship and fair play.

This year’s Wiener Städtische CUP once again confirmed the growing interest in handball among children and young people. The competition featured 192 teams, with a total of 248 matches played throughout the qualification tournaments, regional finals and the national finals. Compared to last season, the number of participants increased by approximately 20 percent, thanks to the expansion of the qualifying tournament schedule.

The national finals featured boys and girls born in 2011 and younger, who had the opportunity to demonstrate their talent while developing teamwork, discipline, responsibility and mutual respect through numerous matches.

“We are proud to have once again been part of a project that brings together a large number of children from across Serbia and gives them the opportunity to develop their potential through sport. The Wiener Städtische CUP demonstrates how important sport can be in a child’s development – not only by encouraging physical activity, but also by fostering values such as cooperation, perseverance and responsibility. Through our slogan, ‘Active Today, Healthier Tomorrow,’ we aim to encourage children and young people to build lifelong healthy habits and raise awareness of the importance of taking care of their health. We believe that investing in sport means investing in healthier and stronger communities, which is why we will continue to support initiatives that provide young people with equal opportunities to grow and succeed,” said Sanjin Greda, Director of Commercial Sales for Central Serbia at Wiener Städtische osiguranje.

Throughout the season, young handball players competed in tournaments across Serbia. One of the competition’s greatest strengths is that it provides children from different communities with the opportunity to take part in professionally organized sporting events, gain valuable experience and build friendships with peers who share similar interests.

Marija Mihajlović, President of the Youth Sports Games in Serbia, emphasized that this year’s competition once again highlighted the importance of making quality sports programs accessible to children.

“For years, the Youth Sports Games have created an environment where children learn about friendship, respect, tolerance and teamwork through sport. We are delighted to see the Wiener Städtische CUP continue to grow each year, bringing together an increasing number of young handball players. Thanks to partners who recognize the importance of sport, we are able to provide children across Serbia with opportunities to compete, socialize and develop their talents in a positive and fair sporting environment,” said Marija Mihajlović.

The top teams of the Wiener Städtische CUP will now continue their sporting journey at the international finals of the Youth Sports Games, where they will represent Serbia and compete for new achievements.

As partners of the Youth Sports Games and sponsors of the Wiener Städtische CUP handball competition, Wiener Städtische osiguranje and Vienna Insurance Group firmly believe that investing in sport means investing in the future of young generations. Through this project, the company continues to promote active lifestyles and the prevention of health risks by creating an environment in which children develop healthy habits, self-confidence and values that will stay with them throughout their lives. Every child who takes part in sport today is taking an important step toward a healthier future.

Wiener Städtische osiguranje Awarded Superbrands 2024/2025 Recognition

We are proud to announce that Wiener Städtische osiguranje has been awarded the prestigious Superbrands 2024/2025 recognition in the Insurance category. The company thus continues to reaffirm the strength, reliability, and recognition of its brand.

Wiener Städtische osiguranje is part of Vienna Insurance Group (VIG), the leading Austrian insurance group and a market leader in Central and Eastern Europe, with a tradition spanning two centuries.

As a socially responsible company and one of the leading insurers in the local market, Wiener Städtische osiguranje has, for more than two decades of successful operations in Serbia, built a reputation as a trusted partner. Our clients’ continued trust is a testament to the high quality of our services — now further confirmed by this recognition.

The Superbrands award is part of a global branding initiative and serves as a symbol of companies’ commitment to their clients, the market, and the wider community. A panel of 15 experts evaluated a list of approximately 2,600 companies across various industries, with the final selection also validated through public opinion research.

By earning the title of Superbrands 2024/2025, Wiener Städtische osiguranje has secured its place among the most respected brands.

Over two decades of consistent, responsible business operations in Serbia — with a strong focus on social responsibility, innovation, reliability, efficiency, and a deep understanding of client needs — have culminated in this important achievement.

Wiener Städtische osiguranje continues to set high standards and build trust that extends beyond the local market, further strengthening the position of its brand.

Wiener Städtische osiguranje Recognizes Sustainable Mobility Projects

At a formal ceremony held at the French Embassy in Belgrade, Wiener Städtische osiguranje presented awards to the municipalities of Svilajnac and Vranje for their successful implementation of urban sustainable mobility projects, as part of the “Ekoopština 2025” competition.

As a partner of the “Sustainable Mobility” program segment, Wiener Städtische osiguranje supported two municipalities that best met the competition’s criteria by implementing innovative solutions aimed at improving environmentally responsible urban transport.

The company continuously supports local communities in Serbia in the development and implementation of environmentally friendly traffic solutions, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, alleviating traffic congestion, and increasing road accessibility.

Over the past three years, Wiener Städtische Insurance has supported sustainable mobility projects in Belgrade, Bajina Bašta, Niš, Pirot, and Kruševac, thus contributing to improving the quality of life and protecting the environment in urban areas.

The “Ekoopština” competition serves as an important platform for exchanging experiences and best practices between French and Serbian experts, with a focus on four key areas: sustainable waste management, sustainable water management, sustainable mobility, and energy efficiency in buildings.

As a partner of this program, Wiener Städtische osiguranje remains committed to actively supporting initiatives that contribute to the creation of cleaner and more sustainable cities in Serbia, aiming to ensure a healthier environment for future generations.

Wiener Talents – Outstanding Achievements of Students from the Mathematical Grammar School Awarded

Belgrade, October 14, 2025 – Today, in the ceremonial hall of the Mathematical Grammar School in Belgrade, recognitions were awarded to students of this prestigious school within the framework of the “Wiener Talents” program for their exceptional results at international competitions. Wiener Städtische osiguranje implements this program with the aim of identifying, supporting, and rewarding young talents from various fields across Serbia.

This year’s winners are five outstanding young individuals who, during the previous school year, achieved remarkable success at the world’s most prestigious competitions, winning a total of 50 medals across multiple scientific disciplines. Among them is Filip Kilibarda, the second student in Serbia’s history to earn a gold medal at the Junior Science Olympiad, as well as a bronze medal at the Artificial Intelligence Olympiad. Janko Popović has won eight medals so far this year at top global competitions in physics and chemistry. His most notable achievements include silver medals at the International Physics Olympiad and the European Physics Olympiad, as well as a silver medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad. This summer, Janko became Serbia’s most successful chemistry competitor of all time. In addition to his extraordinary international achievements, he was also named this year’s Student of the Generation at the Mathematical Gymnasium in Belgrade.

Petar Banović achieved remarkable results this year, winning a silver medal at the International Informatics Olympiad, a gold medal at the Balkan Olympiad in Informatics, and a bronze medal at the International Mathematics Olympiad. Since January 1, 2025, Andrej Drobnjaković has won nine medals at the most prestigious global competitions in physics and chemistry. His notable successes include silver medals at the International Physics Olympiad and the European Physics Olympiad, as well as a bronze medal at the International Chemistry Olympiad. Stefan Šebez earned a silver medal at the International Mathematics Olympiad this year, along with a bronze medal at the International Informatics Olympiad.

“These young people are not only the pride of the Mathematical Grammar School but of the entire country. Their results are impressive, but what truly sets them apart is their dedication, curiosity, and thirst for knowledge. We thank Wiener Städtische osiguranje for recognizing the importance of investing in knowledge and effort,” said Mirjana Katić, director of the Mathematical Grammar School.

Thanks to the “Wiener Talents“ program, the most successful students receive not only recognition but also financial support to continue on the path of excellence. This year, the company chose to focus on education and knowledge, with the students of the Mathematical Grammar School standing out as the best ambassadors of these values.

“The Wiener Talents program is much more than an award – it is our way of being present where talent is born and nurtured. The rewarded students are the best proof that investing in education is the most valuable investment in the future. We are proud to support them on this journey,” emphasized Svetlana Smiljanić, member of the Executive Board of Wiener Städtische osiguranje.

On behalf of the awardees, student Andrej Drobnjaković addressed the attendees, expressing gratitude for the recognition that rewards the effort and work of the Mathematical Grammar School students in the development and promotion of science.

Wiener Städtische Insurance launched the Wiener Talents program to support young talents across various fields – science, technology, arts, and sports throughout Serbia. The program was established in 2023, when ten of the most successful young musical talents were recognized for their work and dedication. In 2024, the award was given to ten promising young tennis players, while this year the company has acknowledged the outstanding contributions of the Mathematical Grammar School and its talented students, demonstrating a strong commitment to supporting education and the development of younger generations.

Young Tennis Players Honored with the Wiener Talents 2024 Award

A ceremony marking the conclusion of a successful competitive season for young tennis players, organized by the Vojvodina Tennis Association, was held in Novi Sad. This special event brought together young tennis hopefuls, their families, and coaches to celebrate the achievements, talent, and dedication of tennis pioneers. In partnership with the Vojvodina Tennis Association, Wiener Städtische osiguranje presented the Wiener Talents award to ten tennis players, aged 10 to 18, in recognition of their outstanding competition results, commitment, and talent.

The awards, which included plaques and financial incentives for further development, were presented to the young athletes by Marko Vukadinović, Director of Commercial Sales for Vojvodina at Wiener Städtische osiguranje. He emphasized the company’s commitment to investing in young talents to help them continue nurturing their abilities and dedication. “You have demonstrated remarkable effort, sportsmanship, and love for tennis. These awards are a symbol of our confidence in your dedication and potential. We aim to inspire young people to keep dreaming, training, and growing because their successes contribute to building a strong and healthy society,” said Vukadinović.

The company also supported this year’s tournaments for junior players by providing equipment for the children and funding their training, competitions, and travel, in line with its socially responsible practice of focusing on children’s welfare.

The Vice President of the Vojvodina Tennis Association, Mr. Aleksandar Mojsejev, expressed satisfaction with the concluded competition season, stating:
“We are extremely proud of the young competitors who participated in this year’s season. Thanks to initiatives like Wiener Talents, we have the opportunity to support their passion and nurture new generations of tennis stars.”

Launched in 2023, the Wiener Talents project aims to recognize and support young talents across various fields – from sports and arts to science and technology. As this year’s sponsor of junior tournaments organized by the Vojvodina Tennis Association, Wiener Städtische osiguranje actively promotes the importance of investing in future generations and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits.