Niš Residents Protest Nearly $9,200 Spent on Artificial Grass-Covered Vehicles

Residents of Niš are questioning a municipal expenditure of nearly one million dinars (approximately $9,200 USD) used to decorate two old vehicles with artificial grass. The vehicles were placed in small, neglected parks near railway crossings.

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almost a million dinars to place two 'waste vehicles covered with imitation grass in neglected parks near railway crossings'.

Tamara Milenković Kerković, a law professor and municipal councilor representing the "Nišlije da se pitaju" (Niš Residents Have Their Say) association, announced on June 20, 2026, that they had filed a complaint with the budget inspection department of the Ministry of Finance. They requested an extraordinary inspection of the Palilula municipality's spending.

Milenković Kerković stated that the "failed 'green story' of ecological kitsch" cost Niš residents close to a million dinars. This amount was part of the 81 million dinars transferred by the city of Niš to the Palilula municipality this year. She suggested the money could have been better spent on installing an irrigation system in a park near the Palilula ramp.

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This entire failed 'green story' of ecological kitsch cost the people of Niš close to a million dinars, out of a total of 81 million that the city of Niš transferred to the Palilula municipality this year.

Following significant public reaction, a towing service removed the vehicles, which were covered in plastic imitation grass, on June 19. The association believes the funds could have funded essential park improvements instead of what they describe as "ecological kitsch."

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The money could have been used to install an irrigation system in the park near the Palilula ramp.