EU provides 10 million Euros for projects defined by territorial strategies

The European Union (EU) Local Development Programme, EU PRO Plus, implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of European Integration, has published a Public Call for proposals for integrated projects derived from 12 territorial strategies supported through the programme, for which the EU has allocated ten million Euros.

Cities and municipalities that, with EU support, developed territorial strategies as strategic documents for sustainable development now have the opportunity to apply for projects that will contribute to strengthening the specific identity, recognition and attractiveness of the territory, solving complex problems that require different types of innovation and institutional cooperation of different sectors and ultimately improve the quality of life of all residents in those territories.

"Territorial approach to development is an important element for creating equal but also better living conditions in all parts of Serbia. Such an approach is also important as our preparation for the use of much larger structural funds when we become a member of the EU", said Tanja Miščević, Minister for European Integration.

Minister Miščević added that the proposed projects should rely on the objectives of the EU Cohesion Policy 2021 - 2027, as well as on relevant national strategies, especially on the Strategy of Sustainable Urban Development of Serbia until 2030.

This Public Call is an opportunity for territories to get support to implement projects that will improve the quality of urban areas, to deal with issues of energy efficiency and adaptation to climate change, to take advantage of digitization and introducing innovations, to implement various initiatives that contribute to social well-being, as well as to strengthen their own systems for territorial governance.

"Through the EU PRO Plus programme, we are piloting a territorial approach to development that is tailored for the context of Serbia and the potential and capacities of these territories. This is a long-term approach that has proven to be successful in ensuring balanced development in the European Union, and in addition, local self-governments in Serbia will be more ready to use future cohesion funds," said the Ambassador of the European Union to Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret. 

As particularly important, the Ambassador underlines that all interested parties were involved in the strategy development process, and, therefore, it is expected that the proposed projects will be selected as priorities for a certain territory while being based on the widest possible consensus.

This Public Call is an opportunity for territories to receive support to implement projects that will improve the quality of urban areas, to deal with issues of energy efficiency and adaptation to climate change, to take advantage of digitization and introduce innovations, to implement various initiatives that contribute to social well-being, as well as to strengthen their own systems for managing the development of territories.

The cities and municipalities and regional development agencies that are included in the twelve territories that have developed territorial strategies within the EU PRO Plus programme, as one of the preconditions for territorial approach to development as well as for the use of EU funds, are eligible to apply. They can submit the projects derived from the strategies that will contribute to addressing territorial and sustainable urban development challenges, while building the capacities of the local and regional stakeholders.

The twelve mentioned territories include five wider territories - urban areas, namely Kragujevac with the municipalities of Aranđelovac, Batočina, Knić, Lapovo and Topola; Niš with the municipalities of Gadžin Han, Merošina and Svrljig; Pirot with the municipalities of Babušnica, Bela Palanka and Dimitrovgrad; Užice with the municipalities of Bajina Bašta, Čajetina, Požega and Priboj and Zaječar with the municipalities of Boljevac, Knjaževac and Sokobanja, as well as seven narrower territories - urban areas - Bor, Kruševac, Leskovac, Loznica, Novi Pazar, Smederevo and Šabac

Within the Call, two groups of projects will be supported, the first one related to infrastructural and other works, procurement of equipment and measures that encourage broad consultations, participation, capacity building and training, etc. The value of support per individual project for this group is from 200,000 to 1,500,000 Euros for wider territories and from 100,000 to 500,000 Euros for narrower territories. The second group of projects, which will be supported in the amount of 50,000 to 200,000 Euros per individual project, involves the preparation of documentation necessary for increasing the maturity and readiness for the implementation of strategic projects within the territorial strategies, such as feasibility studies, social impact assessments, environmental impact assessments, etc.

The Call is open until 28 December 2023, while more information as well as application documents are available on the Programme website Public Call for implementation of integrated projects deriving from the twelve territorial strategies supported by the EU PRO Plus programme.