The new program of the European Union for local development “EU PRO Plus”, which was presented today at the online meeting, is another in a series of EU programs aimed at a better standard of living and overall quality of life for every citizen of Serbia, wherever they live and work, said Minister for European Integration Jadranka Joksimovic.
Participating in the meeting, she said that the programs so far have shown that joint efforts can implement programs aimed at a better standard of living of citizens in every part of our country and stated that this is one of the important topics of the accession process within Chapter 22 which concerns regional policy and preparation for the use of EU structural instruments.
The EU PRO plus program is aimed at improving the management of territorial development, economic growth and improving social infrastructure and social cohesion in 99 local governments in the two regions of Sumadija and western Serbia and southern and eastern Serbia.
It is the fourth in a series of programs focused on the sustainable development of cities and municipalities in southern Serbia, and the beneficiaries are 99 local governments, regional development agencies, the private sector and civil society, as well as all citizens of the region.
The budget of 30 million euros was provided by the EU through the instrument for pre-accession assistance – IPA for 2020, the program is led by the Ministry of European Integration with the support of other ministries of the Government of Serbia, and is implemented by UNOPS.
Joksimovic called on all local governments, civil society organizations and entrepreneurs to follow the calls for this three-year program and to respond and, with an understanding of the way projects are prepared, prepare good and competitive projects and withdraw as many available funds as possible.
“Serbia has so far shown that it can use EU funds responsibly, transparently and purposefully. It is necessary to strengthen capacities, especially at the local place where implementation begins, and in that sense I believe that we are through these programs and that we will work on strengthening capacity, but also to empower small businesses, entrepreneurs, especially vulnerable categories – women, young people, to make the best use of all available funds and to create a sustainable present and future in these times,” said Joksimovic.
She expects that in the next three years she will work well with the EU as before, for the benefit of the citizens of Serbia in any part of our country to live.
The director of the UN Office for Project Services UNOPS in Serbia, Mikela Telatin, said that the program reflects the vision of UNOPS, ie the vision of sustainable development.
She also states that more projects will be implemented in this way, as well as that better results will be achieved.
“In implementing the program, we will rely on the expertise that UNOPS has gained over the last decades in implementing local development projects in Serbia in providing support to businesses, their competitiveness and sustainability, building local infrastructure and strengthening social cohesion,” Telatin said.
The head of the EU Delegation, Sam Fabrizi, reminded that during the past decade, three successful programs were implemented, which directly supported the development and competitiveness of cities and municipalities in the south of Serbia.
One such joint initiative, which initially envisioned 25 municipalities in southern Serbia, has grown into an initiative now being implemented in 99 cities and municipalities in the same region, Fabrizi said, adding that the EU PRO plus program, as well as its predecessors, invest in infrastructure and contribute to the improvement of the general business environment.
“The EU and the Government of Serbia continue to support local development through the EU Pro plus program and numerous other programs that contribute to sustainable development and the growth of the standards of the citizens of Serbia,” Fabrizi said, RTV reports.
