1.5 MILLION EUROS FOR LOCAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

18. March 2016.

Belgrade - The European Progress development program issued a public call for local infrastructure project proposals, for which the European Union and the Government of Switzerland allocated around 1.5 million euros.

As stated by the European Progress program, the call is open until May 6, 2016, while eligible to participate in it are 34 local self-governments from the southeastern and southwestern parts of Serbia that are involved in implementation of the development program. The program covers the municipalities of Presevo, Bujanovac and Medvedja, too.

In the context of the public call, local infrastructure projects have been classified into two categories.

The first category includes social infrastructure projects, such as the construction or renovation of education, healthcare and cultural institutions, sports facilities, then projects that contribute to improving the living conditions and social services for vulnerable groups, as well as municipal infrastructure projects, such as water and sewage systems. Infrastructure projects that contribute to improving protection of the environment, as well as those improving waste management, reducing pollution and advancing energy efficiency, are also in this group. The value of individual projects in this category will range from 30,000 to 100,000 euros, while the municipalities should co-finance projects in the amount of 10 to 49 percent of the total project value.

The second category includes economic infrastructure projects having a value between 30,000 and 200,000 euros, while the municipalities should provide financial contribution from 10 to 49 percent of the total project value.

All projects should be directed towards creating an environment that makes a sustainable economic development possible. Each project proposal must include an explanation of how it will contribute to implementation of the promotion and observance of the principles of good governance (accountability, efficiency, transparency, citizen participation and non-discrimination) in the municipality.

Graeme Tyndall, the Head of the European Progress program, said that the EU and the Government of Switzerland continued to support the projects aimed at a better life for the citizens of South East and South West Serbia, and called on the local self-governments to engage in preparation of quality project proposals that were in line with the needs of the population and development priorities.

The local self-governments can submit one project proposal for both the categories, but an individual municipality can receive funding for only one project under this public call, it was said in the statement issued by the European Progress program.

Source: European Progress and Coordination Body