EU SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE - 4.5 MILLION EUROS FOR 37 NEW PROJECTS

5. October 2018.

Leskovac-Surdulica—Vladicin Han-Trgoviste - The European Union (EU) will, through the development EUPRO program, finance with four and a half million euros the implementation of local infrastructure projects, which are aimed at a better quality of life, in 37 local self-governments in the regions of Sumadija, Western, Southern and Eastern Serbia.

The Projects, which are, based on administrative, programmatic and technical evaluation of the proposals, approved by the Program Steering Committee, will primarily improve the conditions in cultural and sports facilities, schools and kindergartens, healthcare and social protection institutions. Utility infrastructure will also be improved, which will particularly contribute to achieving better living conditions of members of vulnerable groups.

Thus, the population, especially children and youth, in Bela Palanka, Babusnica, Batocina, Cajetina, Dimitrovgrad, Golubac, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Knjaževac, Ljubovija, Priboj, Prijepolje, Pozega, Rekovac, Surdulica, Svilajnac, Sabac, Uzice, Velika Plana and Vladicin Han, will, following the renovation or construction of sports and cultural facilities, have the appropriate conditions for going in for sports, while cultural contents at the local level will be promoted.

The conditions for staying, learning and working in schools and kindergartens will be improved in Leskovac, Merosina, Prokuplje, Sjenica and Smederevo, with a special focus on the energy efficiency and safety of these facilities.

The utility infrastructure, or water supply systems, sewerage and public lighting, will be improved in ten program municipalities, which include Aleksinac, Boljevac, Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Doljevac, Kucevo, Kursumlija, Raska, Targoviste and Valjevo, while thanks to the EU support, the Center for Social Work in Zabari will be renovated, as well as the Health Center in Zagubica.

By supporting the implementation of these public infrastructure projects, the European Union contributes directly to a better life of the population through improving the quality and availability of utilities, health and social services, as well as to better conditions for the education and upbringing of children and young people.

A total of 46 project proposals arrived for a public call, which was open from April 26 to June 29, 2018, while one of the necessary requirements for applying was the existence of a building permit and the financial participation of at least 15 percent of the project value. Thus, the 37 local self-governments whose projects were approved will participate in the implementation with 1.6 million euros, while the total budget of all projects is estimated at 6.1 million euros.

Source: Jugpress and Coordination Body