THE EUROPEAN PROGRESS PUBLISHES TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION AND LOCAL TAX ADMINISTRATION CALLS FOR PROPOSALS

19. November 2014.

The European PROGRESS published Calls for Proposals for funding the preparation of economic and social infrastructure project documentation and for improving the operation of Local Tax Administrations (LTAs). Thirty-four local self-governments in South East and South West Serbia, which are engaged in the implementation of the development program, are entitled to apply.

The European PROGRESS’ donors, the European Union and the Government of Switzerland, earmarked 1.78 million EUR to support the cities and municipalities in preparation of the technical documentation for infrastructure projects in the fields of education, health, utility services and economic development. The local self-governments have to contribute to the implementation of the projects, the value of which may not exceed 50,000 euros, by co-funding at least 10% of their total value. The Call for Proposals is open until December 16, 2014.

“The lack of quality technical project documentation is one of the key obstacles to the development of infrastructure in Serbia. This is why it is important for the local self-governments to use this opportunity and prepare technical documentation for the key development projects, thereby satisfying the prerequisites for participating in the calls for funding construction works”, Graeme Tyndall, the European PROGRESS Program Manager, said.

The Call for Proposals, under which the LTAs will be granted the financial aid, will facilitate the improvement and expansion of their tax-payer registries and the inventory of property, particularly in the rural areas. The implementation of the projects is to enable the local self-governments to increase their revenues coming from property tax. The European Union and the Swiss Government allocated 150,000 euros for the said activity. The local self-governments are entitled to submit project proposals worth up to 10,000 euros. The Call for Proposals is open until December 12, 2014.

The EU and the Swiss Government earmarked a total of 24.46 million euros to support the activities of the European PROGRESS, which is a program contributing to the sustainable development of South East and South West Serbia. The approved projects are to strengthen the local administrations, create a favorable environment for the infrastructural and economic development and improve the implementation of social inclusion and employment policies.

The local self-governments included in the program are the following: Novi Pazar, Ivanjica, Nova Varos, Priboj, Prijepolje, Raska, Sjenica and Tutin in South West Serbia, followed by Prokuplje, Blace, Zitoradja, Kuršumlija, Leskovac, Bojnik, Vlasotince, Lebane, Medvedja, Crna Trava, Vranje, Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Vladicin Han, Presevo, Surdulica, Trgoviste, Brus, Aleksinac, Gadzin Han, Doljevac, Merosina, Svrljig, Babusnica, Bela Palanka and Knjazevac in South East Serbia.

Source: EU Progress and Coordination Body