The European Union Support to
Municipal Development – EU PRO Programme (1)...
The European Union Support to
Municipal Development – EU PRO Programme (1) will contribute to a more balanced socio-economic
development of Serbia, by enhancing competitiveness and social cohesion of 99
municipalities, in two regions: Šumadija and Western Serbia and Southern and
Eastern Serbia. (1) The European Union (EU) allocated 25 million Euros for the Programme that will
be implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) during
36 months.
There are three results that the Programme will achieve:
- Result 1:
Improved technological structure of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)
and their ability to export
- Result 2: Improved
conditions for business operations through more efficient administrative
service provision, better land management and specific infrastructure
investments
- Result 3:
Better social cohesion and attractive living environment through
improvement of small scale public infrastructure and social relations.
The direct beneficiaries of the EU PRO are local self-governments, local
SMEs, civil society organisations (CSOs) and business support organisations
(BSOs). The final beneficiaries are the inhabitants of 99 municipalities.
The EU PRO Programme is based on
the National Priorities for International Assistance in the Republic of Serbia
2014-2017, with projections until 2020 (NAD) (3),
significant for Serbia’s EU accession process and socio-economic development.
Its activities will be undertaken in partnership with the Government of
Serbia, while respecting the national strategies, laws and relevant development
documents, in order to ensure national ownership and help develop national
capacities.
The Swiss PRO Programme will improve local capacities primarily in 99
municipalities in Šumadija and Western Serbia, and South and Eastern Serbia
regions to apply good governance (GG) principles in local policies and
regulations and thus increase social cohesion. The Government of Switzerland
has allocated USD 6.9 million for the Programme, with the United Nations Office
for Project Services (UNOPS) responsible for its implementation, in cooperation
with the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM).
The Programme has to fulfil two main goals:
- To contribute to the enhancement of organisations
and officials’ knowledge and skills
- To positively change the scope and quality of
public services rendered to citizens, especially to those from excluded
groups.
Both goals will lead to improved regulations, institutional, technical
and human capacities for the enhancement of e-services. In addition, capacity
building will be provided to local civil society organisations (CSOs) as well
as institutions dealing with social inclusion and gender equality.
Overall, this will contribute to the improved rule of law at the local
level, increased accountability, transparency and efficiency and effectiveness
of the local governments (LSGs), and ultimately improvement of quality of life
of citizens, especially excluded citizens.
The Programme will coordinate its activities
with the key line-national-level institutions, while observing the national strategies,
laws and relevant development documents, which will contribute to
sustainability, ensure national ownership and develop national capacities. The
content and the scope of the Programme will significantly complement the
European Union Support to Municipal Development – EU PRO Programme. (4)
(2) Forty-five
municipalities are from the third and the fourth category of development, 44
are from the first and the second. The two regions, Šumadija
and Western Serbia and South and Eastern Serbia, are less developed comparing
to Belgrade and Vojvodina.
(4) The Programme will be implemented by UNOPS, with the
EU funding of 25 million Euros, over 36 months and is focussed on improving
business environment for small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs,
including building infrastructure to improve local economy, quality of life and
the efficiency of local authorities in property management.