CrossBorder Cooperation Serbia-Montenegro

The overall strategic goal for the programme recognises the need to stimulate the economy by building on the human, natural and economic resources of the area in a spirit of intense cooperation.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE

Specific Objectives

The overall aim of the programme, with the core elements of the strategy derived from the SWOT analysis, have together led to the formulation of the following specific objectives, focussing on what needs to be achieved:

1. Strengthening the incentives for SME development in the border areas;

2. Development of tourism as a key sector of the border economy;

3. Promoting cross-border trade cooperation and accessibility to markets;

4. (Re-) Establishing cross border links between business and trade support organisations to promote joint cooperative initiatives;

5. Maintaining the high quality of the border area environment as an economic resource by cooperating in joint protection and exploitation initiatives;

6. Strengthening cross-border ‘people-to-people’ interaction to reinforce ethnic, educational and cultural and sporting links and to share in joint areas of common interest.

The above specific objectives focus on the establishment of a sound basis for the joint activities in the eligible areas. The programme will also take into account the following basic principles:

· Equal opportunities for all;

· Meeting particular needs of the disadvantaged, disabled or ethnic minorities;

· Protection of the natural and built environment in order to support sustainable development;

· Partnership and joint ownership of actions.

Priority and Measures

The strategic and specific objectives are closely targeted to delivering results and favourable outcomes that address the specific needs of the eligible area. The activities foreseen under this programme have been designed on the basis of the SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) and taking into account the limited financial allocations. The co-financing guarantees that the EU principle of additionality will be respected.

The SWOT analysis indicates that the programme assistance should be concentrated on the following Priority.

Priority I

The priority is purposely stated in general wording to permit beneficiaries to propose a wide ranging list of actions to achieve the overall objective. As the first cross-border programme between the two countries, it is recognised that the higher level objectives should not impose too many constraints at the lower level. This priority supports actions to meet all the Specific Objectives, and provides a logical context for the measures.

Measure I. 1

This measure is specifically worded to promote joint efforts to achieve more effective use of the eligible area’s resources. Beneficiaries will include (this list is not exhaustive) :

Rationale:

Cooperation between local authorities to coordinate actions such as spatial planning, waste water and sewage disposal, emergency services and educational and adult training services could benefit communities on both sides of the border. Joint frameworks for cooperation could be established within the cross-border programme.

The success of small businesses is seen to be a key objective in both countries’ job creation initiatives. Cross-border cooperation between business support groups to work towards achieving a more advantageous business climate, and in developing a tourism support network to stimulate the growth of this sector, would have significant cross-border impact, and benefit both communities.

Further exploitation of the area’s natural resources is inevitable. However, cross-border cooperation is appropriate in all aspects of environmental protection, as both communities share a common desire to achieve this aim, but without damage to the ecology and natural beauty of the diverse landscapes of the region.

Cooperation in matching educational programmes relevant for the needs of industry, agriculture and the business environment of the area (e. g. tourism development) can be achieved by cross-border institutions focussing on innovative joint curricula and programmes, and sharing experience and expertise.

The cross-border programme cannot directly address the repair and modernisation of the area’s transportation infrastructure; however, cross-border cooperation between authorities in establishing priorities in this field will assist and influence national programmes to benefit local communities and economies; this is part of the additionality principle.

This measure is designed to bring about a more intense cooperation between communities at municipality level in order to develop a common identity between both the inhabitants and professional groups. It will support smaller projects and people-to-people actions. This measure will benefit economic activities in the eligible area and also provide opportunities to celebrate their cultural, historic, ethnic, educational and sporting links. Beneficiaries will include (this list is not exhaustive) :

Rationale:

The concept of international borders between communities in the eligible area is new, and could serve to divide communities. This measure will help reduce the marginalisation implications and promote continuing cooperation to achieve greater economic strength in the eligible areas.

The more obvious areas of cooperation are in preserving their cultural and historical connections; however, cooperation between local professional groups, looking for problem solving assistance at a local level, will help improve the productivity and competitiveness of local businesses. Cooperation between tourist support facilities to produce brochures, information, data bases etc. will generate additional business and improve the overall standard of services available.

The establishment and promotion of cultural or sporting events between border communities will focus attention on people-to-people cooperation to maintain and celebrate the traditions and customs of the eligible area.

Priority II

The objective of this Priority axis is to provide effective and efficient administration and implementation of the cross–border programme.

Measure II. 1 Programme administration, monitoring and evaluation

Technical assistance will be used to support the work of the national Operating Structures (OSs) and of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) , ensuring the efficient implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the programme, as well as an optimal use of resources. This will be achieved through the establishment and operation of a Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS) in Serbia and a JTS antenna in Montenegro. The JTS will be in charge of the day-to-day management of the programme and will be responsible to the OSs and the JMC. The JTS should, inter–alia, draft the calls for proposals' Guidelines for applicants under the supervision of the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC).

An indicative list of eligible activities under this measure can include:

· Support to Operating Structures, Joint Monitoring Committee, Joint Technical Secretariats and any other structure (e. g. Steering Committee) involved in the management and implementation of the programme

· Establishment and functioning of Joint Technical Secretariat and its antenna, including staff remuneration costs (with the exclusion of salaries of public officials)

· Expenses for participation in different meetings related to the implementation of the programme

· Administrative and operational costs related to the implementation of the programme, including the costs of preparation and monitoring of the programme, appraisal and selection of operations, organisation of meetings of monitoring committee, etc.

· Assistance to potential beneficiaries in the preparation of project applications and to beneficiaries in project implementation and reporting

Measure II. 2 Programme Information and Publicity

The specific objective of this measure is to ensure programme awareness amongst national, regional and local communities and in general among the population in the programming area. It also supports awareness-raising activities at the country level in order to inform citizens in both countries about the programme. It might also cover, inter alia, the preparation, translation and dissemination of programme related information and publicity material, including a website

An indicative list of eligible activities under this measure can include:

· Preparation, translation and dissemination of programme related information and publicity material, including programme website

· Organisation of public events (conferences, seminars, workshops, etc. )

· Awareness raising and training for potential beneficiaries, including partner search forums

Indicative timetable and amounts for the implementation of the measures:

The Measures of Priority I will be implemented through grants schemes. The detailed selection and award criteria for the award of grants will be laid down in the Call for proposals–Application Pack (Guidelines for applicants) . It is foreseen that the calls for proposals, will be launched in the first quarter of 2009.

Measures of Priority II, consisting in technical assistance will be implemented through individual direct grant agreements without call for proposals to be concluded between the EC Delegations in Serbia and in Montenegro and the national authorities of both countries (CBC Coordinators, Operating Structures, as appropriate) in accordance with article 168.1. (c) of the Implementing Rules of the Financial Regulation. It is foreseen that the IPA grants will be awarded in the first quarter of 2010.

For the purpose of an efficient use of TA funds, a close coordination between national authorities (Operating Structures, CBC coordinators) of the participating countries is required. The same time-table will be envisaged for both countries in order to ensure compatibility of advice provided and sound coordination vis-à-vis project implementation.