About Programme

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The Technical assistance operation project aims to support the national authorities of the Republic of Serbia   and   North   Macedonia   in   ensuring   the   efficient   set-up, implementation,   monitoring   and   evaluation   of   the   Cross   border Cooperation  programme Serbia- North Macedonia 2016-2020

The first ever cross-border cooperation programme between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of North Macedonia is going to be implemented under the framework of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II). IPA II supports cross-border cooperation with a view to promoting good neighbourly relations, fostering Union integration and promoting socio-economic development.

Cross-border cooperation programme between the two countries has been designed following a detail analysis of the programme area and the findings from the situation and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analyses. The programme area is located in the central and southern part of the Balkan Peninsula, comprising, on one side, the southern part of central Serbia with the districts of Jablanica and Pcinja and, on the other side, the north-eastern part of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with the North-East Region and part of the Region of Skopje. The eligible area covers 10 197 km2 with approximately 732 000 people residing in 30 municipalities.

The programme overall objective is to strengthen good neighbourly relations, establish partnerships and to contribute to the development of a vibrant programme area by connecting its people and resources in a sustainable way. 

Programme thematic priorities and specific objectives are:

Thematic priority 1: Promoting employment, labour mobility and social and cultural inclusion across the border 

Specific objectives:

1.1: Skills improvement and creation of employment opportunities in perspective sectors

1.2: Development of an inclusive society

Thematic priority 2: Encouraging tourism and cultural and natural heritage

Specific objectives

2.1: Mobilising cultural and natural resources for joint development of sustainable tourism products and destinations

2.2: Fostering joint risk management systems of natural and cultural sites, as well as human settlements, including disaster or emergency preparedness  

Thematic priority 3: Technical assistance

Specific objective

3.1: Ensuring effective, efficient, transparent and timely implementation of the Programme and awareness raising

Within the Cross-border Cooperation Program Serbia-the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for the period 2016-2020, EUR 4,055,883.00 has been defined, out of which EUR 3,500,000 is provided through IPA funds of the European Union, and the remaining amount is provided through national co-financing through the institution which implement projects within the program.

Sector
  • All Sectors Included - Horizontal project activity
EuropeAid reference
IPA/2017/394-782
Components
  • Components of the Technical assistance: Enhanced administrative support to the operating structures (OSs), the Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) and Joint Task Force (JTF) Increased technical and administrative capacity for programme/projects management and implementation Guaranteed visibility and publicity of the Programme and its outcomes Components of the Cross
  • border Programme: Thematic priority 1: Promoting employment, labour mobility and social and cultural inclusion across the border Thematic priority 2: Encouraging tourism and cultural and natural heritage Thematic priority 3: Technical assistance
City / District
Serbia: Jablanica district: City of Leskovac and municipalities of Bojnik, Lebane, Medveđa, Vlasotince and Crna Trava Pčinja district: City of Vranje with two city municipalities: Vranje and Vranjska Banja, and municipalities of Vladičin Han, Surdulica, Bosilegrad, Trgovište, Bujanovac and Preševo North – East region: municipalities of Kratovo, Lipkovo, Kumanovo, Staro Nagoričane, Rankovce and Kriva Palanka Republic of North Macedonia: Skopje region: municipalities of Aračinovo, Čučer Sandevo, Ilinden, Petrovec, Sopište, Studeničani, Zelenikovo, and municipalities of Butel, Gjorče Petrov and Saraj of the City of Skopje
EU Contribution
140,000 €
Implementation period
March 2018 - February 2020
Beneficiary
• Programme management structures, including the contracting authorities; Potential applicants; Grant beneficiaries • Final project beneficiaries; General audience
Implemented by
Ministry of European Integration of Republic of Serbia, Ministry of Local Self- Government of Republic of North Macedonia