Local Governments Strengthen Capacities for Preparing Territorial Development Projects through EU INTEGRA in Niš

As part of the EU Support to Integrated Territorial Development – EU INTEGRA Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented under the auspices of the Ministry of European Integration, the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) organised a two-day workshop in Niš to strengthen local governments’ knowledge and skills in preparing development projects. The workshop was held ahead of the second Call for Proposals under the Programme’s grant scheme.

The workshop brought together representatives of Niš, Vranje, Zaječar, Boljevac, Prokuplje and Kraljevo who enhanced their capacities to prepare high-quality and feasible project proposals through practical exercises, applying the principles of integrated territorial development and the European Union’s PRAG procedures.

During the two-day training, participants developed project ideas, defined objectives and expected results, planned activities and necessary resources, and learned how to prepare project logical frameworks. Particular attention was given to the preparation of planning and technical documentation required for infrastructure projects, as well as to aligning local development priorities with territorial strategies.

“Regardless of previous experience in project preparation, workshops like this are extremely useful because there is always something new to learn and an opportunity to clarify uncertainties. I particularly appreciated the practical guidance we received, which will help us prepare projects, especially as we are currently developing a territorial strategy and planning to apply for European Union funding for infrastructure projects. We are grateful to SCTM for the professional and technical support it provides throughout this process,” said Tanja Ivanović from the Local Economic Development Office of the City of Vranje.

Through these training activities, the EU INTEGRA Programme supports local governments in translating their development priorities into well-prepared project proposals, laying the groundwork for future investments, stronger cooperation among local governments and improved quality of life for citizens.

The workshop in Niš was the second in a series of training sessions organised ahead of the second Call for Proposals under the EU INTEGRA Programme’s grant scheme. Following Čačak and Niš, the next workshops will take place in Svilajnac and Novi Sad.

The EU Support to Integrated Territorial Development – EU INTEGRA Programme is funded by the European Union with EUR 15 million through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III) and implemented by the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), in cooperation with the Ministry of European Integration. The Programme contributes to Serbia’s integrated territorial development by applying the principles of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy, encouraging cooperation among local governments, better use of development potential and improved quality of life for citizens.