Local Governments Strengthen Skills for Preparing Territorial Development Projects through EU INTEGRA in Svilajnac

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 Svilajnac 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 local governments from Svilajnac, Veliko Gradište, Golubac and Petrovac na Mlavi, 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.

Welcoming the participants on behalf of the Ministry of European Integration, the main beneficiary of the EU INTEGRA Programme, Dr Nataša Stevandić from the Sector for Planning, Programming, Monitoring and Reporting on EU Funds and Development Assistance emphasised the importance of linking European support with thedevelopment needs of local communities.

​“A good project idea alone is not enough for successful local development. Specific knowledge and skills are also needed to turn that idea into high-quality and feasible projects. Workshops like this are important for strengthening local governments’ capacities to translate their development needs, strategic priorities and comparative advantages into concrete project proposals. This creates the conditions for implementing development initiatives that should ultimately benefit citizens the most,” Stevandić said.

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 Svilajnac was the third in a series of training sessions organised ahead of the second Call for Proposals under the EU INTEGRA Programme’s grant scheme. Following workshops held in Čačak, Niš and Svilajnac, the next workshop is planned to take place in 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.