Work Programme for Grants - IPA Cross-Border Programme Serbia-Bosnia and Herzegovina 2007-2013

Datum objave: 17. april 2014

WORK PROGRAMME FOR GRANTS

of The Republic of Serbia, represented by the Ministry of Finance, Department for Contracting and Financing of EU Funded Programmes (CFCU)

1. Basic act and/or Financing source

Council Regulation (EC) No 1085/2006 of 17 July 2006 establishing an Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA)

IPA Cross-Border Programme Serbia-Bosnia and Herzegovina 2007-2013

2. Objectives of the programme, priorities for IPA funding 2012 and 2013 and expected results

The overall objective to stimulate the economies and reduce the relative isolation of the eligible area by strengthening joint institutional networks and the capacities of human resources.

Priority 1: Social and economic cohesion through actions to improve physical, business, social and institutional infrastructure and capacity.

Specific objectives:

• Improving the institutional framework for SME development in the eligible areas;
• Development of tourism as a key sector of the border economy;
• Promoting cross-border trade cooperation and accessibility to markets;
• (Re)Establishing cross-border synergies between business and trade support organizations to promote joint cooperative initiatives;

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

• Strengthening cross-border people-to-people interaction to reinforce cultural and sporting links and to jointly participate in activities of common interest

Measure 1: Improving the productivity and competitiveness of the areas’ economic, rural and environmental resources.

This measure is designed to promote joint efforts to achieve a more effective use of the eligible area’s resources. Although at national level each country has its own priorities and is pursuing different policies to achieve this objective, there are a number of cooperation opportunities between neighbouring communities that will complement national actions.

Examples are: Cooperation between local authorities to coordinate actions such as spatial planning, environmental activities in border areas, emergency services and educational and adult training services. Cross-border cooperation between business support groups, in relation to environmental protection and with a view to matching educational programmes to the needs of industry, agriculture and the business environment of the area (e.g. tourism development).

Measure 2: Cross-border initiatives targeting the exchange of people and ideas to enhance professional and civic society cooperation

This measure is designed to bring about more intense cooperation between communities at municipality level, to develop common interests between both the inhabitants and professional groups. It will support smaller projects and people-to-people actions. This measure will benefit economic activities in border areas and also provide opportunities to celebrate their cultural, historic, ethnic, educational and sporting links.

3. Eligibility conditions

Actions must take place and have effect in both, the Serbian and Bosnia and Herzegovina parts of the programme area, as defined in the CBP SRB – BIH.

Applicants must be legal persons, non-profit-making and be specific types of organisations such as : regional and local public authorities; associations of municipalities; regional/local development agencies; local business support organizations such as chambers of commerce, business centres, SME associations, sectoral associations, local trade associations, etc; tourism and cultural organisations/associations; non-governmental organizations, including the Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies; national authorities/institutions or state agencies with operations in the eligible area; bodies and organisations (including NGOs) for nature protection; bodies responsible for water and/or waste management; fire/emergency services; schools; colleges and educational and research institutes; universities, including vocational and technical training institutions.

4. Selection and award criteria

The evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the procedures set out in the Practical Guide to contract procedures for EU external actions.

5. Maximum rate of European Union financing

The maximum rate of Community co-financing is 85% of eligible expenditure.

6. Indicative time-schedule of calls for proposals

The Call for Proposals will most likely be launched in the 3^rd quarter of 2014.

7. Indicative amount of calls for proposals

Serbia 1.800.000 EUR ; Bosnia and Herzegovina 1.800.000 EUR