A training session for more than forty participants from the area covered by the Cross-Border Cooperation Program Serbia-North Macedonia was held in Vranje on June 5th. Interested potential project applicants from both partner countries came from local self-governments, educational institutions, municipal enterprises, regional development agencies, museums, libraries, and other institutions eligible to apply for funding from this program.
The training was conducted with the technical support of the city of Vranje, which already has two projects from the first two calls within its territory. The positive experiences of previous grant beneficiaries were the reason for the high interest in the workshop, where the IPA III Cross-Border Cooperation Program between the two countries for the financial perspective of 2021-2027 was presented. Questions from attendees focused on the Program’s priorities and available funding. It was outlined that the EU contribution is planned at €8.4 million, while project applicants are expected to provide 15% co-financing. The territory where activities will take place was presented, along with both thematic priorities and specific objectives of the Program, as well as information available on the program’s website. Attendees were provided with the website address and a QR code for direct access to the program’s website and Facebook page. It was emphasized that all questions could be directed to the Joint Technical Secretariat until the first call is announced.
The workshop attracted participants with varying levels of experience in similar projects, some with previous experience and others interested in addressing the issues of their communities, institutions, or target groups through CBC projects for the first time. Key topics were presented to enhance participants’ understanding of the entire project writing and implementation process. Using examples from the previous implementation of the IPA II program, the calls for project proposals, their timing, and where news about them can be found were explained. Basics of application, potential beneficiaries, how to fill out the application package, events accompanying the announcement of the call, and the support they can expect before, during, and after the call were outlined. Principles of cross-border partnership were explained through examples and with the support of previous grant beneficiaries present.
A somewhat more demanding part about project cycle management using the logical framework, stakeholder analysis, problem analysis, logic of intervention, assumptions, and indicators in the context of cross-border cooperation were presented through a series of examples and by involving participants through questions and answers to make the concept of project cycle management more accessible and understandable.
During this event, the team from the Joint Technical Secretariat (JTS), based in Leskovac with an office in Kumanovo, took the opportunity during breaks to introduce themselves to the attendees and inform them about the ways and opportunities for partnerships with the support of the JTS.
Representatives from the Ministry of Local Self-Government of North Macedonia, alongside the Ministries of European Integration and Finance of Serbia, attended the workshop and contributed their expertise, representing key institutions for the implementation of the Cross-Border Cooperation Program between the two partner states.
After systematizing the workshop data, materials were forwarded to participants to provide them with additional information and facilitate the establishment of partnerships.
