EU INTEGRA: Cycle of Info Days for 72 Local Governments Concludes in Novi Sad

An info day held in Novi Sad on 14 September for representatives of 12 cities and municipalities concluded a cycle of five information sessions organised for representatives of 72 local governments. The sessions were organised in connection with the Public Call for Project Proposals for the Preparation of Technical Documentation under the “EU Support for Integrated Territorial Development – EU INTEGRA” Programme. The Programme is funded by the European Union through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance – IPA III and implemented under the auspices of the Ministry of European Integration.

The Novi Sad info day was organised by the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM), an implementing partner of the Programme. The fifth and final info day in the cycle was intended for representatives of Zrenjanin, Žitište, Sečanj, Nova Crnja, Novi Bečej, Kikinda, Novi Sad, Bački Petrovac, Bačka Palanka, Bač, Odžaci and Apatin. Participants were able to attend the event in person at the Eđšeg Cultural Station or online via Zoom.

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 that the preparation of high-quality projects requires cooperation among all institutions and organisations involved in the implementation of the Programme.

The Public Call provides local governments with an opportunity to develop their ideas into concrete projects and prepare them for future investment that can improve citizens’ living and working conditions. By working together, we can better identify the needs of local communities, turn them into high-quality and sustainable projects, and contribute to more balanced regional development in Serbia,” Stevandić said.

This Public Call represents one of the opportunities available to local governments and their partners to obtain support for preparing the documentation required to implement future development investments. The Ministry of European Integration invited local governments to take advantage of this opportunity, follow upcoming calls under the EU INTEGRA Programme and actively participate in them.

The SCTM’s EU INTEGRA Programme team presented the objectives and priority areas of the Public Call, the participation requirements, the eligibility of applicants, projects and costs, as well as the application forms and supporting documentation. Participants were also introduced to the project proposal evaluation process, while the final part of the info day was dedicated to questions and clarifications concerning the preparation and submission of applications.

A total of EUR 733,000 has been allocated for the implementation of the Public Call. Individual grants range from EUR 30,000 to EUR 70,000, depending on the type of territorial strategy. The grants cover between 55% and 80% of the total eligible costs of preparing the documentation. The deadline for submitting project proposals is 5 October 2026.

Through the Public Call, local government units may receive grants for the preparation of technical and other documentation required to implement future integrated development projects. Projects should be based on the needs, measures and objectives defined in the territorial strategies developed under the EU PRO Plus Programme or in the territorial strategies currently being developed under the EU INTEGRA Programme. Project proposals may be submitted independently or in partnership with other eligible partners.

The SCTM organised the cycle of info days in Belgrade, Niš, Čačak, Kragujevac and Novi Sad.

The EU INTEGRA Programme is jointly implemented by the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), with the aim of advancing integrated territorial development and strengthening the capacities of local governments in Serbia, in line with the European Union’s Cohesion Policy.

Detailed information about the Public Call, the Guidelines for Applicants and the supporting documentation are available on the websites of the EU INTEGRA Programme and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities.