Workshops for grant beneficiaries under the “EU Support to Integrated Territorial Development – EU INTEGRA” Programme were held in Niš and Belgrade on 12 and 15 June 2026, with the aim of strengthening capacities for the successful implementation of projects approved under the Programme’s grant scheme. The EU INTEGRA Programme is funded by the European Union with EUR 15 million and is 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 of the Republic of Serbia.
More than 60 participants had the opportunity to enhance the knowledge and skills necessary for implementing projects in line with European Union rules and procedures.
The workshops, organised by SCTM within its Programme component, were held at the Serbian-Korean Information Access Centres (SKIP) and brought together members of project teams from cities and municipalities whose projects were approved for funding under the EU INTEGRA grant scheme.
The workshop held in Niš gathered representatives of Pirot, Niš, Dimitrovgrad, Babušnica, Bela Palanka, Merošina, Svrljig and Gadžin Han, while the workshop in Belgrade was attended by representatives of Kruševac, Bor, Užice, Požega, Bajina Bašta and Čajetina.
Following the successful completion of the evaluation process and the signing of grant contracts, grant beneficiaries have launched the implementation of their projects. The workshops aimed to provide practical support for effective project management throughout the entire implementation period.
Participants had the opportunity to gain a detailed understanding of the procedures and rules governing the implementation of projects financed by the European Union, as well as the obligations arising from the grant contracts.
The workshops covered key topics relevant to successful project implementation, including contractual documentation, financial management, procurement procedures in line with PRAG rules, project monitoring and reporting, implementation of infrastructure activities, as well as communication and visibility requirements. Special attention was given to the application of the Project Implementation Guide, contract amendments, mandatory project documentation, and the promotion of project activities and results.
Representatives of the SCTM component of the EU INTEGRA Programme answered participants’ questions and provided additional clarifications regarding the procedures applied during project implementation, with the aim of ensuring their timely and successful delivery.
The EU INTEGRA Programme supports local self-governments in planning and implementing integrated territorial development in line with the principles of the European Union’s Cohesion Policy. Through the component implemented by SCTM, the Programme supports the implementation of integrated, multi-sectoral projects based on territorial strategies, with the aim of improving public services, strengthening inter-municipal cooperation, and fostering sustainable development.
Under the first call for proposals, five integrated projects have been supported, covering 14 local self-governments and 28 development interventions, with a total value of EUR 6.8 million, of which the European Union is providing EUR 4.5 million.
The Project Implementation Guide is available for download at the following LINK.
