Cross-border cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro started in 2008, and the implementation of a total of 38 projects, worth 9.3 million EUR, has improved the quality of life in the border area, said the Deputy Chief Negotiator – National IPA Coordinator, Ms Ivana Glisevic Djurovic.
The Info Day was held in Nikšić on 19 December 2018, on the occasion of the Second Call for Proposals in the IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Program Bosnia and Herzegovina – Montenegro. Representatives of the institutions of Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina reminded that the total funds earmarked for the Second Call for project submission are amounted to almost 4.4 million EUR, while an invitation is open until 25 January 2019.
In her introductory address, Ms Glisevic Djurovic reminded that through the four open Calls for Proposals, a total of 38 projects were agreed to contribute to improvement of the quality of life in the border area, through joint actions in the fields of tourism and rural development, environmental protection, employment, social cohesion and networking between the people and institutions in the border area.
She underlined that within the First Call for Projects, the three important projects, worth a total of over 1 million EUR are being implemented, which should increase an employment and self-employment of people with disabilities, and also creation and promotion of a common touristic offer.
Ms Glisevic Djurovic outlined that the programs of cross-border cooperation financed from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) II, including the jointly implemented programme by Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, truly contribute to networking between the people and institutions on both sides of the border, and by providing the support to the concrete actions, enables an increasing of the quality of life of people in the border area.
”An establishment of new partnerships, improvement of the existing ones, cooperation of institutions including civil society organizations often exceeds the frameworks of the projects themselves in these programmes, while the cooperation continues upon their completion. Such projects are expected within this Call. Only through functional partnerships we can expect long-term results and improved quality of life of people in the cross-border area “,Ms Glisevic Djurovic stressed.
Representative of the Delegation of European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ms Edbera Bikovic, presented the priorities of the Second Call for Proposals, information on beneficiaries and target groups. The priority specific objectives to be financed are the following: The management and energy efficiency of local water supply systems, waste water and solid waste systems, and environmental protection have been improved by cross-border coordination and joint activities; Improved quality and diversity of tourist offer based on natural and cultural heritage.
She reminded that the Second Call for submission of projects in the cross-border cooperation program Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro will be opened by 25 January 2019, outlining that she is convinced that the projects will contribute to the socio-economic development of the border region. The Info Day gathered the representatives of municipalities from Montenegro, non-governmental organizations, local public companies, institutions of protected areas and tourist organizations.