The European Opportunity Week ends today in Niš, where those interested will be able to learn more about the opportunities that the European Union provides in the fields of local development, territorial cooperation and green transition.
The program started with welcoming speeches by the EU Ambassador to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret, the Minister for European Integration Tanja Miščević, the Deputy Minister for Local Self-Government of North Macedonia Erdjan Selimi and the Mayor of Niš Dragoslav Pavlović.
“I would like to encourage you to actively participate, ask questions and take advantage of the many opportunities available. Together, we can shape the successful future of Serbia as a future member state of the EU. The EU continues to be committed to supporting Serbia on its path towards modernization, growth and EU membership. We are your partners on that path and I am sure that through events like the European Opportunity Week, we will continue to build the future together”, said Ambassador Giaufret.
“It is important to discuss what cross-border cooperation brings to local organizations, non-governmental organizations, down to the level of schools and kindergartens, to institutions that have shown their readiness to prepare projects and withdraw funds. I wish you successful work and we hope for a large number of projects in the new call”, said Minister Miščević.
“Once again this confirms the joint commitment of North Macedonia and Serbia to improve the conditions in the border regions and to take joint steps towards the European future”, noted Selimi.
“No local self-government can develop without the help of the state, investors and EU programs. The EU is a great and proven friend of our city. Through various programs and funds, it provides Niš with significant support in infrastructure modernization, education improvement and environmental protection. As particularly significant, we would like to highlight EU projects through which we successfully cooperation with countries from the region. In this way, we are strengthening friendly, economic and cultural relations, contributing to the stability and overall development of the Balkans”, said Mayor Pavlović.
The opening speakers also awarded certificates to local self-governments and organizations from Serbia and North Macedonia, which in the previous period had already successfully implemented cross-border cooperation projects. Among them are, inter alia, non-governmental organizations from Lsekovac and Skopje, the municipalities of Medveđa, Saraj and Kriva Palanka. They implemented projects focused on flood prevention, green tourism, social entrepreneurship.
After the panel on the importance of connecting different European regions, the largest part of the info sessions will be devoted to public calls for cross-border cooperation projects. The last part of today’s agenda is dedicated to projects that help local governments, organizations and citizens in the green transition process.
If you are not able to follow the program live or online, you will be able to find all the sessions on the EU YT channel in Serbia, after October 7.
The European Opportunity Week, the second one in a row, is being held this year from September 23 to 27. The first four days cover the topics of business and innovation, culture, civil sector, media, education, youth and sports, local development, and the activities take place in the European House Belgrade. On the last day, panels on local development, territorial cooperation and green transition, as well as formal ceremonies and networking are held in Niš, at the “Tami” Hotel.
Find the detailed agenda and other details of the European Opportunity Week on the following page: https://eumogucnosti.rs/evropska-nedelja-mogucnosti/
During this event, you will have the opportunity to hear all about the most important European programs, projects and funds that are available in Serbia. Opportunities are numerous and include public calls, grants, loans, youth opportunities, student exchanges, competitions, skills development and free training.
