As he said, the feelings of the public are very important, but Serbian public is not keen on hearing too much about certain topics, such as waste water treatment, the construction of Žeželj Bridge in Novi Sad or the problems of Roma population in Niš. Therefore, the best way to draw attention to these topics is by linking culture and creativity, which Serbia has in abundance, Degert concluded.

He said that links between Serbian artists and their colleagues in EU Member States should be encouraged and that he was happy to see the progress being made in this aspect.

Former Serbian Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Božidar Đelić said that the image of Serbia in the international community is slowly improving also in the area of culture, but he noted that Serbs are still notoriously “bad guys” in Hollywood.

Đelić remarked that Serbian directors have also sent out a picture of a “violent and aggressive Serbia” in their recent films.

Đelić said he hoped the normalisation of situation in the country will contribute to shedding more light on Serbia’s cultural scene which deals with universal European values "and less with what happened in the Balkans during the ‘90s".

Adriano Martins, Deputy Chief of the EC Delegation in Serbia 

Jelena Maric, Public Relation Adviser - Serbian Commissariat for Refugees 

Vesna Jovanovic, Project Manager - CARE Serbia 

Dejan Milosevic, Project Coordinator – partner organisation

Protecta Grants recipients.
 

AT the event, the project will also present the short project film and promote the project brochure, with the examples of good practice.

The press confereence will be heald in the Belgrade Media Centre, 1st floor hall, on May 16 2012 at 12h.

Small Grants for Integration of Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons  -  two year project which started on February 1, 2011 -  supports beneficiaries of Nisava, Pirot and Pcinja districts to attain income and guarantied rights, by improving their employability.

Through economic empowerment of the project beneficiaries – providing small grants to support business start ups, the project achieves its overall goal: sustainable integration of refugees and IDPs who decided not to return to their countries of origin.

The main activities of this two years long project, include: conducting market research on skills and service needs at local level; raising awareness on the process of integration among companies, authorities and institutions; providing in-kind grants - purchasing equipment for 93 persons’ business start-ups; provision of administrative and technical assistance to grant recipients; facilitation of work practice for refugees and IDPs in local companies; promoting creation of informal business clusters among project beneficiaries.

The project budget of 480,000 EUR, is financed in the amount of 95% from the pre-accession funds of the European Union. 5% of the project budget is funded by CARE Deutschland Luxemburg. The project is implemented by CARE Serbia in partnership with Centre for Civil Society Development

Protecta, and is being realized in cooperation with the Commissariat for Refugees of the Republic of Serbia.

For more information on the project, please contact:

vjovanovic@care.rs 
www.care.rs

At 12.15h, Director Clarke and Minister Petrović, in the presence of the ambassadors, will make a tour of the agriculture fair, visiting the stands of European Union and of the Ministry for Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management.

At 13h, the EU Delegation is organising a debate on the topic of "50 years of common agricultural policy – Perspective of Serbia" with the participation of Director Clarke, Minister Petrović and the French ambassador H.E. François-Xavier Deniau.

We warmly invite you to join us in our celebrations. Detailed media advisory is in the attached document.

The Delegation of the EU to Serbia

The fair in Novi Sad represents one of the most important regional gatherings dedicated to agriculture and this year will be attended by  Mr. Nikolaus BERLAKOVICH Austrian Federal Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management, who represents Austria as the "Guest Country" of this year's fair, Mr. Dušan PETROVIĆ Serbian Minister of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management, Mr. Bojan PAJTIĆ, Prime Minister of Vojvodina Mr. Igor PAVLIČIĆ, the Mayor of Novi Sad, Mr. Tihomir JAKOVINA, Croatian Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development and numerous other ministers and high dignitaries from the region.. 

Ambassador Degert will take the opportunity of his participation at the Agriculture Fair to visit the construction site of the Žeželj Bridge together with the Minister for Infrastructure and Energy Mr Milutin MRKONJIĆ, Mr Pajtić and Mr Pavličić, to see the progress of works which commenced in mid-April.

The Žeželj Bridge project is one of the biggest single EU donations in Serbia and it amounts to over €26 million. Additional €19 million was secured from the budgets of the Province of Vojvodina and the City of Novi Sad. The new Žeželj Bridge will be constructed along the original alignment and the existing central foundation, and will consist of two steel arches of 180 m and 220 m.

In addition to €26 million, the EU has secured €2 million for the supervision of works. In preparation are projects which should allow for the construction of the access roads (€5 million) and €500,000 for the supervision of these particular works.

10.00-10.30: official opening of the 79th agricultural fair

10.35: The VIP guests touring the fair

14:00: visit at the construction site of Žeželj Bridge

Representatives of preschool institutions from municipalities included in the project – Pozarevac, Petrovac na Mlavi, Arandjelovac, Leskovac, Krusevac, Surdulica, Gadzin Han, Bela Palanka, Uzice, Tutin, Beocin, Sabac and Mali Zvornik attended the seminar.

The seminar was opened by Lidija Miskeljin, Project Key Expert for Early Childhood Education. The first draft of the New Curriculum was presented by Prof Dr Mirjana Pesic, project’s expert. The experience from Ireland was presented by Eleanor Mearns, specialist for early-years education.

Through discussion and group work, preschool teachers have analyzed the current practice and experience in the field of educational work that takes place in 161 preschool institutions in Serbia. The teachers were also delivered suggestions for improving the new draft of the Curriculum and stressed that they expected to have a unique model of preschool education for all preschool institutions from six months to school age.

In the last sixteen years in preschools institutions in Serbia the two models (A and B) of preschool education for children from three years to school age were used. The proposed first draft of the new Curriculum introduced the concept of education of children from 6 months to school age, and not inflict learning or teaching program. It defines values, principles and goals of education as a framework for creating and developing program.

The proposal was developed after extensive consultation involving more than 250 participants (teachers, nurses, associates, consultants, preschool directors, parents and representatives of NGOs) through series of workshops, work and focus groups and questionnaires.

Through the implementation of the project activities it is expected to transform the existing forms of preschool education into a decentralized, diversified and comprehensive system that will meet the determined standard of quality care and education of preschool children and will enable parents to experience their right of choice and participation together with the principle of inclusion, i.e. to increase overall coverage of all programs and services, in particular for excluded populations.

The project IMPRES is funded by the European Union with 3,75 million EUR from the IPA financial instrument for Serbia and implemented by SOFRECO and its partners Early Years and Internationaler Bund. Activities started in February 2011 and will continue until January 2014.

On 10 May, two hundred high school students will have an opportunity to talk openly about Europe with Ambassador Vincent Degert at the debate “Europa Diary – Wise Choices“; “A Familiar Europe” event will take place on 19 May at EU Info Centre, offering interactive games for children and their parents, with “Belgrade Voice” choir and Aleksandra Kovač as our special guests.

On the occasion of European Year for Active Ageing, a debate on active ageing and a computer course for pensioners will be held on 11 May, and our visitors will also have an opportunity to watch theatre plays which have been produced in the framework of EU funded cultural projects.

In 2012, the EU also celebrates 50 years of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). To mark this occasion, the Delegation of the European Union will present EU funded projects in this area at Novi Sad Agricultural Fair, from 12 to 18 May; on 14 May, a debate called "50th Anniversary of Common Agriculture Policy - Perspective of Serbia" will be held at the Agricultural Fair.

Below you can find a detailed programme of events. It is also available on EU Info Centre website: www.euinfo.rs.

Contact us and visit the events. We are expecting you!

Contact for media:   Olivera Lazarević, +381 64 8761 691, olivera.lazarevic@euinfo.rs

EU Info Centre

Dečanska 1, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Tel: +381 11 322 19 96, E-mail: info@euinfo.rs, Web: www.euinfo.rs

“EUROPE OPEN 2012” PROGRAMME

9 May

10:00                     EU Obstacle Course, Sremska Mitrovica main square

14:00                     School Olympic Games, Opening ceremony - Sremska Mitrovica

14:00 – 16:00      School Olympic Games – Medal presentation - Sremska Mitrovica

10 May

10:00                     FEFA Conference: Innovation and Entrepreneurship. National Bank of Serbia.

12:00                     Debate “Europa Diary – Wise Choices“ –two hundred high school students talk to Ambassador Vincent Degert - Americana Hall, Dom omladine

                             Degert meets with Belgrade secondary school students

11 May

08:00 – 15:00      Belgrade Water Polo Tournament for primary and secondary schools – qualifiers - SC Banjica

17:00                     Amateur Theatre, “Roma Sijam”, a play - Dom omladine

11:00 – 16:00      Programme on the occasion of European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations, EU info Centre, Dom omladine

11:00       “IT for pensioners” course

13:30       “Golden Age” photo exhibition

14:00       Debate: “Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations”

12 May

10:00                     Opening of the Agricultural Fair, Novi Sad Fair, Master centre

16:00                     Economic Round Table organized by the Austrian Embassy – Agricultural Fair, Novi Sad

13 May

10:00 – 18:00      School Olympic Games – Swimming Competition - S.C. M.G. Muškatirović

18:00 – 20:00      Belgrade Water Polo Tournament for primary and secondary schools – final matches - S.C. M.G. Muškatirović

18:00                     Opening of the Contemporary European Film Festival - Large Hall, Dom omladine

19:00     “In Darkness”, Poland

21:30     “La Petite Jérusalem”, France

14 May

13:00                     Debate “50th Anniversary of Common Agriculture Policy - Perspective of Serbia” – Large Debate Hall, Novi Sad Fair

Contemporary European Film Festival – Documentaries Evening – Large Hall, Dom omladine

19:00         “Dad Made Dirty Movies”, Bulgaria, Germany

20:10         ”Os Mistérios de Lisboa” (What the Tourist Should See), Portugal

20:30         “Szalontüdő”, Hungary

20:40         “Rhythm is it!”, Germany

15 May

15:00                     BAZAART, intercultural drama – Americana Hall, Dom omladine

17:00                     Faculty of Dramatic Arts: Book promotion “Education, Art and Media in European Integration Process 2”, Dom omladine 

Contemporary European Film Festival - Large Hall, Dom omladine

19:00         “Carnage”, France, Germany, Poland, Spain

21:00         ” Retorno a Hansala”, Spain

16 May

18:00                     PHONE ART installation ““Lost communications”

Contemporary European Film Festival - Large Hall, Dom omladine

19:00       “The House”, Slovakia

21:00       “The Rest is Silence”, Romania

17 May

Contemporary European Film Festival, Large Hall, Dom omladine

19:00   “Szalontüdő”, Hungary

                “Fehér tenyér” (“White Palms”), Hungary

21:00     “Coriolanus”, UK

19 May

“A Familiar Europe” Programme, EU Info Centre

11:00     Clown Evropko and interactive games

12:00     Aleksandra Kovač and Belgrade Voice

12:30     “Blue Dog” an interactive workshop on responsible approach to animals

Contemporary European Film Festival - Large Hall, Dom omladine

19:00     “Father”, Sweden

21:00     "In a Better World", Denmark

20 May

15:00                     BAZAART, intercultural drama – Americana Hall, Dom omladine

Speakers:

Mr. Martin Kern, Head of Operations, EU Delegation

Ms. Ivana Ćirkovic, Dierctor Government of Serbia, Office for Cooperaton with Civil Society

Ms. Svetlana Djukić, Project Manager, EU Delegation

Mr. Marjan Gabriel,  Procuremnt Officer, EU Delegation

The specific priority areas of this Call for Proposals are:

1. Strengthening the rule of law

• Ensure greater transparency, openness and accountability of public administration and public services with specific focus on fight against corruption, public procurement and budgeting processes
  • Improve independence, efficiency, accountability and transparency  in the administration of justice and  work of the judiciary
  • Development of the CSOs partnerships with the relevant bodies dealing with anti-corruption 
  • Enhancing the effectiveness of local development strategies and action plans by implementing specific tasks and measures targeting vulnerable groups and minorities
  • Support independent and free media through investigative media reporting on corruption and organised crime cases
  • Enhance regional cooperation and good neighbouring relations through a civil society dialogue

2. Civic and capacity-building initiatives

• Strengthening grass-root initiatives through small action grants targeting specific local needs
• Enhancing capacities of the small  CSOs in rural and remote areas in Serbia through operational and action grants
• Promoting the knowledge and understanding of the general public on civic initiatives through public and cultural events and communication grants to CSOs
• Improving CSOs capacities in delivering services at the local level through capacity building and specific measures and actions
• Enhance networking of  CSOs  throughout Serbia from national to grass-root level

The individual grant contracts will be between €50,000 and €150,000 while the duration of supported projects is between twelve (12) and eighteen (18) months. The deadline for submitting applications expires on July 4^th  2012, and the tender documentation is available on the Internet sites www.europa.rs  .

The call for proposals invites the organisations that belong to the wide spectrum of civil society, including non-governmental organisations or organisations at grassroots level, professional organisations, cultural, artistic clubs or associations, media associations, organisations representing social and economic players at large (e.g. associations of consumers, patients, students, business associations, etc.), labour-market actors (trade-unions and associations of employers), to propose projects in partnership with other civil society organisations from the Republic of Serbia, EU member states or countries of region, cultural and educational institutions or local self-governments.

The information sessions for the representatives of civil society organisations presenting the call for proposals in more details will be held during May 2012 at the following locations: 

• Užice, May 14^th 2012, 13:00 hrs, Svečana sala Skupštine grada Dimitrija Tucovića 52, Užice
• Kragujevac, May 15th, 2012, 12:00 hrs noon, Hotel Kragujevac; Nova Sicilijana D.O.O. Kralja Petra I br 21, Kragujevac
• Novi Sad, May  21^st  2012, 12:00 hrs noon, Hotel Park; Novosadskog sajma 35, Novi Sad
• Niš, May  23^rd  2012, 12:00 hrs noon, Regionalni centar za profesionalni razvoj zaposlenih u obrazovanju; Pariske komune bb, Niš

Contact:

Aleksandar Djordjević,Press and Information Officer

Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia

+381 11 30 83 200

www.europa.rs

This is why the Treehouse, a local NGO based in Krusevac marked the Earth Day this year and organized recycling and environmental awareness program that featured a host of interactive community activities aimed at educating citizens and increasing collection of recyclable materials.

On Sunday, April 22, 2012 the main street in Krusevac was closed so that children and their families could participate in fun and interactive activities, learn more about recycling, and be entertained by an afternoon agenda that featured a recycling fashion show and dancers and singers promoting environmental awareness. Highlights from the day included:

• a donation of 144 recycling containers to the Krusevac Public Utility Company with funds mobilized by Treehouse from the Delegation of the European Union, Krusevac municipality, and Ekostar Pak, a national packaging waste operator helping Serbia to meet national recycling targets;
• citizens got a chance to tour the Recycling Bus, a renovated bus featuring recycling artwork covering the exterior and recycling education and information inside the bus, including a video monitor that continually replays environmental education programs. Jugoprevoz, the local bus company, donated the advertising space to Treehouse as part of their corporate social responsibility strategy;
• in exchange for PET bottles children received chalk to draw environmental images and messages on the street;
• more than 500 children were given cloth shopping bags and markers so they could design their own recycling bags for their families; the activity encouraged citizens to limit their use of plastic bags;
• school children from Trstenik displayed and sold creative items made from recycled materials, and Krusevac students organized a Recycling Fashion show featuring clothing made from common recyclable materials.

In June, 2011 Treehouse received a grant from the EU Civil Society Support Programme for Serbia to expand and initiate recycling initiatives in four municipalities: Krusevac, Cicevac, Varvarin and Trstenik. The project, dubbed “Rad, Red i Reciklaza,” or “Work, Order and Recycling” is increasing the collection and recycling of secondary materials through a comprehensive series of actions. Some of the results achieved so far include:

• By mobilizing “clusters” of similar waste generators, like cafes, copy shops and small retailers, Rad, Red i Reciklaza makes it economical for recycling consolidators and public utility companies to collect recyclable waste from small businesses. As a result, Krusevac is among the first municipalities to collect glass packaging waste for recycling, selling the glass a private consolidator in southern Serbia. In total, 45 small businesses now recycle their packaging waste, and the number is growing.
• Three municipalities have expanded their communal collection of recyclable materials with donations of recycling containers provided by the Delegation of the European Union under a euro-for-euro cost share arrangement. In total, 240 containers have been donated through the project.
• Several long-term recycling partnerships have been facilitated, including one between the Krusevac Muscular Dystrophy Association and EkoNet, a woman-owned electronics waste recycler in Trstenik; plus a similar agreement with the Roma Association in Trstenik. The two associations also serve generator “clusters.”
• Fifty individual collectors, mainly Roma, received training on prices and markets of recyclable materials and donations of uniforms and safety gear. Twelve of the most disadvantaged, yet serious, collectors also received donations of carts. Today, Roma collectors can be seen around the city in their Rad, Red i Reciklaza uniforms and are now viewed more seriously and professionally by the citizens. In four months since January 1, Roma collectors mobilized by Rad, Red i Reciklaza have collected over 59 tons of recyclable materials.
• Over 12,000 citizens have been engaged in various community recycling initiatives. So far, through collection initiatives organized by Rad, Red i Reciklaza citizens have recycled over 20 tons of paper and electronic waste, with more initiatives in the works.

Treehouse is joined by Cicevac municipality and Moravski Oraskak, a Trstenik NGO in implementing Rad, Red i Reciklaza. The program extends through June 2012.

The three ambassadors will speak at the opening of a forum hosted by the regional news agency Jugpress to encourage increased citizens’ participation, including national minorities, in the forthcoming parliamentary elections and their representation in the National Assembly.

In Bujanovac they will also meet representatives of all parties of the region, including the coalition of Albanian parties participating in the parliamentary elections, Riza Halimi, Jonuz Musliu, Rahmi Zylfiu and Skender Destani.

Journalists are invited to the forum from 12.00 to 13.30 on Friday 20 April, at the Bujanovac Cultural Centre, Small Room, at Karadjordje Petrovic Square 115. A press moment with the Ambassadors will follow the debate.

For three days, countries from the region, together with invited representatives from UN agencies, regional organizations and civil society, will have the chance to discuss the process towards an international, legally binding treaty on conventional arms trade, elaborate its possible elements and share national and regional views on its different aspects, including transparency and implementation.

The seminar will also include presentations of national and regional systems to control the trade in conventional weapons; discussion on aspects of establishment and enforcement of licensing systems; and compliance with and enforcement of national controls implementing a future ATT.

The opening and closing sessions of the seminar will be open for all interested parties, and I have the pleasure to invite you to attend them. The seminar’s draft agenda (with open and closed sessions indicated) as well as the project’s concept paper are attached to this letter for your information.

Please confirm your participation to Ms. Elli Kytömäki (ekytomaki@unog.ch, Tel. +41 22 917 2090), Project Manager for the project “Supporting the Arms Trade Treaty Negotiations through Regional Discussions and Expertise Sharing” at the latest by 16 April 2012

The launch event has the aim to promote the importance and role of the media about the public policies and universal positive values. Indeed, the production proposes an informal educational approach to engage children on some of today’s most important issues such as:

• energy conservation and environmental responsibility·
• free movement of people and more opportunities for professional and social development·        
• healthy diet and physical activity·      
• integration and tolerance of diversities·        
• trust and respect as basis for the development of civil society

Participants will be stakeholders and professionals engaged on the issues addressed by the TV series as well as the educational world. High level panel of speakers includes: Mr Freek Janmaat (Head of the European Integration Section) - EC Delegation to the Republic of Serbia, Ms Tinde Kovac Cerovic (State Secretary) and Mr Zelimir Popov (Deputy Minister) - Ministry of Education and Science, Mr Milomir Maric (Journalist and Adviser to General Director) – Happy TV, Mr Greg de Cuir Jr (Managing Editor) - European Journal of Media Studies, Mr Luigi Petito (Project Coordinator), and the well-known journalist Mr Timothy John Byford as moderator. The event will see also the participation of the children from the primary school Branko Radicevic, involved directly in the Peer review phase of the project implementation.

A small debate with press conference will follow afterword the interventions of the speakers. At the conclusion of the debate, we would be glad to invite you to take part to the cocktail reception.

We would like kindly ask you to confirm your attendance to the Launch Event, by sending an e-mail to vladimir.bozic.bcid@gmail.com or calling/sending SMS to 064 210 26 75.

For further information, please find attached the brochure of the project or visit:

www.weloveeuropelabs.eu

www.insearchofsaraj.eu

https://www.facebook.com/we.love.europe.labs

Twining is a very important EU tool which enables an EU candidate country, such as Serbia , to establish a close cooperation with partner institutions from EU Member States in a specific area of EU legislation. The Twinning Project “BUILDING CAPACITY IN THE AREAS OF FOOD SAFETY AND ANIMAL WELFARE” will be led by Lithuanian experts, in close cooperation with Hungarian experts, who will assist Serbian colleagues to implement EU Food Safety and Animal Welfare requirements in the Republic of Serbia .

This project is funded by the EU with EUR 2.0 million and will be implemented for 30 months until September 2013. The principal objective of this twinning project is to provide assistance to the Veterinary Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management to strengthen their capacity to enforce and oversee implementation of the Serbian Food Safety Law and Animal Welfare Law which are already largely aligned with EU legislation.

Implementing EU standards in this field will be of crucial importance for Serbia as it advances in the process of EU integration. Not only will it be necessary for EU accession but it is also important because food safety and animal welfare standards present a commercial and economic necessity for Serbia . As a candidate country, Serbia will grow both its imports and exports of products of animal origin. These products will need to comply fully with EU rules and standards which will further boost Serbia 's trade with EU countries. But most importantly, complying with EU standards will minimise the risk of animal borne diseases and will ensure health safety for the Serbian consumers. 

Lithuanian and Hungarian experts will focus on the following project components:

-                    A thorough analysis of the system will be completed and an assessment of future needs prepared

-                    A number of needed legal acts will be drafted

-                    A wide range of trainings will be provided to the staff of the Veterinary Directorate, the inspection teams and the national crisis management response team. At least one study tour will be organised to Lithuania .

-                    An awareness raising campaign on EU food hygiene rules and requirements will be conducted, mostly for industry operators.

-                    A number of strategic reports and action plans will be prepared in order align the system with EU standards for the benefit of the Serbian industry, the animals and the Serbian consumer.

The EU is very committed in helping Serbia align with EU standards in the field of food safety and animal welfare. Over the last decade, theEU has donated some 20 million Euros for projects strengthening the Serbian veterinary administration. In addition, another 10 million Euros of assistance to the Veterinary Administration are under preparation or within the approval process.

For more infomation about the project please contact:

Mr. Vaidotas Kiudulas, Resident Twinning Advisor, Phone: +381 64 928 42 08, vkiudulas@gmail.com

Media statements will be given by:

Dušan Petrović, Minister of the  Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia ;

Vincent Degert, Head of EU Delegation to Serbia

Kazys Starkevičius, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of the Lithuania;

This project is funded by the EU with EUR 2.0 million and will be implemented for 30 months until September 2013. An overall objective of the Project is to improve Food Safety and Animal Welfare in the Republic of Serbia. Project purpose is to support implementation of the Food Safety Law as well as Animal Welfare Law in line with the EU requirements and best practice.

The main beneficiary of this project is Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Serbia – Veterinary Directorate.

Contacts:

Delegation of the EU to the Republic of Serbia, Nadežda Dramićanin, Information and Communication Officer, Phone: +381 11 30 83 200, nadezda.dramicanin@ec.europa.eu, www.europa.rs

Mr. Vaidotas Kiudulas, Resident Twinning Advisor

Phone: +381 64 928 42 08, vkiudulas@gmail.com

"We continue investments across Serbia. When we talk about the EU approach, these are not just talks between Belgrade and the EU, we want to involve the whole country," Degert added. 

The EU has earlier contributed approximately EUR 10.5 million for construction of a waste water plant in Leskovac; the Ministry of Environment contributed EUR 5 million, the City of Leskovac provided additional EUR 650,000 and the Dutch ambassador signed today a contract with Director of Serbian European Integration Office Milica Delević on a donation worth EUR 7.9 million. 

The works will be implemented by “Strabag", an Austrian company selected in an open procedure. Degert signed the contract on installation works with representatives of the Serbian office of this company. 

Netherlands Ambassador Laurent Stokvis said that his country invested in Serbia EUR 60 million in grants in the past ten years and that the plant in Leskovac was the largest single grant.

"Leskovac people have left a good impression, as good hosts, capable and pleasant people. Leskovac speaks our language, the language of Serbia’s prosperity and good relations. This grant confirms that the Netherlands is a partner and support on Serbia’s path towards the EU,” Stokvis said. 

Minister Dulić said that Leskovac, with its landfill which was built previously, projects focused on research of geothermal water and a solar power plant project which is being implemented, has created adequate conditions to become a biggest organic food production zone in Europe. 

Prime Minister Cvetković said that the implementation of the central waste water treatment plant project would greatly improve the quality of living for some 80 thousand Leskovac inhabitants and reduce risks for public health. 

"This project is a good example of cooperation, a kind of a model which is applied and will indeed be applied elsewhere in Serbia. This shows the importance and the need for cooperation and the importance of the pro-European orientation of this Government,” Cvetković concluded. 

Leskovac Mayor Kocić and Ambassador Degert opened today the new building of "Radoje Domanović" primary school in the village of Kumarevo. The construction works and equipment were funded by the EU, which contributed RSD 14.5 million, and the City of Leskovac which provided RSD 7.5 million. 

Degert expressed his content with the new school building and said he hoped this would provide key support to the children of Kumarevo and their education. He added that it was specially important that the works were jointly funded by the EU and the City of Leskovac.

This school was rebuilt with support of the EU PROGRES programme, and the construction works worth EUR 140,000 were funded by the EU and the Swiss Government.

The keys were handed over to 16 most vulnerable internally displaced and refugee families who had lived in collective centres, and to four local socially vulnerable families. 

Degert reminded that Serbia went down from 300 to 27 collective centres, and said that the EU’s intention was to close the remaining ones in the next two years. The EU has invested more than 61 million euros in these programmes in Serbia.

Head of the EU Delegation says that EU policy is that all refugees should return to their homes, and that extensive talks have been held on this issue with authorities in Croatia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. "For those who want to stay here, through these projects we are trying to provide them with the conditions they deserve after all the misfortunes they have had to face in their lives".

The construction of the housing complex with 20 flats was funded by the EU in the framework of a Serbia-wide programme "Support to refugees and internally displaced persons". Additional funding was provided by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Habitat, the City of Vranje and Housing Centre NGO. Total value of construction works and equipment amounts to EUR 370,000 and the EU has contributed EUR 315,000.

Head of the EU Delegation also visited the Business Incubator Centre (BIC), a joint project of "Jumko" Holding Company and the City of Vranje. The opening of the Business Incubator Centre in 2006 cost EUR 45,000 and the EU participated with EUR 12,400, targeted chiefly at training of the participants.

"Despite external support, success in this work depends on you and your initiative, on the local community, and we are here to help you in your training," Degert said.

"Serbia has good legislation (in the area of climate change), but this is not enough. The capacity for implementation of this legislation is important. This is a key challenge for Serbia," Degert said.

In his words, Serbia, which has recently become a candidate country, will have to think about fighting climate change in the following period, and it will have the Union’s support in this.

EU has been working for a number of years on reduction of gas emissions and it has been trying to convince others to embark in this process, including the neighbouring countries, Serbia amongst them, but also its other major partners, the USA, Russia and China, Degert added.

"What we expect from Serbia is to share the same values, which means to have a clear policy in the field of climate change, to contribute to reduction of gas emissions and have more energy efficiency by relying more on renewable energy - biomass, solar energy and hydro-power, Degert said.

Degert pointed out that such a policy can bring many benefits to Serbia at the same time, because it means new investments and new jobs.

By 2016, Serbia should start implementing the EU directive on emission trading scheme, says Oliver Dulić, Serbian Minister of Environment, Mining and Spatial Planning. "Serbia is still not obliged to reduce its gas emissions, but this is expecting us in the European integration process".

"The essence of our fight against climate change is to spend less energy in households and industry, and at the same time produce more energy from renewable sources," Dulić said. 

As he pointed out, climate change is an area which will, in the future, chiefly affect the 450,000 Serbian citizens who work in the agricultural sector, as Serbia is part of the region endangered by climate change.

Director of Serbian European Integration Office Milica Delević says that in terms of EU accession climate change has three key aspects – economic, legal and political. 

She reminded that the European Commission in its Opinion on Serbia’s EU membership application estimated that in the medium term Serbia would be able to assume the obligations of membership in almost all areas of acquis comunnautaire, except the area of environment and climate change, which will require more time and considerable investments. 

Delević remarked that harmonisation with EU requirements in the area of environmental protection would take time and added that it cannot be simply solved by adopting a single bill. 

Head of Unit for International and Inter-Institutional Relations at the Directorate-General for Climate Action, Laurence Graff, reminded that the number of natural disasters in the world increased in the past year and said that the consequences would be felt by the whole economy, especially industry and agriculture.

Serbia, just like the other countries, has felt the consequences of climate change and it is ready to start fighting it, and the EU is ready to support Serbia in this struggle, she concluded.

The two-day seminar on climate change "Opportunities, Benefits and Challenges of EU Climate Policy and Legislation" has been organised in the framework of the Regional Environmental Network for Accession (RENA) project.

 On 2 April, together with the Mayor of Vranje Miroljub Stojičić and Commissioner for Refugees Vladimir Cucić, Ambassador Degert will hand over keys of apartments to 20 internally displaced, refugee and socially vulnerable families. 51 persons (including 11 children) who have until now lived in collective centres or inadequate housing will now receive new homes. The EU has contributed €370.000 (€350.000 construction works, €20.000 equipment) to the construction of this housing complex, which is part of a Serbia-wide programme "Support to refugees and internally displaced persons - Social Housing in Supportive Environment" aimed at supporting the process of closure of collective centres as well as improving the living conditions of domicile socially deprived population.

Ambassador Degert and Mayor Stojičić will also inaugurate the works on the regional road bridge in the village of Tibudze and also meet beneficiaries of the economic empowerment project aimed at the Roma ethnic community.

On 3 April Ambassador Degert and representatives of “Strabag" will in Leskovac sign a €9 million contract for the construction of a waste water treatment facility, financed through the European Union's "Municipal Infrastructure Support Programme – MISP IPA 2010". On the same occasion, Prime Minister Cvetkovic and the ambassador Stokvis will sign a contract for a €7.9 million Dutch donation for the same project. The overall value of the waste water treatment plant in Leskovac is €24 million with additional funding from the Serbian budget and the budget of the City of Leskovac.

The new “Radoje Domanovic” school in Kumarevo village which will be opened by Ambassador Degert and Mayor Kocic was rebuilt through the "EU PROGRES" programme jointly funded between the EU and the Swiss Government. The construction works worth €140,000 enabled a replacement of an inadequate school building more than 40 years old. The school is attended by fifty pupils from grade one to four. The new schools has been completed within the contractual period with no delays and the children who are now attending nearby schools will be able to return to their village.

 "The diversity of projects we are inaugurating and visiting, show the depth of EU's involvement in supporting Serbian reforms and our commitment to helping Serbian population live a better life. Improving environmental protection, better conditions for schooling and living and enabling economic empowerment are some of the fundamental values on which the EU is based. The expectations of the Serbian population from the European integration process - now that Serbia is a candidate country for EU membership - will inevitably increase and with our support we want to show that the EU is a strong and helpful partner in this process that understands and addresses the needs," ambassador Degert said ahead of the visit.

MEDIA ADVISORY:

VRANJE, 2 April 2012

14.00 – hand over of keys to tenants of the housing complex (Block 61 in Vranje), followed by    media statements

15.00 – visit to the Marginalised communities economic empowerment project (Radnicka 5), followed by media statements

16.15 – marking of start of works on the construction of local bridge in Tibuzde village

LESKOVAC, 3 April 2012

 09.30 – Opening of elementary school “Radoje Domanovic” in Kumarevo village, followed by statements to the media (ambassador Degert, Mayor Kocic)

11:00 – Meeting with the Mayor at the Leskovac Conference hall – PHOTO OPPORTUNITY (Prime minister Mr. Mirko Cvetković Mayor of Leskovac Mr. Slobodan Kocić, H.E. HoD Vincent Degert, H.E. ambassador Laurent Stokvis, Minister Oliver Dulić, Ambassador Clemens Koja)

11:30 – Contract signing ceremony 
11:45 – Press conference 

For more information contact:

Aleksandar Djordjević, Press and Information Officer, EU Delegation to Serbia, 

The visitors will have an opportunity to contact directly the representatives of Consumer Protection Department of the line ministry, market and agricultural inspections, tourist and sanitary inspections, but also the representatives of the National Bank of Serbia, Mediation Centre, Chemicals Agency, and of 12 consumer protection associations. The customers can learn where and how they can file a complaint, how they can exercise their rights contained in the warranty, about food safety, loans, price labelling, dangerous chemicals, package holidays, commercials and other consumer-related topics.

Professor Thierry Bourgoignie, Project Team Leader said: “The Consumer Rights Fair is a great opportunity for Serbian citizens to learn about consumer rights. The Law on consumer protection itself, as good as it may be, is not worth much unless the customers can enjoy the protection this Law is meant to provide. I am also happy with the very good turnout of participants. Networking, improving cooperation and developing understanding among the partners in this field is a good step in a good direction!”

The organisers are happy to invite everyone to visit the Consumer Rights Fair and learn about their consumer rights and how to realise them.

The underlying message is to support children in adapting their communication to their peers, and encourage them to learn different skills from each other. This Play Day also gave children with disabilities the opportunity to be seen in a positive perspective by their peers and to have an interesting common experience.

The well-known radio presenters Gorica Nesovic and Dragan Ilic hosted the event. The Play Day was animated by professional performers and clowns from Cirkusfera who played a wide variety of games for children. The learning part of playing was also present, when children were shown how to learn the sign language on music.

The main organisers of the event were Pancevo-based NGO VelikiMali and Bernard Brunhes International, with the support of children and volunteers from the Centre for Interactive Art In Stage, Organisation for Creative Gathering, “United Nations” Primary School, Centre for Protection of Infants, Children and Youth Zvecanska and the Red Cross Vozdovac.

The Social Inclusion of Children with Disabilities Awareness Raising and Media Campaign project is funded by the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Serbia and managed by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy. The overall objective of the project is to improve public knowledge and understanding of the benefits of social inclusion and the rights of children with disabilities in Serbia. Please visit the campaign’s website www.svadeca.rs.

For additional details, please contact Ms Olga Belosavic Milanovic, Communication Officer, Bernard Brunhes International: tel. 011 412 6837, 062 755 497, fax 011 3249076, e-mail: olga.belosavicmilanovic@bbi.rs.

Before the ceremony officials will make a statement in the office of Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, starting at 11.45am.In addition, Shuki Gleitman, Strategic Advisor of the Innovation Fund will discuss the objectives behind the Matching Grants Programs, drawing on international experiences.

Francis J. Skrobiszewski, Operations Advisor of the Innovation Fund will discuss the value of supporting early stage R&D through the Innovation Fund and Milena Kostadinović, Program Manager, will present the details of the Matching Grants Program. 

The Matching Grant Program is designed to help existing micro and small companies develop their R&D activities, establish collaborations with strategic private sector partners, attract investors and to bring their innovation to the market.

The Matching Grant Program will finance up to 70% of technology development and commercialization projects for the total amount of up to 300,000 euros. 

The Serbia Innovation Project is financed from the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) of the European Union and implemented in cooperation with the World Bank.