EU supports 14 local governments with more than €4.5 million

The Ministry of European Integration announced that contracts were awarded today in Belgrade to local governments for the implementation of the first projects within the framework of the EU Support for Integrated Territorial Development - EU INTEGRA programme.

More than €4.5 million in EU grants has been provided for the implementation of five projects in 14 local governments, while the total value of the proposed projects amounts to more than €6.8 million.

State Secretary of the Ministry Mira Radenović Bojić emphasised on this occasion that these projects will provide citizens with greater access to healthcare, improve the energy efficiency of facilities in local areas, as well as better environmental protection, and in some of the 14 municipalities or cities, public services will be modernised and public spaces renovated.

Head of the Cooperation Section of the EU Delegation to Serbia Mauro Di Veroli said that the European Union strongly supports the development of local governments in Serbia, which play a key role in improving the quality of life of citizens and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

The EU, as he reiterated, remains committed to strengthening local governments as the foundation of Serbia's long-term and balanced development.

The EU INTEGRA Programme, with a total value of €15 million, is financed by the European Union through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III).

The Ministry of European Integration is the main beneficiary of the programme, while the programme is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities.