The ongoing construction works on the water supply system in the Gornje Brijanje settlement, Bojnik Municipality, will secure the supply of healthy drinking for 200 households. The European Union and the Swiss Federal Council and the Municipality of Bojnik have earmarked EUR98,000 and EUR11,700, respectively, for the works which include the setting up of some 3,500 metres of water supply network as well as water gauge fittings and water measuring shafts.

“Apart from the overall improvement of the living conditions of residents, the project will also substantially improve the working conditions in the facilities housing the elementary school and the kindergarten in Gornje Brijanje. Our plans envisage that water should reach another five local communities in 2017,” the President of the Municipality of Bojnik, Nebojsa Nenadovic, said.

The President stressed that a new Rule Book would be drafted in line with fundamental principles of good governance to regulate the use of money collected through water connection fees, which would contribute to increased transparency and efficiency of the work of local self-government.

The construction works, which should be finalised in 120 days, are being carried out by the construction company Invest-Produkt from Lebane which had been selected within the procurement procedure.

The European Union and the Government of Switzerland will support the activities of the European PROGRESS programme, which contributes to the sustainable development of the South and South West Serbia, with a total of EUR24.46 million. Approved projects will be aimed at strengthening local administration creating a favourable environment for the development of infrastructure and economy as well as improving the implementation of social inclusion and employment policy. The programme is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Service (UNOPS).

The municipalities included in the programme are as follows: Novi Pazar, Ivanjica, Nova Varos, Priboj, Prijepolje, Raska, Sjenica and Tutin in South West Serbia, as well as Prokuplje, Blace, Zitoradja, Kursumlija, Leskovac, Bojnik, Vlasotince, Lebane, Medvedja, Crna Trava, Vranje, Bosilegrad, Bujanovac, Vladicin Han, Presevo, Surdulica, Trgoviste, Brus, Aleksinac, Gadzin Han, Doljevac, Merosina, Svrljig, Babusnica, Bela Palanka and Knjazevac in South East Serbia.