Today, the European PROGRES development programme launched its annual art contest for high school students in 34 municipalities in Southeast and Southwest Serbia. The topic of the contest is Europe: My Favourite European Project. The competition has, with the support of the European Union and Swiss Government, traditionally been organised for eleven consecutive years, with a view to encouraging creativity among young people in the south of the country.
This year’s topic aims to bring the youth closer to projects the European Union and Swiss Government have been supporting for a decade in their communities aimed at improving the quality of life of people. High school pupils are asked to visit some of the projects together with their teachers and choose their favourite one, taking into account the importance and impact the project of their choosing has created on the local population. The chosen project is then to be graphically represented in a creative and original manner. Young people will, therefore, learn more about support the EU and Swiss Government have been extending to social and economic development of local self-governments in Southeast and Southwest Serbia and have a chance to become part of the positive change in their communities.
The best entries, selected by a panel of experts, will be printed on the 2018 European PROGRES calendar. Authors of the winning entries will be awarded laptops, tablet computers and mobile phones. The panel of experts will also choose the best performing school based on engagement and commitment to organisation of school-level competition and project visits and present it with a laptop and a projector.
The contest runs through 15 November 2017. The award ceremony and promotion of the calendar will be organised in December.
For more information about the art contest, please visit 2018 Calendar Competition Propositions.
The European Union and the Government of Switzerland support the activities of the European PROGRESS programme, aimed at sustainable development of the Southeast and Southwest Serbia, with a total of EUR24.46 million. Approved projects seek to strengthen local administration creating a favourable environment for the development of infrastructure and economy as well as improve 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: 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.
