Local governments from the regions of Šumadija and Western, Southern and Eastern Serbia and Vojvodina have the opportunity to apply for technical assistance to create territorial strategies through the public call of the “EU Support for Integrated Territorial Development – EU INTEGRA” Program. This initiative is funded by the EU, led by the Ministry of European Integration, and implemented by the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities and UNOPS.
This call, published within the UNOPS component of the program, targets local governments that have not yet developed territorial strategies. It offers expert support to draft strategic documents for sustainable territorial development. These strategies will help identify key economic and social development potentials for urban and functional areas, strengthening local and regional capacities to apply EU models for integrated and sustainable urban development.
“An integrated approach to territorial development promotes balanced socio-economic growth in Serbia and contributes to improving quality of life. It is also a vital part of the EU accession process, especially under Chapter 22 concerning regional policy and preparation for use of EU structural funds. Developing territorial strategies is a prerequisite for efficiently utilizing EU development funds under cohesion policy. This call is a chance for our local governments and regional actors to build capacity and improve planning for local development,” said Nemanja Starović, Minister for European Integration.
Eligible applicants until 21 August 2025 include cities with official status. They can apply individually for urban areas, or in partnerships with at least three other local governments and the responsible regional development agency for applications covering broader functional urban areas, according to criteria defined in the call.
“Through the EU INTEGRA program, the EU reaffirms its ongoing support for local development in Serbia, directly contributing to better living standards. This integrated territorial development approach, successful in the EU, has already been piloted via the EU PRO Plus program adapted to Serbia’s context. Positive results include 12 territorial strategies and 18 integrated projects that boost tourism, improve education conditions, and enhance waste management,” stated EU Ambassador to Serbia Emanuele Giaufret.
The following cities are eligible to apply under EU INTEGRA: Čačak, Jagodina, Kikinda, Kraljevo, Novi Sad, Pančevo, Požarevac, Prokuplje, Sombor, Sremska Mitrovica, Subotica, Valjevo, Vranje, Vršac, and Zrenjanin—these municipalities have previously developed territorial strategies.
Local governments will receive expert support in drafting territorial strategies in line with EU cohesion policy and territorial instruments for integrated development. They will also be supported in setting up implementation and monitoring mechanisms while strengthening capacities.
More information and application documentation are available on the EU INTEGRA portal. Info sessions will follow the launch in Kraljevo and will be held in Zrenjanin (16 July), Niš (21 July), Svilajnac (22 July), and Banoštor (29 July).
The EU’s support for integrated territorial development – EU INTEGRA – empowers Serbian local governments by applying European models. The €15 million program is financed by the EU, coordinated by the Ministry of European Integration, and implemented by the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SKGO) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). It supports 144 local governments across three regions: Šumadija and Western Serbia, Southern and Eastern Serbia, and Vojvodina.
