The European Commission has adopted new cross-border cooperation programme Serbia-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The programme will be funded through EU IPA fund for the period 2016-2020 and co-funded by participating countries. The allocation for the first phase of the programme (2016-2017) amounts to EUR1.4 million.
This is the first joint Serbia-FYROM cross-border programme. It will be focused on the promotion of employment, labour mobility and cross-border social and cultural cohesion, fostering the development of tourism and preservation of cultural and natural heritage.
Leskovac will be the seat of the Joint Technical Secretariat, with a branch office in Kumanovo, FYROM.
In Serbia, the programme covers the territory of Jablanicki district (the City of Leskovac and the municipalities of Bojnik, Lebane, Medvedja, Vlasotince and Crna Trava) and Pcinjski district (the City of Vranje with the municipalities of Vranje and Vranjska Banja, and the municipalities of Vladicin Han, Surdulica, Bosilegrad, Trgoviste, Bujanovac and Preševo).
In the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the programme includes: North-west region (municipalities of Kratovo, Lipkovo, Kumanovo, Staro Nagoricane, Rankovce and Kriva Palanka), Skopje region (municipalities of Aracinovo, Cucer Sandevo, Ilinden, Petrovec, Sopiste, Studenicani, Zelenikovo) and the municipalities within the City of Skopje (Butel, Gjorče Petrov and Saraj).
The Programme covers an area of more than 10,000 square metres, home to some 732,000 people in 30 municipalities.
Cross-Border Cooperation aims at reinforcing cooperation through joint local and regional initiatives and projects. This way, the European Union supports the promotion of sustainable economic and social development in border regions and numerous areas such as the improvement of environment, preservation of cultural and natural heritage, fostering the development of entrepreneurship, tourism and frontier trading as well as the promotion of cross-border labour market integration, local employment initiatives, gender equality and equal opportunities for all, training and social inclusion.
