Fifth Anniversary of Serbian involvement in “Europe for Citizens”

Serbian Office for Cooperation with Civil Society marked the fifth anniversary of Serbian involvement in the EU “Europe for Citizens” Programme. The participants of the gathering agreed that the programme is the best way to encourage citizens’ participation in creation of public policies.

Nicolas Bizel of the EU Delegation to Serbia stated that out of all candidates for EU membership, Serbia is the most active member of that programme.

“Within the last five years, 33 projects, with 300 participants and representatives of local self-governments, have been implemented with a budget of two million Euros,” said Bizel.

He reminded the gathering that the EU has supported various programmes of civil society organisations with 30 million Euros, and has supported various programmes of the Serbian Government for strengthening the dialogue and cooperation with civil society organisations.

In his opinion, the process of European integrations is unthinkable without government’s dialogue with civil society organisations, their expertise and experience.

The Acting Director of the Office for European Integrations Zarko Stepanovic stated that the importance of participation in the programme is strengthening of capacities and preparation for the future membership in the Union.

Stepanovic stated that programmes like this foster our shared history and values, and through them citizens are included in the creation of public policies in areas important to their lives.

Serbian Progressive Party delegate and member of the National Assembly’s European Integration Committee, Dusica Stojkovic, said that Serbia, unlike other countries negotiating EU membership, has a well developed cooperation with civil society organisations gathered in the National Convention.

Assistant Minister of Public Administration and Local Self-Government, Sanja Putnik, said that on numerous forums, like the recent summit in Sofia, the focus of enlargement process is being switched to high politics and the opening of some painful subjects.

Her opinion is that the “Europe for Citizens” Programme presents to people what Europe is and what it means to be an EU citizen in the most direct manner possible.

Secretary General of the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities Djordje Stanicic emphasised the role local self-governments have in the process of European integrations due to almost 70 percent of legislative are implemented on the municipal level.

Yearly, Serbia pays 55,000 Euros as a financial contribution for its participation in this programme. This contribution makes possible for civil society organisations and municipalities to seek funding within the programme.