A ceremonial event was held in yesterday Tuzi to announce the First Call for Project Proposals under the IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Montenegro – Kosovo 2021-2027 programme.
Opening the event, Nada Pejović, Head of the Directorate for Bilateral Cross-Border Programs at the Ministry of European Affairs, expressed her satisfaction with the official launch of the First Call for Project Proposals within the Montenegro-Kosovo Cross-Border Cooperation Program for the 2021-2027 period, which will remain open until 25 October 2024.
“This programme, with an allocated budget of €9.7 million, continues the successful cooperation that began 12 years ago. Its primary aim is to promote good neighborly relations and contribute to the social, economic, and territorial development of the cross-border region. Pejović encouraged institutions and organizations to focus on improving employment, workforce mobility, social inclusion, and sustainable tourism through their projects, ultimately enhancing the quality of life for citizens”, said Pejović.
She added that this cooperation would not have been possible without the support of the relevant ministries and the European Union, expressing her belief that this partnership will only strengthen in the future.
Fatmire Berisha, Acting Head of the Department for Cross-Border Cooperation at the Ministry of Local Self-Government Administration of Kosovo, thanked her partners from the Ministry of European Affairs and the Ministry of Finance of Montenegro for their excellent cooperation, as well as the EU Delegation for its ongoing support.
“Under IPA II, 24 projects totaling over €9 million were successfully implemented, and €5.4 million is available for the new call. She added that info sessions in both Montenegro and Kosovo are informing interested institutions about the process, and she emphasized that the Joint Technical Secretariat of the program remains available to provide all necessary support”, Beriša said.
Melanie Bride, Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Manager at the EU Delegation to Montenegro, said that cross-border cooperation was at the heart of a united Europe, pointing out that Europe would not be what it is today without people from different sides of borders realizing the mutual benefits of working together.
“I strongly believe that the EU’s cross-border programmes in the Western Balkans are some of the best support mechanisms available, delivering tangible results in the social, economic and territorial development of the region. I encourage potential applicants to align their projects with EU and national priorities, particularly focusing on employment, social inclusio, and the development of tourism and cultural heritage”, Bride added.
Jelena Vujadinović of the Ministry of Finance Directorate for Finance and Contracting of the EU Assistance Funds thanked her colleagues from the Ministry of European Affairs and the Ministry of Local Self-Government Administration for their effective collaboration, as well as the potential applicants who continuously show interest in the Montenegro – Kosovo Cross-Border Cooperation programme.
“The programme’s main objectives are to promote good neighborly relations, encourage integration with the European Union and contribute to the social, economic and territorial development of the cross-border region”, Vujadinoić said.
Following the opening session, representatives from the Directorate for Finance and Contracting of the EU Assistance Funds, as the Contracting Authority for this Programme, presented the rules and procedures for submitting applications under the First Call for Project Proposals.
For more information on the First Call, please visit the following link: https://www.eu.me/objavljen-prvi-poziv-u-okviru-programa-crna-gora-kosovo-2021-2027/