Representatives of the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) and the Delegation of the European Union in Serbia signed two contracts for projects aimed at supporting local self-governments in Serbia, with a total value of €14.7 million. The grant agreements, titled “EU Support for Integrated Territorial Development (EU Integra)” and “EU for Human Resource Management in Local Self-Governments – Phase III,” were signed during the opening of the 52nd SCTM Assembly by the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Emmanuel Gioffre and SCTM Secretary General Nikola Tarbuk.
The “EU Support for Integrated Territorial Development (EU Integra)” project is funded by the EU under the IPA 2024 program. It aims to support local governments and regional development agencies in planning, implementing, and monitoring development projects based on sustainable urban and territorial development strategies. The €12 million project, which will be implemented over the next 48 months, is designed to build capacity at the local and regional level for obtaining and managing larger and more complex development projects.
The “EU for Human Resource Management in Local Self-Governments – Phase III” project, also funded by the EU under IPA 2024, focuses on improving human resource management systems in local administrations. It seeks to align the management of public sector staff with competency frameworks and public administration reform strategies. The €2.7 million project will also run for 48 months and aims to enhance the capacity of local self-governments for competency-based professional development.
Emmanuel Gioffre, Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, stated that the two agreements represent a new level of cooperation, with the SCTM tasked with managing grants totaling nearly €15 million. He emphasized that ongoing discussions with the Serbian government are focused on accelerating reforms and EU accession negotiations over the next two years.
Gioffre highlighted that the reform process would be supported by an additional €1.5 billion from the upcoming Growth Plan. He pointed out that local governments play a crucial role in Serbia’s EU integration process, including implementing EU priorities in areas such as environmental protection and public administration reform.
He also noted that the “EU Exchange” program, which has invested over €35 million in supporting local governments over the past 20 years, has been instrumental in building their capacities and facilitating systematic reforms.
Nikola Nikodijević, President of the Assembly of the City of Belgrade, recalled that Belgrade was one of the six cities that initiated the establishment of the SCTM in 1953. He emphasized that the organization continues to play a key role in the reform and strengthening of local self-governments in Serbia, particularly in the context of the country’s strategic goal of joining the EU.
