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Limited Public Engagement for Serbia-Montenegro Cross-Border Cooperation Program

Background

The National IPA Coordination Office (NIPAC) has released data showing that the public has had limited opportunity to participate in the development of the new cross-border cooperation program between Serbia and Montenegro.

Publication and Viewing Statistics

The program document was published on four websites, with a total of 110 web pages viewed more than 110 times. This suggests that the publication received minimal attention from the public.

Public Feedback

Despite limited views, two comments were received from interested parties:

  • Regional Agency for Spatial and Economic Development of Raška and Moravica Districts: Emphasized the importance of easy access to tourism areas and the need for environmental sustainability.
  • Institute of Public Health in Novi Pazar: Praised the comprehensive coverage of public health issues in the region.

Additionally, UN Women’s office in Serbia provided input on the gender perspective, with most of their comments incorporated into the final draft.

Program Overview

The program document outlines a cross-border cooperation framework for 2021-2027 and aims to:

  • Promote economic development
  • Ensure environmental sustainability
  • Foster social cohesion between Serbia and Montenegro

The document has undergone three drafts since its initial release in April 2020.

Funding and Implications

The cross-border cooperation program is funded by the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) III, which aims to promote regional development and integration between Serbia and Montenegro. Despite limited public engagement, the program is expected to have significant implications for the region.

European Commission Involvement

The European Commission has been kept informed of the program’s progress through regular updates.

In summary, while public engagement was limited, the cross-border cooperation program has received funding from IPA III and aims to promote regional development and integration between Serbia and Montenegro.