EU funds for South East Europe: IPA II Cross-border Cooperation Programme BULGARIA-SERBIA 2014-2020 Sofia, 2015

Strategic objective IPA II CBC Programme Bulgaria-Serbia aims to stimulate the balanced and sustainable development of the border region integrated in the European space – achieved through smart economic growth, environmental change adaptation and learning culture enhancement.

Management structure Managing Authority (MA) – DG “Territorial Cooperation Management” at the Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria is responsible for managing and implementing the Programme, in accordance with the principle of sound financial management. National Authority (NA) - Serbian European Integration Office in Republic of Serbia supports the Managing Authority in the process of management and overall implementation of the Programme. Joint Monitoring Committee (JMC) - formed of representatives of MA, NA as well as other relevant national, regional and local authorities, macro-regional strategy representatives, economic and social partners. The JMC shall supervise the overall effectiveness, quality and coherence of the implementation of the cross-border Programme. Joint Secretariat (JS) - a common structure that assists the MA, NA and the JMC in carrying out their functions, representing main contact point between the Programme and the potential beneficiaries/project partners.

(EU + National funding) EU funding € 28 986 914 Total budget: (EU + National funding) € 34 102 256 2015 € 2 099 344 35 % Priority axis 1 Sustainable Tourism: € 11 935 790 2016 € 2 997 996 10 %  Priority axis 4  Technical assistance € 3 410 225 2017 € 6 885 114 2020 € 5 780 762 30 %  Priority axis 3  Environment € 10 230 676 2018 € 5 556 286 2019 € 5 667 412 25 % Priority axis 2 Youth € 8 525 565 50 % Priority Axis 2 Improving the Quality of Life The Budget is SHARED – there is no financial distinction between states or eligible NUTS III regions

Eligible area Territory: 43 933 sq. km. Border length: 341 km Border checkpoints: 5 Population: 2 144 054 people Eligible regions (NUTS III): Bulgaria Serbia Vidin District Bor District Montana District Zaječar District Vratsa District Toplica district Sofia District Nišava District Pernik District Pirot District Kyustendil District Jablanica District Pčinja District

Eligibility criteria for candidates Lead Partner and its partners must comply with all of the following criteria: be legally established organizations, according to the national legislation of the state territory they are located; be registered in the eligible cross border region between Bulgaria and Serbia; be non-profit making organizations; be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action, not acting as an intermediary; belong to one of the categories, listed in the respective Guidelines for applicants.

Potential beneficiaries Priority Axis 1: Sustainable Tourism Specific Objective 1.1 - Tourist attractiveness: All levels of regional/local authorities; Public cultural institutes (museum, library, community centres, etc.); Regional and sector development agencies; Central and regional offices and structures of relevant government institutions/ administrations; Non-government organizations; Regional touristic associations.

Potential beneficiaries Priority Axis 1: Sustainable Tourism 1.2 Cross-border touristic product: 1.3 People to people networking All levels of regional/local authorities; Regional and sector development agencies; Central / regional structures of government; Business support structures; NGOs, Regional touristic associations; Cultural institutes (museum, library, art gallery, community centres, etc.); Business support structures - CCIs, business association, business cluster; Education / Training Centres; Education / Training Centres. Local Action Groups (LAGs).

Potential beneficiaries Priority Axis 1: Sustainable Tourism Specific Objective 1.3 - People to people networking: All levels of regional/local authorities; Cultural institutes (museum, library, art gallery, community centres, etc.); Regional touristic associations; Civil society structure (association/foundation/NGOs); Local Action Groups (LAGs) established and supported under measure "Leader" within the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 for Bulgaria and within IPARD for Serbia. Business support structures; Education / Training Centres;

Potential beneficiaries Priority Axis 2: Youth 2.1 Skills & entrepreneurship 2.2 People to people networking All levels of regional/local authorities; Universities, research institutes; Universities, knowledge / research institutes; Education / Vocational training institutions; Training service providers; Training service providers, Business support structures Civil society /Business support structures; Cultural institutes, local community centres. Youth organizations, NGOs;

Potential beneficiaries Priority Axis 3. Environment Specific Objective 3.1 Joint risk management: Relevant local and regional structures dealing with emergency situations; Central and regional offices and structures of relevant government institutions/ administrations; Regional and sector development agencies. Specific Objective 3.2 Nature protection: All levels of regional/local authorities; Central and regional structures of relevant government institutions/ administrations in the sphere of their competence; Regional and sector development agencies; Administrations of protected areas; Research and academic institutes; Environmental NGOs; Local Action Groups (LAGs).

Cross-border impact All projects must deliver direct cross-border impact and benefits for the partners, target groups, project/programme area, in terms of meeting at least 3 of the following criteria: Joint development - project must be designed in close cooperation of the partners from both sides of the border; Joint implementation - activities must be carried out and coordinated among partners on both sides of the border. It is not enough that activities run in parallel; Joint staffing - project should not duplicate functions on either side of the border. Regardless of where the person is located, there should be a joint project management; Joint financing - the project shall be awarded with only one grant contract, therefore there must be joint project budget, divided between partners according to the planned activities.

Draft schedule of events Place Time Annual CBC conference Sofia July-September 2015 Photo competition On line August 2015 European Cooperation Day Kyustendil 12th of September 2015 Launching of Call for proposals Sofia & Nis 2015 Info-days and training seminars 5 cities in Bulgaria / 4 cities in Serbia Partner search Forum Serbia

Програма за ТГС България – Сърбия 2014 – 2020 Thank you for the attention! Stoyan Kanatov Head of Joint Technical Secretariat Tel: +359 2 9405 361 E-mail: SKanatov@mrrb.government.bg web page: www.ipacbc-bgrs.eu