1. Brussels, 17th September 2014 Serbia Rural Development

2. Facts: population 7.524.164 citizens 85% of teritory is declared as rural areas 55% of population lives in rural areas 3.861.477 ha aagricultural land 631.552 agricultural holdings 1.442.628 holdings members and regularly employed labour force at holdings

3. Facts: 5.4 ha the average utilized agricultural area per holding app. 41% of GDP comes from rural areas; rural economy is heavily reliant on agriculture 77% of the total number of agricultural holdings is engaged in livestock raising; 59 years - the average age of holders of family agricultural holdings is

4. Demographic changes in Serbia Number of villages in Serbia

5. Dsitribution of farms by size group

6. Rural areas in Serbia Low level of diversification of economical activities in rural areas Main activitiy: agriculture, but with low productivity Infrastructure: poorly developed with no investments Unemployment: 26% Increasing tendency of rural poverty - twice as high (9.8%) than the unemployment rate in urban parts of the country; About 41% of GDP comes from rural areas; rural economy is heavily reliant on agriculture

7. Life quality and possibilities for work in rural areas in Serbia does not provide sustainable existence and prosperity for its residents Decreasing number of highly qualified human capacities in rural areas making it difficult to mobilize and develop local initiatives Lack of budgetary support for rural development Problems with interest and involvement of local actors for rural development

8. Sstrategic documents on national level Plan of Rural Development Strategy 2009-2013 Draft of Rural Development program 2011-2013 Strategy of Agriculture and Rural Development of Serbia 2014-2020 (draft) Lack of local RD strategies or similar documents (strategy for agricultural development or local economic development)

9. RD Network 2006 LAUNCHED An attempt for decentralisation of RD and preparing for making the first LAGs Besides providing information and education of farmers, network was founded to be an autority responsible for implementing and monitoring of different programs, projects and strategies connected with RD Nowdays, this role is given to Agricultural Advisory Services offices

10. IMPORTANT PARTNERS EU - IPA FAO, UNDP SWG GIZ USAID

12. Welcome to SERBIA !!! Igor Ilić – Čoka Emilija Tasić – Knjaževac Katarina Lazić – Lijg Aleksandar Ćirin – Vršac Marijana Đokić –Nova Varoš Miloš Danilov- Kula Danijel Magdu - Kovačica