30.04.2020

Project title: “Increasing the touristic attractiveness of Sofia and Nis”

Project code: CB007.2.11.204

Tender title: Organization of project events

Reference number: CB007.2.11.204/T03

Date of launching: 30.04.2020

Award notice

22.04.2020

Project title: “Increasing the touristic attractiveness of Sofia and Nis”

Project code: CB007.2.11.204

Tender title: Promotion of Niš Fortress with modern technologies

Reference number: CB007.2.11.204/T02

Date of launching: 22.04.2020

Award Notice

IPC Western Balkans is happy to have been in a position to provide direct financial support to:

• Government of the Republic of Serbia
• Government of Montenegro (through its affiliate organization in Montenegro)
• Government of Republika Srpska, BiH (through its affiliate organization in Republika Srpska, BiH)

IPC Western Balkans is happy to have ensured donations of sanitary masks to:

• Nišava county, Republic of Serbia
• City of Trebinje, Republika Srpska, BiH
• Municipality of Ravno, Federation of BiH, BiH
• Associations of disadvantaged Romani people of the cities of Belgrade and Niš

Long life to humanity!

The project “Increasing the touristic attractiveness of Sofia and Nis” witnessed its first extended project meeting in Serbia on March 11, 2020. The city of Sofia, IPC Western Balkans and Montana-based association Love & Light entered the second semester of implementation of the largest INTERREG CBC Project from the program Serbia – Bulgaria, equalling the budget value of EUR 840.792,74. Within the scope of responsibilities of IPC Western Balkans, Niš citizens and its tourists are to be provided with the world-class architectonic-construction documentation for the restauration and conservation of the monumental Niš Fortress to the stage of its brightest years, 3D of the Fortress will be developed for the widespread use, Autumn-festival restoring the medieval battle is to be organized, and much more. 

IPC Western Balkans brought together all the relevant stakeholders from the national and local level to contribute to the project initiative, beyond the project implementation consortium. In that manner, the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia was actively represented at the event by Mr Aleksandar Gajovoć, State Secretary for Media and Ms Danijela Vanušić,  Assistant Minister for Cultural Heritage Preservation, and the Institutions of Niš were represented by Ms Dragana Sotirovski, Head of the Nišava County and MS Ljiljana Berić, Director of the Niš Institute for Preservation of Cultural Heritage. IPC Western Balkans appreciates their sustainable contribution to the project.

IPC Western Balkans is thankful to the European Union for a vital financial contribution to the implementation of the project “Increasing the touristic attractiveness of Sofia and Nis”.

Within the scope of the EU co-financed project “Nevo Kumpania - social business model for youth for inclusive and integrated waste management development”, with the value of EUR 219.533,30, IPC Western Balkans organized a study visit to Montenegro for the 40 Roma waste collection industry stakeholders. A committed welcome by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare of Montenegro ensured a fruitful visit to Vrela Ribnička of Podgorica’s Konik neighborhood, as a role model of utilization of donor funding (Regional Housing Program) for Roma population. Study tour attendees also visited Roma settlements in Grbalj, near Budva, and in Bijelo Polje, whereas high-quality inclusive education was provided at the Sutomore education center premises, by Mr Sokolj Begenaj, Advisor for Roma and Egyptians at the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights of Montenegro.

This activity is part of the project "European Union Support to Active Youth Inclusion", total value of which is EUR 4.7 million, financed by the EU (IPA 2014) and co-funded by the Government of the Republic of Serbia. Project is managed by the Ministry of Finance, Department for Contracting and Financing of EU Funded Programmes (CFCU), while the main project institutional beneficiaries are the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs and Ministry of Youth and Sports.

With the attendance of over 200 of our Roma fellow citizens, IP&C Western Balkans and the Belgrade City Municipality of Savski Venac organized a spectacular project midterm milestone event with participation of some of the best Roma artists of Serbia. The event included an exhibition of photos of Roma waste collectors taken over the years as well as a music show. The event celebrated achievement of the midterm project results and announced the forthcoming activities, including delivery of electric bicycles, study visit to Montenegro and supply of protective equipment for secondary waste collectors, which is all planned for the first quarter of 2020.

This activity is part of the project "European Union Support to Active Youth Inclusion", total value of which is EUR 4.7 million, financed by the EU (IPA 2014) and co-funded by the Government of the Republic of Serbia. Project is managed by the Ministry of Finance, Department for Contracting and Financing of EU Funded Programmes (CFCU), while the main project institutional beneficiaries are the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs and Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Extensive understanding of visibility principles, guidelines, and objectives of EU external actions, contributed to a selection of our Institute, in partnership with the renowned Austrian consulting company iC Consulenten, to develop/implement a visibility plan, program and events within the scope of the highly important project of Refurbishment of Children playground and improving safety conditions, co-financed by the EU. On September 26, 2019 we organized a ceremonial opening of the first two refurbished playgrounds in Novi Sad, Serbia, with the attendance of H.E. Sem Fabrici, Ambassador of the EU to Serbia, Mr Vanja Udovičić, Minister of Sport and Youth of the Republic of Serbia, and Mr Marko Jovanović, Assistant Minister of Finance of the Republic of Serbia, and most importantly, with the attendance of the 50 Novi Sad children whom this undertaking is being implemented for.

This Project is worth over one million EUR, and it encompasses complete reconstruction of 27 children playgrounds in 11 cities and municipalities in Serbia. All the playgrounds are designed and shall be equipped in line with relevant safety standards applicable for children playgrounds in European Union, as well as in Republic of Serbia. Project is aiming to enhance physical activity of children, socialization, intellectual and emotional development of the youngest.

Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works of the Republic of Bulgaria contracted our project "Increasing the touristic attractiveness of Sofia and Nis", which we prepared together with the Bulgarian Capital City of Sofia and the other partners. The Mayor of Sofia, Ms Yordanka Fandakova as well as the Deputy Mayor, dr Todor Chobanov, welcomed our Key Expert Bratislav Stoiljković in Sofia to elaborate on the project details aimed at increased cross-border collaboration between the Bulgarian capital of Sofia and the important south Serbian City of Niš. The project team of our Institute aside of Mr Stoiljković, involves also the famous Yugoslav and Serbian musician Mr Đorđe David Nikolić, who will act as a project PR.

In June of 2019, the first in a series of workshops of members of the Roma community on environmental protection and safety and health at work was held. Several dozens of our Roma fellow citizens from Belgrade and the rest of Serbia showed interest in raising their knowledge and skills in the field of environmental protection and safety at work in order to establish the prerequisites for engagement in a future social enterprise. The Institute and the Municipality of Savski Venac will, through the social enterprise which is in the process of being founded - "Inclusive Institute", assign the future members, who meet the defined norms, the use of electric bicycles with trailers and protective equipment, for cleaner Belgrade.

This activity is part of the project "European Union Support to Active Youth Inclusion", total value of which is EUR 4.7 million, financed by the EU (IPA 2014) and co-funded by the Government of the Republic of Serbia. Project is managed by the Ministry of Finance, Department for Contracting and Financing of EU Funded Programmes (CFCU), while the main project institutional beneficiaries are the Ministry of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Affairs and Ministry of Youth and Sports.

European Commission Delegation and the Government of the Republic of Serbia together recognised the energy-efficiency innovativeness, environmental-friendliness, and the social-inclusion momentum of our "Social business model of youth for inclusive and integrated waste management development Project" and awarded it in a harsh competition of other good project ideas, in order to innovate waste-collection processes in the City of Belgrade. Thereto, H.E. Mr. Sem Fabrizi awarded a certificate to our Key Expert, Bratislav Stoiljkovic, MBA, in March 2019 in Belgrade, Serbia, in the presence of the Serbian Minister of Labour, Employment, Veteran and Social Policy, Mr Zoran Djordjevic.

Knowledge and experience of the members of our organization is vital for successful implementation of the project Social integration trough parasport. In line with our statutory objectives, we are delighted to be in a position to support the disabled people of the north Serbian province of Vojvodina, by partnering with the Regional Government in Novi Sad, Serbia.

IPC Western Balkans performed services of experience and knowhow transfer to the regions of East Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan (bordering the Russian Federation and China) and Mangystau, Kazakhstan (on the Caspian sea), expanding its presence beyond the Western Balkans. IPC Western Balkans’ services contributed to trainings delivery in the cities of Ust-Kamenogorsk and Aktau, bridging the gap between Europe and Asia, for the benefit of the global wellbeing.