4^th cycle of the Programme “Management of Regional Development through EU Funds”

The European Affairs Fund of AP Vojvodina, in cooperation with the University of Educons from Sremska Kamenica, is implementing the fourth cycle of the Programme “Management of Regional Development through EU Funds“.

Given that each year substantial EU funds are allocated for project implementation at the national, regional and local level in the European Union and pre-accession countries, and in compliance with the Action Plan for the Realisation of the Priorities defined under the AP Vojvodina Development Programme 2014-2020, the main objective of the Programme ’’Management of Regional Development through EU Funds’’ is information dissemination on EU processes and regional policies, as well as on the importance and opportunities for accessing EU funds. The Programme offers detailed information on a range of EU funds and programmes under which projects in different fields (environmental protection, economy, education, culture, etc.) are funded, development of successful projects, management of approved projects and control of the spending of EU funds.

Specific objectives of the program are:

• to gain specific knowledge on different stakeholders and institutions in the decision-making process and legislative procedures in the European Union, especially in regional policy;
• to train participants in the preparation, planning and implementation of development projects;
• to gain insight into the structure of EU funds and programmes, with special emphasis on the programmes available to beneficiaries in Serbia;
• to gain an understanding of the importance and impact of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA);
• to gain knowledge necessary for an adequate application of EU regulations;
• to establish an institutional network of partnership among the trainees.

The curriculum involves the implementation of the Programme in four modules (Economics, law and policies of the European Union and the accession process; Management of local and regional development; Programmes of the European Union; and Project Management) with 23 teaching disciplines with a class load of 200 lessons of active teaching in total.

The teaching involves classical lectures, interactive workshops, case studies, two one-day field visits in Vojvodina, one multi-day study visit abroad, as well as the development of project ideas in order to apply for EU funds.

The lectures are held on Friday afternoons and Saturdays at the University of Educons in Sremska Kamenica.

The lecturers are experts having extensive theoretic background and practical experience in the management of EU funds and programmes.

 The main advantages of the Programme are the following:

• acquisition of qualifications for EU fund management, 
• familiarisation with the rules and procedures of EU project funding,
• upgrade of know-how with the novelties of the 2014-2020 financial perspective,
• qualified and experienced lecturers,
• two one-day field visits in AP Vojvodina,    
• a study visit in the EU region (study visit lasting from 3 to 6 days),
• broadening the network of potential partners,
• gaining knowledge about project cycle management,
• presentation of successful projects,
• certificate to participants having successfully completed the Program.

 The programme is aimed at the employees of:

• provincial administration,
• local self-government units,
• development agencies,
• local economic development offices,
• municipal tourism organisations,
• public and public utility enterprises,
• cultural institutions,
• civil society organisations (associations, NGOs, etc.),
• higher education institutions, institutes and research institutions,
• and other institutions that may be beneficiaries of EU funds.

 Criteria for applying for the Programme:

• persons dealing with the European Union or certain aspects of its operation within their scope of activities, persons in charge of developing projects financed from the international
• development aid;
• persons working in organizations that are registered or operate on the territory of AP Vojvodina;
• the candidate having the approval of the institution to participate in the Programme;
• ability to attend all modules (at least 70% of presence in each module);
• higher education qualification at a minimum first degree studies, i.e. basic studies lasting at least  four years;
• computer literacy (MS Office).

Selection criteria:

• the candidate’s motivation to attend all modules of the Programme,
• the approval of the organization for candidate’s participation in the training course,
• a letter of recommendation,
• balanced involvement of candidates with and without experience in the development and implementation of national and international projects, with the aim of exchanging and transferring experience among the participants during the interactive work,
• engagement of candidates from all municipalities with the aim of promoting a balanced regional development in the territory of AP Vojvodina,
• balanced representation of all educational profiles of higher education institutions,
• equal gender representation of candidates.

 NOTE: The complete Programme is funded by the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.

 The Program is to start in February 2018 and end in June 2018.

The third generation of the Programme “Management of Regional Development through EU Funds“ (hereinafter: the Programme), implemented by the European Affairs Fund of AP Vojvodina, in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics in Subotica, Department of Novi Sad, successfully completed the course.

Given that each year substantial EU funds are allocated for project implementation at the national, regional and local level in the European Union and pre-accession countries, and in compliance with the Action Plan for the Realisation of the Priorities defined under the AP Vojvodina Development Programme 2014-2020, the main objective of the Programme ’’Management of Regional Development through EU Funds’’ is information dissemination on EU processes and regional policies, as well as on the importance and opportunities for accessing EU funds. The Programme offers detailed information on a range of EU funds and programmes under which projects in different fields (environmental protection, economy, education, culture, etc.) are funded, development of successful projects, management of approved projects and control of the spending of EU funds.

Specific objectives of the program are:

• to gain specific knowledge on different stakeholders and institutions in the decision-making process and legislative procedures in the European Union, especially in regional policy;
• to train participants in the preparation, planning and implementation of development projects;
• to gain insight into the structure of EU funds and programmes, with special emphasis on the programmes available to beneficiaries in Serbia;
• to gain an understanding of the importance and impact of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA);
• to gain knowledge necessary for an adequate application of EU regulations;
• to establish an institutional network of partnership among the trainees.

The curriculum involves the implementation of the Programme in four modules (Economics, law and policies of the European Union and the accession process; Management of local and regional development; Programmes of the European Union; and Project Management) with 23 teaching disciplines with a class load of 200 lessons of active teaching in total.

The time frame of the Programme is 13 working weeks (involving all 4 modules). The lectures are held on Friday afternoons and Saturdays. The teaching involves classical lectures, interactive workshops, case studies, seminar papers and hands-on experience in preparing project ideas for EU funds. Venue: Faculty of Economics in Subotica, Department of Novi Sad.

The lecturers are experts having extensive theoretic background and practical experience in the management of EU funds and programmes, such as the EU programmes and Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA).

The programme is aimed at the employees of:

• provincial administration,
• local self-government units,
• development agencies,
• local economic development offices,
• municipal tourism organisations,
• public and public utility enterprises,
• cultural institutions,
• civil society organisations (associations, NGOs, etc.).
• higher education institutions, institutes and research institutions,
• and other institutions that may be beneficiaries of EU funds.

Criteria for the participants:

• Higher education qualification at a second degree studies (graduate studies - master’s degree, specialized academic studies, specialised professional studies), i.e. first degree studies, lasting at least four years.  
• Persons dealing with the European Union or certain aspects of its operation within their scope of work activities;
• Motivation of the candidate to attend all modules of the Programme (motivation letter within the application form)
• Computer skills (MSOffice package);
• The availability to attend all modules.

 Selection criteria:

• Balanced involvement of candidates with and without experience in the development and implementation of national and international projects, with the aim of exchanging and transferring experience between the participants during the interactive work,
• Engagement of candidates from all municipalities with the aim of promoting a balanced regional development in the territory of AP Vojvodina,
• Balanced representation of all educational profiles of higher education.

NOTE: The complete Programme is funded by the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.

The Programme "Management of Regional Development through EU Funds'' started in May 2017, whereas the lectures ended in November 2017.

The second generation of the Specialised Programme “Management of Regional Development through EU Funds“ (hereinafter: the Programme), implemented by the European Affairs Fund of AP Vojvodina, in cooperation with the Faculty of Economics in Subotica, Department of Novi Sad, successfully completed the Programme.

Given that each year substantial EU funds are allocated for project implementation at the national, regional and local level in the European Union and pre-accession countries and preparation of the attendees for creation and implementation of EU projects supported by a great number of lessons and intensive exchange of the knowledge with the lecturers, along with interaction between the attendees during the realisation of joint tasks. The Programme offers detailed information on a range of EU funds and programmes under which projects in different fields (environmental protection, economy, education, culture, etc.) are funded, development of successful projects, management of approved projects and control of the spending of EU funds.

Specific objectives of the Programme:

• to gain specific knowledge on different stakeholders and institutions in the decision-making process and legislative procedures in the European Union, especially in regional policy;
• to train participants in the preparation, planning and implementation of development projects;
• to gain insight into the structure of EU funds and programmes, with special emphasis on the programmes available to beneficiaries in Serbia;
• to gain an understanding of the importance and impact of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA);
• to gain knowledge necessary for an adequate application of EU regulations;
• to establish an institutional network of partnership among the trainees

The main advantages of the Programme:

• Acquisition of qualifications for EU fund management
• Familiarisation with the rules and procedures of EU project funding
• Upgrade of know-how with the novelties of the 2014-2020 financial perspective
• Flexibility in course attendance
• Qualified and experienced lecturers
• Testing after each finished module
• Certificate award at the end of the Programme
• Broadening the network of potential partners
• Experience in project development and implementation
• Presentation of successful projects

The curriculum involves the implementation of the Programme in four modules (Law and policies of the European Union; Regional development policies, Project Cycle management and project preparation, Basic guidelines and principles of EU programmes, EU programmes and evaluation and implementation of projects) with 20 teaching disciplines and with a class load of 195 lessons of active teaching and 70 hours of mentor work per participant.

The time frame of the Programme is 13 working weeks (involving all 6 modules). The lectures are held on Friday afternoons and Saturdays. The teaching involves classical lectures, interactive workshops, case studies, seminar papers and hands-on experience in preparing project ideas for EU funds. Venue: University of Novi Sad, Dr Zorana Đinđića 1, 21000 Novi Sad

The lecturers are experts having extensive theoretic background and practical experience in the management of EU funds and programmes, such as the EU programmes and Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA).

The programme is aimed at the employees of:

• provincial administration,
• local self-government units,
• development agencies,
• local economic development offices,
• municipal tourism organisations,
• public and public utility enterprises,
• cultural institutions,
• civil society organisations (associations, NGOs, etc.).
• higher education institutions, institutes and research institutions,
• and other institutions that may be beneficiaries of EU funds

Criteria for the participants:

• Higher education qualification at second degree studies (graduate studies - master’s degree, specialized academic studies, specialised professional studies), i.e. first degree studies, lasting at least four years. 
• Persons dealing with the European Union or certain aspects of its operation within their scope of work activities;
• Motivation of the candidate to attend all modules of the Programme (motivation letter within the application form)
• Computer skills (MSOffice package);
• The availability to attend all modules.

Selection criteria:

• Balanced involvement of candidates with and without experience in the development and implementation of national and international projects, with the aim of exchanging and transferring experience between the participants during the interactive work,
• Engagement of candidates from all municipalities with the aim of promoting a balanced regional development in the territory of AP Vojvodina,
• Balanced representation of all educational profiles of higher education.

NOTE: The complete Programme is funded by the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.

The Programme "Management of Regional Development through EU Funds'' was implemented from  April to July 2016.

The Programme involves 19 teaching disciplines with a class load of 325 lessons of active teaching. The time frame of the Programme is 22 working weeks (for all 6 modules). The lectures are held in Novi Sad on Friday afternoons and Saturdays, in a block of 15 classes per week (5 classes on Fridays and 10 classes on Saturdays). The teaching involves classical lectures, interactive workshops, case studies, seminar papers and hands-on experience in preparing project ideas for EU funds.

The lecturers are foreign and national experts having extensive theoretic background and practical experience in the management of EU funds and programmes, such as the EU programmes and Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA).

Implementation

The curriculum has been adopted by the Senate of the University of Novi Sad and defines the implementation of the Program in six modules:

1. EU law and policies: The objective of the module is to familiarize the participants with the basic terms, guidelines, attitudes and decision-making processes in the European Union, as well as with the basics of the acquis, decision-making methodology and structure of EU funds.
2. Regional development policy and the European Union: The objective of the module is to familiarize the participants with the economic, political and structural aspects of sustainable regional development in the European Union, as well as with the main achievements and opportunities of urban and rural sustainable regional development in the European Union.
3. Development and implementation of EU projects: The objective of the module is to familiarize the participants with the methodological and applicative aspects of the project proposal development, as well as with all valid rules and procedures of the implementation of EU funded projects.
4. Resource and project cycle management: The objective of the module is to familiarize the participants with the most important aspects of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, as well as with the methods and techniques of project cycle management methodology.
5. Capacity building and networking: The objective of the module is to familiarize the participants with the practical aspects of networking and project partner search, as well as with the evaluation of proposals 
6. Development programmes of the European Union: The objective of the module is to familiarize the participants with the basic possibilities of implementing the development programmes of the European Union at the local and regional level.

The participants’ words

Marko Kovačev

Municipal Administration of Vrbas

In accordance with the overall and specific objectives, the Program “Management of Regional Development through EU Funds” contributes to the understanding of policies and legislative procedures of the European Union, as well as to the acquisition of knowledge about different stakeholders in the decision-making, especially in the field of regional policy, in a most efficient, effective and optimally employable way.

Slađana Gluščević

Centre for Sustainable Communities

This is one of the best vocational education programmes I have ever taken or, as an activist of the non-governmental sector and journalist, attended. After the first meeting with the organisers, lecturers and trainees, it was clear to me that I would obtain more than useful knowledge about the European Union, on the basis of which, in accordance with the capacities of myself and the organisation whose member I am, I could contribute to awareness raising of the public, i.e. our country’s citizens of the EU values and to gaining more benefits of the planned projects of the “Centre for Sustainable Communities”.

Jelena Mićić

Municipal Council of Pećinci

As one of the trainees of the first generation of the Programme ‘Management of Regional Development though EU Funds’, I would like to point out first that I’m honoured to have been selected to be a part of such a team and idea.

Elvira Kovač

Public Agency for Agriculture and Small Businesses of Kikinda Municipality

I must admit that I was very happy when I was informed by the European Affairs Fund of AP Vojvodina that I had been accepted for the Programme ‘Management of Regional Development though EU Funds’. I can Say that my expectations regarding the training course were high because I thought I could learn a lot about EU fund management, as well as project development and implementation.

Anđela Vila

City Administration of Pančevo

When I learned that I had been selected to participate in the Specialised Programme “Management of Regional Development through EU Funds”, I felt honoured and special. I applied in the hope of being at the source of information related to the calls for co-financing/financing projects in the financial period 2014-2020, and with a desire to gain additional know-how and skills in this area and apply them in my work at the City Administration of Pančevo.

Verica Nađalin

Provincial Secretariat of Finance

I hereby express my satisfaction that I was given the opportunity to be a part of the first group of participants in the Specialised Programme “Management of Regional Development through EU Funds”. I think that all participants were selected after careful consideration, because they come from different organizations/institutions of Vojvodina. The lecturers are great experts who have gained their knowledge and experience of EU funds as advisors and consultants in our country’s negotiation process or as scientists, i.e. professors of subjects related to the EU at the institutions of higher education. It was a pleasure to listen to Prof. Rodoljub Etinski, Prof. Mihajlo Crnobrnja and all the others.

Marina Kovačev

Bečej Youth Association

I find the Programme ‘Management of Regional Development though EU Funds’ a pleasant surprise given the innovative concept that offers concrete know-how and contacts. I have attended a number of both formal and non-formal types of education, however, I have not seen a programme that is so comprehensive and that deals with the current topic in such ‘great depth’.

Igor Ilić

Citizens’ Association “Razvoj sela (Village Development) – RASEL”, Čoka

In my previous education, I have attended several training courses, but the Programme “Management of Regional Development through EU Funds” distinguishes itself for its seriousness, systematized approach and a wide range of topics that are interesting, instructive, and above all useful. The lectures held so far in the Programme have equipped me with practical know-how and tools that can be applied in future projects, which are related to the management of regional development.

Paula Vukašinović

Sombor City Administration

“My motive for participation in the Specialised Programme ‘Management of Regional Development through EU Funds’ was my wish to acquire knowledge and increase my capacities, the need to contribute to a more efficient approach to EU funds both of Sombor and of the region, first of all, by a higher quality project proposal development, and to be better informed about the project implementation procedures in compliance with the EU regulations.

The professors’ words

Prof. Darko Reba PhD

The lifelong learning Specialized Programme ‘Management of Regional Development through EU Funds’, which is aimed at professionals employed in local institutions in Vojvodina and being implemented successfully by the European Affairs Fund of AP Vojvodina, is a quality idea professionally implemented at the University of Novi Sad, and in our view, most needed in the development of our society at this point of time.

Prof. Dr. Franz Schausberger

Chairman of the Board Institute of the Regions of Europe (IRE)

The Programme “Management of Regional Development through EU Funds” is an outstanding initiative conducted by the European Affairs Fund of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, in cooperation with the University of Novi Sad.

Prof. Mihajlo Crnobrnja PhD

Faculty of Economics, Finance and Administration

It is my honour and pleasure to have the opportunity to give my contribution to the Programme, which is, in my view, excellent. As a lecturer in the teaching discipline “Efficiency, decision-making and negotiation in the EU’’, I tried to give real examples from practice, since I have been in the position to take part in a lot of negotiations during my career in diplomacy and state affairs. The participants of such a programme will gain insight and knowledge from the academic point of view, as well as hands-on experience, which is a great connection and makes this Programme unique in our region.

Prof. Radmila Marinković-Nedučin PhD

The Programme ‘Management of Regional Development through EU Funds’, which is jointly being implemented by the European Affairs Fund of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and University of Novi Sad, is an example of quality and modern lifelong learning programme in terms of the selection of problem area interesting for a wider range of beneficiaries, comprehensiveness of conceived content, competency of engaged lecturers and modern methodology of work.

Prof. Saša Bošnjak PhD

The “Management of Regional Development through EU Funds” is a unique and comprehensive interdisciplinary programme being jointly implemented by the European Affairs Fund of Autonomous Province of Vojvodina and the University of Novi Sad. The interdisciplinarity of the Programme is visible through a dialogue and interaction between the legal, economic and managerial teaching subjects. It is implemented in six complementary modules, with a total of 325 contact hours of instruction.

 Further information: Management of Regional Development through EU Funds