5. cycle of the Program "Management of regional development through EU funds"

Fund "European Affairs" APV in cooperation with Educons University from Sremska Kamenica implements the 5th cycle of the Program "Management of regional development through EU funds".

Considering that every year significant EU funds are approved for the implementation of projects at the national, regional and local level throughout the European Union and countries that are in the pre-accession process, the goal of the Program is to familiarize them with the policies of the European Union and prepare participants for the creation and implementation of European projects, which is supported by a large number of subjects and intensive exchange of knowledge with lecturers, as well as interaction between participants during the implementation of joint work tasks. The program provides detailed information on a wide range of available EU funds and programs that finance projects in various fields (environmental protection, economy, education, culture, etc.), preparation of successful projects, management of approved projects and control of spending of EU funds.

The following stand out as specific goals:

• acquiring knowledge about different actors and institutions in decision-making and legislative procedures in the European Union, especially in the area of regional policy;
• training of participants for the preparation, planning and implementation of development projects;
• insight into the structure of European funds and programs, with special reference to programs available to users from Serbia;
• understanding the importance and impact of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA);
• acquiring knowledge necessary for adequate application of EU regulations;
• networking among participants.

 

The curriculum envisages the realization of the Program through four modules (Economy, law and policies of the European Union and the accession process, Management of local and regional development, Programs of the European Union and Project Management) with a total of 23 teaching disciplines and a pool of 200 hours of active teaching.

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

Classes are held on Friday afternoons and Saturdays at the Educons University in Sremska Kamenica.

The lecturers of the Program are experts who have extensive theoretical and practical experience in the management of EU funds and programs.

Advantages of the Program:

• acquiring qualifications for managing projects funded by the European Union,
• acquaintance with the rules and procedures of project financing of the European Union,
• upgrading knowledge with the news brought by the financial perspective 2014-2020,
• qualified lecturers with experience,
• two one-day field visits on the territory of AP Vojvodina,
• study trip in the EU region (study trip lasting 3 to 6 days),
• expansion of the network of potential partners,
• acquiring knowledge about project cycle management,
• presentation of successful projects,
• certificate for participants who successfully complete the Program.

 

The program is intended for employees in:

• provincial administration,
• units of local self-government,
• development agencies,
• offices for local economic development,
• municipal tourism organizations,
• public and public utility companies,
• cultural institutions,
• civil society organizations (citizen associations, non-governmental organizations, etc.),
• higher education institutions, institutes and research institutions,
• to other institutions that may appear as beneficiaries of funds from European funds.

Requirements for applying to the program:

• persons who deal with the European Union or certain aspects of its activities as part of their work activities, persons in charge of writing projects financed from international development assistance;
• persons who work in organizations that are registered or operate on the territory of AP Vojvodina;
• consent of the institutions for the candidate's participation in the Program;
• ability to attend all modules (at least 70% attendance at each module);
• acquired higher education at least first degree studies, i.e. basic studies lasting at least four years;
• knowledge of working with a computer (MS Office package).

Criteria for selecting students:

• motivation of candidates for participation in training,
• consent of the organization for the candidate's participation in the training,
• letter of recommendation,
• equal involvement of candidates with and without experience, in preparation and implementationentation of national and international projects, in order to exchange and transfer experiences and between the participants themselves during interactive work,
• inclusion of candidates from all municipalities in order to encourage even regional development on the territory of AP Vojvodina,
• equal representation of all educational profiles of higher education institutions,
• equal gender representation of candidates.

NOTE: The Complete Program was financed with the funds of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.

The beginning of the Program is planned for the month of October 2018, and the end is planned for the month of March 2019.

4. cycle of the Program "Management of regional development through EU funds"

Fund "European Affairs" APV in cooperation with the University of Educons from Sremska Kamenica completed the 4th cycle of the Program "Management of regional development through EU funds".

Considering that every year significant EU funds are approved for the implementation of projects at the national, regional and local level throughout the European Union and countries that are in the pre-accession process, the goal of the Program is to familiarize them with the policies of the European Union and prepare participants for the creation and implementation of European projects, which is supported by a large number of subjects and intensive exchange of knowledge with lecturers, as well as interaction between participants during the implementation of joint work tasks. The program provided detailed information on a wide range of available EU funds and programs that finance projects in various fields (environmental protection, economy, education, culture, etc.), preparation of successful projects, management of approved projects and control of spending of EU funds.

The following stand out as specific goals:

• acquiring knowledge about different actors and institutions in decision-making and legislative procedures in the European Union, especially in the field of regional policy;
• training of participants for the preparation, planning and implementation of development projects;
• insight into the structure of European funds and programs, with special reference to programs available to users from Serbia;
• understanding the importance and impact of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA);
• acquiring knowledge necessary for adequate application of EU regulations;
• networking among participants.

 

The curriculum envisages the realization of the Program through four modules (Economy, law and policies of the European Union and the accession process, Management of local and regional development, Programs of the European Union and Project Management) with a total of 23 teaching disciplines and a pool of 200 hours of active teaching.

The time frame for holding the Program is 13 working weeks. The teaching method included classical lectures, interactive workshops, presentation of case studies, two one-day field visits in Vojvodina, one multi-day study trip abroad, as well as the development of project ideas in order to apply for funds from EU funds.

Classes were held on Friday afternoons and Saturdays at the Educons University in Sremska Kamenica.

The lecturers of the Program were experts who have extensive theoretical and practical experience in the management of EU funds and programs.

Advantages of the Program:

• acquiring qualifications for managing projects funded by the European Union,
• acquaintance with the rules and procedures of project financing of the European Union,
• upgrading knowledge with the news brought by the financial perspective 2014-2020,
• qualified lecturers with experience,
• two one-day field visits on the territory of AP Vojvodina,
• study trip in the EU region (study trip lasting 3 to 6 days),
• expansion of the network of potential partners,
• acquiring knowledge about project cycle management,
• presentation of successful projects,
• certificate for participants who successfully complete the Program.

 

The program is intended for employees in:

• provincial administration,
• units of local self-government,
• development agencies,
• offices for local economic development,
• municipal tourism organizations,
• public and public utility companies,
• cultural institutions,
• civil society organizations (citizen associations, non-governmental organizations, etc.),
• higher education institutions, institutes and research institutions,
• to other institutions that may appear as beneficiaries of funds from European funds.

Requirements for applying to the program:

• persons who deal with the European Union or certain aspects of its activities as part of their work activities, persons in charge of writing projects financed from international development assistance;
• persons who work in organizations that are registered or operate on the territory of AP Vojvodina;
• consent of the institutions for the candidate's participation in the Program;
• ability to attend all modules (at least 70% attendance at each module);
• acquired higher education at least first degree studies, i.e. basic studies lasting at least four years;
• knowledge of working with a computer (MS Office package).

Criteria for selecting students:

• motivation of candidates for participation in training,
• consent of the organization for the candidate's participation in the training,
• letter of recommendation,
• equal involvement of candidates with and without experience, in the preparation and implementation of national and international projects, in order to exchange and transfer experiences and between the participants themselves during interactive work,
• inclusion of candidates from all municipalities in order to encourage even regional development on the territory of AP Vojvodina,
• equal representation of all educational profiles of higher education institutions,
• equal gender representation of candidates.

NOTE: The Complete Program was financed with the funds of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina.

The program started in February 2018 and ended in June 2018.

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.

 

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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