The first cross-border cooperation program between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of North Macedonia is being implemented within the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) II. IPA II supports cross-border cooperation with the aim of promoting good neighborly relations, encouraging European integration and promoting social and economic development.

The cross-border cooperation program between the two countries was designed after a detailed analysis of the program area and the current situation and a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats). The program area is located in the central and southern part of the Balkan Peninsula, on the one hand it includes the southern part of central Serbia with the districts of Jablanica and Pčinja and, on the other hand, the northeastern part of the Republic of North Macedonia and part of the Skopje region. The eligible area covers 10,197 km2 with about 732,000 people living in 30 municipalities.

The overall goal of the program is to strengthen good neighborly relations, establish partnerships and contribute to the development of the program area by connecting people and resources in a sustainable way.

Thematic priorities and specific goals of the program are:

Thematic priority 1: Promotion of employment, labor mobility and cross-border social and cultural inclusion

Specific objectives:

1.1: Improving workforce capacity and expanding employment opportunities

1.2: Strengthening social and cultural inclusion

Thematic priority 2: Encouraging tourism and preservation of cultural and natural heritage

Specific objectives:

2.1: Mobilization of cultural and natural resources for the joint development of sustainable tourism products and destinations

2.2: Improving the joint management system of natural and cultural sites as well as human settlements, including disaster response preparedness

Thematic priority 3: Technical assistance

Specific objective:

3.1: Ensuring effective, efficient, transparent and timely implementation of the Program

3.1: Ensuring effective, efficient, transparent and timely implementation of the Program

The program focuses on the following priorities and program goals:

Priority 1: Investing in youth, education and skills (TP 6)

Goal 1.1: Improve youth activism and youth socio-economic participation

Objective 1.2: Increase the employability of certain groups by providing new skills

Priority 2: Encouraging tourism and cultural and natural heritage (TP5)

Objective 2.1: Sustainable tourism (including cultural and natural heritage) contributing to the economic development of the cross-border region.

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Serbia, North Macedonia

Serbia: Jablanički district and Pčinjski district

North Macedonia: Northeast region (Kratovo, Lipkovo, Kumanovo, Staro Nagoričane, Rankovce, Kriva Palanka); Skopje region (Aračinovo, Čučer, Sandevo, Ilinden, Petrovec, Sopište, Studeničani, Zelenikovo); City of Skopje (municipalities Butel, Gjorce, Petrov Saraj)

State administration bodies, chambers, development agencies, science and technology parks, entrepreneurship centers, local/regional self-government units, public institutions, Local Action Groups (LAGs), utilities, companies, research/educational/scientific institutions, public hospitals , health centers, civil society organizations, various non-governmental organizations, tourist boards, small and medium-sized enterprises, from both participating countries.

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JOINT TECHNICAL PROGRAM SECRETARIAT

Revolution Square 45,

16 000 Leskovac,

E-mail: ofce@rs-mk.org

ANTENNA OF THE JOINT TECHNICAL PROGRAM SECRETARIAT

str. Goce Delčev bb, Trg Nova Jugoslavija 1 300 Kumanovo, NORTH MACEDONIA

E-mail: emrah.coti@rs-mk.org

You can find all relevant documents on the website: https://eu.rs-mk.org/