Budget:
The total budget of the program is 84,769,799.00 EUR in the form of a grant for the period 2021-2027 and for IPA partners a grant
Duration of the program:
01. January 2021 – December 31, 2027
Additional information:

For 20 years, the URBACT program has been supporting cities and municipalities across Europe to solve problems in local communities and contribute to a better quality of life for their citizens through the exchange of knowledge and experience. So far, more than 1,000 European cities have benefited from the support of this program and established cooperation within over 150 networks. Starting this year, the European Union, on the initiative of the Ministry of European Integration, provided funds for Serbia’s participation in this program. This enabled our cities and municipalities to improve their urban development policies through projects financed by the URBACT program and improve the participation of citizens in the planning and implementation of those policies.

URBACT facilitates the exchange of knowledge and good practice between cities and other levels of government. The purpose is to promote integrated sustainable development in cities, improve city policy and improve the efficiency of cohesion policy in cities.

The URBACT IV program area covers EU member states (27), Norway, Switzerland, IPA countries: Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and other countries – at their own expense.
The new regulatory framework for the period 2021 – 2027 is determined by the Cohesion Policy regulations. These regulations offer a range of support to European cities to address disparities across the EU. The emphasis on sustainable urban development and territorial and local development strategies within this new framework is demonstrated by a set of cohesion policy instruments made available to support cities in designing and implementing their urban policies.

New frame:
• includes five key policy objectives, all of which are relevant to EU cities. Special attention will be paid to PO5 “Europe closer to citizens by encouraging sustainable and integrated development of all types of territories and local initiatives”.
• states that the Member State should use integrated territorial investments, community-led local development or other territorial tools designed by the Member State where it supports integrated territorial development through territorial or local development strategies.
• lists several elements that should be included in territorial strategies financed from the Cohesion Policy; defined geographical area, analysis of its development needs and potential, description of integrated approach and involvement of partners in its preparation and implementation.
• lists several elements that should be included in a community-led local development strategy.
• states that at least 8% of the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) per member state will be allocated for integrated territorial development focused on urban areas (sustainable urban development). Special attention will be paid to solving environmental and climate challenges, especially the transition to a climate-neutral economy by 2050, using the potential of digital technologies for innovative purposes and supporting the development of functional urban areas.
• includes the creation of the European Urban Initiative. The initiative will cover all urban areas, including functional urban areas, and has two main lines of activity:
1) support for innovative actions
2) and support for building capacity and knowledge, assessment of the impact on the territory, development of policy and communications.

The European Urban Initiative (EUI) will ensure appropriate coordination and complementarity with URBACT.