Territorial governance in the Western Balkans DG NEAR
Territorial governance in the Western Balkans DG NEAR European Week of Regions and Cities October 2019
EU Strategy for the Western Balkans Why it is so important? • Confirms the European future of the region A geostrategic investment in a stable, strong and united Europe based on common values. • Sets out an Action Plan with 6 flagship and 57 actions Targeting specific areas of common interest: rule of law, security and migration, socio-economic development, transport and energy connectivity, digital agenda, reconciliation and good neighbourly relations. • Reflected in Sofia Declaration and Priority Agenda, both endorsed by EU 28 and WB leaders at the Sofia Summit (2018)
The six flagships
EU Strategy for the Western Balkans A year later – what has changed? • Enhanced support for judicial reform and anticorruption measures Our current engagement in terms of programmed and ongoing assistance for anticorruption measures exceeds 25 MEUR both at national and at regional level. • Completed negotiations of European Border and Coast Guard Agency Agreements Capacity building actions are ongoing under the “Protection Sensitive Migration” regional project and its second phase for 2019 -2021. Key areas of assistance include building resilience of local communities and we are using TAIEX experts to provide advice and support the drafting, revision, and implementation of laws on asylum, migration and border management.
EU Strategy for the Western Balkans A year+ later – what has changed? • Expanded Western Balkans Investment Framework The total estimated investment value of the projects in which local authorities benefit indirectly through WBIF is more than EUR 3 billion, thus representing 17% of the WBIF portfolio - it would benefit greatly from further local investments in environment, social and energy sectors. • A new Guarantee Facility for local investors in the region, which will provide new funding opportunities for businesses and start-ups
EU Strategy for the Western Balkans A year+ later – what has changed? • First annual EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Meeting on social affairs and employment took place on 12 June 2019 Between 2014 and 2020 the EU has allocated close to 700 million euros of IPA funds to social sectors in the Western Balkans. These funds are supporting employment policies, social inclusion and protection, education at all levels, vocational training, youth programmes and entrepreneurship. • Double Erasmus+ funding for the region Funding for Erasmus+ is expected to increase from 33 to 66 MEUR over two years. Establishing a Youth Lab is to provide space for innovative policy making and tackling brain drain from the region.
EU Strategy for the Western Balkans A year+ later – what has changed? • Joint Ministerial Statement on Clean Energy Transition signed Building on this Statement, the Commission will propose, in the coming year, for the Western Balkans to embark together on a “Green Agenda”. • Digital Agenda and Regional Roaming Agreement signed The EU earmarked € 30 million in support of the implementation of the Digital Agenda to prepare for investments in digital infrastructure (broadband internet). Partners appointed Broadband Competence Office (BCO) contact points to take part in the EU BCO network and to advise local and regional authorities on ways to invest effectively in broadband, and help citizens and businesses get better access to broadband services. The agenda also supports the development of e. Government, e. Procurement, e. Health, digital skills, industry and cybersecurity.
EU Strategy for the Western Balkans A year later – what has changed? • Deepening of links among civil societies of the Western Balkans Our commitment is to bring together civil society organizations of the region. The Civil Society Facility offers a single window of support to civil society and media freedom. • North Macedonia and Greece reached a historic agreement on the name dispute. In so many ways, this gives a new momentum for cooperation in the region. It facilitates the entry of North Macedonia into the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region, endorsed by the Budva declaration (May 2019)
EU Strategy for the Western Balkans What is the role of Local Authorities? • ‘Public administration reform is paramount to strengthening governance at all levels. An appropriate balance between central, regional and local government also needs to be found. ’ • ‘further facilitated local partnerships between municipalities across the region with those in EU countries. ’
Local Authorities as Decision makers What does it mean? • ‘Governance systems in Europe are changing to become less top down, more flexible, and involve a wider group of public and private organizations. ’ (ESPON) • ‘Urban areas are taking the lead on refugees, climate change, innovation and more…’ (Europe’s world) • ‘Local and regional authorities are responsible for 65% of the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in Europe’ (Co. R)
Public Administration Reform (PAR) What does it mean for Local Authorities? • PAR is the third pillar of the “Fundamentals First” approach in the enlargement process • All Western Balkan governments are implementing PAR in line with the Principles of Public Administration, which apply by analogy to local government level (e. g. inclusive policy making, merit-based HRM, accountability towards citizens, efficient service delivery, sound financial management, especially in public procurement and internal control, incl. specific requirements for local level in accession negotiation under Chapters 5 and 32) • Local authorities committed to systematic administrative reforms, mirroring the Principles of Public Administration, will be in better position to implement sector policies, deliver public services and implement the acquis upon accession
EC support to Local Authorities as Decision makers Our engagement of ongoing and pipeline programmes for socio-economic development in the Western Balkans to be close to 2. 5 billion EUR, out of which initiatives for LAs • Re. LOa. D - Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans - stimulate Partnerships between local governments and civil society. • ROMACTED – Promoting good governance and Roma Empowerment at local level • EU Territorial programmes) cooperation programmes • IPA-IPA CBC Programmes (9 programmes) • Local Technical Assistance (LTA) pilot project (14
Re. LOa. D Regional Programme on Local Democracy Deputy Mayor of Trebinje (Bosnia and Herzegovina) meets with young people to discuss youth issues. CSO Project: „Organic Soap Roskovec“, by CSO – Social Development Investment , Roskovec, Albania.
ROMACTED Good governance and Roma Empowerment at local level
Regional Housing Programme Durable housing solutions to vulnerable persons Joint initiative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia “I am truly stunned by and happy about the new apartment. I would like to thank all the donors from the bottom of my heart!” Šefik and Amra, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Local Authorities as Economic drivers What does it mean? • European local and regional authorities promote sustainable and inclusive economic development. • Smart growth - include, among others, infrastructure projects for delivering free Wi-Fi connectivity in city centres; development of ‘apps’ and interactive technologies which allow citizens and businesses to interact with local and regional government • Sustainable growth - low-carbon transport, energy security, green industries and circle economy. • Inclusive growth - demographic change and vulnerability sustainable housing, public services to all members of society.
EC support to Local Authorities as Economic drivers • Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) - The total estimated investment value of the projects in which local authorities (LA) benefit indirectly through WBIF is more than EUR 3 billion, thus representing 17% of the estimated WBIF portfolio of EUR 18 billion. • Regional Housing programme – EUR 340 million • Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (EUR 50 mllion) - EU funded incentive grant combined with a loan from a local bank for energy efficiency improvements in public buildings
Low Carbon Transport Belgrade Public Transport and Traffic Infrastructure New tram rolling stock in front of the Belgrade Railway Station leading up to the rehabilitation project of Kneza Milosa Street New tram rolling stock in the rehabilitated Kralja Aleksandra Boulevard in Belgrade
Wastewater Treatment Water Supply and Wastewater Collection Systems in Pogradec, Albania Areal view of Pogradec Wastewater Treatment Plant (construction finalised 2015) View of Lake Ohrid, which benefit from the Pogradec WWTP
Housing Post-earthquake Housing Reconstruction in Kraljevo, Serbia Damaged residential units in Kraljevo following the 2010 earthquake Design of the ‘Pica Mala’ settlement intended to accommodate the dispossessed families
Health Services Rehabilitation of Healthcare Provider Institutions in North Macedonia Children in front of the Institute for Children Lung Diseases Kozle in Skopje Construction of the Institute for Children Lung Diseases Kozle was completed in 2015
Business Environment Enterprise Development and Innovation Facility (EDIF); Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP) Shumolli is a company that produces high quality vinyl windows and doors; it received € 100, 000 EDIF grant to expand production and exports Veliko Gradiste in Serbia is benefitting from investments through REEP to bring energy efficient street lighting to the town
New EC support for Local Authorities as Economic drivers • New guarantee instrument under the WBIF will cover investments in early-stage and innovative SMEs (digitalisation, sustainable agriculture and rural development), social entrepreneurship and non-sovereign financing at municipal level. • A new regional program supporting the Covenant of Mayors in the Western Balkans and Turkey • Replication of the EU Platform on coal regions in transition as an element of the Clean Energy package - for national, regional and local representatives to modernise their economies in line with a clean energy transition.
As a conclusion Do you now see the role of Local Authorities in WB Strategy?
Thank you for your attention! Tanya Dimitrova Regional policy expert Centre of thematic expertise DG NEAR
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