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Author: WeBalkans

Successes in building trust between communities presented in Vareš

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

The Municipality of Vareš hosted a visit of Peter M. Wagner, the Head of the EU’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), Johann Sattler, Head of the Delegation of the European Union/EU Special Representative in BiH, and representatives of seven local communities who are setting a positive example in building trust between different groups.  The meeting took place as part of the “Možemo bolje” project, which is financed by the EU through FPI, and is implemented jointly by the EU, UN, OSCE and Council of Europe.   The project aims to support the work of “champions of peace” – individuals and communities who are creating a positive environment for cooperation across divides. The Municipality of Vareš is one such community, where action for peace is promoted as an individual and collective responsibility. The meeting was also attended by representatives of the City of Prnjavor and the municipalities of Jablanica, Teočak, Čelić, Sapna and Lopare, which are also part of the Možemo bolje project.  
The cooperation of local communities, authorities and citizens is an example of how Bosnia and Herzegovina can do better, especially in opposing narratives of division. “Možemo bolje” project was emphasized as a positive platform that enables people to truly and jointly work on development of BiH society through trust and cohesion. Through the implementation of the project so far in 23 communities supported initiatives include inter-religious learning, youth engagement, women’s empowerment, CSOs development and advocacy, cultural heritage and diversity, performing arts and applied theatre, sports activities, environmental and civil protection. Work has begun on 12 infrastructure projects in 11 communities, and the work of 27 civil society organizations was supported.

EU delivers medical and transport vehicles to BiH Armed Forces to support demining

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On the occasion of the Armed Forces Day, the EU handed over today 21 medical and transport vehicles for the Demining Battalion of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This was the first delivery of a total of 68 vehicles that Bosnia and Herzegovina will receive as part of an Assistance Measure worth €10 million under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to support Bosnia and Herzegovina to become mine free. 150 metal detectors under this Measure were already handed over in July 2022.  European External Action Service Managing Director for Europe Angelina Eichhorst said, “The European Union is fully committed to supporting security and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. To this end, we have allocated over €20 million in assistance to the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in addition to the support provided for a safe and secure environment through Operation EUFOR ALTHEA.”

 

In addition to the Assistance Measure for demining, the EU approved in December 2022 a further €10 million to provide field equipment, key tools for military engineering and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) material for the Tactical Support Brigade of the BiH Armed Forces. The Armed Forces of BiH further benefit from a €6 million Assistance Measure under the EPF for the Balkan Medical Task Force. As part of this measure, the EU will deliver ambulances, terrain vehicles, equipment for hospitals and laboratories, and IT and communication equipment to medical military units in the region. Through the EPF, the EU emphasises its commitment to stability and security in its neighbourhood and around the world as well as its comprehensive approach to supporting partners, determination to protect democratic values, and readiness to take the role of security provider.

COP28: North Macedonia: EIB Global co-signs Joint Declaration on the Just Transition Investment Platform

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At the COP28 climate conference, EIB Global, the arm of the European Investment Bank for activities outside the European Union, signed a Joint Declaration on the Just Transition Investment Platform for North Macedonia. Initiated by the Government of North Macedonia with technical support from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the platform aims to help mobilise up to €3 billion in investments and policy and technical assistance to accelerate the country’s energy transition and the deployment of 1.7 GW in new renewable energy capacity until 2030, along with grid and storage infrastructure. The support package is designed to ensure the positive outcomes of the green transition, while protecting the jobs and livelihoods of affected communities.

 

As one of the partners of the declaration, EIB Global intends to support North Macedonia in achieving a rapid and just transformation of its energy sector, while ensuring energy security. The Bank has significantly stepped up its engagement with the government, public utilities and the private sector in order to generate new projects in renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy infrastructure upgrades. These efforts have resulted in over €100 million in green investments signed for North Macedonia in 2023 and new technical assistance for sustainable projects.

Empowering art and creativity in Serbia

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EU funded Creative Europe Programme supports artists and cultural institutions in Serbia.

Creative Europe is an EU Programme for support to the sectors for culture and media. The Programme consists of two sub-programmes: Culture – for promoting the sector of culture and the Media Programme – to support the audio-visual sector. Creative Europe, with a budget of EUR 1.46 billion supports Europe’s cultural and creative sectors providing funding for 2,500 artists and cultural professionals, 2,000 cinemas, 800 films, 4,500 book translations and financial guarantee facility of up to €750 million for small businesses active in the sector. Notably, Creative Europe has also extended its reach to cultural institutions and artists in the Western Balkans, including those in Serbia, in recent years.

“Both of these experiences were very valuable for my artistic portfolio. Besides the professional fulfillment, I also had the opportunity to forge new friendships and connections. All in all, it was a rewarding learning experience”

Damjan Jovičin is a talented Serbian composer and pianist based in Belgrade. He is a prominent figure among the emerging generation of creative artists and composers in the Balkans. Damjan boasts an extensive body of musical compositions, and his works have been performed by esteemed ensembles such as the RTS Orchestra and Choir, Hermes Ensemble, Mivos Quartet, Manojlović Quartet, Zagreb Flute Ensemble, String Orchestra of the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, Belgrade Guitar Duo, and numerous others.

His compositions have been showcased at prestigious events and venues, including the Summer Course for New Music in Darmstadt, the International Summer Academy of the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, Finland’s Time of Music festival, the Walden Creative Music Retreat in New Hampshire, USA, and the Belgrade Music Festival (BEMUS).

Damjan is among the Serbian artists who have reaped the benefits of the Creative Europe program. His artistic creations found a stage in the EU-funded Balkan Youth Jazz Orchestra and formed part of the “Opera: Past present Perfect!” project. In his own words, “Both of these experiences were very valuable for my artistic portfolio. Besides the professional fulfillment, I also had the opportunity to forge new friendships and connections. All in all, it was a rewarding learning experience,” Damjan reflects.

The international initiative, “Opera: Past, Present, Perfect!”, was initiated under the Creative Europe-Culture: European Cooperation Projects in 2020. The project run from September 2020, to February 2023. Alongside MOTO – Music, Opera, and Theater Organization, which serves as the project lead, collaborators include Nieuw Geneco from Amsterdam (Netherlands), Young Musician International Association of Georgia from Tbilisi (Georgia), University of Donja Gorica in Podgorica (Montenegro), and the Little Theatre “Duško Radović” in Serbia.

“We were provided with online tutoring sessions on opera composition, which also included valuable feedback on our musical compositions. Receiving guidance from experienced composers was an exceptionally enriching and meaningful experience.”

About the programme

The Creative Europe programme 2021-2027 has a budget of € 2.44 billion, compared to €1.47 billion of the previous programme (2014-2020). Creative Europe invests in actions that reinforce cultural diversity and respond to the needs and challenges of the cultural and creative sectors. The main objectives of the programme are to safeguard, develop and promote European cultural and linguistic diversity and heritage and to increase the competitiveness and economic potential of the cultural and creative sectors, in particular the audiovisual sector The novelties of the programme will contribute to the recovery of these sectors, reinforcing their efforts to become more inclusive, more digital and environmentally more sustainable.

The primary objective of the “Opera: Past, Present, Perfect!” project is to foster connections and offer education to young professionals, aiming to facilitate cross-sectoral, cross-national, and intergenerational dialogues (particularly between young professionals and mentors). The project seeks to promote collaboration and the exchange of expertise, ultimately repositioning opera as an interdisciplinary and genuine European art form.

Within the framework of this project, Damjan Jovičin’s opera “Mercy Street” was performed in Belgrade, in theater Duško Radović. However, in addition to the opportunity to showcase his work, Damjan also took advantage of mentoring opportunities made available through the Dutch Composers’ Union, thanks to the project’s support. In his own words, “We were provided with online tutoring sessions on opera composition, which also included valuable feedback on our musical compositions. Receiving guidance from experienced composers was an exceptionally enriching and meaningful experience,” Damjan acknowledges.

EU4Culture Grants Transform Kruja Women Artisans into Digital Entrepreneurs

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EU funded EU4 Culture programme supports women artisans on effectively branding, marketing and selling their handicrafts online.

Kruja artisans, alongside representatives from the municipality, local communities, the Ministry of Culture, EU Delegation, and UNOPS, participated in a ceremony celebrating the remarkable outcomes achieved through the “Artisans between Past and Future” local initiative. Implemented by the Progress Foundation and supported through the EU4Culture grants program, it involved women artisans in 12 training sessions focused on utilizing social media and creating visually appealing content to effectively brand, market and sell their handicrafts online.

“Our expectation is that the training in branding, digital marketing, and online sales will empower artisans to bridge the digital divide, facilitating a smooth transition. Beyond the economic aspects, these ‘skills of the future’ will contribute to preserving centuries-old traditions, ensuring their passage to the next generations.”

As part of the project, a digital information board has been developed and installed at the entrance of Kruja Old Bazaar, serving as a valuable resource for tourists seeking information on artisans and local cultural heritage sites. Moreover, the board will be utilized by the municipality for essential community announcements. For centuries, marketing and sales at the traditional crafts market of the ancient mountain city of Kruja, were mens’ jobs. Revenues were limited to a short tourist season and highly dependent on the good weather. New technologies were a perfect solution for helping artisans improve their livelihoods and become more resilient for future challenges and shocks, such as pandemics, bad weather conditions or travel restrictions.

“Our expectation is that the training in branding, digital marketing, and online sales will empower artisans to bridge the digital divide, facilitating a smooth transition. Beyond the economic aspects, these ‘skills of the future’ will contribute to preserving centuries-old traditions, ensuring their passage to the next generations,” remarked Pamela Lama, EU4Culture Senior Programme Manager.

“The new skills acquired by Kruja artisans, coupled with the establishment of the new infopoint, will not only enhance the economic development of the region but also play a vital role in promoting tourism. Consequently, this will stimulate the local economy and generate new incomes for the communities,” she added.

“By empowering local artisans with digital skills, we bridge the past and future, ensuring traditional crafts endure in the modern world. This initiative not only empowers the community of the talented women artisans of Kruja, but also celebrates the timeless beauty of our heritage, transforming history into a living masterpiece for generations to come.”

About the project

In November 2019, Albania was hit by the country’s most deadly earthquake in the last 50 years. Estimated at a Richter magnitude 6.3, it caused extensive damage across 11 municipalities. The EU4Culture project is funded by the European Union (EU) and is implemented by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in close partnership with the Ministry of Culture of Albania. It focuses on renovation and revitalization of major cultural heritage sites damaged by the earthquake and represents one of the largest cultural heritage programmes funded by the European Union with a total budget of € 40 million. Guided by the “Building Back Better” principle, EU4Culture focuses on renovation of major cultural heritage sites in line with the UN Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. In parallel, the project aims to enhance Albania’s tourism potential, thus directly contributing to local and regional socio-economic recovery. To that aim, special focus is given to innovative technologies, including digital story-telling and creation of multimedia products designed to be accessible for all. At the same time, the project is supporting local entrepreneurship, artisanship and cultural initiatives evolving around selected sites through the allocation of grants, providing a direct boost to the local economy.

EU4Culture provided grants to five local initiatives aimed at supporting artisans and fostering cultural tourism in Kruja, benefitting over 500 individuals. These activities generated 41 new job opportunities, including 29 specifically for women. The initiatives also contributed to the creation of 42 cultural tourism products, including an information digital board, various branding packages, promotional videos, websites, and more.

Juljan Aga, the Executive Director of PROGRESS Foundation explains that for them the “Artisans Between Past and Future” is more than a project.  It’s a profound commitment to preserving the cultural tapestry. “By empowering local artisans with digital skills, we bridge the past and future, ensuring traditional crafts endure in the modern world. This initiative not only empowers the community of the talented women artisans of Kruja, but also celebrates the timeless beauty of our heritage, transforming history into a living masterpiece for generations to come,” Aga says.

Tourism for Future: The Eco-Labels Initiative in Kosovo and Montenegro

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An EU funded project is supporting the businesses in the cross border region between Kosovo and Montenegro to increase their capacities in tourism sector.

Eco-labels and internationally recognised certifications are designations granted to products and services recognized for their reduced environmental impact compared to similar offerings, making them a more environmentally responsible choice. Within the hospitality industry, eco-labeling serves as a valuable tool for customers, offering insights into the sustainable practices that hotels incorporate into their daily operations. According to Booking.com’s Sustainable Travel Report for 2019, a staggering 70% of global travelers express a greater inclination to book accommodations when they know the establishment prioritizes environmental friendliness, whether their primary goal is a sustainable stay or not.

For eco-labels to maintain their credibility, they must be conferred by independent third-party accredited certifiers who possess the expertise to assess hotels and accommodation entities thoroughly. The criteria used for Eco-Label certification should be made publicly available to consumers, ensuring transparency in the process. Ideally, a comprehensive eco-label should encompass all aspects of sustainability. In addition to environmental considerations, this encompasses social standards, such as the working conditions within the hotel, as well as cultural and economic factors. It is important that tourism benefits the destination and its local communities, allowing them to actively participate in and shape the tourism industry.

“Our goal with this project is to foster a new, the Way Ahead thinking approach in the tourism industry within the cross-border region. This includes the introduction of eco labels, which represent one of the foremost standards in the global tourism industry, a standard that was previously unavailable in our region.”

In addition to meeting the required criteria, the certification process itself involves intricate procedures and substantial financial commitments that can be challenging to fulfill. Recognizing this, partner non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and municipalities in the cross-border region between Kosovo and Montenegro have embarked on an initiative to assist the local hospitality sector in obtaining Eco Labels certification.

Ahmet Jetullahu-meti, serving as the Executive Director of the Prishtina REA, leads the cross-border consortium responsible for implementing the “Tourism for Future” project. Among its various objectives, this project aims to provide support to hotels and similar hospitality establishments in the cross-bordering regions to help them embrace Eco Labels certification. Jetullahu explains, “Our goal with this project is to foster a new, the way – ahead-thinking approach in the tourism industry within the cross-border region. This includes the introduction of eco labels, which represent one of the foremost standards in the global tourism industry, a standard that was previously unavailable in our region.” It’s worth noting that this project is co-funded through the EU-supported Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) program between Kosovo and Montenegro, supported by Peja Municipality,  Kolasin Municipality, Prishtina REA and IPER.

 

The International Eco Labels certification encompasses a comprehensive set of eligibility criteria, covering aspects such as infrastructure, environmental sustainability, staff professionalism, sourcing of fresh and eco-friendly produce from the local area, and the incorporation of cultural heritage into their offerings.

Currently, training sessions on these crucial topics are in progress for companies and toursim practicioners located in the cross-border regions. These training sessions, conducted separately in Peja and Kolasin, involve the participation of around 30 participants  from each side of the border, who were selected through an open call process. Additionally, the project plans to provide training and certification to 15 auditors specializing in Eco Labels. As Ahmet Jetullahu-meti highlights, “Currently, there is a notable absence of certified Eco Labels auditors in Kosovo, Montenegro, or any neighboring countries. Therefore, achieving this certification will be a significant milestone for the tourism industry in the region.” We aim to certify at least 20 grantees with the Internationally recognised Eco- Label Certification (10 from Peja region and 10 from Kolasin region), aligning to a transparent call for grant applications, endorsed by the online e-platform, beign developed by the project side.

 “Participation and interest from these companies are exceptionally high, and they deeply appreciate the support provided by the project.”

About the programme

The global objective of the  IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Montenegro-Kosovo  is to improve the standard and quality of living of the people in the programme area through the environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive economic development of the region, with respect for its common cultural and natural heritage. This will be achieved through joint projects that fall within the following programme thematic priorities: Promoting employment, labour mobility and social and cultural inclusion across the border; Protecting the environment, promoting climate change adaptation and mitigation, risk prevention and management and Encouraging tourism and cultural and natural heritage.

Beyond Eco Label certification, the project is actively assisting beneficiaries in the region by facilitating the development and implementation of Integrated Tourism and Communication strategies, as well as the promotion of cultural heritage and the local economy through a creative e-tourism platform developed aimign to promote and internationalise the cross-bordering tourism and cultural heritage sectors. Some of the noteworthy activities encompass cross-border tourism festivals and the organization of and promotion of two eco trails. Ahmet Jetullahu-Meti elaborates on the project’s background, noting that extensive research was conducted involving over 136 businesses from the cross-rorder regions. The majority of these businesses expressed a keen interest in receiving support for Internationally recognised Eco Labels certification. Jetullahu underscores the high level of participation and enthusiasm among company representatives, stating, “Participation and interest from these companies are exceptionally high, and they deeply appreciate the support provided by the project.”

BIRN publishes Report on Labour Rights in Kosovo’s Private Sector

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On November 24, BIRN held a conference for the launch of the report titled “Management of Workers without Procedures”. The report states that working conditions and violation of labour rights continues to be a challenge for the labour market in Kosovo. The number of accidents in the workplace in Kosovo is high and the level of implementation of labour rights is poor. From the beginning of 2023, BIRN Kosovo collected data from businesses and workers in Kosovo in order to analyze implementation of the Labour law, including compliance with the requirements on contractual agreements, employment regulations, employment of persons with disabilities and knowledge of safety rules at work, among others. Findings from the report show that, from 2016 until June 2023, there were 1,072 accidents in the workplace; 102 employees died as a result.

 

The findings of the report were discussed by a panel including different actors from public institutions. The panel was moderated by Kreshnik Gashi, managing editor of KALLXO.com. Panelists included: Avni Zogiani, Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers; Mimoza Kusari Lila, Head of the Vetevendosje Parliamentary Group; Naim Hajra, Deputy Chief Inspector in the Trade Inspectorate; Brahim Selimaj, Chairman of the Association of Builders of Prishtina; and Nalan Malësia, of the Union of Independent Trade Unions of Kosovo.

   

The report is published as part of the project “Protection and Promotion of the Labour Rights of Vulnerable Groups in the Labour Market” financed by the European Union in Kosovo. It aims to improve the working conditions for vulnerable categories of workers, especially within the private sector, including health and safety in the workplace for women and men, through the promotion of social dialogue between workers and duty bearers.

Financial Agreement for new IPA CBC programme Serbia – Bosnia and Herzegovina 2021 – 2027 signed

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On 24 November 2023 in Sarajevo, the Director of the Directorate for European Integration, Elvira Habota, and the Minister for European Integration of Serbia, Tanja Miščević, signed the Financial Agreement for the new IPA Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina for the period 2021 – 2027. The signing took place on the occasion of the Final Conference of the IPA Cross-Border Programme Serbia – Bosnia and Herzegovina 2014-2020, with the presence of the Deputy Head of the EU Delegation in BiH, Adebayo Babajide.  
By signing this agreement, an additional 14 million euros from the European Union are now available for projects within the framework of cross-border cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia. The focus of the support will be on youth and their employment, the enhancement of tourist capacities, and the development of joint tourism offerings.  
This marks the continuation of successful collaboration and partnership building among program beneficiaries in the two countries. As highlighted during the conference, this collaboration has resulted in 75 projects involving over 250 partners from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia during the IPA I and IPA II perspectives.  
Through the previous two IPA perspectives, the European Union has allocated 26.5 million euros for this program, supporting joint projects in areas such as environmental protection, natural disaster prevention, tourism development, cultural heritage protection, and more.

EU and EBRD support modernisation of Serbian railways

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The Serbian railway infrastructure manager Serbian Railways Infrastructure JSC is launching a comprehensive programme to improve its corporate governance and operational performance, supported by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and donors.   The package will include three technical assistance projects. The first project aims to help Serbian Railways Infrastructure to improve its corporate governance, while the second project will help boost the company’s operational performance.  
The third technical assistance project will follow early in 2024. It will focus on helping the railway sector to establish an independent market regulator and to integrate Serbia’s railways into the EU transport market. The technical assistance is financed by Italy (through the Central European Initiative) and the EBRD.  
These projects follow the €2.2 billion financial package jointly provided by the EBRD (an investment loan of €550 million), the EU (an investment grant of €598 million) and the EIB (an investment loan of €1.1 billion) for the modernisation of the 230 km high-speed rail link connecting Belgrade to Niš.