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Author: WeBalkans

Decrease of data roaming fees between the Western Balkans and the EU

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In December 2022, 38 telecommunication operators from the EU and the Western Balkans agreed to lower data roaming prices. This agreement has now come into effect as of October 1, 2023, which means that data roaming between the Western Balkans and the EU has become more affordable for both citizens and businesses in these regions. The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the European Commission have supported this process.  
These operators voluntarily committed to reducing the gap between data roaming and domestic fees when traveling between the EU and the Western Balkans in both directions. The initial reductions in prices are currently being implemented by the participating telecom operators. Many of them are offering packages with prices well below the agreed maximum limits, making them accessible to a wide range of consumers. Further reductions are planned for 2026, following the agreed glide path, with the goal of making data roaming prices close to domestic prices by 2028.  
Telecommunication operators from both the EU and the Western Balkans are encouraged to join this initiative.

Open4Business is open for registration

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Are you a small business owner in the Western Balkans? Keen to expand your horizons and make more impact? Join the regional information event that promises to shed light on financial opportunities for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). “Open4Business – Made in the Western Balkans – Supported by the EU” is a dedicated event for MSMEs in the Western Balkans to learn more about financing opportunities, including from the European Union available through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

 

Supporting the development of a robust private sector, boosting competitiveness and creating jobs in the region are key objectives of the Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans, the recovery plan for the region put in place in 2020 by the EU and endorsed by the Western Balkans’ partners. Significant investments support small businesses, particularly in areas such as green investments and technologies, microfinancing, energy efficiency, renewable energy projects, sustainable agriculture, circular economy, eco-tourism, and enterprises led by women and young people.

 

Participate live, remotely or online

 

Organised by the European Commission’s Directorate General for European Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), in collaboration with the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia and the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum (WB6CIF), the morning session of the event will be held live in Skopje, remotely in the other five capitals of the Western Balkans, and accessible online. There are multiple ways to participate and maximise your networking opportunities. If you cannot be present in Skopje, you can follow the morning session remotely with the Chambers of Commerce in the other regional capital cities, together with your peers. The afternoon session will take place concurrently, in all six capitals, so you can book a slot to discuss with your local financial institutions in one of the six regional venues. And if you cannot make it to any of these venues, you can still follow the event and book a consultation with your preferred financial institutions using our on-line event platform.

Alternative Transportation for Better Future in Serbia

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“The European Mobility Week 2023 in Serbia is not only a celebration of our achievements in mobility, but also a reflection of our commitment to a sustainable future” is the message sent by the Ambassador of the European Union to Serbia, Emanuele Giaufret, in Novi Sad on the occasion of a bicycle ride as part of the Car Free Day.

 

On the occasion of the European Mobility Week, which promotes alternative ways of moving for the sake of preserving the environment, Ambassador Giaufret pointed out that through various projects financed by the European Union, there were opportunities to implement the most modern technology and best practices in environmental management. This year, the focus of the European Mobility Week is energy saving, and the bicycle proves that as a means of transportation it is an ideal way to save energy, whether it is electric or obtained from fossil fuels. The World Car Free Day is celebrated as part of the European Mobility Week, which lasts from September 16 to 22, every year on September 22.

 

Cities around the world, and especially in Europe, implement various measures and activities to mark this day and show their success in adapting the infrastructure to pedestrians and cyclists, as well as reducing pollution in their environments. Some of the cities close certain streets to motor traffic on this day, showing the importance of expanding pedestrian zones in the cities, others encourage citizens to ride bikes, walk and use public transport more on that day. The event was organized by the Novi Sad Cycling Initiative, EU Info Point Novi Sad and the Youth Union of the OPENS association.

EU Allocates BAM 2 Million in Support of Primary Agricultural Production

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On Tuesday, 19 September, the EU-funded EU4AGRI project launched a Public Call to support investments in primary agricultural production. Under this Public Call, BAM 2 million is available, with grant amount per application ranging from BAM 20,000 to BAM 200,000 (without VAT). The applicant must ensure own co-financing for any single project in the amount of a minimum of 30% of the total amount of eligible costs of the proposed investment, for all acceptable sectors. Therefore, the co-financing structure is 70% EU4AGRI – 30% applicant. Eligible applicants for grants under this support measure are crafts/independent entrepreneurs, cooperatives and companies.

 

Eligible applicants

 

Under this Public Call, the European Union supports agricultural households that contribute to stabilising/strengthening production competitiveness and increasing the level of productivity of primary agricultural production through modernisation and the introduction of new technologies and innovations, improving product quality, hygiene and food safety, promoting good business practices and sustainable development through improvements in natural resource management, environmental protection, worker protection and food safety, and contribute to mitigating the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

All projects related exclusively to agricultural sectors are eligible for investment support in primary agricultural production, such as the production of milk, meat, the cultivation of cereals and oilseeds, the cultivation of fruit, including viticulture and olives, cultivation of vegetables, the production of planting material (fruit seedlings, vegetable seedlings and seed potatoes), egg production, fish farming, growing herbs, medicinal plants, and mushrooms, as well as honey production.

 

The Call is open for applications from 05 October 2023, and the deadline is 20 November 2023, by 15:00.

Single Market Programme – New Opportunity for SMEs in Serbia

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Small and medium-sized enterprises in Serbia will get a new opportunity for development by participating in the Single Market Program of the European Union. The Minister of Finance in the Government of Serbia, Siniša Mali, signed this Agreement today in an online conference with the respective service of the European Commission in Brussels, which will enable continued successful work for small and medium sized enterprises, bearing in mind the long-term and continuous support of the European Union.

 

Numerous programs and projects, funded by the EU, have so far empowered EU and Serbian companies to advance internationally through a combination of networking opportunities, tailored advice, and the establishment of new reliable business partnerships as well as through a programme which provides equipment to businesses.

 

When it comes to the Single Market Program, the success of participation depends on the proactivity of Serbian businessmen to apply for invitations by sending quality proposals. Specifically, the agreement will allow Serbian entrepreneurs to apply to the EU’s call for proposals for projects under the “Single Market Program” on this website, and if the proposals are evaluated as successful, Serbian companies will be able to participate, along with other companies in the EU and more broadly, in several EU-funded initiatives.

Celebrating the European Day of Languages in Serbia

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On the occasion of European Day of Languages, has been celebrated on September 26 in all European cities since 2001, the Children’s Cultural Centre Belgrade in cooperation with the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, the Council of Europe, the Ministry of European Integration, the network of EU National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC Cluster) and the City Administration of the City of Belgrade organized a program for children and young people on the Republic Square in Belgrade. Celebrating European Day of Languages promotes multilingualism throughout Europe and language learning regardless of age and surrounding.

 

The youngest visitors had the opportunity to learn about the cultures and languages of different European countries at the stands of embassies and cultural centres, enjoy delicacies, take part in a prize quiz and thus test their knowledge, but also to familiarize themselves with the work of Create Europe Serbia, EU Delegation to Serbia and the Ministry of European Integration at their stands.

 

In addition to the Belgrade Children’s Cultural Centre, which is the main organizer of the event, this year’s event participants are the embassies of Finland, the Kingdom of Denmark, Slovenia, Sweden, the Republic of Portugal, Ukraine, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Spain, Austria and the Republic of Poland, as well as the Italian Cultural Institute, the French Institute, Goethe Institute, the Austrian Institute,  the Czech Institute Belgrade, Yunus Emre Enstitüsü – Turkish Cultural Centre Belgrade, the Association of Single Parents and Families of Children with Disabilities “Plava skoljka”, Delegation of the European Union, Council of Europe, Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia and Desk Creative Europe Serbia

Creative women of Montenegro present: “European Music of Montenegrin Cultural Diplomacy”

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On Thursday, 28 September, the audience in Cetinje will have the opportunity to hear, for the first time, musical pieces that are part of the National Museum collection, composed by European composers and inspired by 19th century Montenegro. Composers from Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, and France have composed pieces, dedicated to Montenegro or members of the royal family, for various musical ensembles. The concert will feature the premiere of Danilo’s Waltz, the composition “King of Montenegro,” and a composition dedicated to Victor Emmanuel III and Queen Elena of Italy.

 

The orchestra, consisting of students from the Music Academy in Cetinje and members of the Montenegrin Symphony Orchestra, will perform at 20:00 at the Government House. The concert and the exhibition are part of the project “European Music of Montenegrin Cultural Diplomacy,” organised by the Creative Women of Montenegro Foundation with the aim of revitalising the European-Montenegrin music and cultural heritage. Additionally, it addresses the issue of the lack of research on the mentioned topic and the revival of Montenegro’s cultural diplomacy. The project is implemented within the ReLOaD2 programme, funded by the European Union, and implemented by the UNDP in cooperation with local self-governments, including the Royal Capital of Cetinje.

 

The orchestral performance will be accompanied by a video collage composed of little-known short videos and photographs from diplomatic events at the court during the Kingdom of Montenegro.

EU Awards for Investigative Journalism in Montenegro

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Laureates of the award included journalists from Montenegro whose stories were published last year and were assessed as the best by the expert jury.

 

The first prize went to journalist Đurđa Radulović (Centre for Investigative Journalism) for the article “Silence That Speaks – Maternity Hospitals Violate WHO Recommendations.” The second prizewent to journalist Olivera Lakić (Libertas Press) for the series of articles on high level corruption in Montenegro’s judiciary system and for the series of articles on crime and corruption within the structures of the Montenegrin police and  the third prize was awarded for the stories “Pandora Papers: Russian Offshore Millions for Luxury Real Estate in Montenegro,” by Dejan Milovac (MANS Research Centre), and “The Secret E-Gambling Affair” by the group of authors that includes: Vladimir Otašević, Jovo Martinović, Marko Vešović, and Andras Kiraly (RTV Nikšić, LUPA Research Centre).

 

The winners were chosen by the jury members who are prominent experts in the field of journalism: Boro Kontić, Nataša Ružić, and Tena Perišin. The national award ceremony is part of a broader project titled “EU Awards for Investigative Journalism in the Western Balkans and Turkey,” which is supported by the European Union.

A New Era of Energy Efficiency Subsidies in Kosovo

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In a landmark move designed to promote energy efficiency and bolster the use of renewable energy in Kosovo, while also improving the social well-being of its inhabitants — an initiative supported by the European Union — the application for the comprehensive subsidy package was officially opened on August 18, 2023. Kosovo’s Ministry of Economy announced this subsidy package for families willing to invest in energy-efficient home appliances and solar water heating systems. “The EU’s support in this initiative underscores our mutual commitment to sustainable development and social inclusion,” said Alessandro Bianciardi on the day of announcement, illustrating the European Union’s integral role in this progressive move.

 

As part of the larger Energy Support Package backed by the EU, the new subsidy package has been crafted to alleviate the financial strain on households, making vital household appliances and utilities more accessible and aiding Kosovo in its pursuit of a sustainable, green transition. The subsidized items include washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and even solar systems designed for heating sanitary water. While the package is open to the general public, there is a special emphasis on aiding financially vulnerable groups. Specifically, self-supporting parents and citizens who are beneficiaries of categories I & II social assistance schemes stand to benefit the most from these new measures. For washing machines, while a standard subsidy of 200 Euros is available, single mothers and those on social assistance will receive higher subsidies of 300 and 400 Euros respectively. Dishwashers are subsidized at 150 Euros generally but rise to 250 and 300 Euros for the self-supporting and socially assisted categories. Refrigerators or freezers are subsidized at 100 Euros for the general population, with an increase to 150 and 200 Euros for the targeted vulnerable groups.

 

This initiative represents the first-ever energy efficiency scheme specifically designed for the residential sector by the institutions of the Republic of Kosovo. The program is administered by Kosovo’s Fund for Energy Efficiency. As winter nears, the urgency for these energy efficiency upgrades intensifies, offering the people of Kosovo both cozier homes and a smaller carbon footprint. These initiatives are part of the EU’s decisive response to pressing needs, with the rapid allocation of a notable EUR 75 million from its substantial EUR 1 billion Energy Support Package for the Western Balkans.  This package, a decisive counteraction to the skyrocketing energy prices in the aftermath of Russia’s unexpected aggression towards Ukraine, earmarks substantial funds to combat the prevailing energy crisis in Kosovo and its neighboring nations.

The EU and UNICEF launch a public campaign to promote inclusion of children with disabilities in Kosovo

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On 20 September, as part of an EU-funded initiative, UNICEF Kosovo, launched a new campaign to raise public awareness of the barriers facing children with disabilities, and to call for the full realization of their rights. This campaign is part of the three-year project ‘Protecting Vulnerable Children in Kosovo,’ implemented by UNICEF with financial support from the European Union in Kosovo.

 

The campaign, which will run for 22 months online and in municipalities throughout Kosovo, in partnership with the Office of Good Governance, advocates for the rights of children with disabilities with a specific focus on increasing accessibility of public spaces, expanding availability of quality inclusive services, and combatting stigma and discrimination against children with disabilities and their families. The campaign also aims to raise awareness of the draft Law on the Status and Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which will be a milestone reform in Kosovo, if approved.

 

The highlight of this campaign will be the unveiling of a symbolic “knot” installation designed to represent the numerous and interconnected challenges facing children with disabilities in Kosovo. Open to the public for a week in the center of Pristina, this installation will serve as a visible and powerful platform for parents and children to demand change and promote inclusion within their communities.