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Author: WeBalkans

MADE OF US campaign reaches Bosnia and Herzegovina today

Written by WeBalkans on . Posted in News.

“Made of Us – An EU-Western Balkans road trip” campaign, funded by the EU and brought to you by WeBalkans, continues this week in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  This awareness campaign aims to promote a positive image of the EU to the people of the Western Balkans, and vice versa. Its protagonists are 12 young EU and Western Balkan vloggers who travel across the region in pairs. Each of the pairs share their experiences along the way by creating their own online content.

 

The EU in Bosnia and Herzegovina hosted a media brunch today to announce the start of the journey in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Aurelie Valtat, Acting Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to BiH and Patrik Turosik, Deputy Head of Mission and Consul, Embassy of Slovakia to Bosnia and Herzegovina, welcomed the vloggers and commended them for their contribution to the promotion of the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

The vloggers, Milos Kuzmanović (@miloskuzmanov1c) from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Simona Gavalcová (@vecinko) from Slovakia, set off on their journey today. They will be on the road for a total of seven days between 9 and 15 May, showcasing the best of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as EU investments in the region. They will visit various locations, including the historic city of Travnik, human rights related projects, and tourism businesses supported by the EU.  They will be visiting the EU-prize awarded War Childhood Museum, a museum exclusively dedicated to the experience of growing up affected by war, and among the EU-funded projects, The Old Rail Trail, a project that includes establishment of a bike trail on the route of the old railway and the Encijan rafting camp which sits in the Tara River, one of the most beautiful rivers found in the Western Balkans.

 

The campaign started on 18 April and will continue until 30 May, with each week focusing on one of the WB6 partners. The vloggers will visit a total of 18 EU-supported projects, travel more than 6000 km and meet interesting and inspiring local personalities along the way, all the while showcasing the natural scenery, extraordinary landmarks and unique cultural heritage that the Western Balkans have to offer. The twelve vloggers will record their experiences using their own equipment and social media channels, translating the journey into high-quality social media and web content, photos and videos, which will be disseminated on the WeBalkans channels.

 

Don’t miss the highlights of this exciting journey – start following WeBalkans and the 12 EU and Western Balkan vloggers on Instagram now!

Revitalizing Albania’s Iconic Venetian Tower

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EU-funded Project Transforms Venetian Tower into a Multimedia Interpretation Center

The Venetian Tower is a remarkable historical defensive structure located in Durrës, Albania. It forms a part of the Byzantine fortress of Durrës, which was renowned for being one of the most powerful fortresses on the west coast of the Adriatic Sea. The current fortress is a product of the earliest construction campaigns by Byzantine Emperor Anastasius I (491–518), who hailed from Durrës, also known as ancient Dyrrhachium. The Venetian tower, constructed during the XV century, was built on top of the remains of the Byzantine tower and was armed with cannons to defend the city against maritime attacks. The tower was designed specifically for artillery and functioned as an essential observation point for the surrounding area.

This magnificent cultural heritage monument and city landmark suffered damage in the 2019 earthquake but has since undergone restoration with the support of the EU4Culture Project. The project was financed by the EU and executed by UNOPS in close cooperation with Albania’s Ministry of Culture. The restoration works, which involved multimedia equipment, were budgeted at €700,000. Furthermore, an additional EURO €300,000 was invested in developing multimedia content.

“There was no intervention on this monument for years, and the damage caused by the earthquake deteriorated the situation further. The monument would be seriously endangered without this intervention made with the support of the EU.”

Alban Ramohitaj, the Director of Durres Museum Center, explains that the 2019 earthquake caused significant damage to the Venetian Tower, both on the interior and exterior of the building. “There was no intervention on this monument for years, and the damage caused by the earthquake deteriorated the situation further. The monument would be seriously endangered without this intervention made with the support of the EU,” says Alban.

Lejla Hadzic, a Cultural Heritage Advisor at the EU4Culture project, notes that while there were no major structural problems with the tower, conservation work was necessary. “We removed all the additions that were in inappropriate materials or materials that were not compatible with the historical fabric and replaced them with the materials that are compatible and more in the vocabulary of the traditional materials and techniques that were used when the tower was initially built,” says Lejla.

In addition to conservation work, the EU4Culture project also contributed to the promotion and technological advancement of the tower. With the project’s support, the Venetian Tower has been transformed into a state-of-the-art Heritage Interpretation Center. This centre provides visitors with the opportunity to explore historical events and places through various digital and multimedia tools, such as VR headsets, digital periscopes, dome multimedia projections, and other activities that combine entertainment with a more in-depth look at the city’s ancient history.

“However, when properly utilized, restored monuments not only remain well-maintained but also serve as income generators for the cultural heritage sector.”

About the project

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.

According to conservation professionals, it is crucial that restored buildings are put to use in order to ensure their upkeep. In countries where cultural budgets are limited, neglected monuments are likely to fall into disrepair due to insufficient maintenance. “However, when properly utilized, restored monuments not only remain well-maintained but also serve as income generators for the cultural heritage sector,” says Lejla.

Lejla goes on to explain that prior to the restoration work, entry tickets were not available for the Venetian Tower. However, since the interventions, all three sites supported by the EU4 Culture Project in Durres – the Hamam, Archaeological Museum, and Venetian Tower – shall introduce entry tickets for visitors, thus contributing directly to the cultural heritage budget.

25 refugee families receive keys to new RHP homes in Serbia

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In a picturesque part of the city of Čačak in Serbia, near the banks of the river Morava, keys to 25 newly-built Regional Housing Programme (RHP) apartments were delivered to refugee families on 27 April.

 

In addition to the beneficiaries themselves, the ceremony was attended by Nataša Stanisavljević, Commissioner for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia; Gerhard Salzer, Programme Manager at the European Union Delegation to Serbia; Milun Todorović, Mayor of Čačak, and Dušan Kovačević, Head of the Public Sector Projects Implementation Unit Ltd., amongst others.

 

Congratulating the beneficiaries on their new homes, Commissioner Stanisavljević also proudly shared the achievements of the Commissariat for Refugees and Migration of the Republic of Serbia (KIRS) with regard to the delivery of new housing units under the RHP: “In the coming weeks, we will gradually exceed the number of 7 000 families accommodated,” she said.

 

Gerhard Salzer, Programme Manager at the European Union Delegation to Serbia, underlined the importance of EU support for the RHP. “The EU has been supporting these activities for years to provide housing solutions for more than 30 000 people who lost their homes during the 1990’s conflicts in former Yugoslavia. The Regional Housing Programme helps to overcome the legacy of the past and open a new chapter in people’s lives,” he said.

€3 million project Perform Europe 2 to make sustainable touring a reality

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The Perform Europe consortium will be responsible for allocating 70% of the EU funding to at least 35 artistic projects through cascading grants. The project supports cross-border touring and digital distribution of performing art works and will run for 36 months in participating countries of the Creative Europe programme. Perform Europe is the EU’s response to the fact that the performing arts sector was among the worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. It follows the Perform Europe pilot project, a €2.25 million grant which ran between 2020-2022.

 

The cascading grants will be granted through an open Call to the most relevant and exemplary projects that reposition the cross-border touring and digital distribution in a more sustainable, inclusive, fair and innovative way. Perform Europe will also support inclusion, diversity, gender equality, the environment and the fight against climate change.The eligible sub-sectors are theatre, dance, performance, circus, outdoor arts and puppetry sectors (live music excluded).

 

An online platform will facilitate networking and matchmaking, collect data, explore, map and analyse how performing arts works are presented across borders and bring visibility to performing and distribution opportunities and be a repository of learning tools.

Here are the winners of the 2023 European Union Prize for Literature

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The jury of the European Union Prize of Literature (EUPL) have announced the laureates of 2023 edition of the prize at the Leipzig Book Fair. For the 2023 edition, emerging authors from 13 countries had been nominated by their country. An international jury composed of 7 literary personalities have announced the winner of the Grand prix on 28 April, at the Leipzig Book Fair.

 

Martina Vidaić, from Croatia is the winner of the 2023 edition of the EU Prize for Literature. The 5 authors who have received a mention are: Maud Simonnot from France, Ag Apolloni from Kosovo, Iida Rauma from Finland, Tõnis Tootsen from Estonia and Χάρη Ν. Σπανού (Hari N. Spanou) from Cyprus.

 

All nominated authors will be continuously promoted at European level. This will help them reach a wider and more international audience, as well as connect with readers beyond their national and linguistic borders. The 2023 selection displays a great variety of languages, countries stories, and voices. It is a perfect illustration of what EU and creative Europe stand for: openness and support to cultural and linguistic diversity within and beyond EU.

Moderate progress of the Western Balkan economies regarding the European pillar of social rights

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The Employment and Social Affairs Platform 2 (ESAP 2) project of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) presented the 2022 edition of individual economy and regional overview reports on performance of the Western Balkan (WB) economies regarding the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR)  at the two-day hybrid event „Western Balkans 4 Decent working in living“, which concluded in Skopje on 28 April 2023.

 

The reports showed that up to 40.4% of young people in the region is not in employment, education of training  (NEET). Even the lowest rate recorded in the WB is significantly higher than the EU average rate of 13.1%. Gender employment gap in the WB economies goes up to 29.4%, which is far from the EU average of 10.8%.

 

The event, organised by the RCC ESAP 2, gathered over 40 representatives of partner institutions and organisation from WB economies coming from the ministries in charge of employment and/or social affairs, representatives involved in Chapters 2 and 19 alignment with the EU, EU DG EMPL, International Labour Organisation (ILO), European Training Foundation (ETF), and other guests.

Ceremonial opening of the renovated Fetislam fortress in Kladovo

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The renovated Fetislam fortress with a reconstructed summer stage was officially opened yesterday, on April 26th, on Kladovo Municipality Day, in the presence of the President of the Republic of Serbia Aleksandar Vučić, Head of the Delegation of the European Union Emanuele Giaufret and the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Anke Konrad, Minister for European Integration Tanja Miščević, as well as Vice President of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and Minister of Culture Maja Gojković, Minister of Tourism and Youth Husein Memić, representatives of the diplomatic corps and a large number of citizens of Kladovo.

 

“Today we see the concrete results of the cooperation between the European Union and Serbia to preserve something we all care about – our common European heritage, to preserve it for our common future. After Golubac and Bač, the EU supported the restoration of the Fetislam fortress in Kladovo, another impressive fortification on the Danube and its summer stage, with co-financing from the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany. By investing in the preservation of cultural heritage and the development of tourism capacities, we are also creating opportunities for employment and economic development,” Ambassador Giaufret said.

 

The official opening was followed by the concert of “Cine and Rock” orchestra, which breathed new life into the summer stage of Fetislam fortress with its performance.

Equipment worth €940,000 as support for the transport sector in Montenegro

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“The EU and Montenegro have a common interest in identifying and addressing challenges related to the protection of the environment as well as maritime security and safety at sea,” said EU Ambassador to Montenegro Oana Cristina Popa during the ceremonial handover of equipment to the Administration for Maritime Safety and Port Management in Bar.

 

The equipment worth €940,000 is intended for search and rescue operations and the protection of the sea from pollution and represents a donation from the European Union to support the transport sector. The donated equipment was displayed to the public at the anchorage of the Montenegrin Army at the Port of Bar.

 

“This new equipment complements the one we provided to Montenegro back in 2013, which is still in use. The equipment is worth almost one million Euros and will support Montenegro to better protect the marine environment and respond efficiently in case of pollution accidents. It will also help in responding to potentially dangerous situations at sea, thus improving Montenegrin search and rescue capacities. This is especially important in the context of the migratory crisis” said Popa, adding that the EU will continue to support efforts to protect the sea and strengthen maritime security for the benefit of citizens, businesses, and ecosystems in Montenegro and the EU.

 

The new equipment includes, among other things, a multipurpose vessel for open sea, an oil collection device (skimmer), a propulsion package (diesel generator and hydraulic pump) with hoses, a floating protective barrier for collecting light oil sludge, a floating absorbent barrier, granulated absorbents, and accompanying training.

Europe Day 2023: BiH is always in the Heart of Europe

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In May 2023, Bosnia and Herzegovina will mark its first Europe Day as a candidate country for EU membership.Europe Day will be celebrated across BiH with a programme of events in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar, Brčko, Travnik and Jajce. Together, the richness of our continent’s culture, tradition and heritage will be celebrated, as well as our common goals to improve the quality of life for people across Europe.

 

In Sarajevo, celebrations will centre around the Eternal Flame building, which houses Europe House – the EU’s new centre for events and for members of the public to find out more about the EU’s activities. In front of Europe House, on 9 May at 20:00, a colourful array of young, talented BiH artists, including Zoster, Helem Nejse, Lela and Laka, Marija Šestić, Aida Aršić Mušanović and Nedim Bašić, will perform.

 

Europe House will open to the public in June 2023. Following a public competition, a new visual identity and slogan has been selected, with Ajša Beširević from Sarajevo winning the competition to design the logo and Ana Lukenda from Ljubuški winning the competition for the slogan with the proposal ‘We create together’.

 

The refurbishment of the Eternal Flame building is supported by the European Union as part of ongoing initiatives to support the renovation of cultural heritage objects and urban development in the centre of Sarajevo. The first phase – interior refurbishment – will soon be completed. The next phases foresee the reconstruction of the building’s facade, with ongoing works on urban development in the vicinity to be developed in close consultation with the local authorities.

 

Sarajevo’s renowned Meeting Point Cinema will host European Film Days from 10-19 May. The Film Days will open with a screening of the Swedish Film Cold Case (2019). Sweden is currently holding the Council Presidency of the European Union.

 

Following the events in Sarajevo, Europe Day 2023 activities will move to Travnik and Jajce, with events to celebrate the achievements of young people, civil society and entrepreneurs, as well as a classical music concert in Travnik’s historic fortress on 11 May. In Banja Luka on 13 May, to celebrate both Europe Day and European Night of Museums, there will be an open air concert outside the Museum of Contemporary Art of Republika Srpska, featuring Konstrakta and Zemlja Gruva, and Letu Štuke.

 

For children, treasure hunts will be organised in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar and Brčko, so that young adventurers can explore the richness of BiH’s natural wonders, while learning new things. In Tuzla and Mostar ‘Eurovisionaries’ events with a quiz and karaoke will take place.

 

Lastly, as a traditional, important sign of solidarity, unity and togetherness, cultural heritage sites in Sarajevo, Banja Luka, Mostar, Brčko, Travnik and Jajce will be illuminated with the EU flag on 9 May.

European Union launches the third phase of its Roma Integration programme in partnership with the Council of Europe

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The European Union is launching the third phase of the Roma Integration programme in partnership with the Council of Europe. It will contribute to the socio-economic integration of the Roma population in the Western Balkans and Türkiye. The programme will work with the governments in the region to increase their capacities to tackle challenges faced by Roma in the fields of housing, education, employment, health, civil registration, and the green and digital transition.

 

The first two phases of the programme wereimplemented by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). While the newly launched third phase will be implemented by the Council of Europe, the RCC will continue its work on Roma integration through focusing on mainstreaming the inclusion of Roma in the Western Balkans green and digital agendas, which are areas where the RCC has a leading role when it comes to coordination in the region.

 

About Phase III of the Roma Integration Programme

 

The third phase of the Roma Integration programme started its activities on 1 May 2023and is expected to last 36 months. The European Union finances EUR 2 700 000. It will support the progressive alignment with the European UnionRoma strategic framework for equality, inclusion and participation, the implementation of thenational Roma Strategies, the Poznan commitments taken by all Western Balkans leaders in 2019, and of the Council of Europe Strategic Action Plan for Roma and Travellers Inclusion (2020-2025).

 

The programme will focus on three workstreams:

  -The mainstreaming of Roma issues in relevant public policies and fight against anti-gypsyism; -Support to Roma socio-economic integrationand Roma equality in the areas of housing,education, employment, health, civil registration, and in the green and digital transition; -The reinforcement of the institutional capacities of the governments to tackle challenges faced by Roma in the region.