Toward grant applications: Information Sessions held in Pljevlja and Berane

Sessions in Serbia, the Joint Technical Secretariat for Cross-border Programme Serbia- Montenegro (JTS) with support of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia and Ministry for European Integration of Government of Montenegro organized information sessions on Thursday in Pljevlja, and on Friday 17 July 2009 in Culture Centre in Berane. "The main goal of the mentioned events was to provide detailed information to potential applicants concerning the rules of the Call and detailed information on the Application Package. More than 100 attendees, representatives of governmental agencies, municipal authorities, local institutions, organizations related to regional development, cultural and educational institutions, NGO’s and tourism oriented organizations from the Programme eligible area took participation in the Information Sessions. In welcoming introduction, Mr. Darko Kasalica Ministry for European Integration Montenegro, said that the Cross-border programmes having the need to develop and strengthen cross-border connections with the aim of promoting good neighborly relations and the sustainable economic and social development in the eligible areas. Enrique Aguardo Asenjo of the Delegation of the European Commission to Montenegro, reminded that the Cross-border programmes in this area are very interesting for the Commission, in context of willingness to be a part of the European Union, by all countries. Each proposal must always have two cross-border applicants acting in a partnership. Each applicant will act as the lead partner for the part of the action financed from the IPA CBC financial allocation in either Serbia or Montenegro. In the event that a project is approved for financing, each applicant will act as contracting party (the ""Beneficiary"") and sign a separate contract with the respective Contracting Authority, Mr. Denis Slatina Head of specified in his presentation of the Guidelines for Grant Applicants Recommendations to award a grant are always subject to the condition that the checking process which precedes the signing of the contract does not reveal problems requiring changes to the budget (for instance arithmetical errors, inaccuracies or unrealistic costs and other ineligible costs). It is therefore in the applicant's interest to provide a realistic and cost-effective budget, said Mr. Mithat Bahović, Task Manager, JTS, representing Logical Framework Approach, Budget. Mr. Goran Prebiračević,Task Manager, JTS/Antenna, talking details about the Application Form, explained steps in assessment grid. First step is opening session and administrative check, after that evaluation of the concept note, step three evaluation of the full Application Form, and at the end eligibility verification. The second part of the Information Session was reserved for questions and discussions about the issues identified by potential applicants. Representative of the Delegation of the European Commission to Montenegro Mr.Enrique Aguardo Asenjo and representatives of the JTS, answered on many questions and tried to clarify all the details, but official answers will be published on the Programme website, section FAQ, once they are confirmed by both Delegations of the European Commission (in Serbia and Montenegro), no later than 11 days before closing of Call. JTS uses the opportunity to express gratitude to municipality of Pljevlja and municipality of Berane, and to Army Home Pljevlja and Culture Centre Berane, for assistance provided in preparation and organization of these events. Agenda Pljevlja Agenda Berane Participants Pljevlja Participants Berane Presentations Pljevlja, Berane