EU PROGRES in Žitorađa Last updated оn 31 March 2014

BASIC INFO ABOUT MUNICIPALITY

Population: 16,272 people * Interesting facts about Žitorađa Geographic area: 214 km2 The old Roman city Ad Herculem and a Latin church Average salary: 34,880 RSD dating from the 4th century are located on the Pasjača Unemployed: 3,129 people mountain, near Žitorađa. The founding year of Žitorađa is Municipal Budget: 498,531,918 RSD taken to be 1877, when the region was liberated from the *Data as per the 2011 census Ottoman Empire. However, its first elementary school was Municipality of Žitorađa opened in 1873. Topličkih heroja 53 18412 Žitorađa +381 (27) 8362 211 www.zitoradja.org

EU PROGRES IN ŽITORAĐA “The experience that the local self government and all its factors gained through applying, implementation and evaluation of infrastructure projects is valuable so much that it pushes the 8 Projects extraordinary infrastructure projects constructed with the direct support of the Number of projects approved EU PROGRES into the shadow. With this approach we brought Žitorađa and all its inhabitants closer to European values and I hope that this process will not stop.” 1 Inter-municipal project Goran Stojković Number of projects approved Mayor of Žitorađa 215,495 Euros Total value of approved projects

Programme funded by EU Implementing partner RECENT SUCCESS The First Dairy Market in Žitorađa The dairy market building in Žitorađa was fully reconstructed with the financial support of the European Union and the Government of through EU PROGRES worth 79,319 EUR. This created the sanitary and hygienic conditions for the organized sale of milk, cheese and clotted cream (kajmak). The construction of the dairy market in Žitorađa started in 1997, but it was never finished due to the lack of funds. For decades, milk and dairy products have been sold at market stands without adequate conditions. On the ground floor of the new market, new premises can accommodate 20 individual milk producers, which will increase the supply and the selection of products along with the customer safety. The Public Utility Company, local community office of Žitorađa and the sanitary inspection are also located in the building, which will enhance the control of the quality and adequacy of milk and dairy products, as well as the quality of the nearby green market operation.

LIST OF EU PROGRES PROJECTS IN ŽITORAĐA

Good Governance Municipal Co-funding EU PROGRES funds Status

Citizens’ participation in budget preparation process The citizens took part in the budget preparation process and decided on the three priority projects that were included in 2013 financial plan. Out of the three projects, the repair of the floor in Sports Hall has 1,179 Euros 7,935 Euros already been completed, while the construction of sewerage and Completed water supply in local communities and improvement of agricultural production are in progress.

Citizens’ Advisory Service A total of 254 beneficiaries received free legal assistance, mainly in the field of social protection (50% of the total number of users) and 3,500 Euros 29,480 Euros issuance of personal identification (20%). More than 70% cases have Completed been resolved positively.

Improving women entrepreneurial capacities The project strengthened entrepreneurial capacities and abilities of women to improve economic independence and start self-employment. The particular focus was on women over 45 years, 326 Euros 2,474 Euros housewives, female agricultural workers and those suffering from Completed multiple discrimination. Following a training in self-entrepreneurship, the project provided free of charge stalls on the market for selected trainees to start business.

Gender Sensitive Local Politics This project supported local Gender Equality Mechanism and defining 197 Euros 1,415 Euros of gender sensitive politics on local level. Completed

Procurement of the medical equipment CTG fetal monitor and examination table was donated to Health - 6,621 Euros Centre Žitorađa in order to improve primary health care of women. Completed

Municipal Management and Development Planning Municipal Co-funding EU PROGRES funds Status

Improvement of Local Tax Administration Six people were contracted over nine months to work on the review of the old and identification of the new taxpayers in Žitorađa, which 1,350 Euros 8,560 Euros resulted in the update of the database. Compared to 2010, the Completed number of registered taxpayers increased by 1,820 and the revenue on property taxes increased by 99%. LIST OF EU PROGRES PROJECTS IN ŽITORAĐA

Infrastructure Municipal Co-funding EU PROGRES funds Status

Construction of stadium stands The construction of stands and supporting facilities on the stadium improved conditions for recreational activities for children and youth. 9,083 Euros 77,108 Euros Number of events in 2013 increased by 50% compared to the previous Completed year (72 vs. 110). Also, number of visitors was increased by 60%.

Reconstruction of dairy market The farmers can sell their produce at the reconstructed dairy market, which has better sanitary-hygienic conditions and provides appropriate 36,712 Euros 79,319 Euros storage. Žitorađa is coordinating introduction of good governance Completed principles into the management of the market, by networking with a similar project implemented in nearby .

Total for all projects 52,347 Euros 212,912 Euros

Inter-municipal projects Municipal Co-funding EU PROGRES funds Status

Operational Grant for the South Fruit Cluster South Serbia Fruit Cluster is a regional initiative that aims to support fruit producers in , Jablanica and Pčinja Districts for nine - 15,500 Euros Completed months to develop the cluster network.

Total for all inter-municipal projects - 15,500 Euros

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