EU PROGRES in Surdulica Last updated оn 31 March 2014 BASIC INFO ABOUT MUNICIPALITY Population: 20,265 people * Interesting facts about Surdulica Geographic area: 628 km2 The Vlasina Lake lies on the Vlasina highland, a Average salary: 39,916 RSD unique natural reserve with rich wildlife, rare Unemployed: 3,239 people species of migrating birds, and fish. Municipal Budget: 812,362,500 RSD *Data as per the 2011 census This highest and the biggest artificial lake in Serbia, is known for its crystal clear waters, and Municipality of Surdulica Kralja Petra I 1 floating peat islands. 17530 Surdulica +381 (17) 815 041 www.surdulica.org “EU PROGRES contributes to EU PROGRES IN SURDULICA Serbia’s accession to European Union, while developing our municipality. Surdulica has extraordinary cooperation with EU 11 Projects PROGRES, implementing Number of projects approved infrastructure projects, developing plans and bettering the work of administration, which improved 1 Inter-municipal project the quality of lives of the citizens.” Number of projects approved Novica Tončev Mayor of Surdulica 560,557 Euros Total value of approved projects Programme funded by EU Implementing partner RECENT SUCCESS More Sports in New Hall The first Sports Hall in Surdulica was successfully constructed with support worth 100,000 Euros, from the European Union and the Government of Switzerland through the EU PROGRES. In Surdulica, more than 900 athletes did not have appropriate winter training conditions but had to resort to school gymnasiums. The new Sports Hall provides better conditions for football, basketball, volleyball, karate, boxing and other sports trainings. Constructed at the auxiliary pitch of the local stadium, the new Hall is important for the children and the youth. It is also accessible to disabled persons, who did not have the opportunity to practice anywhere in town. It is expected that the new amateur clubs will be established, offering recreation to citizens of Surdulica. LIST OF EU PROGRES PROJECTS IN SURDULICA Good Governance Municipal Co-funding EU PROGRES funds Status Project Cycle Management Training Twelve participants, from ten local institutions passed the Project Cycle Management training. In addition, 40 people, mainly youth, Roma and disabled, gained work experience in the local 743 Euros 5,973 Euros administration by volunteering for two months. This contributed to Completed strengthening capacity of human resources in the local public institutions and encouraging citizens’ involvement. Info Spot for Vlasina Lake and Surdulica The launch of a portal for online hotel reservations, which is a part of the newly established Info Spot, gives tourists access to all relevant information about Surdulica and the Vlasina Lake. As a result, the 1,584 Euros 8,245 Euros number of calls to the Tourist Organisation of Surdulica increased by Completed 10% and additional four people were employed. Free Legal Assistance to Roma Through direct support from the project, and subsequent funding from the Municipality, 308 Roma were given free legal assistance to obtain identity and healthcare cards. The identity cards meant that 1,843 Euros 8,754 Euros 100 Roma could travel and get seasonal jobs, while two students Completed received scholarships for the high school. Supporting Women Entrepreneurship with Start-up Grants This project supported female entrepreneur through provision of - 2,081 Euros equipment for manufacturing of unique jewellery. Completed Municipal Management and Development Planning Municipal Co-funding EU PROGRES funds Status Detailed Regulation Plans for the border crossing “Strezimirovci” and the street in the Industrial Zone “Belo Polje” The detailed regulation plans enabled the construction in the Industrial Zone and at the border crossing. This should increase local 4,653 Euros 8,039 Euros economic development and investments by 5% within five years of the Completed end of the project. LIST OF EU PROGRES PROJECTS IN SURDULICA Municipal Management and Development Planning Municipal Co-funding EU PROGRES funds Status Local Tax Administration office in Surdulica There was an increase of revenue by 59% from property tax for legal entities, and 10% from individuals. Four people were temporarily 810 Euros 7,159 Euros Completed employed to update the taxpayers’ database. Introduction of the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System The certification of Surdulica municipality completed in October 2013. The introduction of the Quality Management System and the Environ- - 6,169 Euros ment Management System ensured standardised quality of service Completed delivery to the citizens and identification and monitoring of impact on the environment. Infrastructure Municipal Co-funding EU PROGRES funds Status Construction of an indoor sports facility More than 900 athletes in Surdulica do not depend on weather Co funding 42,242 conditions any longer, as they can practice in the new Sports Hall Euros + Facilitate around the year. This is especially important for the basketball and investment 88,088 100,000 Euros Completed volleyball players, karate athletes and boxers who achieved numerous Euros prizes in the national and European competitions. The new venue is also accessible to people with disabilities. Water supply system in the Jelašnica settlement The construction of the new water supply network enabled connection of 350 families, out of which 150 are Roma, to the system. 50,533 Euros 253,101 Euros So far, people in Jelašnica used various uncontrolled private water Completed wells, which led to frequent outbreaks of jaundice and other infectious diseases. Improvement of health services in the Specialist Hospital for Pulmonary Diseases By procuring diagnostics medical equipment for early detection and treatment of pulmonary diseases, the Specialist Hospital is able to 827 Euros 94,594 Euros increase its capacity by 40%. Over the past years, due to the obsolete Completed equipment, patients travelled to other hospitals, which augmented the costs of treatment. Branding of Areas Municipal Co-funding EU PROGRES funds Status Branding of the Vlasina Lake The construction of the bird watching points, playground for children, sunbathing platforms, swings, barbecue spots, benches, placement of eco-recycling bin and Info desk at the Lake contributed 2,269 Euros 29,626 Euros to development of nature-based tourism infrastructure, and should Completed lead to increase in the number of tourists and overnight stays. Total for all projects 105,504 Euros 523,741 Euros Inter-municipal projects Municipal Co-funding EU PROGRES funds Status Improvement of the fruit production in the Pčinja District The provision of 202,247 seedlings of cherry, apple and plum to fruit producers in seven municipalities of the District, the construction of the experimental orchard in Vladičin Han and organization of the - 257,715 Euros trainings for producers. Besides Surdulica, this project included Completed municipalities of Vladičin Han, Bujanovac, Trgovište, Bosilegrad, Preševo and Vranje. Total for all inter-municipal projects - 257,715 Euros Office in Novi Pazar Office in Prokuplje Office in Vranje Kragujevačka 1, 36300 Novi Pazar Timočka 4, 18400 Prokuplje Kneza Miloša 52, 17500 Vranje Tel: +381 (0)20 337 300, 337 301 Tel: +381 (0)27 333 125, 32 99 72 Tel: +381 (0)17 40 55 44, 40 55 45 Fax: +381 (0)20 411 032 Fax: +381 (0)27 32 99 73 Fax: +381 (0)17 40 55 46.