Support to Local Governments in Serbia in the EU integration process Thematic Local Cooperation between Swedish and Serbian Municipalities
About the programme OVERALL OBJECTIVE: “Contribute to strengthened democracy, equitable and sustainable development in relation to local governance and closer ties between Serbia and EU.” PURPOSE: “ Strengthened capacity of Local Governments to respond to EU accession requirements through enhanced effectiveness of SCTM to support members ´ interests and development”.
About the programme (continued) PARTNERS: Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) and SALAR/SKL International DURATION: December 2011 - December 2014 TOTAL BUDGET: SEK 32,653,250 (SEK 19,986,250 + SEK 12,667,000) COMPONENTS: (1) EU accession of Serbia and implications for LG; (2) Environmental protection; (3) Gender equality at local level; (4) Business climate; (5) SCTM capacity building.
Thematic local partnership 3 partnerships between 3 Swedish Municipalities and 3 Serbian clusters Serbian side Swedish side
Environment component (thematic partnerships) • 1.5 year projects on: Waste Management; Energy; Noise/Air Pollution; (Waste)water Management. • Action Plans with set of activities on exchange of knowledge, exposure to specific techniques, delivery of specific assistance, etc. • Should result in specific products (guidelines, procedures, analysis, policy recommendations, etc.) to be applied in a Serbian context. • Expected targets should be included within the action plan from the outset.
Expected outcomes Short-term outcomes: (1) Improved capacities of municipalities to deal with environmental issues (2) Knowledge acquired through partnerships disseminated and used for lobbying purpose Long-term outcomes: (1) Strengthened capacities of Serbian LSGs to respond to EU accession requirements (environmental protection). (2) Adoption of new methods and tools and improved level of public participation in environment-related services.
Upcoming process and responsibilities Sept 2012: Municipal Partnership Guidelines shared (includes relevant models for action plan, reporting, agreements, etc.). Sept 2012: Agreement signed by SKL International and Swedish Municipalities. 10 – 14 Sept 2012: Kick-off meeting in Serbia (visit to Serbian partner Municipalities, identification of themes for partnership action plans, introductory training, signing of Municipal Agreements). September 2012 – March 2013: Project design including Action Plan finalisation, with ‘design visits’ in Sweden and Serbia.
Upcoming process and responsibilities April 2013 – September 2014: Project implementation (including exposure visits to Serbia/Sweden, technical assistance, output development, etc.) and (quarterly) reporting. End 2014: Present outcomes at closing conference or together with SCTM and SALAR (for national policy dialogue and best practice dissemination).
Commitment/responsibilities • 1 coordinator appointed per Swedish Municipality with responsibility for implementation of project. • Bi-annual Swedish coordinator meetings (next meeting January 2013). • Politicians and civil servants engaged. • Additional expert support may be requested from SKL International on issues related to national policy dialogue in Serbia. • Swedish Municipalities sign Agreement and code of conduct with SKL International and Memorandum of Understanding with Serbian partners.
Salaries and fees • Programme replaces costs of Swedish Municipalities for participants' salaries and related costs (including politicians’ fees / benefits / possible compensation for lost income) up to an amount of SEK 5,000 per person per day. Max 4 days/month. • Overtime or travel time compensation not covered by the programme. • Municipality's human resource department verify salary and related costs for the remuneration of work on programme.
Reimburseable costs • Travel, accommodation, allowances and relevant miscellaneous costs will be reimbursed. These must comply with municipal regulations. • Gifts, presentation materials, etc. not covered. • Municipalities are expected to use travel agencies with whom they have contracts. • Cost of 1 trip/month per partnership during the 2 year period (SEK 12,000/trip). Total available for travel for each partnership = SEK 288,000. • Total available for other miscellaneous reimbursable costs (translation, interpretation, venue, etc.) = SEK 250,000.
Financial management • Coordinator with financial management responsibility • Swedish Municipalities responsible for reimbursable costs for both Swedish and Serbian Municipalities. • Swedish Municipalities invoice SKL International quarterly (including timesheets). • Copies of original receipts for reimbursable costs must be attached. • Annual audit during Feb – Mar 2013, 2014 and 2015. • Municipal Partnership Guidelines to include detailed information on financial management.
Contact persons Ryan Knox, Programme Manager ryan.knox@skl.se Martin Herold, Environment Coordinator martin.herold@markerandco.com Monica Aronsson, Financial Manager Monica.Aronsson@skl.se
Lycka till! SKL International AB Hornsgatan 15 SE-118 82 Stockholm, Sweden Phone: +46 8 452 70 00 E-mail: info@sklinternational.se
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