Preparation for implementation of Area Based Development Approach in the Western Balkans 2 nd phase Implementation period February 1 st 2014 April 30 th, 2015 Progress made in the period February 1 st, 2014 until March 31 st, 2015 "This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South Eastern Europe (SEE) and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union" March 2015 1
Progress related to the integrated economic development approach in Drina-Tara and Drina-Sava cross-border regions The main objective of the grant scheme is to strengthen integrated economic development of the region Drina - Tara and Drina - Sava, focusing on strengthening touristic offers of the region and improving production chains of agricultural and food products, improvement of tourism services through integrated projects and fostering cooperation among operators in the value chain. The approach includes the following main principles: Eligible actions to strengthen integrated economic development by supporting short-value-chain initiatives and development of new products in the agricultural / food sector and tourism services. The beneficiaries of the small grants are selected based on public calls for project proposals with clearly defined criteria. The key eligibility criteria are that beneficiaries must enter into formal partnerships, involving at least two countries and two economic sectors in the value chain. 2
2. Progress related to the integrated economic development approach in Drina-Tara and Drina-Sava cross-border regions A Call for Expression of Interest aiming at identification of potential joint offers from partners was published on February 18 th 2014 and the deadline for submission of expression of interest was March 5 th 2014. In total fourteen project ideas were submitted by the potential beneficiaries from Drina-Sava cross-border area and eleven from Drina-Tara cross-border area, out of which five to six appeared to be sufficiently mature to be ready for submission as complete projects during the call for applications. During the meetings of the Stakeholder Group of Drina-Sava region organized on March 12 th, 2014 in Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia and of the Drina-Tara region organized on March 18 th, 2014 in Visegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina detailed conditions for the upcoming call for project proposals and related issues were presented and discussed with the stakeholders. In conjunction with the stakeholder meetings, the SWG organized ABDA Info Day with potential beneficiaries for discussion of project ideas submitted on the Call for Expression of interest, as well as clarification of open issues related to the application process. Workshop on networking and partnerships was organized on April 3 rd 2014 in Drina-Sava and April 5 th, 2014 in Drina-Tara. The objective of the Workshop on networking and partnerships was to enhance the establishment of vertical cooperation between producers and service providers within the value chains. The guidelines for beneficiaries are prepared and two calls for project proposals were opened. Manual of the procedures for the ABD grant scheme, as well as manual for ABD project approval by the evaluation committee are prepared. 3
Progress related to the integrated economic development approach in Drina-Tara and Drina-Sava cross-border regions The application, evaluation and contracting processes encompass the following milestones: First Call for applications opened in the period April 7th, 2014 - May 8th, 2014. - The evaluation process of applications received during the First Call for proposals include the following milestones: - In total seven project proposals were received, three from Drina- Sava and four from Drina-Tara cross-border regions; - Project Evaluation and preliminary selection procedure of applications (Analysis 1, 2 and 3) in the period May 8 th June 30 th, 2014; - On spot ex-ante control of the potential grant beneficiaries in the period June 15 th - June 20 th, 2014; - Final decision on selection of grant beneficiaries and allocation of funds made on July 7 th, 2014; - Two project proposals approved for financing. Contracts signed with 8 beneficiaries with a total value of up to 32,980.00 EUR. Implementation of the first group of projects, as per the contracts in the period July 2014 January 2015. 4
Progress related to the integrated economic development approach in Drina-Tara and Drina-Sava cross-border regions Second Call for applications opened in the period July 7 th, 2014 - August 15 th, 2014. The evaluation process of applications received during the Second Call for proposals include the following milestones: - In total nine project proposals were received, three from Drina- Sava and six from Drina-Tara cross-border regions; - Project Evaluation and preliminary selection procedure of applications (Analysis 1, 2 and 3) performed in the period August 20th September 30th, 2014; - On spot ex-ante control of the potential grant beneficiaries performed in the period September 15th - September 26th, 2014; - Seven project proposals approved for financing; - Contracts are signed with 20 beneficiaries with a total value of up to 114.148,00 EUR. Implementation of the second group of projects, as per the contracts in the period October 2014 March 2015; - The total amount for financing of small grants within the action is estimated on up to 147.128,00 EUR. Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN is supporting the facilitation of the grant scheme implementation by providing complementary assistance of approximately $70.000 through capacity building measures targeted to the final grant beneficiaries. 5
1. Development of cycle adrenaline tourism in Middle Drina basin with total amount of the eligible costs per partnership/project in the value of 11,468.00 EUR. Specific objective: Improved services in adventure tourism by creation of integrated sports route and provision of more safety equipment for tourists. Partners will create a new touristic route for adventure sports which will keep the tourist in the region for several days. Activities will include establishment of the cycling points, marking of the cycling path, but also promotion of not categorized roads and paths, construction of Adrenalin Park and arrangements of the locations for rest of tourists. Visitors will be provided with information on the available accommodation facilities along the sports path. Promotional phase will take place simultaneously. It encompasses creation of web site, design, audio and video material, calendar of the events. Web site will have an educational value, promoting advantages of the Drina- Tara region. Cycling routes are planned is such way not to mobilize top conditioned sportsman, but also those who prefer active family holiday in all four municipalities (Bajina Basta, Ljubovija, Srebrenica, Bratunac) in the Drina-Tara region. 6
Investments are as follows: NGO Eko-rafting Club Rajska plaza, Bratunac, Bosnia and Herzegovina represented by Mr. Slavoljub Mladjenovic for procurement of 5 sets of safety belts and helmets for adults, 5 sets of safety belts and helmets for children, as well as cables, pulleys and small accessory equipment for construction of adrenaline park over river of Drina as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT - 1/ 12-05- 2014. 2,900.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 7
Touristic Organization of the Municipality of Ljubovija, Republic of Serbia, represented by Ms. Marijana Petakovic for procurement of three mountain bicycles with safety gloves and safety helmets, as well as marking of bicycle route and construction and placement of wooden signs and tables as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT -1/ 12-05-2014. 1,400.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 8
NGO Za Srebrenicu, Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina represented by Ms. Vesna Mustafic for procurement of 4 mountain bicycles and safety helmets as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT - 1/ 12-05-2014. 2,400.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 9
Public Company "National Park Tara Bajina Basta, Republic of Serbia, represented by Mr. Boban Tomic for procurement of 6 mountain bicycles and safety helmets, as well as construction of wooden shelter with two benches and one table as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT- 1/ 12-05-2014. 2,768.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 10
NGO Network for development initiatives Logosfera, Bajina Basta, Republic of Serbia, represented by Mr. Sreten Bozic for construction of web-site, placement of relevant data for the project, new touristic offer in the Drina-Tara region, cost of web-hosting, maintenance of the web-site and marketing of the new touristic offer in the Drina-Tara region as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT - 1/ 12-05-2014. 2,000.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 11
2. Sweet souvenir with reference number DT-2/13-05-2014 with total amount of the eligible costs per partnership/project in the value of 21,512.00 EUR. Specific objective: Improved processing and production technologies and touristic offer through development of new gastro products Sweet souvenir. Sweet souvenir is a new gastro product made from domestic plum variety Pozegaca which will be processed with new purchased equipment with advanced innovative technologies. Plum will be processed in drying facility and afterwards used for further processing treatment. Agricultural Cooperative Uvac Rudo is producing dry plum, that are going to be sold to Sirogojno Copmany and Fenix slatka kuca for further processing treatment. New product Sweet souvenir plum candies coated in chocolate and plum cake will be distributed to tourists in key destinations with possibilities for exporting. Three partners on the project will introduce and develop new products during the project which will have direct impact on growth of revenues, production quantity and sales. Investments are as follows: 12
Sirogojno Company d.o.o from Cajetina, Republic of Serbia for procurement of machine for production of chocolate coated fruits and production of chocolate candies, as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT-2/ 13-05-2014. 7,900.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 13
Agriculture Cooperative Uvac-Rudo, Rudo, Bosnia and Herzegovina for procurement of drying machine, as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT- 2/ 13-05-2014. 7,616.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 14
Feniks Slatka kuca d.oo.o Zlatibor, Cajetina, Republic of Serbia for procurement of packaging machine, preparation of stand for sales of final joint product, as well as procurement of packages for the final product as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT- 2/ 13-05-2014. 5,996.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 15
3. Adventure tourism on river Tara and Lim with total amount of the eligible costs per partnership/ project in the value of 12,818.25 EUR. Specific objective: Improved organic food production and services in adventure tourism by provision of better equipment and diversification of the offer of meals for tourists. All three grant beneficiaries have been operating for over 10 years and are linked to each other for having the same target groups of tourist, such as tourists from Serbia, Montenegro and abroad. Adventure tourism is connected to mountain rivers in Serbia and Montenegro and this type of recreation becomes increasingly popular. Tourists interested for rafting on rivers of Lim and Tara will be hosted in local camps, rural households where the local organic food will be served. Investments are as follows: 16
Entrepreneur for recreational activities Simo-Raft, Prijepolje, Republic of Serbia for procurement of one rafting boat for nine persons with accompanying equipment presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT- 05/15-08-2014. 3,948.75 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 17
Macanović Zeljko, farmer, Pljevlja, Montenegro for procurement of grinding line for buckwheat and other grains as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT-05/15-08-2014. 4,920.75 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 18
NGO Da zazivi selo, Pljevlja, Montenegro for procurement of one rafting boat for nine persons with accompanying equipment as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT-05/15-08-2014. 3,948.75 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 19
4. Promotion of food, beverages and tourism destination of Tara and Drina through integrated tourism product and total amount of the eligible costs per partnership/project in the value of 19,795.50 EUR. Specific objective: Improved presentation of the most recognizable local products which are linked to the River Drina and Tara Mountain through enhancement of capacity and tourist offer in the region. Project activities will contribute to a better presentation of the most recognizable local products, which are linked to the River Drina and Tara Mountain. The traditional local food products like dairy products, dried meat and fish, homemade brandies will be promoted and served in Hotel Andricev konak in Visegrad and in Mountain cottage "Tara" on Tara Mountain. Common presentation of tourist facilities and integration in one tourist product will grip additional revenues from tourism and direct sales. 20
Investments are as follows: Hotel "Andricev konak", Visegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina for procurement of convection oven, dishwasher and restauration of facade as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT-06/15-08-2014. 7,600.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 21
Rural household Mijailovic, Bajina Basta, Republic of Serbia for establishment of info degustation center, particularly for procurement of equipment (4 wooden shelves and 2 wooden cabinets, exhibition stand, exhibition sideboard) and training center (computer, 2 LCD TV, 8 tables, 24 chairs, 30 conference chairs and 6 montage tables) as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT-06/15-08- 2014. 7,697.50 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 22
"Eko-Drina", Bajina Basta, Republic of Serbia for procurement of vacuum packaging machine for fish, tank for storage of fish as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT-05/15-08-2014. 4,498.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 23
5. Magic Touristic Ring and total amount of the eligible costs per partnership/project in the value of 17,955.00EUR. Specific objective: Improved tourism accommodation facilities and tourism services and diversification of tourism offer and services in Drina-Tara region through unique Magic Tourist Ring. Magic Tourist Ring is a value chain between tourism service providers and tourism accommodation services in 'Drina-Tara cross-border region. Tourism workers from Uzice, Bajina Basta and Visegrad recognized importance of the joint attractions and worked partially on development of Magic Tourist Ring, idea which is initiated and presented among them several years ago. The territory covered by the Magic Touristic Ring is rich in natural beauties and historical values. Through the ABDA grant scheme the realization of the initiate started and operators will connect segments of tourist offer from Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in various designed programmes within the Magic Tourist Ring. 24
Investments are as follows: Amigo travel doo, Uzice, Republic of Serbia for reconstruction and adaptation of accomodation capacities in the household locatad on Mendino brdo as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT-07/15-08-2014. 7,990.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 25
Tourism Organization of the City of Uzice for procurement of Info totem (hardware, software, installation of the information distributive system) on Mecavnik, as well as promotion of the product Magic touristic ring, as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT-07/15-08- 2014. 4,858.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 26
Aura doo, Višegrad, Bosnia and Herzegovina for procurement of 6 air-conditioners, 12 LCD TV, 9 mini-bar fridges, 1 washing machine with dryer, 15 mattress as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT-07/15-08- 2014. 5,107.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 27
6. The improvement of capacity and competitiveness through development and introduction of new product "Neven shampoo and total amount of the eligible costs per partnership/project in the value of 12,399 EUR. Specific objective: Improved processing production and technologies through introduction of new product Neven Shampoo. In cooperation with Association for collecting and proceeding of medicinal herbs Boljanici from Pljevlja that will cultivate marigold on their land, Entrepreneur Neven, Rudo will finalize production of new product that will be launched on the market Neven Shampoo. These two partners will continue cooperation after finalization of planned project activities. Investments are as follows: 28
Artisans company Neven from Rudo, Bosnia and Herzegovina for procurement equipment for production of shampoo (homogenizer, mixing machine and filling machine for creamy products with dozer) as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT-09/15-08-2014. 6,016.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 29
Investments are as follows: NGO Association for collecting and proceeding of medicinal herbs Boljanici, Pljevlja, Montenegro for procurement of cultivator, plough, tiller, filling machine for soap and small laboratory equipment as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DT-09/15-08-2014. 6,383.00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 30
Projects in Drina-Sava cross-border region 1. Innovative small business bigger competitiveness of the region and total amount of the eligible costs per partnership/ project in the value of 15.043,16 EUR. Specific objective: Development and improvement of existing agricultural production processes and introduction of innovative products in the integrated value chain. With project realization, all three partners will have improvements in the value chain of agricultural production and creation of better conditions on the market of agricultural products in the "Drina-Sava" region. Project partner Agricultural household "Sladjan Papic" and Agricultural household "Salih Badzic" will reduce their production costs and through their partner PG Vrbanja will ensure a save placing on the market, by developing new products. Foreseen activities: reduce costs and increase production of fruit through purchasing of agricultural mechanization; production of new product through purchase of machines for fruit processing; reduce costs and increase agriculture production through purchasing agricultural mechanization; establishment of sustainable partnership through joint performance on the market. Investments are as follows: 31
Projects in Drina-Sava cross-border region Agricultural household Sladjan Papic, Macvanska Mitrovica, Republic of Serbia for procurement of agriculture mechanization cultivator with mower, mobile chipper for biomass, a mill for crushing biomass as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DS-4/ 15-08-2014. 5.070,00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 32
Projects in Drina-Sava cross-border region Agricultural household "Vrbanja", Vrbanja, Republic of Croatia for procurement of equipment for fruit processing: one electric pasteurizer, one filling machine for pasteurized juice and two containers as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DS-4/ 15-08-2014. 6.872,06 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 33
Projects in Drina-Sava cross-border region Agricultural household Salih Badzic, Brcko, Bosnia and Herzegovina for procurement of agriculture mechanization: one moto-cultivator, one trailer and one rotating digging machine and plow as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DS-4/ 15-08-2014. 3.101,10 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 34
Projects in Drina-Sava cross-border region 2. Three countries one journey and total amount of the eligible costs per partnership/project in the value of 17.877,50 EUR. Specific objective: Enhancing the overall development of the region "Drina-Sava" through the establishment of an integrated approach to economic development - creating a solid connection between the partners throughout the value chain. Through the exhibition stand the partners will promote their new products and tourist offer on local trade fairs, joint outings and promotions and presentations on the regional market through participation on different fairs. The expected result is the improvement of competitiveness throughout the establishment of partnership in value chain and greater integration of partners with the newly established cooperation. Foreseen activities: establishment of sustainable partnership through joint performance on the market and fairs through purchasing fair stands improvement of production process / production of new product through purchase of calibrator for prunes reducing costs of production through purchase of machines improvement of services through improvement of conditions in the rural household Investments are as follows: 35
.Overview of the projects financed under the pilot grant scheme Projects in Drina-Sava cross-border region Cluster St. Demetrius (Klaster Sveti Dimitrije) Sremska Mitrovica, Republic of Serbia for procurement of ten fair stands with tent cover, one mobile promotional stand and preparation and print of one thousand promotional catalogues as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DS-5/ 15-08-2014. 6.669,00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 36
Projects in Drina-Sava cross-border region Vocar d.o.o., Gornji Rahic, Bosnia and Herzegovina for procurement of one calibrator for prunes (dried plums) and one vertical mashing (pureeing) machine as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DS-5/ 15-08-2014. 8.000,00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 37
Projects in Drina-Sava cross-border region Rural household Nedeljka Fruk, Vrbanja, Republic of Croatia for improvement of conditions of the accommodation facility - procurement and installation of one entrance door, one room door and two three parts windows with shutters as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DS-5/ 15-08-2014. 3.208,50 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 38
Projects in Drina-Sava cross-border region 3. Trail of Progress and total amount of the eligible costs per partnership/project in the value of 18.260,33 EUR. Specific objective: Contribution to improving the competitiveness of the local economy cross-border region "Drina-Sava" through improvement of production processes and quality control by introducing new technologies. Project partners "ZZ Brka" in cooperation with the Beekeepers Association of Municipality of Nijemci Grac will produce a new product dry plum in honey which will be served and promoted in the Agriculture household Konak Misic. The partner will promote each other on fairs, and through a web site that will be established by one of the partners of the project. This will contribute to improving the competitiveness of the local economy through improvement of production processes and quality by introducing new technologies. Foreseen activities: achieve better control and quality of the final product through procurement of equipment for finalization of dried fruit; launching new product through procurement of equipment; improvement of tourism services in rural household through procurement of equipment for the kitchen; establishment of partnership through joint promotions on fairs and adapted web site; improvement of manufacturing process of existing products through purchasing of equipment. Investments are as follows: 39
Projects in Drina-Sava cross-border region Agriculture Cooperative Brka from Brka, Bosnia and Herzegovina for procurement of processing line for rehydration of dried fruit which includes: one batch re-hydrator, one table for squeezing and aging, ten working tables with equipment for manual extraction of seeds, one leaning conveyor with receiving box, one rotating spray conservator of pitted prunes, one inspection conveyor and one inspection table, as well as one machine for production of fruits with honey and chocolate and two manual packaging machines, as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DS-6/ 15-08- 2014. 8.000,00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 40
Projects in Drina-Sava cross-border region Beekeepers Association Grac from Municipality of Nijemci, Republic of Croatia for procurement of beekeeping equipment which includes: one hand pressing machine for production of honeycomb bases, one steam wax melting machine, one sugar mill, one mixer for production of beebread, one digital refractmeter, three manual honey heaters, two honey extracting machines and three beekeeping scales as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DS-6/ 15-08-2014. 3.384,33 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 41
Projects in Drina-Sava cross-border region Agriculture household Konak Misic, Trsic, Republic of Serbia for procurement of: Kitchen furniture which includes: one kitchen table for preparation of food, one lower kitchen cabinet for dishwasher, one stove and working pad, one lower kitchen cabinet for washing vegetables, one upper kitchen cabinet, one pantry shelve, one lower cabinet, one dining table and one sitting furniture set; Kitchen appliances which includes: one mounting gas hob, one mounting oven, one hood, one laundry washing machine, one laundry drying machine, one hand blender, one vacuum cleaner, one mixer, one salami shredder, one meet shredders, one combined refrigerator, one deep freezer and one portable air conditioner; 42
Equipment for the preparation and serving food which includes: 24 spoons, 24 knifes, 24 forks, 12 bowls, 24 deep dishes, 24 shallow dishes, one 30 cm frying pan with a lid, one 24cm frying pan with two lids, one 28cm bowl with two lids, one low 24cm bowl, one high 24cm bowl, one 28cm pot, one colander and one lasagne pan; and Presentation equipment which includes: one laptop computer and one touristic presentational stand as presented in the approved project application with SWG registration number DS-6/ 15-08-2014. The total amount of the grant awarded under the Contract is up to 6.876,00 EUR which is up to 75% of the total eligible costs for the 43