August 2012Sustainable Local Development Project

The Regional Workforce Training Center in Novi Sad was created through inter-municipal collaboration.

Project funded by:

U.S. Agency for International Development; USAID/Serbia

Project implemented by:

Chemonics International;
Maxima Consulting;
Overseas Strategic Consulting Ltd.;
Berman Group

Key counterparts:

Government of Serbia ministries and offices; Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM); National Alliance for Local Development (NALED)

Where we work:

Eight IMC areas; 32 partner municipalities led by Vranje, Nis, Novi Pazar, Kraljevo, Uzice, Novi Sad, Subotica, and Zrenjanin

Project duration:

December 2010 to December 2015

Contact:

Balkanska 2

11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Phone: +381-11 205-5150
Fax: +381-11 205-5154
E-mail: info@lokalnirazvoj.rs
Website: http://www.lokalnirazvoj.rs/

BACKGROUND

USAID’s Sustainable Local Development Project is a five-year plan to work with municipalities, businesses and civil society organizations (CSOs) to improve public services and stimulate local economies. The USAID model focuses on cooperative regional solutions rather than a municipality-by-municipality approach to solving problems. USAID is establishing and strengthening Inter-Municipal Cooperation (IMC) partnerships that will raise public, private and donor funding for inter-municipal projects selected by local communities, businesses and CSOs.

ACTIVITIES

The Sustainable Local Development Project applies a strategic approach to:

  • Define, promote and realize IMC investments
    The project helps IMC partnerships access Government of Serbia, private, and donor (e.g. European Union) investment funds to finance and implement initiatives.
  • Strengthen IMC core competencies and the IMC enabling environment
    Support is provided in key areas, such as project preparation, capital investment planning, and advancing legislative and policy reforms.
  • Reinforce IMC partnerships, public participation and advocacy
    The project helps IMC clusters to forge strong partnerships with the private sector and civil society to safeguard the public interest and support youth advocacy, service delivery and employment.

RESULTS

  • Eight Inter-Municipal Cooperation partnerships have been established involving 32 municipalities, 25 businesses and 85 CSOs.
  • 47 IMC-driven initiatives have been launched in regional tourism, agriculture and industrial zone development, as well as waste management.
      • The Zrenjanin-led IMC area, as a result, leveraged $120,000 from the Government of Serbia for the development of inter-municipal tourism and agriculture projects.
  • Core competencies were built in all eight IMC areas.
  • Suggested improvements to the legal framework for IMC-area governance were submitted to the relevant ministries including draft legislation and regulations concerning public utility services, municipal property management, referendum and peoples’ initiatives, public-private partnerships (PPP) and concessions. Three regional PPP conferences were held.
  • Toolkits have been completed for the public’s participation and four potential areas for PPPs. The toolkits will improve the knowledge and skills of public officials and the quality of public services. Public participation action plans have been completed in four IMC areas involving civil society and local governments.
  • $68,000 in assistance has been provided to improve the knowledge and skills of 30 Youth Office Coordinators and to create and support regional youth umbrella organizations.
  • Career guidance training has been held for 60 youth service providers; labor market analyses have been conducted for all IMC areas.