A public call for provision of support to agricultural cooperatives and agricultural associations has been opened as part of the activities of European PROGRES aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of local economies. European Union and the Government of Switzerland have earmarked EUR 280.000 in total for this activity, out which EUR 80.000 for the first phase and EUR 200.000 for the second phase. The deadline for the submission of applications is 22 January 2016.
In order to be eligible for support, the applicant must be an agricultural producer group registered as of 2014 either as a cooperative or as an association on the territory of 34 European PROGRES Programme LSGs that has at least ten members in active status and is not using the incentives on the same grounds from the state institutions or any other donors.
“This activity has been carefully designed to answer to specific needs of agricultural producers. The results of a survey we undertook at the beginning of this year among 110 active agricultural producer groups, demonstrated that the specialisation of primary production, availability of storage space, better work organisation and improved access to the market are the key needs of this sector.” States Olivera Kostic, Sector manager for competitiveness
The support will be implemented in two phases. The first phase involves capacity building of cooperatives and associations and covers a larger number of beneficiaries (maximum 15 producer groups). It will be implemented through the training programme and a study trip to the European Union. The second phase involves the earmarked support for the introduction of innovations and market expansion and will be limited to a smaller number of producer groups (maximum 5) that showed greatest potential during the first phase of support. The Programme encourages agricultural producer groups with members belonging to marginalized groups, including Roma and women, to participate, in line with the principle of economic empowerment and social inclusion.
European PROGRES will organise informational sessions from 7 to 14 Decemebr 2015 in Vranje, Leskovac, Prokuplje, Aleksinac, Novi Pazar, Prijepoljem Ivanjica and Knjaževac, with the goal of better acquainting cooperative and association representatives with the support programme and the necessary steps - starting from application, through participation at the public call, to criteria for the selection of beneficiaries.
Further information can be found on http://www.europeanprogres.org/pozivi/sr/
