Organized a regional conference "Space Without Borders - implementation of EU policies for sustainable development of local communities in Serbia"

Regional Conference "Space Without Borders - implementation of EU policies for sustainable development of local communities in Serbia" held on 4th October 2012. in Norway home in Gornji Milanovac, marked the completion of activities in the project "Strengthening Capacity of Serbian Administration for EU Accession'', that is, in two phases, implemented from December 2008. until October 2012.

This project was conducted in partnership between the European Integration Office of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Belgrade Open School. The project is financially supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Norway through the bilateral cooperation between the governments of Norway and the Republic of Serbia.

On the regional conference discussed the new opportunities provided to local communities, through EU funds and programs, further develop their potentials and resolve specific problems. At the same time, the conference was initiated discussions on the role of local government in the new financial cycle of EU programs and funds available to Serbia.

At a conference in the introductory panel participants were: His Excellency Ambassador Nils Ragnar Kamsvog, Mr. Srdjan Majstorovic, deputy director of the Office for European Integration of the Republic of Serbia, Mr. Milisav Mirkovic, president of Gornji Milanovac and Mr. Milorad Bjeletic, executive director of the Belgrade Open School.

As part of the expert panel, "Support for the Implementation of EU standards in local government through EU programs and funds," they said Natalia Matunović from the Sector for cross-border and transnational cooperation between the Office for European Integration, Marija Marinkovic, Associate Infrastructure Development Project Exchange under the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities and Ivan Knezevic, Deputy Secretary General of the European Movement in Serbia.

In addition to the conference, tere were  organized a workshop with high school students, when it touched an informal discussion about what for  youth means the European standards and values. Special attention was paid to the issues of economic development and employment, then the issues of higher education and improving the quality of life of young people in their local communities. High school students have stressed that if we want to see positive changes in society, we must first make changes in ourselves.