European Union funds as a support to the strategic planning for development of the Republic of Serbia
European Union funds as a support to the strategic planning for development of the Republic of Serbia

Summary/Abstract: The paper attempts to propose how best to strategically use the EU funds as an instrument to stronger and improved socio-economic environment and ensuring of sustainability and it is not a time limited response to the present issues. EU is the largest and one of the most significant donors in RS. Using IPA and IPA 2, the EU will continue to secure significant resources in the period 2014-2020 but the following must be observed: increased harmonization with national goals; Strategic analysis within planning; Better coordination across stakeholder. To ensure accountability, transparency, ownership, the use of the combined bottom-up (local and regional/national level) and the top-down (national/EU level) approach in planning and implementation of the EU funds would bring multiple positive effects. The advantage of the ‘bottom-up’ approach is the specific local experience, motivation, intensive involvement and personal responsibility. The advantage of the ‘top-down’ approach is the governmental, political and institutional responsibilities, clear vision and strong leadership. A cascade of the output and outcome indicators for the financed operations should be programmed to contribute to the next level indicators. The message on how to fulfil local needs leads us to the EU accession and EU goals must be loud, clear and widely accessible. The outcome of the combined approach would be intensive joint work of the different level of government and segments of society, towards harmonised national and EU objectives that incorporate and respond to the needs of all levels.

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