14th Meeting of the Stakeholders Group for the cross-border region of “Drina-Tara”, 14 December, 2016 in Rudo, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina

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NETWORKING OF RASPBERRY PRODUCERS IN THE CROSS-BORDER REGION OF “DRINA-TARA”

The main objectives of the 14^th Stakeholders Group Meeting held on 14^th December in Hotel “Comsar” in Rudo, B&H, was to present the outcomes of the First call of the ABD Grant Scheme, within the LEIWW project; ongoing and realized activities within the EU project: “Fostering regional cooperation and balanced territorial development of Western Balkan countries in the process towards EU integration”, and presentation of the work of the Cooperatives “Uvac-Rudo” as example of good practice.

The meeting was opened and welcomed by Mr. Rato Rajak, Mayor of the Municipality of Rudo. He stated that SWG provided great support in the previous period, which is very important for sustainable development of the rural economy of the Municipality of Rudo. The meeting was as well attended by Mrs Milanka Malovic, representative of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management of the Republic of Srpska.

During the meeting, in brief, were presented the objectives of the grant call, the area of implementation, financial framework, type and dynamic of financing, and the list of projects approved for financing in the cross-border region of “Drina-Tara”.

Till the end of the fourth phase of the implementation of the Area Based Development Approach (ABDA), within the People-to-People activities in CBR “Drina-Tara”, two regional events will be supported. During February and March, SWG in cooperation with FAO will organize workshops for the interested stakeholders.

Mr. Nenad Ljubojevic, Director of Cooperatives “Uvac-Rudo”, grant beneficiary from two ABD Grant schemes, presented the process of establishment of Cooperatives in Rudo, its functioning, purpose, need for integration of agricultural producers and future plans.

After the presentation, a facultative visit was organized to the Cooperatives in Rudo. Municipality of Visegrad is interested in establishment of Cooperatives in Visegrad, which was welcomed by the members of Cooperatives from Rudo and they are willing to provide all necessary advisory support.

This activity is part of the EU funded project: ”Fostering regional cooperation and balanced territorial development of Western Balkan countries in the process towards EU integration” implemented by SWG.