Kick-off Meeting Belgrade, 4-5 December 2008

1. Network of Centres for Project Development and Management Kick-off Meeting Belgrade, 4-5 December 2008

2. EU PARTNERS: Promos, Italy Special Agency of the Milan Chamber of Commerce for International Activities Czech Chamber of Commerce WB PARTNERS : Serbian Chamber of Commerce Economic Chamber of Macedonia The Chamber of Economy of Montenegro Partners for Investment promotion Project: Network of Centresfor project development and management

3. Current Situation/Main Problemsin WB countries • Insufficient institutional capacities of the Western Balkan Chamber network, ministries, institutions and companies in terms of trained personell and limited practical experience in the field of project management process and elaboration of project proposals • Insufficient number of employees in the WB chamber network engaged in project management as a regular activity • Fluctuation, loss and bad motivation of trained personell • Unsatisfactory communication and co-operation with relevant ministries, institutions and stakeholders regarding the project proposal and coordination of joint projects

4. Current Situation/Main Problemsin WB countries • Competition to obtain resources from EU funds and programs is fierce • Financial resources are granted those programs/projects that have been well planned in advance • Complicated procedures are related to: public procurement, preparation of project documentation, contracting and supervision of project implementation

5. General Objectives • Capacity building and strengthening Western Balkan Chambers (WBC - Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Economy of Montenegro, Economic Chamber of Macedonia) in project management • administrative resources • improving skills and knowledge • project planning, drafting, submitting, implementation, evaluation • Developing long-term co-operation through training, transfer of knowledge, expertise and best practice provided by EU Chambers (Promos, Italy and Czech Chamber of Commerce) • Creating investors-friendly climate by providing information, assistance and support accommodating their needs

6. Specific Objectives • Strengthening the institutional and administrative capacity of the WBC through the establishment of the Network of Centres for project development and management • Extending project management capacity of the WBC via know-how transfer, study tours, consulting and specialized training • Improving competence in providing information, assistance and support to domestic and international companies which are interested in investing in WB countries

7. 1. Building-up institutional and administrative capacity of the WBC Expected results: • Improved organizational structure in the CC by forming the network of Centres and CC working teams for project development and management • Fostered chamber relationships on internal, national and international level in sustainable development and project management • Modernization in offering services by WBC

8. 2. Extending administrative capacity of the WBC Expected results: • Trained staff, improved knowledge and skills of the chamber employees in project management and project proposal preparation • Increased number of approved projects from EU funds and other support programs intended for Western Balkan countries, within the chamber network

9. 3. Providing information, assistance and support to economic entities Expected results: • Professional assistance for obtaining credit facilities provided to domestic companies, above all SMEs • Growth in business-to-business activities between the EU and Western Balkan companies • Increased number of joint projects of the public, private and non-governmental sector

10. Activities • WBC are planning to organize 4 Round Tables in WBC during the implementation period • Creating CC’s working Team for project management • Training needs analysis in the Western Balkan Chambers in the area of project management

11. Training for WBC partners • 1st Training for WBC partners, March, 4 days, Training of chamber employees (national as well asregional CCs) on the Project cycle management The training will provide overview of PM activities: Project proposal writting, PCM, Project resources, Budget Development, Financial Reporting, Logical Matrix framework, Project implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation • 2nd Training for WBC partners, May, 2 days, Training of chamber employees (national as well asregional CCs) on the EU funds project management (IPA, FP7, CIP, Progres, Tempus...) • 3rd Training for WBC partners, September, 3 days Training of chamber employees (national as well asregional CCs) on the Credit facilities and project partner search

12. The Study visit in PROMOS • The Study visit in PROMOS, Milan for WBC partners, April, 4 days • Professional training, know how transfer, exchange of best practices, strengthening cooperation between the involved project partners (area: project management, FDI attraction, best practice cases) (Partner responsible: PROMOS, Milan) • Follow-up of the Study visit in PROMOS, Milan in WBC (chamber network)

13. The Study visit in Czech Chamber of Commerce • The Study visit to the Czech Chamber of Commerce for WBC partners, May, 2 days • Professional training, know how transfer, exchange of best practices, strengthening cooperation between the involved project partners (EU funds, project management, best practice cases) (Partner responsible: Czech Chamber of Commerce) • Follow-up of the Study visit in the Czech Chamber of Commerce in WBC (chamber network)

14. Conclusion of the project • Meeting in Montenegro, October, 1 day Agreement about further work and activities of Network for Centres for project development and management (sustainability) • Visit to EU Institutions in Brussels for WBC partners, 2 days In cooperation with Italian Branch Office in Brussels, Czech Representation in Brussels, SCC Representative Office in Brussels, and Eurochambres • Final Conference in Brussels, November, 1 day Presentation of the results and achievement of the objectives

15. Enhancement of cooperationbetween stakeholders • Enhancement of cooperation between Western Balkan Chambers and EU Chambers through implementation of the training program • Enhancement of cooperation with relevant national/international institutions on joint project proposal drafting • Institutions in Republic of Serbia: The Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, Ministry for State Administration and Local Self-Government, Ministry of Finance, Standing Conference of Town and Municipalities, SIEPA, Republic Agency for the Development of SMEs and others) • International institutions: World bank, EBRD, Counsel of Foreign Investors, American Chamber of Commerce, GTZ, UNDP, USAID • Establishing partnership between the Centre network and SMEs

16. Planned activities • Promotion of the EU funds and other support programs intended for Western Balkan countries through the chamber system and attracting of economic entities in using supporting programs • Providing assistance in finding project partners in the country and abroad for participation in the EU-funding programs • Offering professional assistance to the chamber system members on project proposal drafting • Promotion of developed project of Chamber system members PROJECT VISIBILITY • Dissemination of information – media promotions of the Centers network activities • CC Web sub-portal development

17. Long term partnership • Establishment of long-term partnerships between EU Chambers and Western Balkan Chambers • Enhancement of cooperation, further training activities • Facilitating the effective use and implementation of EU pre-accession funds, and other support programs for Western Balkan countries • Long-lasting effects of projectactivities after the project completion • Continuing cooperation between EU Chambers and Western Balkan Chambers in the future in order to strengthen the integration of the Western Balkan economies in the EU

18. Thank you for your attention !Your PARTNERSHIP #1 Teamorio.christian@mi.camcom.ithansl@komora.czvera.veljanovski@pks.co.yujadranka.arizankovska@euroinfo.org.mkamardjonovicpkcg@cg.yu