Territorial governance in the Western Balkans

1. Territorial governance in the Western Balkans DG NEAR European Week of Regions and Cities October 2019

2. Confirms the European future of the region A geostrategic investment in a stable, strong and united Europe based on common values. Sets out an Action Plan with 6 flagship and 57 actions Targeting specific areas of common interest: rule of law, security and migration, socio-economic development, transport and energy connectivity, digital agenda, reconciliation and good neighbourly relations. Reflected in Sofia Declaration and Priority Agenda, both endorsed by EU28 and WB leaders at the Sofia Summit (2018) EU Strategy for the Western BalkansWhy it is so important?

3. The sixflagships

4. Enhanced support for judicial reform and anticorruption measures Our current engagement in terms of programmed and ongoing assistance for anticorruption measures exceeds 25 MEUR both at national and at regional level. • Completed negotiations of European Border and Coast Guard Agency Agreements Capacity building actions are ongoing under the “Protection Sensitive Migration” regional project and its second phase for 2019-2021. Key areas of assistance include building resilience of local communities and we are using TAIEX experts to provide advice and support the drafting, revision, and implementation of laws on asylum, migration and border management. EU Strategy for the Western BalkansA year later – what has changed?

5. Expanded Western Balkans Investment Framework The total estimated investment value of the projects in which local authorities benefit indirectly through WBIF is more than EUR 3 billion, thus representing 17% of the WBIF portfolio - it would benefit greatly from further local investmentsin environment, social and energy sectors. • A new Guarantee Facility for local investors in the region, which will provide new funding opportunities for businesses and start-ups EU Strategy for the Western BalkansA year+ later – what has changed?

6. First annual EU-Western Balkans Ministerial Meeting on social affairs and employment took place on 12 June 2019 Between 2014 and 2020 the EU has allocated close to 700 million euros of IPA funds to social sectors in the Western Balkans. These funds are supporting employment policies, social inclusion and protection, education at all levels, vocational training, youth programmes and entrepreneurship. • Double Erasmus+ funding for the region Funding for Erasmus+ is expected to increase from 33 to 66 MEUR over two years. Establishing a Youth Lab is to provide space for innovative policy making and tackling brain drain from the region. EU Strategy for the Western BalkansA year+ later – what has changed?

7. Joint Ministerial Statement on Clean Energy Transition signed Building on this Statement, the Commission will propose, in the coming year, for the Western Balkans to embark together on a “Green Agenda”. • Digital Agenda and Regional Roaming Agreement signed The EU earmarked €30 million in support of the implementation of the Digital Agenda to prepare for investments in digital infrastructure (broadband internet). Partners appointed Broadband Competence Office (BCO) contact points to take part in the EU BCO network and to advise local and regional authorities on ways to invest effectively in broadband, and help citizens and businesses get better access to broadband services. The agenda also supports the development of eGovernment, eProcurement, eHealth, digital skills, industry and cybersecurity. EU Strategy for the Western BalkansA year+ later – what has changed?

8. Deepening of links among civil societies of the Western Balkans Our commitment is to bring together civil society organizations of the region. The Civil Society Facility offers a single window of support to civil society and media freedom. • North Macedonia and Greece reached a historic agreement on the name dispute. In so many ways, this gives a new momentum for cooperation in the region. It facilitates the entry of North Macedonia into the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian region, endorsed by the Budva declaration (May 2019) EU Strategy for the Western BalkansA year later – what has changed?

9. ‘Public administration reform is paramount to strengthening governance at all levels. An appropriate balance between central, regional and local government also needs to be found.’ ‘further facilitated local partnerships between municipalities across the region with those in EU countries.’ EU Strategy for the Western BalkansWhat is the role of Local Authorities?

10. ‘Governance systems in Europe are changing to become less top down, more flexible, and involve a wider group of public and private organizations.’ (ESPON) ‘Urban areas are taking the lead on refugees, climate change, innovation and more…’ (Europe’s world) ‘Local and regional authorities are responsible for 65% of the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in Europe’ (CoR) Local Authorities as Decision makersWhat does it mean?

11. Public Administration Reform (PAR)What does it mean for Local Authorities? • PAR is the third pillar of the “Fundamentals First” approach in the enlargement process • All Western Balkan governments are implementing PAR in line with the Principles of Public Administration, which apply by analogy to local government level (e.g. inclusive policy making, merit-based HRM, accountability towards citizens, efficient service delivery, sound financial management, especially in public procurement and internal control, incl. specific requirements for local level in accession negotiation under Chapters 5 and 32) • Local authorities committed to systematic administrative reforms, mirroring the Principles of Public Administration, will be in better position to implement sector policies, deliver public services and implement the acquis upon accession

12. Our engagement of ongoing and pipeline programmes for socio-economic development in the Western Balkans to be close to 2.5 billion EUR, out of which initiatives for LAs ReLOaD - Regional Programme on Local Democracy in the Western Balkans - stimulate Partnerships between local governments and civil society. ROMACTED– Promoting good governance and Roma Empowerment at local level EU Territorial cooperation programmes (14 programmes) IPA-IPA CBC Programmes(9 programmes) Local Technical Assistance (LTA) pilot project EC support toLocal Authorities as Decision makers

13. ReLOaDRegional Programme on Local Democracy CSO Project: „Organic Soap Roskovec“, by CSO – Social Development Investment , Roskovec, Albania. Deputy Mayor of Trebinje (Bosnia and Herzegovina) meets with young people to discuss youth issues.

14. ROMACTEDGood governance and Roma Empowerment at local level

15. Regional Housing ProgrammeDurable housing solutions to vulnerable persons Joint initiative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia “I am truly stunned by and happy about the new apartment. I would like to thank all the donors from the bottom of my heart!” Šefik and Amra, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

16. European local and regional authorities promote sustainable and inclusive economic development. Smart growth - include, among others, infrastructure projects for delivering free Wi-Fi connectivity in city centres; development of ‘apps’ and interactive technologies which allow citizens and businesses to interact with local and regional government Sustainable growth - low-carbon transport, energy security, green industries and circle economy. Inclusive growth - demographic change and vulnerability sustainable housing, public services to all members of society. Local Authorities as Economic driversWhat does it mean?

17. Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) - The total estimated investment value of the projects in which local authorities (LA) benefit indirectly through WBIF is more than EUR 3 billion, thus representing 17% of the estimated WBIF portfolio of EUR 18 billion. Regional Housing programme – EUR 340 million Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (EUR 50 mllion) - EU funded incentive grant combined with a loan from a local bank for energy efficiency improvements in public buildings EC support toLocal Authorities as Economic drivers

18. Low Carbon TransportBelgrade Public Transport and Traffic Infrastructure New tram rolling stock in front of the Belgrade Railway Station leading up to the rehabilitation project of KnezaMilosa Street New tram rolling stock in the rehabilitated Kralja Aleksandra Boulevard in Belgrade

19. Wastewater TreatmentWater Supply and Wastewater Collection Systems in Pogradec, Albania Areal view of Pogradec Wastewater Treatment Plant (construction finalised 2015) View of Lake Ohrid, which benefit from the Pogradec WWTP

20. HousingPost-earthquake Housing Reconstruction in Kraljevo, Serbia Damaged residential units in Kraljevo following the 2010 earthquake Design of the ‘Pica Mala’ settlement intended to accommodate the dispossessed families

21. Health ServicesRehabilitation of Healthcare Provider Institutions in North Macedonia Children in front of the Institute for Children Lung Diseases Kozle in Skopje Construction of the Institute for Children Lung Diseases Kozle was completed in 2015

22. Business EnvironmentEnterprise Development and Innovation Facility (EDIF); Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP) Shumolli is a company that produces high quality vinyl windows and doors; it received €100,000 EDIF grant to expand production and exports VelikoGradiste in Serbia is benefitting from investments through REEP to bring energy efficient street lighting to the town

23. New guarantee instrument under the WBIF will cover investments in early-stage and innovative SMEs (digitalisation, sustainable agriculture and rural development), social entrepreneurship and non-sovereign financing at municipal level. A new regional program supporting the Covenant of Mayors in the Western Balkans and Turkey Replication of the EU Platform on coal regions in transition as an element of the Clean Energy package - for national, regional and local representatives to modernise their economies in line with a clean energy transition. New EC support forLocal Authorities as Economic drivers

24. As a conclusion Do you now seethe role of Local Authorities in WB Strategy?

25. Tanya Dimitrova Regional policy expert Centre of thematic expertise DG NEAR Thank you for your attention!