Partner Search Forum under the Second Call for project proposals of the Bulgaria-Serbia IPA Cross-border Programme was held on the 14^th of December 2011 at the Pernik Palace of culture. The event has been organized by the Joint Technical Secretariat of the Programme in cooperation with the Managing Authority and the National Authority.

The goal of the forum has been to present the basic principles of partnership and joint preparation of project proposals, as well as to give the opportunity to the future applicants for meeting in person the potential partners from both Bulgaria and Serbia.

Around 150 participants from various organizations and institutions from the cross-border region participated in the event (representatives of regional and local administration, branch organizations, educational, cultural and health institutions, nature parks, NGOs and other).

Regional governor of Pernik region, Mr. Ivo Petrov, welcomed the participants and wished them a lot of success in joint preparation and implementation of projects.

The event attracted attention of both local media and the Bulgarian national radio.