The Information campaign concerning the Second Call for project proposals of the Bulgaria-Serbia IPA Cross-border Programme has been launched on the 5^th of December 2011 at the “Dedeman Princess” hotel (“Europe” hall) in Sofia. The campaign has been organized by the Joint Technical Secretariat of the Programme in cooperation with the Managing Authority and the National Authority.

The main goal of the campaign has been to present to the potential beneficiaries from Bulgaria and Serbia the possibilities for implementing joint projects aiming to strengthen territorial cohesion of the Bulgarian-Serbian cross-border region, its competitiveness and sustainability of its development through co-operation in the economic, social and environmental area over the administrative borders.

Within the ongoing information campaign, newspaper advertisements have been published in two national newspapers (one in Bulgaria and one in Serbia), series of radio advertisements have been aired on two national radio stations (one in each country) and four information days have been held (two in each country). Along with the one organized in Sofia, an information day has been organized in Montana (Bulgaria) on the 6^th of December at the Municipality Youth House. The two information days in Serbia have been organized on the 7^th of December in Nis (hotel ““Svrlizhanka”) and on the  8^th of December in Bor (hotel “Albo”).

During the information days the representatives of the Managing Authority, National Authority, and the Joint Technical Secretariat have presented to the participants the basic goals of the Programme as well as the concrete application rules under the Second Call. Special attention has been given to questions concerning the eligibility of applicants, activities and expenditures.

The information days have attracted significant public and media attention. More than 480 people participated in the seminars including the representatives from the local and regional administration, educational and cultural institutions, NGOs, and other, as well as regional media (newspaper, radio, and television).

In order to help all the organizations that would like to apply with a joint project under the Second Call for project proposals of the Bulgaria-Serbia IPA Cross-border Programme a partner search forum is organized in Pernik (Bulgaria) on the 14^th of December 2011. 

The forum is organized in the Pernik Palace of culture, (“Krakra” Square, no. 1) from 10:00 to 15:00 h. More information about the upcoming forum can be found HERE.