The first Regional Consultative Forum for the preparation of Bulgaria – Serbia IPA Cross-border Programme 2014 – 2020 brought together wide range of stakeholders who have expressed their opinion on the results of the situation and SWOT analysis in regards to the challenges and opportunities for cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and Serbia and on the possible thematic prioritisation of the new bilateral programme. 

The Forum was held between 5^th and 14^th of March 2014, covering all 13 NUTS-III regions in the programme area. The events were hosted by the respective Municipal/District administrations.

The regional meetings were attended by 257 participants representing municipalities, regional and national administration/public institutions, regional NGOs, educational and other relevant institutions. The agenda covered the following major themes:

• Presentation of the most recent monitoring data from implementation of the current (2007-2013) IPA CBC Programme between Bulgaria and Serbia.
• Presentation of the results of the situation and SWOT analysis – a long term vision (2014-2020) for the BG-RS border area.
• Facilitated discussion about the challenges and opportunities for cross-border cooperation between Bulgaria and Serbia.
• Presentation of the strategic framework of the future cross-border Programme (2014-2020).
• Discussion on the possible prioritisation of thematic priorities for the future IPA CBC Programme, along with potential actions that may be relevant for addressing the identified needs and challenges in the respective thematic priority areas.

The discussions were facilitated by the Consultant’s team awarded for drafting the Bulgaria – Serbia IPA Cross-border Programme 2014 – 2020: Mrs Albena Gavrilova, Mr Vladimir Pandurov and Mrs Zhechka Kalinova.

The consolidated results from the discussions on the thematic prioritisation of the new Programme show that investing in youth, education and skills; encouraging tourism and cultural and natural heritage; enhancing competitiveness, the business environment and the development of SMEs, trade and investment; protection of the environment, risk prevention and management are the most preferable priorities by both Bulgarian and Serbian stakeholders from the cross-border region.

The results from the Regional Consultative Forum together with the situation and SWOT analysis will be a ground for elaboration of the Bulgaria – Serbia IPA CBC Programme Strategy for 2014 – 2020. The JWG members will take the final decision for setting the thematic prioritisation of the Programme.

The presentations and the list of participants could be found  HERE.