Public Call for Submission of Project Proposals

The Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM), as the implementing partner of the EU INTEGRA program – EU Support to Integrated Territorial Development (funded by the European Union through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance – IPA III and implemented under the leadership of the Ministry of European Integration, as the key national institution) announces a Public Call for the submission of local development project proposals.

Program Objective

The program, implemented by the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities (SCTM) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), aims to support implementation of the European model of integrated territorial development in Serbia through concrete projects based on already developed territorial strategies.

The program promotes:

• A multi-sectoral approach
• Local partnerships
• Development planning in line with the principles of EU cohesion policy.

This call allows local governments and their partners to implement strategies developed under the EU PRO Plus program, contributing to:

• Strengthening the institutional and operational capacity of local governments,
• Improving local services and citizens' living standards,
• Greater citizen participation in development processes,
• More balanced territorial development, and
• More efficient use of EU funds.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants:

• Local self-government units (LSGs) – cities and municipalities – that have developed territorial strategies, whether covering single or multiple LSGs.

Projects are implemented in partnership with:

• Regional development agencies,
• Institutions,
• Public enterprises,
• Educational/research institutions,
• Business associations, and
• Civil society organizations, in line with call conditions.

The lead applicant must be a municipality or city that:

1. Is located in one of the 12 areas that developed territorial strategies under the EU PRO Plus program.
2. Has established:
   • An Urban Area Development Council, and
   • A Project Coordination Unit.

Territories Covered by the Call

Five territories covered with territorial strategies targeting more than one LSG - urban areas:

1. Kragujevac with municipalities: Aranđelovac, Batočina, Knić, Lapovo, Rača, Topola
2. Niš with municipalities: Gadžin Han, Merošina, Svrljig
3. Pirot with municipalities: Babušnica, Bela Palanka, Dimitrovgrad
4. Užice with municipalities: Bajina Bašta, Čajetina, Požega, Priboj
5. Zaječar with municipalities: Boljevac, Knjaževac, Sokobanja

Seven territories covered with territorial strategies targeting a single LSG - urban areas: Bor, Kruševac, Leskovac, Loznica, Novi Pazar, Smederevo, and Šabac

Thematic Areas and Types of Projects

Projects must align with one or more of the five priority thematic areas, in accordance with EU Cohesion Policy 2021–2027 Goals:

1. Strengthening Urban Identity

2. Advancing Green and Energy Transition & Urban Mobility

3. Fostering Innovative and Smart Economy

4. Enhancing Social Well-being

5. Improving Urban and Territorial Development Governance

Project duration: Minimum 18 months, maximum 21 months.

Only projects with completed technical documentation in accordance with the Law and requirements of this call, and which are fully ready for implementation within the stipulated timeframe, will be eligible for this call.

The call is open for integrated, multi-sectoral projects which provide through a sustainable approach community needs – from improving public spaces, infrastructure, and services to encouraging economic development and social inclusion.

Details about eligible topics, activities, and evaluation criteria are available in the Guidelines for Grant Applicants, accessible at the bottom of the original webpage.

Financial Framework

Total budget for this call: €4,720,000

Grant amount per project:

• €500,000 to €1,500,000 for projects related to strategies covering multiple local self-governments (LSGs)
• €100,000 to €500,000 for strategies covering a single local self-government (LSG)

EU co-financing: between 55% and 80% of eligible costs; the rest must be secured from other sources.

INFO Days

To provide additional support for development of project proposals, SCTM will conduct INFO Days for all interested parties.

First sessions:

• July 21 in Kragujevac – Business Innovation Center BIC Kragujevac, Trg Topolivaca 4
  Registration link: INFO Day – Kragujevac 
• July 22 in Niš – Serbian-Korean Information Access Center SKIP, Trg Kralja Milana 8
  Registration link: INFO Day – Niš
• 9 September in Niš starting at 11.00  – Serbian-Korean Information Access Center SKIP, Trg Kralja Milana 8. The interested applicants may register on the link: Registration link: INFO Day – Niš, while Zoom link for online participation will be shared with registered participants.

For additional information, interested applicants can contact the SCTM every working day until 17 October, 2025 by e-mail at pitanja.integra@skgo.org

Application Process and Deadline

Applications must be submitted in both printed and electronic formats (USB), in person or by post, no later than November 7, 2025, to the following address:

Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities – SCTM
Makedonska 22/VIII
11000 Belgrade, Serbia

Late or misdirected applications will not be considered.