Executive Summary

Project implementation started on 6th of April 2005. after closure of contract with EAR.
First month of implementation of project was dedicated to agreement with lecturers and experts about time frame of seminars and themes that were presented to target groups.
Second and third month of realisation of the project was implementation of seminars for target groups. There were four seminars held as well as round table and TV show “Step Towards Europe”.
There were 72 participants in total in seminars. It was predicted that 80 participants will participate, but there were problems with journalists because of the floods in Banat region during spring this year, so most of the journalists were on the field reporting the results. There were around 50 citizens on round table that actively took part in implementation of this event by asking questions and giving comments. It is hard to predict how many people have watched TV show. Taking into consideration that TV Santos is Regional TV Station that covers approximately region with 650 000 citizens, and that time of broadcasting TV show was right after informative programme that has high number of viewers, it can be said that a high number of citizens were watching this show.
Changes that were made during implementation period were as follows:
Representatives of NGOs were with Syndicates, and representatives of local self government wanted to have separate seminar because they had specific questions and a lot of interested employees who wanted to participate in seminar.
- Number of people directly involved in project is in total 122. Number of people who were indirectly involved in the project is approximately 150 000 (that is number of viewers of informative programme of TV Santos )

Description of the performed activities

First activity of the project was preparation and agreement with lecturers and experts regarding themes of the seminars.

First seminar was realized on 03/04 of June 2005. in Makedonska 11 Street. Seminar was for journalists from Banat Region. Journalists were from Pancevo, Kikinda, and Zrenjanin from medias as follows:
- Weekly newspaper Kikindske from Kikinda
- Newspaper Pancevac from Pancevo
- TV Station Pancevo from Pancevo
- Media house Multi-Art from Zrenjanin
- Weekly newspaper Zrenjanin from Zrenjanin
- Radio Zrenjanin from Zrenjanin
- Newspaper Politika with branch in Zrenjanin
There was problem with journalists because of the floods in Banat region during the spring this year, so most of the journalists were on the field reporting the results and they weren’t able to participate. Title for seminar for Journalists was: “Step towards Europe – European standards in media and research journalism”.
We added theme “Research journalism” because of very high level of interests by journalists.

Themes for first day were:
- European standards in media
- Research journalism
Themes for second day of seminar were:
- Introduction of EU institutions and its regional approach
- Structural reforms and steps towards EU – cooperation between Serbia and Montenegro and European Union
- Standards and procedures of Process of Stabilization and Association
- Legal aspects of functioning of EU and integration processes.
Both days were prolonged for an hour because journalists got the opportunity to do a research through internet in order to come to information.
Conclusion from this seminar is that journalists should have more opportunities in the future regarding seminars about information of European Union, because they are the one who can inform wider population about these processes.

Second seminar was realized on 10/11. June 2005. in Makedonska 11 Street. This seminar was for NGOs and syndicates from Banat Region. We had participants from Pancevo, Kikinda, Vrsac, Novi Becej, Melenci and Zrenjanin. There were representatives from NGOs as follows:
- EMinS, local Council Pancevo
- Centtre Agora from Vrsac
- Association of Slovenians »Planika« from Zrenjanin
- EMinS, local Council Kikinda
- Association of Romans Sa »o«roma from Zrenjanin
- Group PAAD from Novi Becej
- Young lawyers of Serbia, Zrenjanin
- Association of youth Circle Melenci
- German association »Beckerek« from Zrenjanin
- EMinS, local Council Zrenjanin
- County association for foreign languages and literacy Zrenjanin
- Humanitarian centre «Duga« from Zrenjanin
First day of seminar we have presented the participants with following themes:
- Introduction of institutions of European Union and their regional approach
- Process of stabilization and association
Second day of seminar covered next themes:
- Legal aspects of process of integration of Serbia and Montenegro in EU
- Structural reforms in process of integration – Funds of EU
- Cooperation between Serbia and Montenegro and EU
Participants had a lot of questions regarding funds of EU and process of stabilization and association. Some of them are as follows:
1. What do we have to do in order to be accepted in European Union?
2. What sorts of funds does EU have for our country?
3. What are the next steps that we have to take in process of stabilization and association?
4. How can we as NGOs can apply for funds of EU?
5. Do we need to have partners in projects such as some other NGOs, institutions or Local self government?
At the end of this seminar mutual conclusion was that just a small number of institutions are working on promotion of EU values. The problem is that EU has already invested a lot of money in our country, but people are not familiar with that. We should do more on promoting these issues if we want to join EU within next period of years.

Third seminar took place on 23/24 of July 2005. at Technical Faculty “Mihajlo Pupin ” Zrenjanin. This seminar was for students and Academics. There were 25 participants on this seminar.
Themes that were presented are as follows:
First day:
- Introduction to European institutions and its regional approach
- Importance of procedures of stabilization and association, past results and perspectives
Second day:
- Area of cooperation between Serbia and Montenegro and European Union – financial help of EU to SCG
- Legal aspects of process of integration SCG in EU
- Bologna process
At the end of seminar we added theme “Bologna process” because this is of great importance for higher education and its reforms in our country.

All participants were very enthusiastic about the way that our Country should take because as they said if we can have young academics and students that are ready to stay and invest themselves in this country we have bright way in front of us.
The questions that they had were mainly connected with bologna process, but they were very interested in book that we delivered them: 25 programs of EU.

Fourth seminar was realized on 05/06 of July. 2005. for representatives of local self government and politicians. This seminar was held in congress hall of Municipality of Zrenjanin. 23 representatives and officials of local self government participated on this seminar.
First day topics were:
- Introduction of European Union institutions and their regional approach
- Possibilities of recommendation and influence of local and regional government on speed up of integration process – regional and local cooperation
Second day topics were:
- Cooperation between local government and NGOs in integration process
- Standards and procedures of stabilization and association and its legal issues
- Cooperation between Serbia and Montenegro and European Union
This seminar was very interesting because this was first time that this number of representatives of local self government took participation in seminar that was realized by some NGO. The topics that participants were interested the most were “Process of stabilization and association” as well as “Regional approach of European Union”.
Through conversation participants wanted to know how they can establish cooperation with some cities in European Union as well how to apply for funds of European Union and what kind of partnership they can realize.
Vice president of local parliament of Zrenjanin, Aleksandar Marton said that employees in local self government should have more education regarding issues related to themes of process of stabilization and association in order of better understanding the way how local self government can improve its way towards European Union. He also emphasized that municipalities must work together with NGOs in order to rise awareness of citizens about EU integration processes and what we as a community can do together to improve local social-economic development.

TV show “Step towards Europe” was broadcasted on 6th of July on Regional TV station Santos. Guests in this show were:
- Ana Vujinov – president of NGO Centre Zrenjanin,
- Nikola Slajh – president of European Movement in Serbia – Local Council Zrenjanin
- Aleksandar Marton – vice president of local parliament of Zrenjanin.
This TV show as a main purpose had presentation of European values to a wider public.
First, project “Step towards Europe” was presented, and then the all show was focused on what are our possibilities and in what way can we contribute as a community in this road towards European Union.

Public tribune was organized on 12th of July 2005. at club “Zeleno Zvono” were NGOs can promote their activities.
Guests on this event were:
- Robert Molnar – executive director of Agency for development of SMEs and entrepreneurship
- Nedeljko Curic – coordinator of program of social-economic development of Banat
- Radovan Elekovic – former assistant for regional and cross-border cooperation in secretariat of executive council of AP Vojvodina.
- Jelena Horvat – student of Economic high school in Zrenjanin – representative of junior achievement Serbia.

Originally, it was predicted that this tribune will be presentation of two Agencies in Zrenjanin, but in conversation with people, we came to a conclusion that it would be better if beside this we present what has EU funded through AP Vojvodina, and what has been done with young people who want to become entrepreneurs in the future.
Ana Vujinov presented project “Step towards Europe” at the beginning of tribune. After that Mr. Molnar presented what is done for the period of three years in development of entrepreneurship in Zrenjanin.
Mr. Curic presented program of social-economic development of Banat
Mr. Elekovic presented what has EU invested in Banat through Vojvodina
Miss Horvat presented program Junior Achievement.

Some of the questions that were asked during our seminars were as follows:
1. What is essential difference between European committee and Parliament of EU?
2. What are the competences of European committee and European counsel?
3. What is the difference between European Counsel, Counsel of Europe and Counsel of European Union?
4. What does regional policy means?
5. What do we have to do to enter European Union?
6. What does European Agency for Reconstruction do? Do they only give us the money or they give us support in development of infrastructure or technical assistance?
7. When will wider funds be accessible to our country?
8. What do we gain and what do we loose by entering European Union?
9. How is EU prepared to help us if we admit that we do need help in integration processes?
10. How does EU see our country and does they think that we are ready to enter EU?
11. How much money has EU already invested in Serbia and Montenegro and will that amount of money be decreased or increased in the future?
12. Why has the lowest amount of money been invested in education by EU?
13. What does budget periods 2000-2006 and 2007 – 2013 mean?

Lecturers and experts on project activities were as follows:

- Ana Vujinov – president of NGO Centre Zrenjanin, coordinator of the project “Step towards Europe”- lecturer
- Ivana Markov – regional coordinator of Centre for free elections and Democracy – lecturer
- Nikola Slajh – President of European Movement in Serbia, Local Council Zrenjanin – lecturer
- Djordje Padejski – Journalist – expert
- Dragan Jaric – president of Young Lawyers of Serbia, office in Zrenjanin – expert
- Dragana Vujinov – regional coordinator of European Movement in Serbia for Banat region - lecturer
- Robert Molnar – executive director of Agency for development of SMEs and entrepreneurship – moderator for public tribune
- Nedeljko Curic – coordinator of program of social-economic development of Banat - moderator for public tribune
- Radovan Elekovic – former assistant for regional and cross-border cooperation in secretariat of executive council of AP Vojvodina – guest lecturer
- Jelena Horvat – student of Economic high school in Zrenjanin – represntative of junior achievement Serbia – guest lecturer

Overview outputs / deliverables

Deliverables that were distributed were as follows:

- What has EU done for Serbia
- 25 programs of European Union
- European programs for local communities
- Flags of European Movement in Serbia
- Balloons of EU
- DVD with TV show with title “Step Towards Europe” and TV report
- Columns in regional newspaper Zrenjanin and daily newspaper Dnevnik

Successes achieved and Challenges encountered
General
Overall objectives of the project were as follows:
- Rising of knowledge about EU
- Education about processes of EU integrations
- Connection and joint work of several institutions on conducting European integrations
- Rising awareness about relevance of EU integrations of Serbia and Montenegro
- Better education on information and understanding of journalists about EU integrations towards better presentation of these processes through media for public.
- Introduction for local self government towards better understanding and promotion of EU and understanding of needs of inclusion of NGOs in cooperation in order to strengthen lobbies with goal of faster of European and regional integrations.
- Introduction of union (syndicates) with strategies of EU in process of agricultural reforms.
- Introduction of civil society and academic citizens with EU in order of further caring over of knowledge on seminars for students, their understanding of European and regional integration and cooperation.
All of the above objectives were fulfilled in total.

- Planned results of the project were better understanding of all target groups about European integration processes as well as European institutions. This has been accomplished by project and people are better informed about these issues than they were before project implementation. As a result of that, because of a great interest, there was re-play of TV show “Step towards Europe”. Also, planned results were to strengthen cooperation with local self government, what was also achieved. For instance local self government decided to co-finance all projects by NGOs that have been adopted by European Agency for Reconstruction. They have already adopted and approved project of NGO Centre for next year regarding seminars for NGOs in the region about project and strategic management. Local self government also decided to help NGOs get more space in regional newspaper Zrenjanin – for example NGOs will have space as well as political parties have for reporting of their activities and all related issued to development of civil society.
Local self government is preparing a protocol of cooperation with NGOs where is planned for local self government to form a body that will be engaged in cooperation with NGOs and that will together with NGOs work on development of local community. It is foreseen that this protocol of cooperation should be signed on autumn this year.
- Media are interested as well to promote European values: for example, regional newspaper Zrenjanin wants to open a new serial of columns about how much money has European Union already invested in Serbia and Montenegro and how does EU function. Radio station Fedra is also interested to have a serial of emissions about promoting European Union and its institutions as well as process of stabilisation and association.
- In total

Target groups have effectively been addressed. There were four target groups in the project:
- media journalists
- NGOs and syndicates
- representatives of Local self government
- Academics and students
All of above mentioned target groups has effectively been addressed and participated in organized seminars.

Project “Step towards Europe” has in total fulfilled overall objectives of the fund. People are better informed about European Union and European integration process, target groups have already strengthen cooperation in order of contributing towards integration processes. Local self government is more open for communication and cooperation with NGOs as well as for joint projects of regional and local level. They are also interested for regional and cross-border cooperation with other NGOs and local governments.
Media are willing to promote European values and integrations. People are more open and ready to talk about all issues and problems that we as community should face and solve in order of better development of community.

Implementation of project went very well, except there was a miner problem with participation of representatives of media-journalists. There were severe floods in Banat region during the time of implementation of the project as well as tragedy on bridge on river Tisa. This caused a smaller participation of media journalists because they were preoccupied with reporting about these events. But beside of that seminar went very well.
There were no changes regarding proposed methodology and implementation of the project.

Project management and coordination

Project implementation was in line with the work plan. The only change that was made was organization of seminars for Local self government and Academics and students. It was planned within the project that seminar for local self government should be before seminar for Academics and students, but we had to reschedule it because of the seminar that was conducted in Kanjiza by EMinS for representatives of local self government. Because representatives of local self government.

There were no delays in project implementation. Everything was done according to time schedule presented in the project.

Relationship with implementing partner was excellent during implementation period of the project. European Movement in Serbia provided us with promotional materials such as:
- What has EU done for Serbia
- 25 programs of European Union
- European programs for local communities
- Balloons of EU
- Flags of European Movement in Serbia
Also, they were always ready to give us advice and everything we needed during this implementation period.

Relationship with the EAR was very good during implementation of the project. I would like to emphasize a very good organization of seminar for applicants on issues how to implement projects and all related issues to European integration fund.

Visibility

All stages of the project were covered by media, printed as well as electronic. There were several reports on local TV stations. As far as printed media is concerned there were few articles regarding activities of the project “Step towards Europe” in local newspaper Zrenjanin and in daily newspaper Dnevnik. Results of the project were presented on public tribune and on local TV station Santos. It can be said that public awareness has been increased and people now better understand European integration process, but much more has to be done in order to people fully understand that our only way is towards Europe if we want to live in stable and secure Serbia.
Visibility of EAR was on high level. Logos of European integration fund, as well as logo of the EAR were highlighted on all materials. In all newspaper articles, EAR was presented as donator of the project and European Movement in Serbia as implementing partner.

Sustainability and impact

It is planned to promote European Union through serial of newspaper articles and radio emissions in order of even more better understanding of European values and all that we as a community must do to become people that we need to enter Europe.
Local self government has approved project of NGO Centre for next year regarding seminars for NGOs in the region about project and strategic management in order to develop NGHO sector and its capacities, because they will also have a big influence in process that we are about to start.

Short term impact of the project is readiness of local self government to work together with NGOs in order to develop local community, higher level of awareness of people in the region about European integration processes and readiness of media to promote and learn more about Europe and its values.
Longer term impact is yet to be seen within cooperation between local authorities and NGOs in joint work of development of local community towards fastening process of integration in our region.

Suggestions and recommendations
Opinion of all the people that we have talked to is that new call for proposals should be launched because more people should learn about European values and everything that we as Country should do in order to become part of European Union. Implementing partner carried out this call for proposals very professional and they were always ready to help and give an advice when necessary. It was very good that EAR has organized training for the beneficiaries. Communication with implementing partner
Was on high level, they have regularly informed us on time about every issues regarding project implementation.

A project Volunteer Centre is funded by World Bank and it should:

- participate more in the community activities
- support centers for social care and provide them with volunteers in order to help the services during the work in the community
- to contribute in solving current problems of the socially jeopardized groups s more efficient activities of volunteers.
- it should raise the conscious and understanding the volunteerisms as a contribution to social development of the local communities and organizations (both governmental and non-governmental).

There is need to work with:
- Hospitalized children-two hours a day of reading or animation of sick children.

Young, unemployed people with secondary school education should work with the children in order to gain more practical knowledge.

- Schoolchildren from Gipsy population – two hours a day of additional work and
explanation of school curriculum, as well as help with the homework.

Target population and number benefiting from the proposed activities

- Hospitalized children,
- children from Gipsy population,
- old people and invalids in Gerontology Centre,
- old people and invalids who live on their own.