Area Based Development (ABD) is considered to be an innovative approach enabling breakthrough in sustainable growth of rural cross-border regions.

ABD is perceived as suitable for targeting defined geographical areas in cross-border regions in the Western Balkans, characterized by specific complex development problems. The approach as its core principles uses a methodology, which is inclusive, participatory, and flexible and ensures integration and coherence.

It is suitable in particular for areas where one or several of the following development situations are present: poverty gap, post-natural or human disasters, post-conflict environment and exclusion issues.

The ABD approach was recently initiated in the region as part of the EU-financed (DG AGRI) study, carried out in close collaboration with SWG. The study titled “Facilitating an area-based development approach in rural cross-border areas of the Western Balkans” was carried out by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre – IPTS. It covered the Drina-Tara Region – a cross-border area between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia – and, as part of the study, developed a methodology for designing and applying the ABD approach to cross-border regions.

The SWG Assembly has, beside the Drina – Tara region, selected three cross – border regions in the Western Balkans to be involved in the process of Area Based Development.

The selected regions are as follows:

• Drina – Sava region (cross – border region between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia)
• Prespa region (cross – border region between Albania and Macedonia) and
• Shara (cross – border region between Macedonia and Kosvo (UNSCR 1244)).

Project Aim and Outputs

Aim

• The main aim of the Project Preparation Facility is to prepare a project proposal for implementation of ABD in the above mentioned cross-border regions of the Western Balkans.

Output

• The output will be a project fiche and technical annexes related to the selected cross-border regions (in-depth analyses and development Strategies and Action Plans for each of the regions), which would provide a basis for the multi-annual ABD project in the selected regions of Western Balkan countries.

The project started in September 2011 and its duration is foreseen till May 2012.

Minister Dimovski addressing the Forum on behalf of the SWG RRD

“Europe should use the opportunity for cooperation and investments in the SEE region” – this was the key message from the GFFA Regional panel on SEE sent to the participants by the Macedonian Minister for Agriculture Ljupco Dimnovski, the actual chairman of the SWG RRD.

During the panel discussion entitled “Modernization partnership South Eastern Europe – increasing efficiency, protecting resources – Perspectives of cooperation between Germany and the South Eastern European countries”, Dimovski also stressed the fact that the SEE offers new market possibilities for the EU especially in relation to direct investments supported by the improved business environment stating the following:

“The region is “hungry” for investments which will modernize the agricultural production. Our countries have understood the importance and give priority to the EU integration processes. We have intensified the cooperation in order to move forward in accordance with the EU agenda.
All SEE countries made remarkable progress in their political, social and economic sectors. Regional cooperation is one of our priority goals and we committed to its strengthening by promoting trade, market-oriented economy and improvement of the infrastructure, environment, research technology and development. These changes have moved the region towards efficient modernization of the agricultural sector and the overall economy.”

High ranking representatives from Macedonia, Serbia and Croatia and important business representatives from Germany discussed on concrete strategies which need to be implemented in order to intensify the future cooperation.
Except the significance of Foreign Direct investments for modernization and intensification of the agriculture (in particularly in Macedonia, Serbia and Croatia), the plenum concluded that the present organic farming and organic food processing in the Southeast European region will be capable of covering the European Union’s constantly growing demand for organic products!

The panel discussion was attend by high ranking representatives of politics and economy from Germany and the region (as well as the SWG delegates) and took place at the international Congress Centrum in Berlin on January 19th as part of the world largest consumers’ show – the International Green Week Fair.
It was organized by the Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations as part of the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture – GFFA in co-operation with the SWG RRD.

The SWG activities and services were also promoted during the International Green Week fair within the one day event “Cooperation Market”.

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The SWG Head Office/ Secretariat for the needs of the SWG GIZ ORF project:”Improving the competitiveness of companies and organizations from South-Eastern Europe in the agricultural and food sector through the implementation of food quality standards and increased regional networking” is searching for two (2) consultants for the tasks listed in the Terms of References.

Experts who fulfill the criteria indicated in the Terms of References (ToRs), are encouraged to submit their offers.

Along with the financial offer, the experts are kindly asked to submit detailed CV on the following e-mail address: swgsecretariat@swg-seerural.org

The deadline for submission of the offers is January 17th 2012, 16:00 hours Central European Time.

The selection of the experts will be done taking into consideration the professional competence and experiences of the expert, as well as the financial offer.

Sincerely,

SWG Head Office/ Secretariat

Download Terms of Reference for consultant for implementation of requirements for food safety and quality standards in Bosnia and Herzegovina – call is closed

Download Terms of Reference for consultant for implementation of requirements for food safety standards in selected green markets in Serbia – call is closed

The SWG Head Office/ Secretariat for the needs of the Project Preparation Facility on Preparation of a Proposal for an Area Based Development in the Western Balkans is searching for  four (4) regional experts for the tasks listed in the Terms of References.

Experts who fulfill the criteria indicated in the Terms of References (ToRs), are encouraged to submit their offers.

Along with the financial offer, the experts are kindly asked to submit detailed CV on the following e-mail address: swgsecretariat@swg-seerural.org.

The deadline for submission of the offers is December 7^th 2011, 16:00 hours Central European Time.

The selection of the experts will be done taking into consideration the professional competence and experiences of the expert, as well as the financial offer.

The selected experts should participate on the first meeting of the project Steering Group scheduled for December 12^th and 13^th, 2011 in Croatia.

Sincerely,

SWG Head Office/ Secretariat
Download Terms of Reference for Regional Experts – call is closed

The International Workshop on Integrated management of water and forests in river basin areas across the South Eastern European countries took part in Ohrid, on November 22^nd and 23^rd.

The event was organized on behalf of the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG) in cooperation with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) within the SWG GIZ Study Expert Fund (SEF) Project: “Strengthening of the regional cooperation and networking in the forestry and water management sector and sustainable development in the river basins of the South-Eastern European countries”.

The workshop was targeted to representatives from the Ministries (Water Sector and Forestry Sector) from SEE countries, representatives from public enterprises, forest associations, National Parks and related NGO-s. National experts for water and forestry also participated at the WS.

During the workshop draft findings of the feasibility study carried out to identify options for improved regional and cross border cooperation between the forest sector and water sector as a contribution to sustainable development in the western Balkan countries, were presented and discussed.

Some feedback and comments were given on the draft conclusions of the feasibility study; Opportunities for improved regional and cross border cooperation were discussed and proposed and some project opportunities were identified.

The completed feasibility study and a concrete proposal for a project on integrated management of water and forests and sustainable development in the river basin areas across the South Eastern European countries are expected to be elaborated during the final conference foreseen to be organized in 2012 within the above mentioned SWG GIZ Study Expert Fund (SEF) Project.

You can download Programme here and Presentations here

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Relevant representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture from 7 countries from SEE, representatives from National Associations of Organic producers and appointed members from the recently established Balkan Organic Network – BON, jointly discussed the current situation in the organic agriculture in the region with specific focus to trade procedures and recognition of national organic certificates between the SEE Countries.

Being introduced with the current EU legislation related to the Organic Production and Trade as well as with the requirements for labeling and marketing of organic products in the region, the participants agreed that the regional cooperation/network between the SEE countries on their way to EU integration (potential candidates and candidate countries) is crucial. They concluded that improved regional cooperation, aiming to protect the competitive values which are in favour to the Organic agricultural production and to create sustainable market for organic products is an appropriate tool to stimulate the development of the organic agriculture in the Region.

The following are some concrete proposals and next steps which need to be undertaken for future facilitation of the regional cooperation in trade (but also in organization, research, extension, biodiversity and environmental protection) with Organic products between SEE countries:

• Establishment and Institutionalization of a coordination body to support and develop the initiative for regional cooperation in the Organic sector is necessary!
• NGO and business sector should have crucial role in the initiation and realization of the initiative through strong lobbying in front of the National authorities
• The existing cooperation between the departments for Organic Agriculture in the decision making institutions (Ministries of agriculture on the first place) and their cooperation with NGO-s, private/business sector, research, advisory institutions and other stakeholders is a  benefit which needs to be further strengthened
• Bilateral and multilateral agreements for trade/exchange with organic products (following the CEFTA example) need to be signed between non EU member countries from the SEE region
• List of Certification Bodies working in the region – accredited by the National or International bodies and with national authorisation need to be prepared
• Positive examples from the region (case of Bulgarian producers selling OP in the region), “open door” for import of OP (case of Serbia) etc, should be analysed
• All kinds of media need to be involved in order to promote the idea for regional cooperation in the Organic Agriculture
• A web-site to support the exchange of all information and networking in the sector should be created
• The participants of the TD will meet again in March 2012 during the International conference on Organic Agriculture in Sarajevo

At the end, the participants expressed their highest appreciation for the support provided by the SWG through the SWG – GIZ/ORF project “Improving the competitiveness of companies and organizations from South-eastern Europe in the agricultural and food sector through the implementation of food quality standards and increased regional networking” through which the TD was realized.

You can download Presentations here

Realized program

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„GroupPhoto-5th Annual Ministers meeting“

“Defining the future direction of reforms in agriculture and rural development in Southeast Europe, continuation of the reform process for EU accession, intensification of regional cooperation started up in the field of agriculture and rural development and full support to the Standing Working Group for Regional Rural Development – SWG, as a regional initiative in the implementation of strategic and operational plans related to regional cooperation for the next 5 years” – These are, among others, the main conclusions brought by the participants of the fifth annual working meeting of Ministers of agriculture from Southeast Europe, held in the winery ” Stobi” in Gradsko, Macedonia.

Participants at this year’s meeting agreed to intensify the exchange of experiences and assistance in the process of EU accession in agriculture and rural development sector both, for  the candidate and potential candidate countries for EU membership.

At the same time, the present Ministers and the chiefs of Ministerial delegations agreed that intensification of the cooperation in Southeast Europe is common interest of the region in order to implement the necessary reforms in the agro-food sector and rural development in accordance with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union, whose guidelines for the next 5 years will be changeable upon the proposal of the states.

Support is given to the progress in strengthening regional cooperation through the effective use of existing initiatives and instruments of the Standing Working Group for Regional Rural Development – SWG, based on cooperation, transparency and complementarities, through the use of a comprehensive approach for development of cross-border areas in South East Europe.

During this year’s meeting, Republic of Macedonia, i.e. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy has taken over the Presidency of the SWG Assembly for 2012 from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development of the Republic of Croatia. In this regard, Macedonian Minister – Ljupco Dimovski noted that the regional cooperation and its promotion has always been a priority of the Macedonian government and the Ministry of Agriculture.

The importance of commitment and support for improved and productive cooperation in all areas of agriculture and rural development, was stressed during the meeting, including the existing cooperation between universities, academic institutions and faculties of agriculture in Southeast Europe in order to strengthen the capacity to analyze the challenges in agriculture and rural development, as well as the implementation of agricultural policies.

2011-11-15_The 5th Meeting of the Ministers of Agriculture from SEE_FINAL_ENG FINAL all.pdf(Download Here)

You can download Presentations here

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The SWG Head Office/ Secretariat for the needs of the Project Preparation Facility on Preparation of a Proposal for an Area Based Development in the Western Balkans is searching for international and regional consultants for the tasks listed in the Terms of References.

Experts who fulfill the criteria indicated in the Terms of References (ToRs), are encouraged to submit their offers.

Along with the financial offer, the experts are kindly asked to submit detailed CV on the following e-mail address: swgsecretariat@swg-seerural.org.

The deadline for submission of the offers is November 13^th 2011, 16:00 hours Central European Time.

The time for submission of offers for regional consultant is extended by November 15^th, 2011 16:00 hours Central European Time.

The selection of the consultants will be done taking into consideration the professional competence and experiences of the expert, as well as the financial offer.

Sincerely,

SWG Head Office/ Secretariat

Download Terms of Reference for International Consultant – call is closed
Download Terms of Reference for Regional Consultant – call is closed

GroupPhoto-APF 2011 Split Croatia

The 11^th Agricultural policy Forum was held under the joint auspices of the Croatian Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development and the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG).

More than 70 representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture of the SEE countries, European Commission, FAO, GIZ, CEI, JRC, IPTS, RCC as well as delegations of the EU in Croatia participated at this years Forum which main objective was to address policy challenges in agriculture and rural development in South-Eastern Europe taking into consideration global, European and regional dimensions.

In particularly, the following three major topics were elaborated in details through working group sessions:

• The future of the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance for Rural Development (IPARD);
• Integrating Food and Nutrition Security into Country Programming and Links to Agriculture Policies in South-Eastern European Countries;
• Area Based Development (ABD) Approach and the Development of Cross border Areas: Opportunities and Challenges in South-Eastern Europe

As the final outcome of the Forum, the participants from nine (9) countries from SEE approved a unique document: “Split Agenda 2011 for Agriculture and Rural Development in South-Eastern Europe” in which basic direction for the future focused activities of the SWG in cooperation with EC and other relevant international institutions working in the region is given.

The participants concluded that the Agricultural Policy Forum is a successful example of a policy dialogue since its beginning and, the 11^th issue of this event once again confirmed the need for continuation and strengthening of the cooperation within the regional initiative – the Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group (SWG) directed by a strategic overview and appreciation of the opportunities offered by the European integration.

The SWG is recognized as a main institution in the promotion of the future development of sustainable agriculture and rural development in SEE offering strong support to the governments from the region in their efforts to continue with the reforms and to ensure permanent support to the development and implementation of specific policy measures for the rural areas promoting regional cooperation.

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You can download Programme here and Presentations here

You can download Split Agenda final here

The SWG Secretary General moderated the plenary sessions during the Study Tour on Rural Development. The Study Tour on Rural Development was organized by the European Commission – Technical Assistance Information Exchange Instrument (TAIEX) in cooperation with the Committee of the Regions.

The aim of this Study Tour was to present the EU policy on rural development to representatives of local and regional authorities coming from the Western Balkan countries and to give them the opportunity to exchange their experience and establish closer cooperation. Besides the general information about the functioning and decision-making of the EU, participants on the Study Tour had an opportunity to get introduced to the EU policy on rural development, in particular the Community strategic guidelines for rural development, the support for rural development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), the financing of the Common Agricultural Policy and the establishing an Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA).

Approximately thirty participants on the Study Tour had an opportunity to meet with members of the Community of Regions working on issues related to rural development and external relations. They also visited an office representing an EU Member State’s region in Brussels (the region of Extramadura, Spain), where they were informed about how the region deals with a regional and rural development policy. The participants on the Study Tour were introduced to umbrella organizations working in the field of rural development to exchange views and best practices with their counter parts in EU Member States as well.

You can download Programme here and Presentations here