Expected results and achievements up to date

The results of the joint work of the key stakeholders in the region and our team that will be achieved during the lifetime of the CBIB project for each border are the following:

• Joint Management Structures (JMS) – The necessary joint structures (Joint Programming Committee and Drafting teams) for the drafting the cross-border programmes were established in December 2006 and January 2007. The joint structures (Joint Monitoring Committee and Joint Technical Secretariat) in charge of the managing the implementation process will be established in the upcoming months. Countries have started the process of bilateral negotiations on establishing the structures in November 2007. After the establishment of structures the CBIB will provide training for the staff of the JMS.
• Cross-border programmes - CBIB has provided support in the programme preparation process. The project coordinated the cross-border programme preparation process on the regional level, closely working with National Authorities and other institutions involved in the drafting process. 8 cross-border programmes were prepared and submitted within the given deadline (May 31st 2007) to the European Commission. The documents have received positive comments from the IPA Management Committee held on October 29th and their official approval is pending;
• Regional Cooperation – CBIB already initiated the first round of awareness activities in order to present the IPA framework, CBC and programming documents to regional/local actors in the border regions of Western Balkan countries. Project website was designed and is operational since March 2007. The basis for the establishment of a Regional Forum among Western Balkan countries was created with an IPA CBC information seminar organized in Zagreb on March 23rd 2007. This Forum should monitor and improve the cross-border cooperation in the region.
• Project pipeline – in the mean time, while the cross-border programmes are in the process of approval by the European Commission and the JMSs are being established, the preparation of the project pipeline will be initiated. CBIB will organize targeted trainings on project preparation and project cycle management for the potential applicants of the cross-border programmes. This will help the potential applicants prepare for the upcoming calls for proposals planned for the first semester of 2008.