The First Call for the submission of project proposals within the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Serbia – Montenegro 2021–2027 was presented today in Prijepolje, at an opening conference organized by the Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia, the Ministry of European Affairs of Montenegro, and the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia – CFCU.
Speakers at the event included Miloš Marković, Director of the Directorate for European Territorial Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Montenegro, Kostas Supilas, representative of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, and Drago Popadić, President of the Municipality of Prijepolje.
Participants were also addressed via video link by Nemanja Martinović, Acting Assistant Minister representing the Ministry of European Integration of the Republic of Serbia. 
The European Union has allocated EUR 8.4 million for the implementation of the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme between Serbia and Montenegro for the 2021–2027 period, while EUR 5.4 million is available under this First Call.
The Call will finance projects contributing to the Programme’s priorities, including employment, labour mobility and social and cultural inclusion across borders and encouraging tourism and cultural and natural heritage.
As highlighted during the event, the Programme aims to enhance social and economic development on both sides of the border, improve the quality of life of the local population, and contribute to standards closer to those of the European Union. Participants emphasized that the newly available funding, just like the funds from the previous IPA 2014–2020 financial perspective, will be directed towards concrete and sustainable benefits for local communities.
The opening conference was attended by more than 90 representatives of institutions, organizations, local authorities, media, and other stakeholders, while over 30 participants followed the event online, reflecting the high level of interest in taking part in the Programme.
Following the conference, an information session was held, during which the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia, as the Contracting Authority, presented the Guidelines for Applicants, the application package, and the procedures and technical details related to the submission process. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions regarding the preparation of project proposals and the conditions of the Call.
The First Call for project proposals within the Serbia – Montenegro Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2021–2027 was published on 24 November 2025, and the deadline for submission of project proposals is 26 January 2026 at 15:00.
