This awareness seminar on the cross-border programme Bosnia and Herzegovina – Croatia was organized on December 11^th, 2007 in the premises of the Municipality Bihac, which was the host institution. The seminar was organized in close cooperation of the Directorate for European Integration and the CBIB.

Different institutions (Municipalities, NGOs, Chambers of Commerce, Health Care and educational institutions, etc.) were invited and 42 persons participated. The event was well covered by the local media (TV, newspapers and radio). Mrs. Kata Repac, Head of Department from Municipality Bihac, officially opened the seminar.

Objectives:

The objective of this awareness seminar was to familiarize the potential applicants in Bihac region with the cross-border programme Bosnia and Herzegovina – Croatia and with the main characteristics of a cross-border project. More specifically, the objective of the awareness seminar was to help potential applicants of the Bihac region to start thinking about projects ideas, preparation of projects and search of relevant partners.

Four presentations were made:

• Introduction to IPA and IPA Component II: Cross-border programme 2007-2013Bosnia and Herzegovina – Croatia, presented by Nada Bojanic acting Head of the Department for regional cooperation and CBC programmes, Directorate for European Integration for Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• Regional project Cross Border Institution Building – CBIB and its activities in the Western Balkan region, presented by Vlado Pijunovic from CBIB Sarajevo office;
• What is a cross-border project (type of projects, type of partners, budget and eligible costs, call for proposal), presented by Maja Stojanovic from CBIB Belgrade office;

Cross – border cooperation and absorption capacities, presented by Sandi Zulic from “Una-Sana” Association for protection and promotion of environment.

Conclusions and Lessons Learned:

The organizers consider this event very successful. The great interest of the participants shows that IPA CBC raises a lot of expectations in the region. The participants of the seminar showed great interest in the presented topics and most of the participants expressed interest for participation in future trainings and seminars. The presentation and presence of a local association which is actively engaged in the existing regional projects gave additional value to the seminar and participants expressed the initiative to start considering different project ideas and potential partners from this region.