9 September 2024, Bijelo Polje – The Ministry of European Affairs will continue to support projects at the local level, especially through cross-border cooperation and further infrastructure development. We need greater visibility of European projects and better communication between local self-governments and ministries, in order to effectively respond to the needs of the citizens of Bijelo Polje”, said Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević during her visit to Bijelo Polje.
At a meeting with the Mayor of the Municipality, Petar Smolović, and his associates, opinions were exchanged regarding current projects and plans for the further development of Bijelo Polje. The interlocutors discussed the possibilities of withdrawing new funds for environmental projects, related to the completion of waste water treatment collectors, the establishment of the Recycling Center and the regional landfill.
Mayor of the Municipality of Smolović expressed satisfaction with the significant EU projects that were implemented on the territory of that municipality, including investments of over 6.5 million euros, of which 4 million are for infrastructure, and the other 2.5 million for the realization of cross-border projects. He outlined the possibilities for investing in the heating of the city, the development of mountain tourism, as well as technical support for farmers for the diversification of chees production.
“Our goal is to make Bijelo Polje a tourist destination. center, especially through the development of winter tourism and through the promotion of culture and tradition”, said Smolović.
During her visit to Bijela Polje, Minister Gorčević, together with the Minister of Labor , employment and social dialogue Naida Nišić, Ambassador of France in Montenegro Anne Marie Maske and head of the political section in the Delegation of the European Union in Montenegro Laura Zampeti, visited the Day Care Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities and the Elementary School “Pavle Žižić”, in village Njegnjevo.
Director of the Tisa Day Care Center for Children and Youth with Developmental Disabilities, Ensad Omerović, said that the center represents a comprehensive service for the protection of children with developmental disabilities, that more than 120 children with developmental disabilities have used its services so far, and that currently there are 42 children beneficiaries of the Center.
“Thanks to EU projects, and especially to the cross-border Program Serbia – Montenegro, Public Institution Center Tisa has improved its services so that we can say that we have the best and the most modern equipment for working with children with developmental disabilities. Through EU projects, we built a hydro massage pool, a salt room, equipped a cabinet with neurofeedback equipment, equipped a cabinet with assistive technology, increased the number of occupational workshops, launched the “Second Shift” pilot project with users over 27 years old, additionally equipped a physiotherapy room and launched a support program parents”, said Omerović.