Competition for the Best Media Reports on the EU Support to Local and Regional Level

The EU PRO Development Programme, in cooperation with the Ministry of European Integration of the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, has today launched a competition for the best media report by local and regional media outlets on the topic related to the European Union (EU) support to local development extended through EU PRO. The competition aims to promote and reward the best media reports, as well as to contribute to better informing the public, especially local communities, about the EU support to the economic and social development in our country.

All local and regional print media outlets, TV and radio stations, as well as media portals registered in one of 99 local self-governments included in the EU PRO Programme are eligible to  apply for the competition with a story that thematically covers various segments of the EU support provided to the local level through the EU PRO projects. The themes may include support to the economic development of local governments, employment of the locals, improving the quality of life in the fields of education, health, culture, sports, support to youth, environmental protection, as well as social inclusion and fostering gender equality.

Media stories, published/broadcast in the period from April 22 to May 17 2021, can compete in one of four categories: PRINT, TV, RADIO or MEDIA PORTAL. In addition to the main competition categories, the media outlet, as the eligible applicant, can additionally submit three media stories in a special competition category - SET OF MEDIA REPORTS. The propositions of the competition are available on the EU PRO website, while the competition itself will be realized through the  EU PRO Media Competition platform with  more detailed information and the application procedure.

One winning media outlet with the best story that is  selected in each category will receive  valuable prizes. The two media outlets will be additionally awarded according to the decision of the Ministry for European Integration and the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia. Thus, with EU financial support, through the EU PRO programme, seven media outlets will get equipment worth 5,000  Dollars to improve their technical capacity for reporting. The author of one of the winning stories, which according to the jury is the best, will be awarded with a laptop computer. As part of the awards for journalists who are the authors of seven winning works, the Ministry of European Integration will organise a two-day working visit to Belgrade based relevant state institutions involved in the EU integration process. The visit will be organised in accordance with the epidemiological situation and with respect to all measures.

The long-term successful cooperation of the EU Delegation, the Ministry of European Integration and UNOPS, as well as local and regional partners, is now continuing through the new European Union program for Local Development, EU PRO Plus. This three-year initiative, whose activities contribute to a more balanced socio-economic development of Serbia, is supported by the European Union with a total of 30 million Euros to contribute to improved territorial development management , economic growth and improvement of social infrastructure and cohesion in 99 local self-governments in two regions: Šumadija and Western Serbia and  Southern and Eastern Serbia.