Two projects of the 1st Call for Proposals have been visited in February: Take Care! and X-DEGREE. With officers and managers of the Joint Secretariat and Managing Authority, the visit was accompanied by Joanna Kiryllo, Task Manager at the European Commision.
In order to see advances made during project implementation and if any problems have been encountered, the Joint Secretariat and Managing Authority regularly visit projects co-funded within our Programme. In this way, we want to see firsthand what kind of innovative approach are the projects implementing, what is the involvement and benefits for the local community and how can the JS and MA provide on-field support.
On 4 February we visited two projects:
- Take Care! deals with public health and social care issues identified in the Programme’s Priority Axis 1. The partnership has developed a mobile Patient Care System, including mobile teams for people in need of better care, and accompanied by comprehensive educations and a cross-border palliative care network.
- X-DEGREE addresses usage of renewable energy sources in the cross-border area, as identified in Priority Axis 2, specifically by increasing energy independence of public utility companies. In Vukovar-Srijem County the partnership is installing 6 solar power plants.
Officers of the JS and MA were accompanied by Joanna Kiryllo, Task Manager at the European Commision for the Interreg IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme Croatia – Serbia 2014-2020. The visit started in Vinkovci, Croatia at the premises of X-DEGREE’s project partner Vinkovci Water Supply and Sewerage Ltd. Valentin Žderić, X-DEGREE’s project manager, welcomed the MA, JS and the European Commision representative and explained what has been achieved so far with project funding. The partner installed solar panels on six objects, thus raising the share of electricity generated from renewable energy sources. Mr. Žderić displayed the solar panels installed on the Distribution Center Kanovci, where EU co-funded investment will ensure savings of more than 15% of electrical power compared to 2018 and a reduction of CO2 emissions by 101.444 kg per year.
Later in the day, Anđelka Krstić, Take Care!’s project manager, introduced the MA, JS and the European Commision representative to the Bubamara Association, Take Care!’s lead partner. Ms Krstić highlighted the progress achieved on the project: almost 1.000 elderly residents and people with disabilities of Vukovar-Srijem County was helped by their mobile teams during past 20 months. Mobile teams, consisting of 40 health and social workers, have been educated and trained to provide a better quality of life to target groups in both Croatian and Serbian part of the project area.
The visit was a successful one, with excellent progress showcased by beneficiaries. In addition to presenting what was achieved on projects, this was a great opportunity to clarify any issues occurring in implementation with managers and officers of the JS and MA.
Find out more info about visited projects: Take Care! and X-DEGREE.
