Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije announces a

PUBLIC CALL

for the award of support to rural households from Lipovo (Kolašin), Bistrica (Bijelo Polje), and Lubnice (Berane) for the development of rural tourism.

The Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije is implementing the project titled “Year-round tourism in mountain destinations of BiH and Montenegro,” funded by the European Union under the IPA Cross-border Cooperation Programme BiH-Montenegro. During the project implementation, new hiking and cycling trails have been created, free climbing sites have been developed, children’s playgrounds will be installed, and support is planned for 6 households that meet the requirements for providing services in the field of rural tourism.

As rural tourism development is one of the strategic directions for tourism growth in the North, three villages were selected that meet the criteria in terms of proximity to attractive tourist destinations and new tourism products. Furthermore, there is a strong interest among the local population, primarily engaged in agriculture, to become involved in the rural tourism sector, thereby creating opportunities for additional income and diversification of earnings primarily derived from agricultural activities. These three villages are Lipovo (Kolašin municipality), Bistrica (Bijelo Polje municipality), and Lubnice (Berane municipality).

DESCRIPTION OF THE MEASURE

Support is provided to holders and members of family agricultural holdings in rural areas who meet the requirements and wish to provide services in the field of rural tourism. The goal of this support is to enable tourists to stay overnight in rural households, where traditional meals can be prepared and served. Depending on the primary activity of the household, other services may also be offered (horseback riding, guiding guests to nearby tourist attractions, participation in traditional rural activities such as brandy distilling, making juices and jams, mowing, hay collection, etc.).

BENEFICIARIES

Holders or members of family agricultural holdings residing in the villages of Lipovo, Bistrica, or Lubnice, whose primary source of income is agriculture and who live in traditionally built or furnished houses.

ELIGIBLE INVESTMENTS

• Adaptation of existing structures on the family agricultural holding for the purpose of providing tourism and/or catering services in rural areas.

• Procurement of necessary equipment or inventory for providing catering or tourism services on the family agricultural holding.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Agriculture is the primary source of income for the household.

• The household lives in a traditionally built or furnished house.

• The household has diversified agricultural production and potential for additional tourism services.

• The household is willing to invest its own labor or resources to improve its tourism offer.

• The household agrees to attend trainings related to rural tourism.

• The household agrees to work with other selected households to develop strategies and mechanisms that will contribute to business improvement.

AMOUNT OF SUPPORT

The maximum amount of support for each individual household is 2,000 EUR (excluding VAT, as EU funds are VAT-exempt). It is important to note that households will not manage the funds directly; instead, all procurements will be carried out by the Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije.

SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTATION

The Request Form for support for rural tourism development can be downloaded from the agency’s website new.bjelasica-komovi.me or obtained at the premises of the Local Tourist Organizations in Kolašin, Bijelo Polje, and Berane.

Completed forms should be submitted to the Regional Development Agency offices in Berane (IV crnogorske brigade 26) or Kolašin (Trg Borca br. 2, Cultural Center building), or to the local tourist organizations in Kolašin, Bijelo Polje, and Berane.

The Public Call is open for 10 days from the date of its publication in daily newspapers (from March 10 to March 20, 2014, until 16:00). Processing, household visits, and approval of received requests will take place after the closing of the Public Call.

REALIZATION PROCEDURE

The Regional Development Agency for Bjelasica, Komovi and Prokletije will form a Support Granting Commission that will review each application and score and rank all entries according to the criteria mentioned above. Contracts specifying the rights and obligations of the applicants and the grant provider will be signed with the applicants whose entries are approved. After signing the contracts, the Regional Development Agency will work with the applicants to create detailed specifications for the required materials, equipment, or works and will issue a tender for their procurement. Contracts will be signed with selected contractors or suppliers, and implementation will begin immediately. The final deadline for the realization of all agreed works and procurements is June 15, 2014.

INCOMPLETE AND UNTIMELY SUBMITTED DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

DOWNLOAD:

• PUBLIC CALL

• APPLICATION FORM