In the year 2005, IMG brought a number of projects to successful completion.  To name but a few, those included creating a pilot computerized network of pharmacies, thus providing a basis for a well-connected network of all governmental pharmaceutical units in Serbia, as well as the project of equipping the public utility company Raska, which largely improved maintenance of Mt. Kopaonik National park and contributed to fostering environmentally friendly practices in the area.

IMG engagement on improvement of infrastructure continued on a number of projects implemented throughout Serbia, including construction of water supply systems in several villages and river reclamation in South Serbia. In addition, growing concerns over the issue of environmental protection led to launch of a complex project of construction of a garbage landfill and development of a primary waste selection system.


Figure: landfill in Gornji Milanovac

The capacity building element, inherent to virtually all projects implemented by IMG, is particularly emphasized in case of the project of establishing a regional center for in-service training of educators, where construction and refurbishment of facilities is followed by development of strategic documents and realization of actual training courses, as well as two projects implemented in three municipalities, two in South and one in Western Serbia. On the latter two projects, activities on improvement of infrastructure are complemented by a municipal development component, aimed at strengthening the management capacities of the local authorities and creating viable strategic development plans. The development component is carried out under guidance and with assistance of enlisted Norwegian consultants. All three projects were supplemented by study trips to Slovenia and Norway, allowing beneficiary delegations to gain first-hand insight into the organizational framework of their counterpart institutions and to observe proven methods of resolving numerous outstanding issues.  In addition, the project of construction of police classrooms in three South Serbia municipalities can serve as another example of how manifold capacity building activities are embodied into the component of construction of relevant facilities.

IMG has also implemented several projects on behalf of OSCE – Law Enforcement Department, with the overall goal to strengthen and enhance capacities of the police force through procurement of key equipment for laboratory examination and crime scene investigation. The main beneficiaries were key sections of the Ministry of the Interior, specifically criminal technical centers, border police units, war crime investigation department, etc. Support of the Norwegian Police Directorate to the Ministry of the Interior continued through JUNO III project, which comprised capacity building in problem-oriented policing through procurement of equipment. Moreover, the first phase of the Management Information Improvement Project, which is currently implemented at the Ministry of the Interior, will result in introduction of a financial management information system in all Ministry’s subsidiaries and branches, along with introduction of systematic changes in the finance and accounting departments.

Monitoring and advisory services represent a significant portion of overall IMG engagement. IMG monitors and facilitates implementation of three ongoing projects in the historical town of Cetinje, comprising repair and restoration of cultural heritage monuments under protection of state. In Macedonia, IMG was delegated by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to conduct evaluation of water supply and sanitation program 2002 – 2004. Furthermore, IMG conducted a feasibility study for the general project of assessment of needs for refurbishment and transition of infrastructure and equipment at the Serbian police high school at Sremska Kamenica.

Although the vast majority of projects implemented by IMG are financed through Norwegian contributions, funding is also provided by governments of some other countries, notably Austria, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, etc.

A comprehensive project in the energy sector, financed from a substantial contribution of the Swedish government through SIDA, is currently under way. The project targets three electric distribution companies, with the main goal to strengthen their organizational, financial, and technical capacities. Another project implemented by IMG on behalf of SIDA is establishing a re-admission and legal aid center for failed asylum seekers returning from western European countries, as support to one of the State Union’s most important international commitments.

Besides continued commitment to projects launched in the previous period, future IMG engagement is to extend over multiple new projects, some of which are still in the preparation phase while others were already initiated in late 2005 or early 2006. Through implementation of these projects, IMG shall continue to focus on issues paramount to overall development of the selected beneficiary institutions and areas, and ultimately Serbia in general. The projects will be carried out on numerous locations throughout the region, with primary concern in one of the following main fields: environmental protection; construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation; infrastructure improvement; municipal development; support to educational and cultural institutions; training and capacity building; procurement of equipment and refurbishment. In order to secure a holistic and pro-active approach, IMG will continue its close cooperation with all project stakeholders.

Following the request from the Ministry of International Economic Relations and the results achieved during the previous phases, IMG has continued with the support to Inter Sectoral Development and Aid Co-Ordination Network (ISDACON). The general aim of this project involves development and tailoring of the Foreign Aid Information System, training of the system users, technical support during usage of the system and strengthening of links between different Government Institutions. This Information System was recognized by the Serbian Government as a tool for European Integration process for Serbia, as well as for Cross Border Cooperation with the neighbourhood countries.

The Beneficiaries of the Project are the Ministries and Institutions of the Government of Serbia, Development Partners and public users.

In early 2006 new project dedicated to hand-over of the Information System to the Serbian Government was initiated. The main activities foreseen are: training of the Ministry staff for maintenance and administration of the application, training of future trainers and hand-over of application and documentation to the Government of Serbia.