With the EU support better education conditions in the Pirotski district -the pupils of the Primary School "Despot Stefan Lazarevic" in Babušnica to get a summer classroom

The EU grant of over one million Euros, extended through the EU PRO Plus programme implemented by UNOPS in cooperation with the Ministry of European Integration, are invested in infrastructure works in educational institutions in Pirot, Babušnica, Dimitrovgrad and Bela Palanka, while special attention is focused on promoting inclusion and innovation in education.

The pupils of the Primary School "Despot Stefan Lazarevic" will soon have an adequate and safe space for learning and outdoor recreation. The works on the summer classroom include the installation of behaton boards, tartan surfaces for sports fields, benches, fences, with procurement of new furniture and planting the seedlings, thus contributing to the creation of conditions for a comprehensive approach to children's development.

As part of the project in Pirot, the reconstruction of the Pirot Grammar School that is underway, includes the replacement of the facade and carpentry, as well as the renovation of the roofs of two school buildings. Along with the improvement of energy efficiency, safety and conditions for learning and working, the Pirot Grammar School will regain its old look as it had when it was built 120 years ago, as all the works are carried out under the supervision of the Institute for the Protection of Cultural Monuments.

In Bela Palanka, the works has begun on improving the conditions at the Primary School "Ljupče Španac" where a fence will be installed, while at the "Niketa Remezijanski" Secondary School, the lighting has already been replaced, and the reconstruction of the floors will begin after the end of the school year.

In Dimitrovgrad, the Preschool Institution " The 8th September" received two new vehicles, one for transporting children with disabilities and the other for food transport. Additionally, the kids in this kindergarten will get new furniture, playground and computer equipment and materials for play and learning.

These improvements and modernisation of educational facilities with an increase in energy efficiency will contribute to the creation of a safe and stimulating environment for education. An important part of the project is connecting these educational institutions through a digital platform and improving the teaching process through the development of innovative educational programmes and training for teaching staff. By strengthening cooperation between educational institutions, local self-governments and the wider community, especially children and parents, and with the support of the Regional Development Agency South, this project contributes to building a competitive, innovative and integrated educational environment for preschoolers and students.

The project Integrated: Improvement of the educational ecosystem in the urban area of ​​the city of Pirot and the municipalities of Dimitrovgrad, Babušnica and Bela Palanka derived from the Strategy for the Development of the Urban Area of ​​the City of Pirot and the Municipalities of Babušnica, Bela Palanka and Dimitrovgrad, which was developed with EU support and is one of 18 integrated projects supported by the EU with more than 9.6 million Euros through the EU PRO Plus programme.

The EU support to integrated territorial development continues through the EU INTEGRA programme, which since January this year has been implemented by the Standing Conference of Cities and Municipalities (SCTM) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in cooperation with the Ministry of European Integration. The programme funded by the EU with 15 million Euros aims to modernise local self-governments in Serbia through the implementation of European models for integrated territorial and sustainable urban development that have been piloted through EU PRO Plus.