“Southeast European Network on Balkans - Cross border region BG-SER” project has been submitted by the National Association of Small and Medium Business for funding under CBC Program BG-SER. This partnership included new members of SEE Network from SERBIA: NGO "Educational Center" from Leskovac and Civic Library "PIRGOS", Pirot.

Border areas are disadvantaged because of their peripheral geographical location and relative isolation from the national economies. These circumstances determine underdeveloped markets, low competitiveness, and higher unemployment than the national average. In the border regions the development of economic transformation is lagging behind, infrastructure investments are insufficient, and this further enhances the economic gap with the inside of both countries. There are also some demographic distortions, which again put pressure on the development of border regions. At the same time, border regions have natural and human resources that can allow their dynamic development and achieve high economic growth and employment, improved quality of life and sustainable development through maximum utilization of comparative advantages and protection of natural and cultural-historical heritage. The national strategic plans provide for priority development of border areas with effective use of national resources. The plans for the development of cross-border municipalities define vision for achieving competitiveness of SMEs as the backbone of regional economies and a major source of jobs, a generator of business ideas as a catalyst for rapid and sustainable growth, which in today's business will be in harmony with nature and with the requirements and understanding of future generations. The comparative analysis of cross-border target areas reveals many of the same characteristic features and processes that involve and demand similar economic models for sustainable development. This program is a good approach to promoting cross-border cooperation and overcoming the common socio-economic problems.

The project aims to encourage greater integration on the territory in order to ensure balanced and sustainable development throughout the whole border region. This strategy is pointed at promoting good neighborly relations, which build stability, security and prosperity in the mutual interest of both countries by encouraging their harmonious, balanced and sustainable development. The strategy is developed according to the principles of the new uniform instrument, allowing for further development and creation of effective partnerships for facilitating the sustainability of the border region. Project activities are totally relevant to these targets of the program.