Projects

PROGRESS Programme

PROGRESS is the EU's employment and social solidarity programme. It was established to support financially the implementation of the objectives of the European Union in employment, social affairs and equal opportunities, as set out in the Social Agenda. It also contributes to the achievement of the EU 'Lisbon' Growth and Jobs Strategy.

Working alongside the European Social Fund (ESF) PROGRESS started in 2007 and will run until 2013. This programme replaces the four previous ones that ended in 2006 covering actions against discrimination, equality between men and women, employment measures and the fight against social exclusion. The EU opted for a single programme to rationalise and streamline EU funding and concentrate its activities to improve the impact.

PROGRESS will ensure that EU social policy remains on course to face the key policy challenges and concentrate on actions that need a combined European effort. It will work to support Member States to ensure they deliver on their commitments to create more and better jobs, to guarantee equal opportunities for all and to implement EU laws uniformly.

PROGRESS has a global budget of € 743,25 million for seven years (2007-2013). The EU will use this budget to act as a catalyst for change and modernisation in five areas:

  • Employment
  • Social inclusion and protection
  • Working conditions
  • Non-discrimination
  • Gender equality

PROGRESS is open to the 27 EU Member States, EU candidate and EFTA/EEA countries. It targets Member States, local and regional authorities, public employment services and national statistics offices. Specialised bodies, universities and research institutes, as well as the social partners and non-governmental organisations can participate.

The Commission selects the projects to fund either through calls for tender or through calls for proposals It provides a maximum of 80% co-financing with some exceptions.

The Republic of Serbia and PROGRESS Programme

The EU agreed at the 2003 Thessaloniki summit to open participation in Community programmes to the Western Balkan countries, following the model of previous enlargements. Therefore, a Framework Agreement between the Community and Serbia and Montenegro on participation in community programmes was signed on 22 November 2004. (Official Gazette of SaM – International Agreements, no. 6/05). The Community ratified the Agreement in May 2005, and Serbia in July 2005.

The Framework Agreement provides for particular requirements linked to participation of (Serbia and Montenegro) Republic of Serbia in every programme separately, including obligation of financial contribution, shall be established in an agreement, in the form of the Memorandum of Understanding, signed between the European Commission on behalf of the Community and (Serbia and Montenegro) Republic of Serbia (Article 5, paragraph 1).

The state interest of the Republic of Serbia to sign the MoU between the European Community and the Republic of Serbia on participation in the Progress Programme is reflected in a fact owing to which a legal framework will be created for establishment of cooperation in employment and social solidarity, through scientific and research as well as other actions.

Given that pursuant to the Law on Ministries (“Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia, no 43/07) two ministries have been formed, one for labour and social policy and the other responsible for employment, the former being the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy and the latter the Ministry of Economy and Regional Development, the participation of stakeholders from Serbia will in the Progress Programme will be coordinated by both the Ministries respectively.

Minister of Labour and Social Policy Rasim Ljajić, signed the icon Memorandum of Understanding between the European Community and the Republic of Serbia on the participation of the Republic of Serbia in the Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity “PROGRESS”. After Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Vladimir Špidla and Minister for Labour and Social Policy Rasim Ljajić have signed it, the MoU became effective on 12 October 2007. After the Republic of Serbia becomes full member of the Progress, that is, after the annual participatory contribution has been paid, the calls for proposals invited within the PROGRESS Programme will become open for actors in

Further information are available in the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, contact person: Ivan Sekulović, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

icon Annual Work Plan 2009
icon Annual Work Plan 2008
icon Annual Work Plan 2007

Useful links:

„PROGRESS”
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=327&langId=en

Calls for Tender
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=624&langId=en

Calls for Proposals
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=629&langId=en

DG Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportynities
http://ec.europa.eu/social/home.jsp?langId=en

Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities Vladmir Špindla
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_barroso/spidla/index.cfm?langId=en

Еuropean Social Fund
http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/esf/index_en.htm

Еuropean Commission
http://ec.europa.eu/index_en.htm

Delegation of the Еuropean Commission in Belgrade
http://www.europa.rs/code/navigate.php?Id=1

News on Employment, Social Policy and Equal Opportunities
http://www.euractiv.com/en/socialeurope/

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