EU PROGRES

The green market and the medical laboratory in Kuršumlija, the development and construction of which was financed by the European Union and the Government of Switzerland through the European Partnership with Municipalities Programme EU PROGRES, were officially opened today by the Mayor of Kuršumlija, Radoljub Vidić and EU PROGRES Manager, Graeme Tyndall.

The new laboratory built within the primary health care centre in Kuršumlija provides more working space so that more patients can be admitted while the waiting time for the analysis results is cut in half. Besides biochemical analyses, the new laboratory can now conduct microbiological analyses as well.

Due to the fact that the former laboratory was moved from inaccessible loft of the primary health care centre into the newly constructed building, persons with disabilities are provided with better access to health care. According to plans, the new laboratory should perform around 115,000 analyses per year. Through EU PROGRES, the European Union and the Government of Switzerland provided EUR 62,286 while the municipality of Kuršumlija ensured EUR 43,960 for co-funding the project.

“The projects in Kuršumlija with the total value exceeding EUR 300,000 were financed through the EU PROGRES. The most important ones are the construction of the new laboratory, final works on the sports hall and reconstruction of the green market. The support of the European Union and the Government of Switzerland is rather significant since the municipality would not have the money to pay for these works alone”, said Radoljub Vidić, the Mayor of Kuršumlija.

As the result of the project financed through EU PROGRES, the roof over the green market was installed, the sanitary facilities were constructed and 22 new market stalls were procured. In that way, the conditions were created for organized sale and storage of agricultural products. This project was funded by the European Union and the Government of Switzerland in the amount of EUR 62,839 while the municipality contributed EUR 8,625.

“Kuršumlija has a great potential for agricultural development so, it is necessary to provide adequate conditions to farmers for sale of fruits and vegetables. Now the municipality has an adequate green market that should contribute to increased sales”, said Mr Tyndall.

The Manager of EU PROGRES also visited the sports hall in which the heating and ventilation systems were installed in April 2013 along with the fire-proof door. The outer fire hydrant network and out-door courts was also constructed. This improved the conditions for organizing sports and cultural events in the municipality as well as the training conditions for 12 sports clubs and recreational sports persons. This project was financed by the European Union and the Government of Switzerland through EU PROGRES in the amount of EUR 116,514 and the municipality allocated EUR 46,515.43.