MEETING OF THE COORDINATION TEAM FORMULATING THE NOVI SAD SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Manager of the Local Economic Development Office and coordinator of the creation of the Novi Sad Sustainable Development Strategy prof. Marijana Dukić Mijatović, PhD, held the first meeting of the Coordination Team working on the design of that document. The Coordination Team drawing up the Novi Sad Sustainable Development Strategy comprises the representatives of the public sector (members of the City Council and heads of city administrations), who will determine the main developmental directions, monitor and lead the formulation of the Novi Sad Sustainable Development Strategy.

- The implementation of the Economic Development Strategy, which was in effect from 2009 to 2014, was successful, i.e. the implementation rate was 65%. We have decided to make this document more comprehensive, therefore, besides economy, it will include the fields of urban planning, ecology, social welfare, poverty reduction, utility infrastructure and employment. Besides the Coordination Team, another body important for the development of the Strategy is the Partner Assembly, which includes general managers of public and public-utility companies, representatives of business and economic organizations, institutions founded by the City, state and provincial bodies, universities and other relevant civil sector actors. Our intention is to finish the work on this strategic document by October and welcome the five-year period ready. We want to find the best solutions and meet the highest standards of the project budgeting – said prof. Marijana Dukić Mijatović, PhD.

The Strategy will include the action plan with the list of projects clearly linked with the identified goals, budget and sources of funding, performance indicators and project participants responsible for the implementation.
The development of the Strategy will enable the City of Novi Sad to improve the system of implementation, monitoring and assessment of the accomplishment of strategic objectives and better harmonization of local policies with national legislation and the planning framework recommended by the European Union for sustainable cities.

On 13th January 2015, the Mayor of Novi Sad signed the Cooperation Agreement with the representatives of the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities, which will provide expert assistance to the City of Novi Sad in the Strategy development process.

Novi Sad, 2nd April 2015