December 7^th

The City of Nis was awarded the certificate for successful adoption of the Support Package to improve the human resources management in the local self-government. On behalf of the City of Nis the certificate was received by deputy Head of the Nis City Administration Mrs. Katarina Mitrovski at the closing conference of the project “Human Resources Management in Local Self-Government” in Belgrade. This project, implemented with the financial support of the Council of Europe and the European Union, was implemented by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Ministry of State Administration and Local Self-Government and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities. The overall objective of the project is to improve the efficiency and administrative capacities of local self-government units through the establishment of a professional training system and the improvement of the human resources management function for a greater degree of efficiency and satisfaction with the work of local self-governments.

Bearing in mind that public administration reform is aimed at increasing the efficiency of public administration and the satisfaction of the citizens with the work of local self-governments, this project has established a framework for systematized and efficient human resources management in the local administration. Within the project, trainings and e-training in the field of professional development and human resources management were held, more than 30 models of acts were developed for more efficient and better quality implementation in practice, and consultant support was provided in establishing human resource management functions in local self-governments. The motive of the City of Nis for participation in this project is the tendency to become a good administration tailored according to the needs of the citizens, which is oriented towards providing fast and efficient services. Also, changes in regulations require improvement of work of local self-governments in the field of human resources management. The City of Nis is one of the 20 pilot units of local self-governments that took part in this project.

November 22^nd

The European Union defines public administration reform as one of three pillars of enlargement for the countries of the Western Balkans, together with the rule of law and economic governance, and therefore, for several years now, public administration is the fundamental reform area in our country. The Council of Europe and the European Union recognized the challenges that local governments in the Republic of Serbia face in their development and supported the Ministry of State Administration and Local Self-Government in initiating and implementing the project “Human Resource Management in Local Self-Government”. The overall objective of the project is to improve the efficiency and administrative capacities of local self-government units through the establishment of a professional training system and the improvement of the human resources management in order to reach a greater degree of efficiency and citizen satisfaction with the work of local self-governments. The project was launched in early 2016 and it would be fully implemented by the end of 2017 in partnership with the Ministry of State Administration and Local Self-Government and the Standing Conference of Towns and Municipalities. The total budget of this project is 2 million Euros and it is funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe. The Council of Europe launched a public call for city and municipality administrations and 20 pilot municipalities have been chosen (Bač, Belgrade, Bujanovac, Čačak, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Loznica, Medveđa, Niš, Novi Sad, Pančevo, Raska, Savski venac, Smederevo, Stari grad, Svrljig, Trstenik, Valjevo, Zrenjanin) to participate in the project related to the improvement of the human resources management. So far the chosen cities and municipalities have adopted human resources management policies; a set of training for employees in the field of human resources management was held; the rules on internal organization and job classification and other relevant documents have been improved; municipalities and cities for the first time started the process of analyzing the needs for professional development and planning of employee capacity development.

November 9^th

A public debate on the draft amendment to the highest act of the City of Nis –its Bylaw was held in the big hall of the Assembly of the City of Nis. The main reason for the amendment of the Statute of the City of Nis is harmonization with the current legislation, since the Statute was adopted in 2008 and in the meantime a number of laws were adopted at the republic level, which had to be adapted to the Statute. Nis City Mayor Darko Bulatovic believes that the proposed amendments to the Statute will improve the functioning of the local self-government. There will be one administration which will replace 11 that existed so far to whose work was often complained. The Mayor believes that in this way the city’s governance will be more efficient and that these improvements in the work will be felt by the citizens. The proposed amendments to the Statute also provide for the granting of greater competencies to city municipalities. Amendments to the Statute are expected to be adopted at the next session of the City Parliament.

City of Nis Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in partnership with the Regional Chamber of Commerce participated at Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad. The farmers from this region presented their products at the joint stand. The International Agricultural Fair is the largest agribusiness event in Serbia and one of the largest of that kind in Europe. It has become the trademark of the oldest fair in Serbia – Novi Sad Fair, and Novi Sad, as a prestigious site for presentation and development of agribusiness. It gathers the most significant companies in agribusiness, agricultural production, and machinery and presents the best in cattle breeding. It is an unavoidable place for agricultural producers from the country and the region.

The International Agricultural Fair that was held at the Fair in Novi Sad for the 82^nd time was home to 1.500 exhibitors presenting goods and services from 60 countries. The Fair showed the latest in agriculture, food and drink industry, agricultural mechanization, food industry equipment, chemical and protective products, organic food and other agribusiness goods and services. Italy – Friend of the 82^nd International Agricultural Fair, was presented in the exhibition and congress segment. One of the largest agribusiness companies, “Al Dahra” from the United Arab Emirates, presented itself at the Fair for the first time.

“This is a good way to promote the City of Nis and it is the opportunity to be spotted by potential investors. Agricultural Fair in Novi Sad is the leading fair of agribusiness in the Western Balkans and Southeast Europe. During the seven days of the fair producers, traders, experts, politicians, farmers, media representatives and visitors from all parts of society and the agricultural sector meet and connect”, as Jovan Stojkovic Nis City Council Member said.