What is ABDA
Area Based Development (ABD) is considered to be an innovative and effective approach to facilitate sustainable growth in rural areas in decline. It is suitable for targeting defined geographical areas in cross-border regions in the Western Balkans, characterized by specific complex development problems. The approach uses a methodology, which is inclusive, participatory, and flexible and ensures integration and coherence.
It is suitable in particular for areas where one or several of the following development situations are present: poverty gap, post-natural or human disasters, post-conflict environment and exclusion issues.
Background of the project
The project was follow up and was a second phase of the project entitled “Preparation for implementation of the Area Based Development Approach in the Western Balkans”. The SWG Head Office/Secretariat and the Project management units in the cross-border regions “Drina – Sava”, “Drina – Tara”, “Prespa” and “Sharra” were responsible for project implementation.
Overall objective
The overall objective of this second phase was to continue with the process of building capacities and structures within the SWG and within selected regions in order to be able to implement the forthcoming Area-Based Development (ABD) programmes.
It’s aim was also to test in practice the ABD with implementation of integrated economic development approach in the cross-border region “Drina-Tara” and “Drina-Sava”.
Specific objectives
The specific objectives of the second phase of the project were:
- Contribution to sustainable economic growth of the identified cross-border regions by a continuation of the facilitation of preparatory activities for the implementation of identified and targeted economic development actions;
- Strengthening the cooperation of public administrations and other public bodies, the private sector and NGO’s in the field of local development and regional cooperation by building-up local and regional cross-border capacities; and
- Improvement of competitiveness of products and services from the cross-border regions “Drina-Tara” and “Drina-Sava” through cooperation and development of integrated innovative products and services
This project was funded by the European Union.
Project duration: February 2014 – April 2015
