Programme for Supporting Local Initiatives in Southeastern Europe
	Activities within component 2: Regional cooperation Activity 1. Organization of regional workshops Two regional workshops will be organized within the project. These workshops will provide a link with other ongoing activities in countries and the region will serve as the main arena for discussing ways for integration of project results and identify ways to proceed with local initiatives after the closure of this project. Regional workshops will have at least 40 participants and will be held in beneficiary countries. A very important role in establishing contacts and facilitating communication with EU local partners will be played by the ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability. Both national and regional workshops will be participated by at least 50% women. Representatives of beneficiary municipalities, Sida, other donors in this field, including relevant national authorities and representatives of regional/national networks will participate these regional gatherings. Activity 2. National meetings National meetings will be organized once every project year in each beneficiary country. There will be 12 national coordination meetings with the main purpose to increase the national ownership of project results, while providing forums for discussing local development processes and exchanging information about the progress of project implementation. In addition, potential sources of funding for local planning-oriented actions will be discussed at national meetings. Representatives of beneficiary municipalities, relevant national administrations from beneficiary countries, national associations of local communities and representatives of locally-based international organizations and projects will be invited to participate these meetings. Goals and expected results Component goals: Provide opportunities for national and regional exchange of experiences and lesson learned Discussing progress of the LEAP process in beneficiary municipalities  Provide a forum for addressing issues of financing priority actions in local communities and provide links with relevant national and international processes Assess potentials for further development of local initiatives in SEE and plan for future developments in this field. Expected results:   12 national coordination meetings held; Two regional workshops organized in beneficiary countries; Results achieved during the process development and implementation of LEAPs discussed and communicated to the public; Regional workshops present a show case for gender balance and participation of minority groups; Experiences and lessons learned during the process of development and implementation of LEAP shared; Possible investments for further implementation of LEAPs in municipalities in South Eastern Europe attracted; A basis for further cooperation of the municipalities established; Communication among municipalities in SEE enhanced including communication with potential international partners; Involvement of beneficiary municipalities in broader national and international development-related processes achieved.   Contact person: Andrea Bevanda-Hrvo Tel/fax: 033 209 130 E-mail: abevanda@rec.org.ba				Component 1: Development of LEAPs - Goals