CLEAR VISION OF DEVELOPMENT AND GOOD MANAGEMENT
13.03.2014

Municipality of Palilula is one of the most populated one of the largest urban municipalities in Niš, but the standard of life of its residents in the report of the Statistical Office of Serbia, is at the very bottom among the other municipalities in Serbia. In the current circumstances, the devastated economic environment, limited powers and limited budget, the management of the organization of local self-government of the city of Nis, successfully achieved international projects and solved key problems of the citizens. It was an occasion to talk with the president of the City Municipality of Palilula, Boban Džunić.

• Mr. Džunić, you have recently sent a handed Charter-recognition of Palilula to the Ambassador of the Republic of Bulgaria in Serbia, His Excellency, Angel Dimitrov, in Belgrade, in gratitude for his contribution to the development and progress of good neighborly relations and support cross-border cooperation.

Our fellow citizens know that the municipality of Palilula successfully realized projects in partnership with Bulgarian cities Svoge, Kustendil, Bobov Dol, Botevgrad, Ihtiman and support those of the European Union in the past few years. This has contributed to improving the relationship of local communities in the region and strengthens the cultural, social and economic cooperation between our two countries. Angel Dimitrov and Consul General of Bulgaria in Nis Atanas Krstin were in fact encouraged and we are very grateful for that. "Neighbourhood programs" as a new instrument of the European Union, seeks to promote and support cross-border cooperation to reduce the existing differences in development between regions on the outer borders of European Union and to improve the relationship between local communities, and strengthen the cultural, social and economic cooperation. Palilula has recognized this as an opportunity to promote their resources and to cooperate with partners in the region.

• Thanks to the projects you have made ​​more investments in your municipality, in what areas are those investments and what they are doing?

One of the four main development priorities defined within the action plan Palilula 2012-2016 is our strategic goal - the protection of the environment. That was the reason that in this area we have the project "Living Green." For this project activity, and with the results that were presented in partnership with the Bulgarian municipality IHTIMAN, earlier this year, we received financial support from the European Union - IPA funds in the amount of 162 671 Euros. We expect that our one year activity on the project will contribute to the citizens to realize that the territory of the municipality is their living space. The waste that unscrupulous people throw away - even more endangers the health of all residents in the area. In our partnership project " CoulTour " with Bobov Dol municipality, Bobov Dol and Palilula encouraged the development of cultural tourism in the border region through the improvement and modernization of the infrastructure associated with the cultural and historical heritage of the two municipalities. In Bobov Dol they built the amphitheater, in our community in Palilula we reconstructed the amphitheater and the area around it, in the Memorial Park "Bubanj". Within the project "MODERNSPORT," which was made in partnership with the Bulgarian municipality Botevgrad , in the outpost of the elementary school " Kralj Petar I" in Pasi Poljana, within an area of ​​4.400m2 , we built several sports courts: volleyball , basketball and handball , tennis courts, jogging trails, long jump, athletics track. This investment, in the framework of cross-border cooperation Bulgaria - Serbia, was about 218 480.74 Euros.

Promotion of sports and recreation of youth, is the aim of the project activity "SUCCESS" in cooperation with Bulgaria Foundation "Sport without borders." During 2014 we will work to improve the quality of life and strengthen the sustainable development of the border region through sport and improving cooperation between the two cities in the area of youth, social and educational issues. For this project there was a sum granted of € 138,030.

• You often point out that you are in direct contact with citizens on the field, where, as emphasized, "We can originally realize the needs and problems of the population" of your municipality, especially those who live on the periphery.

Our development path in the coming period we see through the development strategy framework and the annual budget of the City of Niš. "Action Plan for the municipality" is an operational tool for the implementation of development of Palilula until 2016 . Our vision of development is as follows: "Palilula as economically developed community, integrated into the global mainstream, attractive to living and working, which is characterized by flexible labor markets, competitive human resources and rich cultural identity. " Current socio- economic situation in our country hinders the realization of our development vision. But we're in the municipality are setting a clear objective and selfless work to met our goals.

I advocate that the voice of the citizens of Palilula is heard in the organs and institutions where decisions are made about the development of our community. Our leadership in the past twenty months of exercising power showed a high level of objectivity, humanity and determination to solve problems of all categories of the population. Water supply and sewerage system, road infrastructure, transport of people, care for the elderly, improving agricultural productivity, are just some of the activities that I have initiated and participated in the resolution of our Citizens Council. In the framework of international projects realized by municipalities, that is the best way to promote the potential and resources of our community, the City of Nis, in the region and particularly in international fairs and business and tourist events. We especially recommend our activities in solving problems of the residents of landslides in Mramor, reconstruction of primary school "Branko Miljkovic", Planning field roads, cleaning riverbeds of "Gabrovacka reka" and building inter space.

• By providing services to citizens in accordance with high standards of work within the jurisdiction of the city municipalities and improvement of standards of living in the community, you have filled very strict requirements of ISO 9001:2008 Quality of standards

The work of our Management Board requires high standards of quality. About the introduction and implementation of quality policies in Palilula we informed the public and all interested parties. It is not at all an easy job. We are actively working on improving work processes and compliance with the relevant legislation. For the purpose of customer satisfaction - citizens of Palilula, we have opened ''Office for quick answers”. We provide a modern information sharing. Submitted requests of citizens are processed within 48 hours and applicants receive feedback within three days, thereby contributing to the improvement of social services for all citizens of the municipality. All information about the work of our community is regularly updated on the social networks and on our website.