Municipal Infrastructure Investment Support Programme
Municipal Infrastructure Investment Support Programme is being implemated since January 2005. It has been initiated by the City Assembly of Belgrade and is being realized in cooperation with European Union which has provided necessary financial support through the European Agency for Reconstruction.
The aim of the Programme is the establishment of a Programme Management Unit (PMU) which will operate as a part of the City Administration and whose task will be to ensure that all major capital investments which are internationally funded and worth over 1 million euros are managed efficiently, according to the European standards and practice. The PMU within the MIISP monitors several major investment projects.
EXPERIENCE IN THE REGION
Municipal Infrastructure Investment Support Programme has been realized in cooperation with Danish consultant company COWI A/S whose experts will pass on their knowledge and experience to the employees of the City and the PMU staff through a range of trainings in the following year.
COWI has a wide ranging experience in managing a number of projects as well as assisting the various PMUs and PIUs. In connection with the Towns and Schools for Democracy Programme in Serbia, COWI successfully managed the setting up of a PMU located in Belgrade to manage more than 250 projects in the 160 municipalities. It has also provided assistance to a number of PMUs and PIUs in EU Candidate Countries to support the implementation of large investment programmes and projects for EU approximation in the environment and transport sectors.
PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT UNIT
The Programme Management Unit commenced their duties in January 2005 with the international consultant COWI and by now it has helped the City Administration of Belgrade to apply the best examples of city management from the practice of the developed countries.
The main task of the PMU is to facilitate planning and prioritization of capital infrastructure projects, to improve coordination and planning of the projects, to monitor implementation of the projects, report on and regularly inform the City Manager about their progress. This new and efficient system of planning and monitoring major investments will provide the City Administration with a constant insight and control over the projects being carried out in the City.
The PMU is not fully functioning yet, but is expected to be completely functional and independent by the end of January 2007.
TRAININGS
In order to enhance the performance of their important and hard role, the PMU has gone through a series of different trainings managed by the Consultant COWI.
The emphasis of the trainings is on the transfer of skills and knowledge to the PMU staff through a continuous close working relationship with the international experts in the performance of all PMU tasks. The target-oriented strategy to on-the-job training based on the "learning by doing" concept is employed to maximize the learning potential.
This approach is combined with formal training activities, such as project management courses and workshops and seminars.
MAJOR INVESTMENT PROJECTS
The following projects were selected to be monitored by PMU:
- Water Treatment Plant MAKIS 2
- Belgrade Urban Renewal Project (e.g. Tramway and Street Renewal Projects, Major Street Reconstruction, Traffic Management System and Tram Vehicles Refurbishment)
- Belgrade District Heating Project
- First phase of Inner Semi Ring Road Project including Sava Bridge
- First Phase of Light Rail Transit Project
- Belgrade Waste Water Treatment Plant
- Controlled Landfill Vinca Project
- Traffic Master Plan Study for the City of Belgrade
For the implementation of this Programme the European Agency for Reconstruction has secured over 3 million euros, while the city of Belgrade will provide 400.000 euros.
Municipal Infrastructure Investment Support Project
An EU-funded project managed by the European Agency for Reconstruction