REDASP (Regional Economic Development Agency

of Šumadija and Pomoravlje – Serbia)

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

Date of establishment: 2002  Territory: The total area of the region reach 4,985 km2, which is 5.6% of the Republic of Serbia. According to the 2010 records, in the region live 502,411 people (7% of the Serbian total population), with a density of 105 people per km2.  The region of Šumadija and Pomoravlje is located in the central part of Serbia and, thanks to its position, it has gained the title of the “Serbia crossroads”, through history. It hosts the main roads which run through all the length of the territory, connecting Šumadija and Pomoravlje with other parts of Serbia; moreover it hosts the railway network connecting routes leading towards the south to Montenegro, Bulgaria and Greece and towards the north to Hungary and Romania.   The region includes two districts in its structure - the Šumadija district and the Pomoravlje district. The Šumadija district includes the city of Kragujevac and six municipalities: Aranđelovac Batočina, Lapovo, Knić, Rača and Topola. The total area of the Šumadjia district is 2387 km2, out of which 835 km2 is the territory of Kragujevac city, which is also the largest city in the region. The number of residents in Šumadija district is 298,778, with an average population density of 125 per km2. The Pomoravlje district includes the city of Jagodina and five municipalities: Despotovac, Paraćin, Rekovac, Svilajnac and Ćuprija. With a total area of 2.617 km2 and a population of 227,435, the Pomoravlje district has an average density of 87 inhabitants per km2. In terms of geographical characteristics, the whole area of Šumadija and Pomoravlje has the characteristics of highland areas with the exception of the Moravska valley, with its alluvial characteristics.   Members: Kragujevac Regional Chamber of Commerce, Municipality of Aranđelovac, Municipality of Batočina, Municipality of Knić, City of Kragujevac, Municipality Lapovo, Municipality of Rača, Municipality of Topola, Municipality of Despotovac, Municipality of Rekovac, Municipality of Svilajnac, Association of Private Entrepreneurs “Šumadija”, General Union of entrepreneurs “Sloga, NGO “The heritage and future Aranđelovac1859”.  Main objectives: To create conditions for sustainable socio-economic development by building instruments of regional and local economic development and a stable network of key actors like the Serbian Government, local authorities, the Regional Chamber of Commerce, the National Employment Service, associations of entrepreneurs, universities, financial institutions, donors, NGO sectors, local media, service providers etc.  

 

IMPACTS

Economic Impact  During the last 5 years, REDASP has provided support to over 3.000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and to 7 clusters; it has been promoting innovation and business partnerships. REDASP is designing key mechanisms for business infrastructure development.

In rural areas of the region, REDASP is promoting the creation of value chains and cooperatives of agricultural producers.

Strategic Impact  REDASP is a key actor of the Region for the elaboration and implementation of regional and local strategic plans and sectorial strategies, closely collaborating with all relevant local regional and national stakeholders.  It is actively participating in a number of international development initiatives and programmes, reaching a significant territorial positioning in several key areas: business innovation and competiveness, infrastructure and environment, rural development, cultural cooperation and management of demographic and migration changes.  Environmental Impact  During the last five years, the LEDA has supported the "Zero Emission Network in Serbia", (founded by IFAS Institute - Germany and GIZ) in order to raise awareness on the importance of environmental protection and the use of renewable energy sources, organizing series of seminars, workshops and designing several project initiatives.  The LEDA has successfully implemented the project LEGEND (Low Enthalpy Geothermal Energy Demonstration cases for Energy Efficient Building and Adriatic area), in the framework of the IPA Adriatic CBC Programme 2007 – 2013.  REDASP is coordinating the implementation of major regional Water Supply and Urban Waste Water project in Pomoravlje District.  Social Impact  REDASP is continuously working for facilitating the inclusion of disadvantaged and vulnerable people in the economic mainstream of the region.  REDASP provides trainings and business advisory for unemployed people and redundant workers. Over 3.000 people have participated in trainings.  It has designed a special microcredit program for women entrepreneurs, supporting the establishment of 20 businesses.  It has reduced the level of social vulnerability of over 200 refugees and displaced persons on the Kragujevac territory through self-employment.  REDASP is continuously supporting rural population by providing assistance in accessing rural development programmes, organizing seminars and trainings, establishing cooperatives and Local Action Groups. It is estimated that over 12.000 people have been reached through various actions.  Financial Impact  REDASP has a portfolio of over 40 projects, reaching over 35 million Euro.  National Impact

REDASP cooperates with the Ministries of Economy, Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, National and Regional Development Agencies, National Employment Office, National Office for European Integration; together with these institutions, it plans and implements various national programmes all over the region.

 

 Institutional Impact  REDASP has established Local Economic Development Units at municipal level, improving their capacities of stimulating socio-economic development in the Šumadija and Pomoravlje region.  REDASP is coordinating the implementation of a regional sustainable development strategy through a regional commission composed by representatives of key local and regional stakeholders.  The LEDA has established two Local Action Groups, and a Business Innovation Centre.  

OTHER

Networking  REDASP is part of ADRA, the network of the Adriatic regions for enhancing cooperation, and of the ILS LEDA International Network of LEDAs. Besides, REDASP is a member of EURADA, the European Association of Development Agencies.  Awards  In May 2012, the LEDA has gained the accreditation for performing the businesses for the development of Šumadia district and Western Serbia, from the National Agency for Regional Development, and pursuant to the Regional Development Law and the Statute of the Government of the Republic of Serbia.  ILS LEDA has awarded REDASP with the IQUAL quality label, as a LEDA working for human development.  

To know more:    www.redasp.sr