The global objective of this project proposal is to support a more balanced socio-economic development in Serbia by facilitating rural development in the Pester highlands.

The specific objective of this project proposal is to support competitiveness of agri-food producers from the Sandzak region by building up their capacity to meet the requirements of the law on food safety and strengthening their position in the market. To achieve the project goal the following activities will be carried on: The Lacto-freeze tanks will be provided to commercially oriented dairy farmers in the Pester highlands and these farmers will be trained on the regulations of food safety (hygiene of milking, milk collection and transportation as well as kettle well-being). Access to the lacto-freeze tanks will guarantee the quality of milk securing its redemptions prices and the sales rate. Furthermore, laboratory testing, storage, packaging services will be provided to commercially oriented dairy producers in the Pester highlands with a laboratory accredited by the end of the project. These producers will receive training in HACCP and other standardisation in cheese production.

Simultaneously, a food cluster of agri-food producers with special focus on the Sjenicky white cheese will be created. The work on the protection of the Geographical Indications of the Sjenicki white cheese will be initiated as well as the work on the marketing strategy targeting the markets in Serbia, former Yugoslavia and, eventually the EU. The Czech development intervention will be complementary to the activities of the PROGRESS (European Partnership with Municipalities Programme) implemented in the Sandzak region. This project will be also enlarged in cooperation with US Donors Challenge Fund through which mainly activities on enhancement of marketing practices for farmers will be covered.